Hunting & Fishing What kinda clothes & gear for Co Elk hunt? UPDATE*
- Thread starter tlsmith22
- Start date
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Under Armour style underneath. Wool on the outside. Any other layers are fine. Depends on how much walking you'll be doing.
Wool socks. You should be good to go.
Under Armour style underneath. Wool on the outside. Any other layers are fine. Depends on how much walking you'll be doing.
Wool socks. You should be good to go.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Your clothing/gear on this trip can be the deciding factor in a a great trip and a miserable trip.
Where are you hunting? What elevations? As I'm sure you know, the higher you go the colder it can be. Late October can be "winter" in the high country.
I've been in CO in early september when it was in the 20's at night and got up into the 70's during the day. Now this was at ~9,500ft camping and hunting up to 12,000ft. Ive been in CO during the 2nd rifle season and it was a blizzard and we couldnt get off the mountain for 3 days. The key to all this is proper layering and being prepared for anything.
If I was going up during late October, I'd wear a good heavy base layer (more than standard Under Armour) and I'd pack a lighter base layer if temps were unseasonably warm. I'd have a decent mid layer, maybe something soft shell and breathable. Then I'd have a good top layer, possibly gortex like a ECWCS. This should keep you warm in the pre-dawn/early morning hours and as temps rise you can remove layers and store them on/in your pack. Im not sure what type of hunting you are doing, but we always hunt daylight to dark. Most times we won't even start back to camp till after dark. It's cold again by this time so you'll need those layers you removed.
In the high country you have to be prepared for everything. You need to be prepared for a rain/snow storm. You need to be prepared to set a spike camp and sleep on the mountain if you need to. Maybe your on a big bull and dont want to lose him. Maybe you are lost. This isn't like hunting on the old lease pasture back home. You may be hours from the nearest road or medical attention.
Boots are a huge factor. I personally have always used Danner's. Seems like lately they have gotten some bad reviews. I've been lucky and never had a issue. You need 100% waterproof bottoms atleast and preferably mids too. Something with a good stiff arch support for traversing rocky terrain. Soft boots are fine in the flatlands, but not on rocks. If your buying new boots, do yourself a favor and put them on, soak them in water, and walk them dry atleast once before you head for the high country.
Gloves/socks.....you can figure this one out.
Make sure you have some type of rain gear. I prefer Frogg Toggs a couple sizes too big so they will fit over all my clothing. They aren't too expensive and they work. They are kinda noisy, but if it's raining the elk aren't gonna hear it anyway.
Unless you are going on a guided hunt with a guide 100% of the time, a good GPS is a must as well as a compass and topo map. The compass is worthless if you don't know how it navigate with it. Take 10 min on YouTube and learn to use it and read your map with it. My GPS has never failed me, but there is always a first time.
Pack a small emergency pack in a quart sized zip lock bag and stick it in your pack. Items like wax coated matches, cotton soaked in Vaseline, space blanket, small mirror, 9v battery, steel wool, a micro sewing kit, fish hook & line, alcohol pads, gauze, a piece of paper and a small pencil, iodine tablets, a few pieces of chocolate or candy. The kinda shit you'd need in a real bad situation. Don't lie to yourself and say it won't happen to you. One wrong step and you got a broke ankle or leg and your not going a damn place till help comes. If you don't know what any of the above listed items are for or what purpose they serve, you may want to look into it.
Basically, when you walk out of camp have everything on you that you'd need if you had to spend the night on the mountain.
Good luck on your hunt.
Your clothing/gear on this trip can be the deciding factor in a a great trip and a miserable trip.
Where are you hunting? What elevations? As I'm sure you know, the higher you go the colder it can be. Late October can be "winter" in the high country.
I've been in CO in early september when it was in the 20's at night and got up into the 70's during the day. Now this was at ~9,500ft camping and hunting up to 12,000ft. Ive been in CO during the 2nd rifle season and it was a blizzard and we couldnt get off the mountain for 3 days. The key to all this is proper layering and being prepared for anything.
If I was going up during late October, I'd wear a good heavy base layer (more than standard Under Armour) and I'd pack a lighter base layer if temps were unseasonably warm. I'd have a decent mid layer, maybe something soft shell and breathable. Then I'd have a good top layer, possibly gortex like a ECWCS. This should keep you warm in the pre-dawn/early morning hours and as temps rise you can remove layers and store them on/in your pack. Im not sure what type of hunting you are doing, but we always hunt daylight to dark. Most times we won't even start back to camp till after dark. It's cold again by this time so you'll need those layers you removed.
In the high country you have to be prepared for everything. You need to be prepared for a rain/snow storm. You need to be prepared to set a spike camp and sleep on the mountain if you need to. Maybe your on a big bull and dont want to lose him. Maybe you are lost. This isn't like hunting on the old lease pasture back home. You may be hours from the nearest road or medical attention.
Boots are a huge factor. I personally have always used Danner's. Seems like lately they have gotten some bad reviews. I've been lucky and never had a issue. You need 100% waterproof bottoms atleast and preferably mids too. Something with a good stiff arch support for traversing rocky terrain. Soft boots are fine in the flatlands, but not on rocks. If your buying new boots, do yourself a favor and put them on, soak them in water, and walk them dry atleast once before you head for the high country.
Gloves/socks.....you can figure this one out.
Make sure you have some type of rain gear. I prefer Frogg Toggs a couple sizes too big so they will fit over all my clothing. They aren't too expensive and they work. They are kinda noisy, but if it's raining the elk aren't gonna hear it anyway.
Unless you are going on a guided hunt with a guide 100% of the time, a good GPS is a must as well as a compass and topo map. The compass is worthless if you don't know how it navigate with it. Take 10 min on YouTube and learn to use it and read your map with it. My GPS has never failed me, but there is always a first time.
Pack a small emergency pack in a quart sized zip lock bag and stick it in your pack. Items like wax coated matches, cotton soaked in Vaseline, space blanket, small mirror, 9v battery, steel wool, a micro sewing kit, fish hook & line, alcohol pads, gauze, a piece of paper and a small pencil, iodine tablets, a few pieces of chocolate or candy. The kinda shit you'd need in a real bad situation. Don't lie to yourself and say it won't happen to you. One wrong step and you got a broke ankle or leg and your not going a damn place till help comes. If you don't know what any of the above listed items are for or what purpose they serve, you may want to look into it.
Basically, when you walk out of camp have everything on you that you'd need if you had to spend the night on the mountain.
Good luck on your hunt.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Patagonia capilene t shirt and boxer briefs worn snug
Patagonia capilene R.5 zip top and R.5 and/or R1 bottoms
Patagonia micro puff or similar, I prefer WildThings
Soft shell top, right now I would go with Condor light weight
Soft shell guide pants from several companies; Marmot, Patagonia, Mountain Hardware
Bridgedale socks, 50/50 wool synthetic, do not get 100% wool
Helly Hanson rainproof, light and cheap
What ever boots fit your feet best, me I like hand crafted LaSportiva
camp booties and lose fitting camp clothes like sweats unless you have to pack it all in
good thermos with soup packets, coffee, hot drink packets
Rocket fuel, chocolate covered coffee beans, if you drink coffee now, stop 10-14 days before your trip so your body cleanse out caffeine, then AM coffee and rocket fuel will boost you during the day
first aid, lip and sun screen, even lips and face get sun burned at altitude in winter and snow increases the burn
highest end binos you can afford
hat and gloves of course
2500-3000ci light weight pack to carry it all with 100oz water sack and hose
Good attitude and body in best shape it can be
have fun and good luck
Patagonia capilene t shirt and boxer briefs worn snug
Patagonia capilene R.5 zip top and R.5 and/or R1 bottoms
Patagonia micro puff or similar, I prefer WildThings
Soft shell top, right now I would go with Condor light weight
Soft shell guide pants from several companies; Marmot, Patagonia, Mountain Hardware
Bridgedale socks, 50/50 wool synthetic, do not get 100% wool
Helly Hanson rainproof, light and cheap
What ever boots fit your feet best, me I like hand crafted LaSportiva
camp booties and lose fitting camp clothes like sweats unless you have to pack it all in
good thermos with soup packets, coffee, hot drink packets
Rocket fuel, chocolate covered coffee beans, if you drink coffee now, stop 10-14 days before your trip so your body cleanse out caffeine, then AM coffee and rocket fuel will boost you during the day
first aid, lip and sun screen, even lips and face get sun burned at altitude in winter and snow increases the burn
highest end binos you can afford
hat and gloves of course
2500-3000ci light weight pack to carry it all with 100oz water sack and hose
Good attitude and body in best shape it can be
have fun and good luck
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Wow... thanks guys...so basically the stuff we hunt with here in alabama is useless. No sense in bringing heavy bibs and parkas, need more layering type clothes? I have the Meindl Alaskan Hunter boots, will those work for Colorado? I think northern CO in about 12k of elevation.
Wow... thanks guys...so basically the stuff we hunt with here in alabama is useless. No sense in bringing heavy bibs and parkas, need more layering type clothes? I have the Meindl Alaskan Hunter boots, will those work for Colorado? I think northern CO in about 12k of elevation.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Layer yes. I have been in and had my clients in just a base layer slogging up thousands of feet of scree in single digits. Hit the ridge, add clothes. Always start the day or trip up cold, min clothing. After about 30 mins, do a shake down to adj anything needed. New word, softshell works miracles and just take a super light rainproof, want wear it much.
Boots, more than brand and model, fit is most important. But, comparing mass produced Danner and like to LaSportiva, Scarpa, Asolo, Keenetrek, Meindle is like comparing a Ford Taurus to Ferrari meaning not in the same league for fit and performance.
You have good boots if they fit. I would slide in a pair Superfeet orange though. These control and support the foot, they are not arch supports and the orange has the pilot bump for increased circulation.
Ride a bike either inside or outside, seat low and high friction or gear. This will simulate hiking up hills and train the legs. Carry your pack with weight as much as possible. If you run or bike, once every two weeks do a SLOD session, slow long over distance to not only train the body but to train the mind for long mind numbing work. Not only will this make you perform better but recovery quicker and sleep better. You might want take some alt meds too, coming from less than 1000 feet Ala to 12k quickly will cause headaches and other alt related problems.
Your feet will swell so when you lace up the boots, do them one at a time with full body weight. Lacing up boots with your foot up in the air or like will cause friction and blister when your feet swell. Take Degree and layer your feet every morning. Works miracles in keeping feet dry and warm.
A high loft parka and pants are OK in you plan to glass for hours with no exercise in cold. Another lighter and cheaper way is to snug up in a bivy sack, a simple plastic contractors bag is extra thick and will work just fine too. I spent a few nights in one.
Something I forgot, a foam pad. I use this for glassing, eating, resting over the day. Protects from wet cold ground, and rocks and such. You can also sit on your pack but not as comfortable to lay/sit on a foam pad.
And snack though out the day. I pace bags of snacks in pockets and eat snack all the time, drink some water.
Layer yes. I have been in and had my clients in just a base layer slogging up thousands of feet of scree in single digits. Hit the ridge, add clothes. Always start the day or trip up cold, min clothing. After about 30 mins, do a shake down to adj anything needed. New word, softshell works miracles and just take a super light rainproof, want wear it much.
Boots, more than brand and model, fit is most important. But, comparing mass produced Danner and like to LaSportiva, Scarpa, Asolo, Keenetrek, Meindle is like comparing a Ford Taurus to Ferrari meaning not in the same league for fit and performance.
You have good boots if they fit. I would slide in a pair Superfeet orange though. These control and support the foot, they are not arch supports and the orange has the pilot bump for increased circulation.
Ride a bike either inside or outside, seat low and high friction or gear. This will simulate hiking up hills and train the legs. Carry your pack with weight as much as possible. If you run or bike, once every two weeks do a SLOD session, slow long over distance to not only train the body but to train the mind for long mind numbing work. Not only will this make you perform better but recovery quicker and sleep better. You might want take some alt meds too, coming from less than 1000 feet Ala to 12k quickly will cause headaches and other alt related problems.
Your feet will swell so when you lace up the boots, do them one at a time with full body weight. Lacing up boots with your foot up in the air or like will cause friction and blister when your feet swell. Take Degree and layer your feet every morning. Works miracles in keeping feet dry and warm.
A high loft parka and pants are OK in you plan to glass for hours with no exercise in cold. Another lighter and cheaper way is to snug up in a bivy sack, a simple plastic contractors bag is extra thick and will work just fine too. I spent a few nights in one.
Something I forgot, a foam pad. I use this for glassing, eating, resting over the day. Protects from wet cold ground, and rocks and such. You can also sit on your pack but not as comfortable to lay/sit on a foam pad.
And snack though out the day. I pace bags of snacks in pockets and eat snack all the time, drink some water.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
I think everyone covered clothing, but if you can get away with silk weight tops in the morning then do so. Really need to stress minimal wear when hiking in cold weather.
Layering is not just for your body but your feet as well a pair of nylon stockings or dress socks as a base layer will help with blisters.
If your tenting it in the high country, dress down for sleeping and sleep on top of your outfit for the morning. This will lesson the shock of the early morning bite. And don't sleep with socks on your feet need to breath if you have a decent mummy bag than you should be able to sleep in just your chones; then dress in your bag to start the day.
I think everyone covered clothing, but if you can get away with silk weight tops in the morning then do so. Really need to stress minimal wear when hiking in cold weather.
Layering is not just for your body but your feet as well a pair of nylon stockings or dress socks as a base layer will help with blisters.
If your tenting it in the high country, dress down for sleeping and sleep on top of your outfit for the morning. This will lesson the shock of the early morning bite. And don't sleep with socks on your feet need to breath if you have a decent mummy bag than you should be able to sleep in just your chones; then dress in your bag to start the day.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Check out the Sitka system they have it pretty well mapped out for you. Layers is what its all about.
Check out the Sitka system they have it pretty well mapped out for you. Layers is what its all about.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Colorado that time of year is a mixed bag. Be prepared for anything. I went last year and killed an elk late in the evening and spend the night under a tree. We hunted all day in a t shirt but at night we were in a snow storm and snow all the next day. Preperation is key! Good luck and post pics of your elk for all of us to drool over!
Colorado that time of year is a mixed bag. Be prepared for anything. I went last year and killed an elk late in the evening and spend the night under a tree. We hunted all day in a t shirt but at night we were in a snow storm and snow all the next day. Preperation is key! Good luck and post pics of your elk for all of us to drool over!
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
I would pay attention to the weather forecast weeks and days in advance.
I would pay attention to the weather forecast weeks and days in advance.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Layering and the best boots you can afford and break them in well before. I prefer no more than 200-400 level thinsulated Danners. I would also suggest a stick of Bodyglide for your feet to prevent blisters. Good luck.
Layering and the best boots you can afford and break them in well before. I prefer no more than 200-400 level thinsulated Danners. I would also suggest a stick of Bodyglide for your feet to prevent blisters. Good luck.
Re: What kinda clothes and gear for Co Elk hunt?
Update... I went with the Sitka gear. I ordered base layer of midweight merino wool and I already have some polypro and ua base layers to take. I ordered traverse shirt, ascent pants, the kelvin vest, stratus bibs and jacket and downpour rain gear. I have meindl boots and I got several pairs of socks to try based on yall's opinions. Hopefully I have it covered. I am thinking of swapping the Stratus jacket for the fanatic jacket...more useful here at home in teh late seasom I think.
Update... I went with the Sitka gear. I ordered base layer of midweight merino wool and I already have some polypro and ua base layers to take. I ordered traverse shirt, ascent pants, the kelvin vest, stratus bibs and jacket and downpour rain gear. I have meindl boots and I got several pairs of socks to try based on yall's opinions. Hopefully I have it covered. I am thinking of swapping the Stratus jacket for the fanatic jacket...more useful here at home in teh late seasom I think.
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