After years of research and experimentation, this is my personal elk hunting gear list. If you’re looking for an elk hunting checklist, take a look at Part 1 of the Hunt Elk in 2020 series. Remember, my advice is independent: I have no sponsors, partnerships, or things I’m trying to sell. I spend my own hard earned money on the items below.
I strongly believe that “the best” piece of gear depends on your personal requirements (i.e. it isn’t the same for everyone) . I care about value (not price) and buy gear specifically for lightweight backpack style hunting. Check out the Gear Guides (coming soon) for suggestions if you’re hunting style is different.
Archery
Bow: 2019 PSE Carbon Stealth 33″, SE Cams / Kryptek
Incredibly smooth, fast (345 effective IBO), and light (3.2lbs) for carrying all day
Arrows: Day Six HD 300 micro diameter arrow with aluminum outsert (review)
549gr micro diameter with great tolerances and the most durable outsert I’ve found
Broadheads: Day Six Evo 125gr or Slick Trick ViperTrick Pro (Stainless) 125 gr
Killed elk with both and they’re fantastic. Evos are quieter, higher quality, and 2.5x the price
Sight: Montana Black Gold Ascent Verdict, 5 x 0.10 pins, 6 inch dovetail, slider
Relatively light, reliable, and perfect out to 100yds+ for practice
Release: TruFire Edge Buckle Foldback (small version)
Hard to lose and folds out of the way. Perfect “wrapped” trigger finger position
Rest: QAD Ultrarest HDX
Full containment before and after draw, enough said. Just use fresh pads.
Vanes: AAE Max Stealth
Quiet and extremely durable if installed right (use the pen!)
Quiver: TightSpot 5 Arrow Quiver
Sits tight for low torque, very adjustable, relatively light, and made in the USA quality
Stabilizer: Microhex Counter Slide with dovetail
Blends a back bar w/ front bar without the weight and offsets quiver
Target: Rinehart RhinoBlock XL (version with insert)
Portable and very durable for broadhead tuning with replaceable insert
Knife: Benchmade Altitude and Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC (backup)
Altitude (review): Ultralight, incredible S90V steel, and surprisingly comfortable for an entire elk
Razor-Lite EDC: Safe to replace, strong, and non-“sticky” replaceable blades
Game bags: T.A.G. bags
Ultralight rugged nylon. 4 quarters + 1 small so I have option to not bone out
Backpacking
Pack: Kuiu hybrid of Pro suspension and Ultra 3000 cu/in pack (discontinued)
Ultralight <4lbs but has some drawbacks. Will likely test other options
Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or Fly Creek HV UL1
Copper Spur: Ultralight, fairly strong, bucket bottom w/ plenty of room in tent and awnings for 2 people + gear
Fly Creek: Time tested double wall protection at just 2 lbs
Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20
No better bags made. 950+ down, ultralight, very warm, and made in USA
(Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Sack to keep it dry when I’m hiking)
Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm
Incredible R-factor (warmth) to weight ratio, durable fabric, best quality in the biz
Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Worth every penny + gram for a fantastic night of sleep
Stove: MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (review)
Very light, efficient regulator for cold + altitude, windproof, integrated lighter.
(Can swap pots for solo or multi-person outings)
Pot: Evernew 0.9L Ti Ultralight pot
Stupid light, enough for two people, nice coated handles
Water Purification: Sawyer Squeeze micro water filter
Super easy, fast, and light with more flow than the mini. Just don’t let it freeze
Bottle/Bladder: Customized KUIU Platypus Hoser 3L Bladder + 3L fill bag
Super light, 6L of capacity for ridge camping, easy to use. Customized for filtration w/ Sawyer
Nalgene bottles only for for super cold (<20 degrees) winter trips
Accessories:
Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon: Superlight and long for freeze dried pouches
GSI Infinity Stacking Cup: Rugged, light, won’t burn lips, has measurement marks
Kindle Paperwhite: Waterproof, light, forever battery, and keeps you happy/sane
Optics & Electronics
Binoculars: Monarch HG 8×42 and Monarch 7 8×42 (for the lady)
HG: Stunning optics for the price and very light + compact (w/ good warranty)
7: One of the best values on the market at half the price of the HG’s
Bino Harness: KUIU Pro Bino Harness and regular KUIU bino harness
Pro: Well designed for true one-handed, waterproof use, but pretty bulky
Regular: Lighter/smaller but not waterproof or truly one handed
Tripod: Slik Sprint Mini II or KDC Granite Peak Tripod
Slik: Very inexpensive, light, and all you’ll ever need for seated glassing w/ binos or 50mm spotter
KDC: Ultralight, still testing
Rangefinder: Sig Sauer Kilo 2000
Fast, far, angle compensating, and illuminated. One unit for long range rifle + close archery
Emergency communicator: ACR Electronics ResQLink and/or Garmin InReach
ACR: Dead reliable EPIRB that won’t run out of battery because you were texting, navigating, or left it on by accident
Garmin InReach: Great for texting, not as reliable for safety
GPS: Garmin eTrex 20x
Superlight, good value, and all you’ll need to find + mark important waypoints
GPS app: OnX Maps mobile + computer for all 50 states
Pretty much mandatory for scouting/planning, satellite images helpful when hunting
Headlamp: Black Diamond ReVolt or Petzl Actik Core
Rechargeable to save batteries for short trips, lightweight, great flood/spot/red options
Also works w/ standard AAAs: Energizer Lithiums best for lightweight + power
Clothing
Boots: La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX or Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX
Trango: Light, fully synthetic, grippy, and very stiff for nasty terrain + heavy loads
(Fits narrow/medium feet that need a solid amount of support)
Salewa: Lighter duty, fantastic strength/weight ratio, fully synthetic and great quality
Shirt: Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody and Core Lightweight LS, Subalpine
Great fit, breathability, pattern, and durability/warranty
Integrated hoody/facemask = no heavy, slimy sunscreen or facepaint needed
Pant: Sitka Apex Pant or Sitka Timberline Pant
Apex is super quiet, breathable, and perfect for September. Quiet = less durable
Timberline keeps your butt/knees dry, is warmer, and is super strong
Active Jackets: Sitka Kelvin Active Jacket and Kelvin Light Hoody
I can get away with just these two jackets if it’s normal weather in September
Active: Legendary. Broadest range of temps + breathability. Not windproof.
Light Hoody: Outer puffy layer, moderate breathability but plenty of warmth
Static jackets: Arcteryx Cerium LT vest
Insane warmth/weight ratio. I add to jackets above for September cold snaps, keeps me warm sitting still at 20 degrees. And it looks good in the office.
Underwear: First Lite Wick Boxer Brief
Can wear for 3-5+ days straight with no stink. Comfortable in broad range of temps
Accessories:
Sitka cap: Fits like a glove, breathes well, and isn’t a flat brim…
Sitka Jetstream beanie: Windstopper and warmth. Lighter versions don’t do much
Sitka Ascent glove: Pricey but durable and fantastic fit. All you’ll need
REI Merino Lightweight Socks: Merino stinks less, full stop. Can use 3-4 days straight
REI silk sock liners: Sock liners are game changers to prevent blisters
KUIU Climbing Belt: Tough, light, and simple. Rebranded Bison Designs
Phew, who knew an elk hunting gear list could be so long. I’ll be reviewing all my gear over time, but if you have questions now feel free to reach out any time.