Elk hunting preparations

[sochr000]

Okay, now that I've been picked for the ND Elk hunt, I figure I should start planning on what to bring. I've talked to a few people I know who have gone elk hunting, and have a good idea on what to bring, but wanted to see what you guys/gals that have hunted elk think I should bring.

Things I know I should bring:
Rifle
ammo
backpack
cold weather gear (layers)
rain gear
snow shoes
skinning knife
latex gloves
water bottles
first aid kit
coolers (for bringing meat back)

If you have any suggestions, let me know, and thanks in advance.

[farmerj]

laser range finder. Nothing fancy, just something to get you out to 600 yards.

Bino's for glassing slopes. No, that's not what a scope is for.

Doubt you would need coolers in January. But some kind of storage boxes.

considering it's January, snow shoes.

[1911fan]

IN the truck, some sort of comealong and pulleys and ropes, that sucker will be heavy and you may need some advantage in pulling it out..

An old style frame back pack, the frame packs will carry a lot more meat

Axe, saw, heat source,

The last time I went elk hunting most of the rough breaking down of the animal was done with a larger knife and a small axe. A saw was used on bones too large to split with the axe.


Shelter, tent, cookstove, food, while you maybe staying in a hotel, if you get caught out or stuck or whatever, the ability to shelter yourself and provide hot food is life saving.

[SAM]

BRING A HORSE !!!!!

[1911fan]

BRING A HORSE !!!!!

If you don't get an elk, you can slaughter the horse and most people will never know the difference.

[sochr000]

Or, in a survival situation, I could do like in star wars and camp inside the horse

[mnmike59]

3rd season in Colorado I bring my Snowmobile and ride anywhere I like. Easy to get where ya want.

[RAGGED]

BRING A HORSE !!!!!

If you don't get an elk, you can slaughter the horse and most people will never know the difference.

What the hell kind of Elk have you been eating! The Elk I've had has been to die for!

[Holland&Holland]

BRING A HORSE !!!!!

If you don't get an elk, you can slaughter the horse and most people will never know the difference.

What the hell kind of Elk have you been eating! The Elk I've had has been to die for!

You have not tried a good plump horse before have you?

[mnmike59]

I do a fair amount of Elk hunting and I can't stress enough how important it is to have a REALLY GOOD pair of binoculars!
You spend most of your time glassing the clearings at distance. Until you have used a really good pair you wouldn't understand the difference.
I spent 1000.00 on my Zeiss many years ago. worth every penny!

[mnglocker]

Daul layer socks, multiple pairs.

First layer-moister wicking, second layer-warmth

Extra pair of boots and a peat style boot drier.

Duct Tape, MillSpec Garner Bender zip ties.

[mnglocker]

On your knife list, add Rapala Fillet Knife, and a boning knife to the mix, along with some DMT sharpening stones and steels. (also alcohol pads for sanitizing the steels/stones.

[RAGGED]

you have not tried a good plump horse before have you?

Well hell, if it's anything like the elk I've had maybe I should give it a try!

[1911fan]

I had horse a couple of times, yes, its every bit as good as elk.

[effendude]

Congrats on winning the draw. If I recall, the Park Service is going to locate the elk through GPS and direct you to shoot a specific one. Then you will assist the professional packers in getting the game out. I suggest boots with gaiters, a pack frame and a tall bi-pod or shooting sticks as there will most likely be snow on the ground.