Top recommended elk hunt gear items....

[WapitiTalk1]

So, pilgrim, you're leaving the truck or camp for a day's adventure in the elk woods. What do you feel are the most important items, gear wise, to have on your person? I've listed a handful. Do you have any to add? Do you have any comments on what I've listed (good, bad, indifferent)?

Boots-broke in, properly fitting
Pack-all in one pack that you can haul meat out with if necessary
Headlamp/flashlight w/extra batteries
Properly set up weapon (bow, rifle, ML, boomerang)
Elk calls (capable of making bull, cow, calf sounds)
Clothing system (layers including rain gear)
Hydration gear (bladder, filtration system)
Optics (binos/spotter?)
Kill kit (knives, game bags, rope/paracord, ground tarp, flagging ribbon, peroxide, license/tags)
First aid kid (w/basic items)
Navigation (GPS, map/compass)

[andersonjk4]

Very good idea for a thread.  Need to revisit prior to season. One thing to add:

Nutrition

[High Climber]

Yep, days worth of rations. And my phone so I can obsess over onX 

[pianoman9701]

The right partner(s).

[KNOPHISH]

The right partner(s).

Fact.

[Longfield1]

Don’t forget some wind checker. Most people can tell where the wind is blowing scent when it’s strong but when it’s very light it’s super hard.

[vandeman17]

patience and determination. Not really "gear" but I have to remind myself to bring that with me every trip. I battle the "this sucks" feeling if I go a while without seeing elk or hearing bugles. It can be hard to stay motivated but like my buddy always reminds me, it just takes one.

[WSU]

Depends on where.  Here in Western Wa, I've gotten elk out in the last decade or so with either an excavator or skidder, and also often using crab rope.  I don't worry near as much about gear to process and pack depending on where i'm at.  Hence my half-joke in the other thread about having TP and a pocket full of speed loaders.

If it's Montana, all the stuff listed here although simpler (water bottles instead of filtration, cleaning kit is knife with extra blades and game bags, navigation is my cell phone).

[fishngamereaper]

A quick prayer for safe and successful day.

And some mole skin for blisters

[Sundance]

Load bearing pack for meat extraction
Trekking poles
Wind dope
Friends
Helicopter

[Buckjunkie]

2 or 3 guys in their 20’s or 30’s that are in shape. At least have them in the area so they can come help pack.

[High Climber]

Load bearing pack for meat extraction
Trekking poles
Wind dope
Friends
Helicopter

Aw yes trekking poles, they are always in my pack

[DaNewb]

I picked up a piece of gear last year...a mental meme

Remember Devon Dobek

*censored* happens out there...