Top recommended elk hunt gear items....

[Kingofthemountain83]

Great thread.
As mentioned by others. My number one item is my wind checker. Nothing happens moving fwd without wind knowledge. Then it’s game on.
For me as I age it’s not so much about what to put in my pack as it about what to omit from my pack now days. I find myself packing stuff I’ve rarely or ever used.
That might be a thread of its own. “What to omit from your gear/pack”

I fully agree with this... My pack averages 5 pounds lighter then my dad's and I carry a liter more of water... He's 73... A couple years ago I went through his pack and took out a bunch of stuff I knew he wouldn't need... He could tell instantly it was lighter and couldn't figure out why... I finally told him him I went through his pack and asked me what I took out... I said if he could name it I'd give it back... He got one head lamp back... After the hunt was over I gave him back everything I took out... I think most of it's in his pack again... 

[Alchase]

Great thread.
As mentioned by others. My number one item is my wind checker. Nothing happens moving fwd without wind knowledge. Then it’s game on.
For me as I age it’s not so much about what to put in my pack as it about what to omit from my pack now days. I find myself packing stuff I’ve rarely or ever used.
That might be a thread of its own. “What to omit from your gear/pack”

I fully agree with this... My pack averages 5 pounds lighter then my dad's and I carry a liter more of water... He's 73... A couple years ago I went through his pack and took out a bunch of stuff I knew he wouldn't need... He could tell instantly it was lighter and couldn't figure out why... I finally told him him I went through his pack and asked me what I took out... I said if he could name it I'd give it back... He got one head lamp back... After the hunt was over I gave him back everything I took out... I think most of it's in his pack again... 

I have to do this to my own pack every year before the season. I get the "I need this itis" and stuff mysteriously materializes inside my pack 

[Kingofthemountain83]

Great thread.
As mentioned by others. My number one item is my wind checker. Nothing happens moving fwd without wind knowledge. Then it’s game on.
For me as I age it’s not so much about what to put in my pack as it about what to omit from my pack now days. I find myself packing stuff I’ve rarely or ever used.
That might be a thread of its own. “What to omit from your gear/pack”

I fully agree with this... My pack averages 5 pounds lighter then my dad's and I carry a liter more of water... He's 73... A couple years ago I went through his pack and took out a bunch of stuff I knew he wouldn't need... He could tell instantly it was lighter and couldn't figure out why... I finally told him him I went through his pack and asked me what I took out... I said if he could name it I'd give it back... He got one head lamp back... After the hunt was over I gave him back everything I took out... I think most of it's in his pack again... 

I have to do this to my own pack every year before the season. I get the "I need this itis" and stuff mysteriously materializes inside my pack 

Last year after bear, muzzy deer, muzzy elk, half way through modern deer my dad was wondering why his pack was so damn heavy... I watched him go through it and take out 3 extra headlamps, one with a big battery pack and spikes from hiking in the snow in June... Among some other crap...  Like what! I go through my pack before each hunt... lol! 

[SEWA509]

after bite for wasp stings or bug bites.

The first year I went elk hunting I came across at least 4 in ground wasp nests I got lucky enough to not step on or disturb. Really made me think about putting something in my pack that could help ease the pain if I got unlucky and got stung.

Ive come across probably a dozen hornets nests while deer hunting that were made in brush around ground level.

[fowl smacker]

I still have the mindset of better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it.  Things I ALWAYS have in my pack are 2 headlamps, fixed blade knife plus a Havalon, small first aid kit, game bags, small chunk of paracord, a fire starter, and h2o.  I'll add stuff to that based on where I'm going and how long I'll be there.

[slm9s]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but if you're hunting where getting lost/having to spend the night is a worry - they make powerbanks as small or big as you'd want in case your cell phone is dying.

[JDHasty]

Swarovski 15x56 Bin and Steiner 8x56 Nighthunter bin

The Steiner may be discontinued, previous to that I had Docter 8x56 Nobelem that was stolen and it has been discontinued.  The Docter was the gold standard, then the Steiner took over that spot as the 8x56 Shadowquest.  I think the Steiner is still sold as a T856R as a tactical night observation bin w/reticle.  I used and still have a pair of Hensoldt 8x56 Nacht-Dialyt that Bill Cook refurbished when he was with Captain's Supply and they are great, but not that waterproof.  Then had two pair of Docter Nach-Dialyt stolen and now have the Steiner.   

The big Swaro has it going on over spotting scopes for big country.  The 8x56 can't be beat for finding elk hanging out in heavy cover, I've not seen a Porro prism bin that can keep up at first/last light.