2019 Idaho Elk

[dalton916]

Forget the JetBoil. Get a MSR pocket rocket and be done with it. I use a KMart grease pot for cooking. I also always have my 2 cup Ti coffee press with me and often use it to heat water for food then water for coffee.

 

[flinginairos]

Forget the JetBoil. Get a MSR pocket rocket and be done with it. I use a KMart grease pot for cooking. I also always have my 2 cup Ti coffee press with me and often use it to heat water for food then water for coffee.

Agreed. Lots of lighter options other than a Jetboil. The MSR is good and I have the SOTO Windmaster with a Ti cup and a Sea to Summit long handle spork. With a small canister of fuel I can easily go a week boiling water every day for food/coffee and the setup weighs less than a pound and all packs into the cup with lid.

As far as water purification, be sure to have options. If you are with other guys I would suggest you each have a different method. In Wyoming last year my Sawyer squeeze was absolutely worthless in the high country. There wasn’t enough running water to fill up a bladder. We ended up using a Katadyn pump that my buddy had and it was the ticket. I’d say hunting elk at slightly lower elevation you will have access to more running streams than we did tho.

For gear there are tons and tons of options so pick what you feel fits your style best, just try to have as many duel use items as you can and try to get out on several camping trips to get it dialed in before you go. If you
Carry something twice and don’t use it, don’t bring it. I went into my trip at 48lbs including a 9lb rifle and still had stuff u didn’t really need lol

Oh and another thing, Leuko tape. Wrap your feet before you leave the truck and wrap several feet around the handle of your trekking pole for extra. I also add several feet of duct tap and electrical tape as well to
The handle of my trekking pole so I’m not packing an entire roll around. Most first aid and small repair can be made with those two types of tape lol.


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[EricS]

All good suggestions. An alternative to the crystal light is mio drops. You can get them with caffeine also.

 

[Homebrew454]

Another alternative to Crystal light would be packets of Gatorade or Nuun. Electrolytes help to hydrate a little better but not necessary. I have to use it due to muscle cramps in my legs.

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[Scoutman]

Another alternative to Crystal light would be packets of Gatorade or Nuun. Electrolytes help to hydrate a little better but not necessary. I have to use it due to muscle cramps in my legs.

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Gatorade for sure, I get leg cramps bad out there, too. Take 2 pairs of boots if you can, alternate everyday, really helps if your staying over a week.

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[sziggy]

I went on my first backcountry elk hunt last year in Colorado so I am no expert, but this is the short version of what I learned.
1. Buy the best gear you can afford, for
2. And for me this was most important, Your sleep system (at least for me) is no place to save money, buy what makes you comfortable and you get some rest, don't go cheap unless cheap can works for you? I will over spend in this area for the upcoming season.
After that there are thousands of options and you just have to figure out what works for you the best. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[MedicineMan15]

I bought a Metcalf 2nd hand from Rokslide. It's the NICE frame version. Whatever you get, make sure to put at least 40lbs in it and hike up and down and across hills for an hour or so to get the feel for how the pack works for you. I had a different pack, and after 1 hike like this my legs were numb. I tried to adjust it but never got it taken care of. The Metcalf didn't do this to me. I'm not necessarily saying the Metcalf is the best pack out there (packs and boots are very subjective) but what I'm saying is you need to make sure you get one that fits your body.

Even smaller bags than the Metcalf could suffice if they have a load shelf like the Mystery Ranch line, you can put a dry bag on the load shelf with your camping supplies for the hike in, and then have a daypack. Just an idea if you find a used Pintler for a reasonable price for example.

Have fun, don't be afraid to cover country. Sounds like you have some good plans already. Watch out for fires as you get closer to September, they could change your plans slightly. The Idaho fish and game workers are super nice to people from out of state in my experience.

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[MedicineMan15]

To cover the stove topic: stoveless isn't a bad way to go, but can get old after 5+ days. If you go with a stove there's no need to buy anything expensive. I use a brs3000t, about $15, similar to pocket rocket 2. Then I bought a 700ml ish titanium pot with a lid from Ebay, lixada was the brand, $22 for a 750ml with a lid. Gas, stove, and accessories will all fit in the pot, very light and compact. I also bought a pot cozy for putting my homemade dehydrated bag meals into called the optimus heat pouch from Amazon.

So you can get a very versatile cook kit for under $50, use the savings on optics (depending on terrain) or a pack or boots.








BRS Only 25g BRS-3000T Ultra-Light Titanium Alloy Camping Stove Gas Stoves Outdoor Cooker Outdoor Stove Gas Stove Miniature Portable Picnic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNLSNFR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a5JJCbR56P2EE


https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/223211390829


Optimus Heat Pouch (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YEQP24/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_R.JJCbC78BTJD

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[Lacky]

I will agree with other's, be prepared to have to move. Elk are frustratingly unpredictable. We have about a dozen spots we hunt in about a 20 square mile area. Some spots are thick with elk one year, nothing there the next. Same is true in just the couple weeks between archery and rifle season sometimes. Elk are big animals that poo lots. Basically if you walk into an area and don't see fresh tracks and freshish poo your wasting your time. We tend to spread out and hit different spots till we figure out where the elk are then hunt those. We started using trail cameras in a few spots a couple years ago and helps, but we still run into cases where we get pics for a month and they leave in the week before the season.

If its a good area you will find them somewhere, but even after 35 years at it I still suck at knowing exactly where they will be. I live in Idaho in case it wasn't obvious.

 

[Scoutman]

Amen brother

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