Thanks for the info! What Kuiu pack are you using? I've been having a hard time getting good info on those.

The M5 pack that I posted above is 6.5 pounds empty.

I have the Pro 1850. It's a touch small but keeps me from carrying extra crap that I don't really need. My buddy has the 3000 size and its a bit large for a day pack. I noticed that they now have a 2200 size. That one might be just right.
The frame is the same for all their pack sizes. If you decide you need a bigger pack you just need to buy the bag and swap it out. The bag also pulls away from the frame so you can strap an elk quarter in between.

OP, Rokslide is the Arfcom of Western big game hunting.

Use the search feature and you will learn a ton. The EE there is really good. You need a few posts to use it, but go to the FNG area and introduce yourself, make some responses, and you will be gtg. Honestly, the place is awesome.

Kuiu, my favorite pack.  I use the 3000 ultra, but they discontinued that size.  Just right for me, plus the thing is light as can be.  I tend to carry enough stuff to spend the night out, and I hunt solo.

Been thru a succession of cheaper packs, none of them fit my tall frame right.  Kuiu offers different frame sizes, and there is a lot of adjustability beyond that.  Their frames are made in California, but the bags and suspension are offshored.  Still very well made, and a lifetime warranty.  Mine has taken a beating and not even a tear.

Be aware the Ultra line is the lightest fabric to hit the lightest weight.  I did buy the standard weight shoulder straps for this year, a little more padding will be nice after carrying 30-40 lbs all day for 4 weeks of archery. Attached File


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And like Flinch said, hit the Rokslide.  Good intel there.

Stuff happens fast in the elk woods and when it does you need to be fast or you will miss out. A rifle on a pack doesn't do you much good when you happen across a bull moving around or bedded in your travel path. As I always say "A sling on a rifle is only useful for when you have to take a pee". Check out the Kifaru gun bearer, this system secures the firearm nicely, keeps most of the weight on the pack hip belt and the rifle is easy to get into position fast.

Don't skimp on your pack to save a few bucks, even a weight weenie like myself ends up packing 20 to 30 pounds in my pack with the all the necessitates, food and water a guy needs for a long day in the elk woods. 30 pounds all day for a week really gets old in a crappy pack, add to the mix 150 to 200 pounds of elk that needs to be hauled out if your lucky and a crappy pack just sucks. My go to hunting pack is the Mystery Ranch Cabinet.

Also as others have suggested head over to Rokslide if you haven't already as there is a wealth of info for the first timer.

Tagging for future reference... planning on an elk hunt sometime before I'm too old to take the climb!

@KiloBravo

My first elk hunt was in 1987 in the San Juan Wilderness of Colorado. Hunted off and on then spent about 7 years hunting every year in earnest for elk in northern NM. Everything was DIY and 6 bulls later (4 for me, 2 for my pop)I learned tons. The most important thing I learned when seriously hoofing it up and down mountains was WEIGHT is your #1 enemy. The more I went, the less I carried. So here are some suggestions:

- Lighten your rifle. Gigantic scopes are heavy and completely unnecessary when the game you're hunting is damn near as big as a Harley-Davidson. My dedicated elk rifle wears a 4X Burris. The last bull I killed was a shade over 350 yds and I had more than enough magnification. My pop's rifle wore a 1.75-5X until he got into his mid-70's then he switched to a 2-7X to help his aging eyes.

- Forget the bipods and learned to use a good latigo type sling to steady your rifle. If you've ever seen a High Power match and how the competitors use a simple leather sling to shoot ting groups, you'll understand the virtues of a sling.

- My personal preference for boots are the time tested LL Bean "Bean" boots. They're extremely light, comfortable and waterproof. I buy mine 1/2 size large so, if necessary, I can layer wool socks when it's really cold. I used to wear insulated hunting boots but found them too clunky and impossible to walk quietly in most of them.

- If it's going to be cold and possibly wet when/where your hunting, make sure you have some wool clothing as it insulates even when wet, been there, done that, more than once. I normally buy milsurp pants and find old school wool coats and jackets on ebay. You won't win any hunting fashion awards, but you will stay warm.

- Radios, phones, GPS's, all distractions and more weight. You'll be infinitely more cognizant of your surroundings, where you've been and where you're going if you're not fiddling with electronics.

- I carry a fanny pack with a few snacks, a small flashlight, a few extra cartridges and a means to start a fire. If I'm in an area where there's no running water, I carry a bottle or two of water.

- Binoculars, I prefer something like 8x42, simple and rugged. High magnification binos are difficult to steady and require large objective lens to work well in low light, and are heavier.

- I used to carry a rangefinder but realized that estimating the range and hitting an animal that large out to around 400 yds isn't terribly difficult and if it's further than that, most of us have no business shooting anyways. On a side note, I lasered these two bulls at a hair over 600 yds. I have a 600 yd. range here at the house so have shot at that range. But across a canyon with unknown winds....I just enjoyed watching them butt heads ands graze.





- Rifle, again keep it light and any caliber .27 and over is fine. The bullet is what's important. I hunt with a 35 Whelen and handload a 225 gr. Barnes TSX to just under 2700 fps.

ETA- Always carry a small camera. The pictures you take whether you get a bull or not, will provide wonderful memories down the road. Been there, done that oo!

Op, all very good advice in here. I'm also in MI, if you are anywhere near west Michigan you're welcome to try my KUIU pack on if you haven't purchased one already. Buy once, cry one on the pack. If you are anything like me on my first trip, I was instantly hooked and my sub-par pack was the first upgrade. KUIU, Mystery Ranch, EXO, Stone glacier and others are all highly regarded even though they cost some coin. You'll find yourself back out west chasing elk or mulies after your first trip so do yourself a favor and buy a good pack. Your boots are only as good as your socks. Smartwool are great. I used Asolo boots and just got a pair of Crispi which I'm going to break in for this fall. My Asolo boots are awesome but are much heavier and unfortunately starting to come apart. Look into good insoles for your boots as well. That made a world of difference for me. I use Superfeet green. I used a GPS the first two trips, and last year used OnX for the first time. I used that almost exclusively. You can buy just one state access for $30 and if you know the areas you'll be hunting just download maps in that area so you can easily use them without service. Good paper maps are great for planning your day hunts with your hunting partners. As mentioned dress in layers. Depending on your hunting style and temperature you'll need the ability to stay cool while hiking yet warm up when glassing or resting. I only use binos in a chest harness. We haul out a wall tent and woodstove and day hunt from it and surrounding areas. You'll have the time of your life not matter the outcome. Just keep that in mind no matter the outcome of your hunt and it'll be the best adventure of your life!

So I finally ordered a backpack. GoHunt.com had a deal that I could not pass up. They had the Mystery Ranch Metcalf marked down from $525 to $393.75. Plus, if you subscribe to their emails they give you a 10% off code, which brought the pack down to $354.38.

Edit: The discount code I used is SVYAJVH25BG6. Not sure if it is good for more than one use.

I think I did pretty well

That's a great deal.

No elk tags for us, but we drew really nice mule deer tags.

Took my Metcalf up to 9.7k feet and 12.6 miles the other day.

Felt great, very comfy with a 3 day load. It was my first time out with it, I’m still learning the intricacies of backpacking Colorado backcountry.
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Great pack op.

Nice. Just came out of the mountains myself. Felt much better than the last time I was here.

So do you still-hunt timber during rifle season?

All the time.  Positive results for sure.

Thanks for the heads up!

She's a keeper! But

Accurate topo maps are a must. This is my source: My Topo (Custom Printed Maps). These maps are printed on DuPont Tyvek and are DURABLE!

I think it would be foolish, in 2019, not to bring some sort of electronic navigation aid. You can carry the same phone you carry every day, you won't even notice its there, and it doubles as a camera.

But, absolutely, don't fiddle with it. I carry mine, but it stays in my pocket all but a couple minutes out of the day. I drop a pin at camp, or wherever we're supposed to meet later in the day, and then it goes back in the pocket for hours. I very occasionally use it to double check my location, or make sure I'm headed in the right direction, but that's just a quick glance, I'm not walking with it like it's holding my hand.

Gear suggestion - in addition to shooting from various positions, also try it once while wearing your coat and pack. Usually not going to be an issue, but I did miss an opportunity once because the combination of my position and my clothing prevented me from getting a good sight picture.

Yeah, I will be using my phone with OnX on it. Then I have a Garmin Foretrex 401 as a backup. I will use the 401 to mark the truck, Polaris Ranger, kill site, etc. I'm also going to get some of the toppo maps that @abbaton mentioned above.

I have a couple of old Garmins that I have used for years, I always have one and use it, namely for a waypoint for camp, waypoints on any trail that might be an issue to navigate in foul weather or darkness, or a totally new trail in a new area... and when we go after an animal, it marks where the vehicle is left, as well as the trail down to the animal we take when recovering it..way to many times do we shoot one in the afternoon and then spend 3-5 hours getting it butchered up and on the rig ready to go to camp in the dark..A tough job to find your way back to the trail in pitch black while avoiding any obstacles that could stick you for the night...

A gps can save you a lot of boot time in unfamiliar territory. A good one with sat imagery is indispensable for me.

OP, you have a Polaris Ranger. You like it?

@DVCER the Polaris Ranger is awesome. We have got our money out of this thing two times over. It gets used almost every weekend of the year and it takes a serious beating. I just picked it up today to have new tires out on it tomorrow and give it a bath.

Yeah, I’m trying to buy something like that.  Might be getting that Yamaha Wolverine, X2.   I’d buy a Polaris too if I found the right deal.

Not the same, but this would work.  A 55” RzR.  Thing is like new, but 700 miles.  2015 XC 900

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I would like the Ranger style more though.
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The #1 best advice is leave camp way before daylight dont come back till after dark

Gutless method and de bone all your meat I cant believe all the people I see carrying out the hooves or 2 guys spending 3 days to pack one out

I carry 4 cheap game bags a trash bag and latex gloves all vac sealed together when it hits the ground I start skinning1/4 goes in my pack the rest is hung if there is snow I'll sled the rest out

That is all good advice.   I’ll be vac sealing my game bags too.  I do like the light canvas game bags though.  And thanks for the sled reminder, I have second season rifle cow coming up.

Just off my two week bow hunt.  So close to filling that tag a few times but couldn’t close the deal.

I did get a helper though and this thing rocks.  Yamaha Wolverine!

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That's a nice looking ride I want a honda pioneer 5 seater in the worst way myself. I am starting a new job on Monday so my annual rifle elk hunt will have to be missed this year was going to go out for a week to fish and scout for next years archery but on short notice couldn't find anyone to ride along

Pack: exo mountain gear

GPS: use onX maps on your phone

Okay, so I think I have purchased everything that I need so I will try to put together a list of all the gear I am bringing. Hopefully this will help out some other people in the same boat as me.

Pack: Mystery Ranch Metcalf
GPS: OnX on phone with Garmin Foretrex 401 as a backup (Also bringing portable battery charger for phone)
Binoculars: Leupold BX-3 Mojave 10x42 Pro Guide HD
Tripod: Leupold Compact Tabletop Tripod with Leupold Bino Adapter
Range Finder: Older Bushnell that I have had for years. Decided to just use that instead of buy a new one.
Bino Harness: FHF Gear Pro-M Harness
Range Finder Holder: FHF Gear with retention lanyard - Mounts to the bino harness
Boots: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX
Gaiters: Kenetrek Hunting
Trekking Poles: LEKI Corklite
Headlamp: Petzl Tactikka 350 Lumen (Red, Blue, Green)
Rifle Sling: Kifaru Gun Bearer
Game Bags: Caribou Gear Wapiti Ultra Light
Hydration Carrier: Platypus Big Zip 2L
Fixed Blade Knife: Gerber Gator Premium Gut Hook Knife
Replaceable Blade Knife: Havalon Forge
Saw: Gerber Vital Pack Saw
Rain Jacket and Pants: Cabela's MT050 Quiet Rain
Coolers: RTIC 145 quart and 65 quart - If we shoot more than one we will have to buy more
Radios: Baofeng UV-5R (Not sure how much we will use these, but will try if we split up)
- Latex Gloves
- Batteries
- Waterproof Butane Lighter
- US Army GI Military Gel Fuel & Fire Starter
- Emergency Mylar Blanket
- IFAK
- Wool Socks
- Leatherman
- Elk mouth reed
- Waterproof pouches for license, phone, etc.
- Nalgene Bottle

Still Need:
- Water Filter
- Gloves: Haven't purchased yet, but I have a bunch
- Food/Freezedried Food
- Powdered Drink Mixes
- Bugle Tube

I have probably missed some things, but let me know if you have any suggestions. I'm aware there are some things I may not need/use, but I'll start figuring that out as I go. My plan is to kind of do an AAR on the gear after the hunt

I would carry a small handheld light too.  Otherwise your list looks good.  
Doubt you’ll need a grunt tube, cow calls are plenty.

You need some parachute cord...
You need a turtle fur balaclava...
You need some kind of wipe/cleaner for optics...
You might want some citric spray for the quarters...

I do have a Streamlight handheld that I am bringing. Forgot it from the list.
Good, I'll skip the grunt tube. I didn't want to carry it anyway lol.

I do have parachute cord, forgot to list it. I also have a wipe for the optics.

The turtle fur balaclava is a good idea, I'll pick one up.
This is the first time I've heard citric acid. I Googled it and say it's to keep flies off. Thanks! I will pick some up.

If you have game bags you’ll be fine.  Very few flies right now.

This guy shares my sentiments.   Good binos, good boots, good range finder, have fun.

Solid list, OP.

Get good boots and good binos. A spotting scope is overkill for a lot of scenarios.

For boots look at Kenetreks, Crispi, Hanwag, etc. I personally use Kenetrek Mt Extemes, and I'll never use another brand because of their level of service.

As far as binos go, there are a lot of good options out there. You won't see REAL quality until $1k. Maven's products are good and were what I was going to upgrade to but I had always wanted some Swaros. I was not disappointed.

As far as a gun and other gear, it's all up to you. Thats more support equipment. The gun isn't going to get used all that much compared to boots and binoculars.

Departing for Wyoming now with the new truck I picked up a few weeks back. Bad news is that my father went to the hospital this morning with gallbladder issues. He will probably be getting that taken out then flying out to meet me. Still waiting to see how everything pans out. I have to get out there because a friend of mine is flying into Cheyenne and I have to pick him up from the airport.

Make sure you have spares for the trailer and tools....good luck...

Just enjoy it all, you are going where many wish they were.  Good luck with dad too.

Awesome. Good luck and stay persistent.

Thanks everyone. We did some scouting this morning and didn't see anything. Then had to pack up and get my dad from the airport. The plan for tomorrow is to hike through some timber and see what we can find. Since my dad just had surgery we're going to park the Ranger on a ridge above the timber in case we spook anything out of it. He has to hang out with the Ranger because he doesn't want to push it by hiking or carrying a pack.

View from one of the peaks this morning.


The drive back down the mountain

Best of luck for a successful hunt!

Hope you have better luck than I did! Hopefully muleys will be better for 2nd season

Good Hunting!   I’m heading out Thursday for rifle elk, and I’m pumped.

Hope to repeat this, two cows down and we were able to back right up to them, courtesy of CPW.

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No luck on day one. Hiked through the timber for miles. There were tons of tracks and scat, but never saw an elk.

My dad sat by the Ranger and had a cow come within 20 yards of him.

If you look closely you can see 2 deer on the right side


My setup

My rifle is too damn heavy and not ideal for this kind of hunting, but with the Kifaru Gun Bearer it's not a problem at all.

This part was probably the worst part of the hike. We had hiked for miles and planned to hike up this cliff (looked more like a hill on OnX. I guess I need to look more closely). So we had a pretty tough hike to get to the top.

That looks like a lot of gun.    You are most likely to find the elk in the thick timber, but early and late in the day they can be caught coming out into the openings.   Nearly all my elk are killed in the timber under 100, about half of them at mid day.

Are they bugling any?  If they are a cow call will bring them in if the wind is right.

And if you are finding fresh, really green squishy elk shit keep hunting that area.  If it is dried out keep moving.   They usually have kind of a favored area that they move through in a pattern.  Could be only a mile or several miles, but they will stay there till something spooks them out.

Probably lots of water in all those drainages, so sitting on a water source can be pretty iffy.   You might find a favorite crossing in a drainage or above/below a big rock slide, those are good to sit on.

Bring a compass and a map, in addition to a GPS.

A pack is largely up to personal preference.  Bring good game bags.

Boots are up to personal preference.  Merrill's, Lowa's, White's, Danner's, etc.

No, not necessary.

Radio's won't have any kind of usable range in elk country.

Spotting scopes are useful if you're trophy hunting.  If you're meat hunting, Binos are fine.

A hand held range finder will be fine.

Bring a come along or two. And a way to purify water.  Make sure you're in good shape.  Shooting sticks are useful.  Practice from field positions.