Colorado Elk Hunting - Packing List?

[Lucky One]

Does anyone have a packing list that they use when going out to Colorado Elk hunting? This will be my first year and I want to make sure I leave prepared! We will be hunting early September. Thanks in advance for your help!

[bear204]

This will also be my first year. Will be hunting near Gunnison a list would be great and any other tips would be much appreciated

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

A Bow, a Heavy Stick and a knife!!!

[Nate McVey]

Bear and Lucky.............I lived in Avon for 5 years, bowhunting mulies in the early fall and rifle hunting elk in November. I have since been in MN for 2 years but still make the trek. I would be happy to email you the list that myself and 8 other guys use. All of us come from different states (MN, IL, CA, MT, MI, MO) so we have it down pretty good so that we don't double up. Shoot me an email shiner2367atyahoodotcom if you want. If not, good luck!

[Nate McVey]

Bear and Lucky...........you have mail

[Lund4Fish]

I lived there 25 years and both archery and rifle hunted during that time. The one thing you never know about hunting the mountains of Colorado is that it can be 70 one day and snow 12" the next and I've seen that happen more than once. Take lots of layers of clothing so that you can adjust with the weather. It will always be cool or flat cold in the morning and warm up quite a bit in the afternoon on a typical day. Generally it may be around freezing in the morning and in the 50-60 degree range by afternoon. Be prepared to skin your game ASAP and hang the quarters up in a tree in the shade. They'll cool down nicely at night and be OK, if they're in the shade during the day. This will get you by for several days unless it's really hot and if that happens you'll have to find a meat locker some where. The other thing is to have a really good pair of leather boots with gortex linings. If you can a gortex lined jacket is not a bad idea either. Colorado can whip up some nasty weather in a heart beat, so it's best to be prepared. Oh ya the hunting is generally pretty good too! I killed a 30-3/4" mule deer out there last year in the 3rd rifle season. There are still some that big and bigger running in those hills. I moved to Washington 2 years ago and still go back to Colorado when I can, it will ruin you for mule deer and elk hunting. Good luck!

[Nate McVey]

Excellent point about the boots, I can't tell you how inmportant that is. Between cold, steep and wet they are one of the most important parts of the gear list.