(Updated 5/27/24)
After years of research and experimentation, this is my personal elk hunting gear list. If you’re looking for an elk hunting checklist, take a look at Part 1 of the Hunt Elk in 2020 series. Remember, my advice is independent: I have no sponsors, partnerships, or things I’m trying to sell. I spend my own hard earned money on the items below.
I strongly believe that “the best” piece of gear depends on your personal requirements (i.e. it isn’t the same for everyone) . I care about value (not price) and buy gear specifically for lightweight backpack style hunting. Check out the Gear Guides (coming soon) for suggestions if you’re hunting style is different.
Archery
Bow: 2023 Hoyt RX-7 Ultra
Incredibly smooth, easy to pull (add 5+lbs to draw weight easy), and accurate at 34″A2A/7″BH… but heavy. Still miss my PSE Stealth SE, hopefully Mach34 is updated soon
Arrows: Victory VAP SS or Day 6 HD/XD
VAP SS: Great spine consistency, weight (502gr), durability–outserts work ok
D6: 549gr micro diameter with great tolerances and the most durable outsert I’ve found (testing 510gr XDs currently)
Broadheads: Day Six Evo 125gr or Slick Trick ViperTrick Pro (Stainless) 125 gr
Killed elk with both and they’re fantastic. Evos are quieter, higher quality, and 2.5x the price
Sight: Montana Black Gold Ascent Verdict, 5 x 0.10 pins, 6 inch dovetail, slider
Relatively light, reliable, and perfect out to 100yds+ for practice
Release: TruFire Edge Buckle Foldback (small version)
Hard to lose and folds out of the way. Perfect “wrapped” trigger finger position for me
Rest: QAD Ultrarest HDX
Full containment before and after draw, enough said. Just use fresh pads.
Vanes: AAE Max Stealth, TAC Driver 2.6, DCA Super Sabre
All are great, AAE are durable, TACs very rigid (bit too rigid?), Super Sabre not as durable
Quiver: TightSpot 5 Arrow Quiver or Hoyt Carbon Superlite
Sits tight for low torque, very adjustable, relatively light, and made in the USA quality
Stabilizer: Microhex Counter Slide with dovetail
Blends a back bar w/ front bar without the weight and offsets quiver
Target: Rinehart RhinoBlock XL (version with insert)
Portable and very durable for broadhead tuning with replaceable insert
Knife: Benchmade Altitude and Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC (backup)
Altitude (review): Ultralight, incredible S90V steel, and surprisingly comfortable for an entire elk
Razor-Lite EDC: Safe to replace, strong, and non-“sticky” replaceable blades
Game bags: T.A.G. bags
Ultralight rugged nylon. 4 quarters + 1 small so I have option to not bone out
Backpacking
Pack: KUIU PRO LT 4000 and EXO K4
KUIU: Stupid light 3lb 14 ozlbs but has some drawbacks (heavy loads, durability)
EXO: Best weight bearing pack ever, great guys, but 2lb heavier
Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 or Fly Creek HV UL1
(I just sleep better and stay out in worse weather longer in a double all tent vs a tarp)
Copper Spur: Ultralight, fairly strong, bucket bottom w/ plenty of room in tent and awnings for 2 people + gear
Fly Creek: Time tested double wall protection at just under 2 lbs… Tiger Wall UL1 also great for easier entry at small weight cost
Sleeping Bag: Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20
No better bags made. 950+ down, ultralight, very warm, and made in USA
(Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Dry Sack to keep it dry when I’m hiking)
Sleeping Pad: Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Extreme and Thermarest NeoAir XLite NXT
S2S: Most comfortable side sleeper ever, heavy (“Women’s” Lg size for shape + weight)
Thermarest: No better weight to warmth ratio, not quite as comfortable, stupid light
Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
Worth every penny + gram for a fantastic night of sleep
Stove: MSR PocketRocket Deluxe (review)
Very light, efficient regulator for cold + altitude, windproof, integrated lighter.
(Can swap pots for solo or multi-person outings)
Pot: Evernew 0.9L Ti Ultralight pot
Stupid light, enough for two people, nice coated handles, stove + canister fit inside
Water Purification: Sawyer Micro Squeeze water filter
Super easy, fast, and light with more flow than the mini. Just don’t let it freeze
Bottle/Bladder: Customized KUIU Platypus Hoser 3L Bladder + 3L fill bag
Super light, 6L of capacity for ridge camping, easy to use. Customized with quick detach points for filtration w/ Sawyer without removing bag from backpack
Nalgene bottles only for for super cold (<20 degrees) winter trips
Accessories:
Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spoon: Superlight and long for freeze dried pouches
GSI Infinity Stacking Cup: Rugged, light, won’t burn lips, has measurement marks
Kindle Paperwhite: Waterproof, light, forever battery, and keeps you happy/sane
Optics & Electronics
Binoculars: Monarch HG 8×42 and Monarch 7 8×42 (for the lady)
HG: Stunning optics for the price and very light + compact (w/ good warranty)
7: One of the best values on the market at half the price of the HG’s
Bino Harness: KUIU Pro Bino Harness and regular KUIU bino harness
Pro: Well designed for true one-handed, waterproof use, but pretty bulky
Regular: Lighter/smaller but not waterproof or truly one handed
Tripod: Slik Sprint Mini II or KDC Granite Peak Tripod
Slik: Very inexpensive and all you’ll ever need for seated glassing w/ binos or 50mm spotter
KDC: Ultralight with compromises, but I absolutely love this thing… use it everywhere
Rangefinder: Sig Sauer KILO3K
Best value bar none. Archery mode, ballistics/atmospherics for rifle, light, accurate + fast
Emergency communicator: ACR Electronics ResQLink and/or Garmin InReach
ACR: Dead reliable EPIRB that won’t run out of battery because you were texting, navigating, or left it on by accident
Garmin InReach: Great for texting, not as reliable for safety
GPS: Garmin eTrex 20x
Superlight, good value, and all you’ll need to find + mark important waypoints. Rarely use this vs just a phone and OnX anymore
GPS app: OnX Maps mobile + computer for all 50 states (+Google Earth Pro)
Pretty much mandatory for scouting/planning, satellite images helpful when hunting
Headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 500-R (or 400-R) Rechargeable
Incredible battery life, can charge while light is on (one battery bank for all devices). Tactile button for rapid mode switches and powerful beam, best headlamp I’ve used by long shot.
Clothing
Boots: La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST or Salmon X Ultra 4
La Sportiva: Truly incredible “3 season” mountaineering boot. Great traction, very light, but lots of stiffness and durability for gnarly terrain. Most walkable stiff boot I’ve ever used.
Solomon: Light duty for on trail/mellow efforts, mainly for summer hiking
Shirt: Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody Synthetic and Merino 120
Great fit, breathability, pattern, and durability/warranty, Integrated hoody/facemask = no heavy, slimy sunscreen or facepaint needed. Merino = less stink, warmer feel. Synthetic = more durable, cooler feel
Pant: Sitka Intercept pant or Sitka Timberline Pant/KUIU Axis Hybrid
Intercept: super quiet, breathable, and perfect for September. Love vents.
Timberline: Good, but wish they had vents. No wet butt or knees is great
Axis: Vents and waterproofing, but typical not amazing quality and boxy fit
Active Jackets: Sitka Ambient Hoody
Believe the hype. Incredible range of comfortable temps. Primaloft Evolve Active/Polartec Alpha Direct are biggest innovations in outwear in 10+ years
Static jackets: Arcteryx Cerium LT vest and KUIU Super Down Pro
Arcteryx: Insane warmth/weight ratio. I add to jackets above for September cold snaps, keeps me warm sitting still at 20 degrees. And it looks good in the office.
KUIU: Very very warm and very light, with waterproof down if you trust that.
Underwear: First Lite Wick Boxer Brief
Can wear for 3-5+ days straight with no stink. Comfortable in broad range of temps
Accessories:
Sitka cap: Fits like a glove, breathes well, and isn’t a flat brim…
First Lite Tag Cuff beanie: Warm for weight, merino, tag cuff can go down around neck
Sitka Ascent glove: Pricey but durable and fantastic fit.
First Lite Talus Fingerless: Utterly fantastic for cold days bird hunting.
Darn Tough socks: High quality. Merino stinks less, full stop. Can use 3-4 days straight
REI silk sock liners: Sock liners are game changers to prevent blisters
KUIU Climbing Belt: Tough, light, and simple. Rebranded Bison Designs
Phew, who knew an elk hunting gear list could be so long. I’ll be reviewing all my gear over time, but if you have questions now feel free to reach out any time.