It all begins here. This is the ultimate elk hunting checklist for the DIY hunter that covers planning a trip and the gear you need. Be confident that you’re ready to hit the mountains.
Print it, edit it, and never forget something at home (or in the car) again. Not sure how to plan your hunt? Check out the Hunt Elk in 2020 series. Looking for gear suggestions? Check out the Gear I Use for now (more to come soon).
This is the first post in the weekly Hunt Elk in 2020 Series. Make sure to subscribe or check back so you don’t miss a post.
Planning your Elk Hunt
Before you Go
- Choose a state
- Pick a unit(s)
- Choose a companion (or plan to go solo)
- Decide how you’ll hunt (backpacking, car camping, etc)
- Decide where to hunt (with multiple backup options)
- Pick dates to go (and schedule vacation time)
- Plan how you’ll get there (and set a budget)
- Find a guide or a packer (if needed)
- Buy a tag (or have a plan to get one)
- Set a training plan (and do it!)
- Buy your gear (see checklist below)
- Study elk behavior, strategy, and tactics (aka read all the Hunt in 2020 articles)
- Tune you bow (or sight in your rifle)
- Test your broadhead flight
- Practice like you’re hunting (as often as possible)
- Do a short trip to test your gear (even if it’s in the back yard)
- Take a scouting trip (not critical)
- Have fun and give it everything you’ve got
Before you leave the house
- Prep your food (so you save time in the mountains)
- Run through the gear checklist (below) to make sure you packed everything
- Print copies of the gear checklist to take with you
- Email someone responsible with your plans (for safety)
- Contact a butcher and/or a packer near your spot (optional)
Before you hike in
- Sight in your bow to adjust for for altitude and broadhead flight
- Mark your bow settings with a silver sharpie
- Run through the gear checklist one last time
- Update your safety contact with your plans/location (if possible)
- Lock your car, turn off the lights, and put the keys somewhere with zipper
Elk Hunting Gear Checklist
Archery gear
- Bow (well tuned with sight, quiver, and stabilizer if needed)
- Bow release (backup in car)
- Target for practice
- One dozen+ arrows (only 5 needed in your quiver)
- 6+ broadheads (with replacement blades, if needed)
- Blunt points (for grouse or backcountry practice)
- 2x wind checker (one for you, one for the car)
- Elk calls (diaphragm and/or handheld
- Bugle tube
Backpacking gear
- Pack
- Tent or shelter
- Sleeping bag or quilt
- Sleeping pad
- Pillow (optional, but highly recommended)
- Stove
- Fuel
- Pot
- Water Purifier
- Water bladder or bottles (fill before you leave)
- Long handled spoon/spork
Clothing
- Boots (backups in car are nice)
- Pants (backup in the car is fine)
- Shirt (backup in car is fine)
- Underwear (backup in car)
- Socks (backup in car)
- Sock liners (highly recommended)
- Belt
- Midlayer jacket
- Outer layer jacket
- Rain jacket (optional, depends on forecast)
- Pack shell (optional, depends on forecast)
- Hat
- Gloves (optional)
- Facemask or paint (optional)
- Gaiters (optional)
Optics & Electronics
- Rangefinder
- Binoculars
- Binocular harness
- Tripod (optional)
- Handheld GPS (optional)
- Personal Locator Beacon or Satellite Communicator (highly recommended)
Kill Kit
- Knife
- Game bags (4x quarters, 1-2x backstraps + neck meat)
- Cord/string (for hanging meat)
- Glow sticks (optional)
- Large black trash bag or tyvek (clean surface to put meat)
Small items
- Tag + License + Hunter Safety Card
- Book or kindle
- Cell phone (set to airplane mode to save battery)
- Navigation
- Compass
- Waterproof Maps of location
- Headlamp (+ at least one set extra batteries)
- Personal necessities
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Glasses/contacts/contacts case/solution
- Wet wipes (highly recommended)
- Toilet paper
- Medicine/medications (ibuprofen, advil PM/sleep aid, etc)
- Emergency/Survival gear
- Waterproof matches + small lighter (if your stove doesn’t have one)
- Firestarter / tinder
- Space blanket or large black trashbag (emergency rain gear/warmth)
- Blister treatment (Moleskin or Leukotape)
- First aid kit
- Backup gear
- Sleeping pad repair kit
- Tenacious tape or duct tape (tears in clothing + tent, etc)
- Lens brush + cloth (for binos)
- Chlorine tablets (in case water purifier breaks)
- Extra batteries (GPS, Communicator, headlamp, etc)
Food
- Gallon ziplock full of food for each day (2500-3500+ calories/day)
Self defense
- Handgun with ammunition (optional)
- Holster (optional)
- Bear spray (optional)
- Bear spray holster (optional)
Car gear
- Large water container
- Cooler (150 Quart if using butcher, 2x 150 quart if you’ll take quarters home)
- Portable jump starter for car (or at least jumper cables)
There you have it, the ultimate elk hunting checklist. Make sure to print it out and add any other items you need to remember. Did I forget something or do you have any suggestions? Shoot me a comment below or drop me a line.