Well, I got the news the other day that I drew my MT elk tag. I spend my time off working with an outfitter in MT during the summers (benefits of being a college kid). Two years ago he told me if I get the tag, he’ll cover my hunt. Bought points last year, this year I drew the tag. I am starting to accumulate the gear I will need. I’m doing an early rifle season hunt, so I’ll be packing in September 12th and season opens the 15th. I’ll have 2 days of scouting before the opener so I hope that’s enough. Here are some products I’d appreciate some insight on:

For a day pack, I am looking at either getting a Mystery ranch pop-up 38 or the metcalf. I will not have to pack out the whole bull on my back because I’ll have horses, but I would like a pack that I’d be able to use overnight if needed and also get the meat to the horses if I shoot my elk in one of those nasty places elk live. Id like to have a pack I can use year after year for western hunts (my thought process is that for the amount I would spend on a club for one year, I can do a western hunt once every other year, and just hunt public land locally)

For clothing, temps range from low 30s to high 80s in September so I am looking for something that’s not insulated so I can just layer beneath. Water resistant is a must

Looking for suggestions on a spotter and range finder and tripod

My backpacking boots will be sufficient, but I’ll need a pair of gaiters in the event of snow (Last year we got 4” in August).

Anything else that I am missing is likely something I already have, but feel free to throw out some suggestions.


Much appreciated,
Matt

I’ve got a Pop Up 28 and used it to help N2TRKYS pack out his elk in Wyoming back in October. It worked fine, but packing an elk out on two bum knees was pure hell. If I was buying again, I would most likely go with the Metcalf for the extra room. A good place to order one from is Mountain Archery.

https://www.mountain-archery.com/?g...qmxecyT1233wZegjC2IOyP9yeuBoCoF8QAvD_BwE

Keep a check on their Hunt of the Day site. I’ve seen them on sale there.

https://www.huntoftheday.com/

Also keep an eye out at Camofire.

https://www.camofire.com/

As for a rangefinder, you can spend as much money as you want on one. I use a Nikon Rifleman and also have a Leupold. Best piece of advice I can give you is stay away from the Wildgame Innovations. Personally, I’d skip the spotting scope and go with a good quality pair of binoculars with a harness. I use a pair of Meopta MeoPro 8x42’s with a Kuiu Pro Bino Harness.

Gaiters are a must. These are the ones I got.

https://www.blackovis.com/kenetrek-hunting-gaiter

For clothing I like Kuiu. I really like their Attack pants. Ive got several pairs of them along with the Peloton 97 fleece shirts and a Guide DCS vest.

Something to consider if you’ll be hunting in rocky and hilly terrain is a pair of trekking poles. They were a life saver for me with my knees on our last trip. I’ve got a pair of Leki’s. Another important piece of gear is a good rifle sling that you can secure to your pack. Mystery Ranch makes a good one. I used it on out last trip and it saved my rifle from coming off my shoulder and bouncing off some rocks in a creek bed when I slipped crossing it.

Metcalf is a great pack. Badlands 2200 has an ample meatshelf for big quarters. I've packed a whole deer in it multiple times with no problems. Stone glacier R3 would be another great option.

I like the first lite gaiters.



Wool vs synthetic. I prefer merino for base layers and synthetic outers. I always carry a rain kit, but have only used it once in the west and it was for heavy snow, not rain. I could see it being useful in tight timber.

I've been happy with vortex rangefinder. The 1600, I think it's called. The Leica is great, but spendy.

OR CROC Gaiters are indestructible.
Well used boots.
I have a Leupold rangefinder.
I use a pair of 15x binos instead of a spotter, along with my 10x42's.
Still need a tripod with those 15's. I need one myself.
Game Bags.
Paracord.
Headlamps
Knife and Havalon with blades.
First Aid stuff.
Lots of sock and undies.
If you're going solo rent a sat phone.
Sidearm if in Grizz country.

A few good deals on ebay right now on Kowa spotting scopes.

I got my binos and harness already, but because of some recent burns (2017,18, and 19), ill have some really good opportunity to see very long distances, so i am pretty set on a spotter.

I am looking at the pop-up 38 because i can use it for short summer backpacking trips and it has an 80lb capacity in the load vault. If i were doing a full solo backpack hunt, i would definitely get the metcalf, but i really enjoy hunting with my brother so if we ever did a backpack hunt, itd be multiple of us, and probably my dad (he doesnt hunt, but as most fathers, he really enjoys spending time with his kids).

I work as a fly fishing guide for the outfitter during the summer and I get a discount on mystery ranch so i am pretty dead set on MR.

i plan on getting some trekking poles just because of the weight of a pack and packing 2 miles on multiple trips with meat wont be fun without them

i am looking at badlands as far as clothes go, but i might be able to do sitka or kuiu.

I appreciate all of your input and i will look at gaiters this week.

You going out there to have a fashion show or elk hunt for a couple days? Based on some of the suggestions thus far I would have to wonder if I saw you coming up a coolie looking like you just got lost off a high fence operation.

I wouldn't think you need to buy a whole lot of stuff for an early season Archery Hunt. I've been a time or ten. Never needed much that I didn't already have for deer hunting in Alabama the temps are about the same. Low 40's high about 70 in Bozeman that time of year.

Other than a good pair of boots, pack and a spotting scope I would say you probably already have most everything you need. That goes for everyone. I'm not suggesting you have to get everything at Wal-Mart but good gracious people on here want everyone to wear a $500 coat and get some $375 boots and a $2k spotting scope, etc.

Don't need it.

The cold hard truth!

Only I can add, is get in shape if you arent already. Go on a 5-10 mile hike with your pack filled with water/sand jugs to simulate a heavy pack.

You might want to talk to your Dr. about a prescription for Diamox which prevents Altitude Sickness which can strike no matter how good of shape you are in. Nothing will ruin a trip quicker and the med really doesn't have any terrible side effects other than it makes carbonated drinks have a metallic taste.

I will be working the summer for the outfitter, so I'll have time to get acclimated. the camp is only at about 5,000ft, so its not a too drastic change. your body typically can handle about 2,500ft per day before altitude sickness symptoms occur. i have also been training using an altitude mask.

I have been training with a weighted vest until i get my pack. im 23 and 190lbs with athletic build so i am in adequate shape as it is, but i am still training because id like to be able to cover about 8 miles per day comfortably with the pack.

I get a discount, and need something that breathes well, western hunting is not sitting in a treestand and waiting for a deer, just trying to not overheat my body while hunting. i have no intentions of dropping over $200 on clothes. I just wanted to know if there was anything i was missing. again, i am a graduate student so i dont get the chance to hunt deer a whole lot, i finish school next week so i will be able to hunt with a more structured schedule, rather than having to study for exams some weeks and having a ridiculous amount of time other weeks.

No plans on dropping a few grand on gear for this hunt, id rather save the money and get another tag next year.

i came just looking for reccomendations. it appears you have none.

[quote=Goatkiller]
Other than a good pair of boots, pack and a spotting scope I would say you probably already have most everything you need. That goes for everyone. I'm not suggesting you have to get everything at Wal-Mart but good gracious people on here want everyone to wear a $500 coat and get some $375 boots and a $2k spotting scope, etc.

Don't need it.

[/quo

You can get by with a lot of things but, my gear drying out from light rain in an hour or two vs being wet all day is worth the money and it's more comfortable to me. It's also lighter and fits me better. I'm outdoors year 'round and comforts a must

As far as a day pack, a Mystery Ranch Mule is a good choice but you gotta find one. If not, grab the cabinent, it has a little more room. The pop-ups are nice but, they are not rated as high as far a weight bearing goes. The thing I like about those two is the meat can get air to cool while packing vs being in the bag. I would only buy an MR that's listed on their load bearing pack list personally. MR customer service will gladly answer questions if you call.
Camofire is carrying MR packs, don't wait for it to come up on sale, call them, ask if in stock and buy over the phone. It's that simple.

Good Boots, go by how they feel, not by name. Ankle support is what'll matter.

Trekking poles help on the knees

If you're going with a guide, spend ya money on good binos. He'll have a spotter. You'll use the binos more in the future than a spotter, unless ya creeping on your neighbors.

Was just online with Optics Planet. Some MR packs on sale, including the mule for $230. The cabinent is $350 but, more storage... Both have a 200# rating which i will never test lol

Thank you for the insight

I recommended Kowa as they are typically much less expensive than other spotters, and are generally available used. The eco-tourism industry and bridwatchers use those, and sometimes you see a slug of them on e-bay when someone replaces their "fleet". That's when I bought mine.

This one is a steal - MASH

That's a $350 eyepiece on a $500 body.

If you would rather have an angled body, I would trade my TSN-602 angled body for this one. I really don't have a preference.

I've spent a LOT of time guiding and being guided on hunting trips around the world. There is some good advice in this post thus far but I'll add a little bit.

As stated above you don't need to spend lots of money on new gear unless you are hunting in cotton clothes from Wal-Mart. Most decent hunting clothing will work fine for the trip you have planned.

Here is a list of what you for sure will need:
Good Boots (Make sure you have good ankle support and that they are very well broken in. Take an extra pair of laces)
Good binoculars (10x42 will be fine)
Hiking Poles (They make walking with and without a heavy pack much easier. Plus they make a great rifle rest)
Gaiters (Buy a good pair)
Spotting Scope (If it's a guided trip don't buy one. Your guide should have one. Let him spend the money and carry the weight. If you do think you need one I'd suggest a straight tube. Everyone has an opinion on this but a straight tube is more comfortable for me for long hours looking through it. Also if you have precipitation the eye piece fills with water on an angled tube. Also buy a good tri-pod)
Duct Tape and Electrical Tape (duct tape fixes holes on clothes, makes a great "cast" if you get hurt, etc. put electrical tape over your muzzle)
100' of para-cord
Take a 32oz Nalgene bottle. (They are much more useful than the water bladder that comes with most back packs)
Take a small lite-weight sleeping bag and a pillow case. (Stuff extra clothes in your pillow case instead of packing in an actual pillow)
Take a good sleeping pad
Man-wipes (they are lite-weight and come in a water proof pack and have many uses)

You can survive without any of the things I listed but none of them add much weight and they will make you trip more enjoyable.

The best advice I can give you is take LESS clothes that you think you'll need.