Thought I would share the list I've made up for this years elk hunt. I've been trying to cut down on weight and I've finally got it where I like it. 2 years ago I went on same trip and probably had 40-50 pounds with food for 7 days. This time we will go out for a few days at a time and return to a basecamp by road where we will have a big tent set up with cots. Below is first list of all my items. I believe most everything should be there. Big difference in total weight this time. Pack I have is about the only spot where I could save big weight in the future, but I like my pack. Hope to use it for many years. I didn't include my boots. They are danner. Probably 3-4 pounds. This looks better in excel, but I just copied it instead of messing with attachment. Items Weight (Ounces) Pack Items Tenzing 6000 backpack 125 Cabelas Headlamp 3.4 Jet Boil, fuel, spork 21.9 Havalon Knife w/ 5 extra blades 2 Buck Omni Folding Knife 5 First Aid Kit 10.9 Patch Kit 1 Badlands 35 degree sleeping bag Long 49 REI Sleeping Pad 17 Tarptent Squall 2 34 Locus Gear Trekking Poles (Used with tarptent) 10.8 4 AAA Extra Batteries 1.3 Wind Checker 0.8 Alaska Game Bags (5) 9 Para Cord 2.6 Sea to Summit Dry sack 3.3 TP, Wipes 6 Foldable Shovel 3.2 Garmin Dakota 20 GPS 4.9 Leupold Rx1000 Rangefinder 7.8 Leupold Cascade Binocs 22.9 3 liter Tenzing Bladder (No Water) 7 Bear Spray 12.1 1 liter hydration bladders (2) 1.8 Cow Call 2.3 Rocky Mountain Select a Bull Bugle 10 MSR Aqua Tablets 0.3 Garbage Bag 1 Carabiner 2.3 Clothes in Pack First Lite Llano Long Sleeve Shirt 10 Kuiu Down Vest 6.4 First Lite Merino Wool Socks 2.9 Exofocio Underwear 2.5 Core4element RainGear Pants/Jacket 32.3 15.5 and 16.8 ounces per item KUIU Gators 12 Sitka Traverse Beanie 1 TOTAL 445.7 27.85 pounds Base Pack Weight 3 liters of water 2.2 pounds Meals (Per Day) 23 1.43 pounds Per Day of Food Worn DAILY Sitka Mountain Pants 19 First Lite Llano 10 Exofocio Underwear 2.5 First Lite Socks 2.9 KUIU Ball Cap 2 TOTAL 36.4 2.27 pounds BOW EQUIPMENT Bowtech Experience w/ Black Gold Single Adjustable Pin. NAP apache rest. 90 Apex Game Changer Quiver w/ Easton FMJ w/trophy taker shuttle t broadhead (5 arrows) 15.3 Truball Max Hunter 3 finger Release 3 TOTAL 108.3 6.77 pounds
That looks like a pretty solid setup to me. I remember 2 years ago packing everything in for 6 days I believe and I was right around 60 pounds. I know now that I wouldn't take all that same gear again. I think for what you are doing for a couple days at a time you have a nice list.
Looks like a pretty complete list. Something else to consider for your "kill kit" might be a couple pairs of Nitrel gloves. They weigh virtually nothing.
I've tried those for deer and they always rip. I have big hands. Otherwise they are a very good idea for keeping clean. I'm looking for more ideas like this in case I missed something.
Sounds like a pretty good list. Good work on getting under 60lbs. What type of food are you taking with you? What state are you hunting in and when will you be going? I'm sure you will be hitting part of the rut. I've only been elk hunting once in Colorado last year. So I'm still learning. I'd love to hear how your hunt went. I would like to hear what stage of the rut you experienced and what tactics you use. Good luck to you.
