Don't lie to the newbs that's not nice... You and I both know top notch camo including headnets and gloves are necessary at all times! Won't be long fellas. I load the truck up this weekend and head out next Friday. Good luck to all the elk hunters. Tip from one newb to another, often times no calling is far far better than a bad call. If you aren't proficient with it leave it in the pack. You don't have to call an elk in on a string like on TV to be elk hunting!
Sitka is outdated 3-4 years. Kryptek is what you have to have I hear. LOL Any camo will work that breaks up your outline. Heck I had some guys wearing wet lands waterfowl camo one year. TEmbry good luck keep us updated. I was hoping to have an extra $2000 but my bronc ride last weekend didn't quite go as I had hoped. I would put the video up but I don't know how. Keep shooting. You never know how long you will have to hold your draw waiting for the elk to move one step to get a clear shot.
video attempt [video]https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=563440300073&set=vb.111200566&type=2&theater[/video]
Ordered my cot and sleeping bag last night. Cot is (13) pounds and sleeping bag is rated to 10 Deg. (Mummy style hopefully that rating is warm enough although I rarely get cold.) The pack that i like and have been practicing with does NOT have a membrane for water. I have a membrane that I could add or do you think taking plastic bottles is ok?
The badlands pack I'm borrowing doesn't have a spot for me to put my hydration bladder. I need to figure it out.
Glad you got your cot and bag. What brand is your bag? As far as water I used to carry water bottles howeve rthey take up more space and are not as handy. With the bladders you can take a drink and keep on walking as opposed to taking off your pack grabbing your water taking a drink and putting your pack back on. I find I don't drink enough water when I take just bottles. Its doable but not as convienant.
Heck if nothing else I would just put the bladder in a plastic bag in my pack or get a camel back to attach to your pack.
What Colby said...water bottles work fine, bladder just more convenient. Most bladders have a hook or loop hole at top to hang them, if you can arrange any kind of hook or twine loop near top of pack it can just hang inside. Even possibly tie a loop around the pack handle that most have on top and let hang down inside...zip both sides up to top where loop goes in pack...just a thought. My dad is now considering the bunk bed cots that Cabelas has out - our tent will squeeze 5 guys in, but no way to get stove in then. We didn't use stove last year, but this cooler summer has me thinking we'll want the stove the last week of Sept, even if just for drying out clothes/boots. I told him the only problem with bunk bed cots would be sleeping on the bottom after a Chili dinner night Always looking forward to Elk Camp!
I'm still planning on sleeping in the car. I have a garage sale sleeping bag.... but the car has a heater If'n I need it. :D
Matt I have one half of the disc o bed from cabelas didn't get the other bunk or attachments but those cots are comfy. The person on bottom does have some risk especially after chili night like you said but would be a great space saver. I'm curious what the temps will be this year as it has been a cooler and wetter year. I'll be sure to record the temps when we go camping. Won't be exactly the same but close. Christine sleeping in the car may be a safe bet with some of these yahoos however there should be room if you decide you would like to stay in the tent.
Up until this year I always carried beef jerk, trail mix, maybe an apple or banna, snickers bar, make a sandwhich to throw in my pack that morning, etc. This year I will have my jet boil so I can carry a cup o raman, moutain house meals. I will still carry jerky, pb&J, and a candy bar or two.
I have been buying Backpacker's Pantry items. They sell four entries that are salad/pasta and only require cold water. I bought some of their side dishes too that had more calories. Don't know much about the brand, but they sell them at Gander Mountain and Champaign Army Surplus.
I hadn't ever seen one until Keven used his in 2012 while we were glassing some elk. I couldn't believe how fast he had boiling water to add for a warm meal. I also bought some star bucks coffee packets that I can make a quick cup of coffee if I want which will be nice. Moutain house also makes some "wrap" meals that only require cold water, you have to have a tortilla for them but they look pretty good too. I do have a couple backpacker's pantry meals as they had some meals that my wife thought sounded better.
I typically would make a tortilla roll up with ham/salami/cheese/lettuce, 2 protein bars, jerky, trail mix, 1-2 apples, snickers. There were days I'd eat them all, but also realized I was doing a lot of relaxing and site seeing then Nothing wrong with that...but also realized the more I stay on my feet, the better my odds for seeing elk. Last year was mostly the same line up, but most days did not grab the roll up. I do have a small stove/cup now also - doubt I put it in pack unless chance of staying out overnight. I only paid $14 for stove on Sierratradingpost (Kovea Eagle Gas Stove - Save 26% ) and $5 metal cup from Walmart...it worked awesome on my wife and I's overnight mountain hike this summer. We had Mountain house Lasagna and Chili-mac, both were excellent and would eat them again anytime. I do have a mountain house ready for this trip in case I need to stay out one night...but not planning on it. It was also nice to have the boiling water for hot chocolate (wife) and tea (me)...hot drink can make a big difference when it cools down. I do find I can eat all day when in the mountains...and I eat healthy 80-90% of time at home with family...but in CO, I down the Mountain Dew, Little Debbie brownies, chips, Captain/Coke...and that's just for while we're waiting on dinner to cook Lost 8lbs my first year at camp - and not because of lack of excellent food... Also - there is an excellent store/shop just 4-5 miles from camp in Red Cliff, last year was first time we ever stopped in there to get ice for my elk meat. Look up Green Bridge Inn...nice little hotel that has a full stocked supply store if there is last little thing you forget...very nice and convenient. I stopped in there with the wife this summer to show her and grab a tea...they had a couple trail cam pics from this spring of 2-3 mountain lions just at the end of town where road ends (night pics in the snow)...pretty cool. Will does it right and there is NO chance you will get hungry or thirsty - we had some fantastic dinners my first year in 2010, including smoked salmon (from Rob in Alaska), grilled Mulie backstrap (NZ Scottie had shot), and a Yak burger (thanks Will!)...as well as spaghetti's and chili, etc...and with the English & Aussie crew you can usually find a cocktail
Jerky, trail mix, PBJ on a Bagel, snickers bars and a healthy supply of Cliffs Bars . I'll also be taking my Jetboil and a variety of food to go with it.
