CO 2nd rifle gear list

[omegadef]

All,

I'm putting together the gear to head up to my first attempt at an elk with a buddy. We are both from Louisiana, but he has extensive hiking/camping experience. We have already started training hard to handle the altitude(we both big). I'm getting close to having everything together and wanted to get some opinions on what I'm still lacking and what isn't going to cut it. I've been hitting camofire hard, as I'm trying to be frugal where possible. I do not have a good frame of reference for spot and stalk hunting, as all I've done has been stand hunting for whitetail or blind hunting waterfowl from a boat.

We are planning to backpack hunt with the option to go for 5-7 days without visiting the truck. We are looking around area 14, but that is still up in the air. I do have an onX membership and have started baseline E-scouting.

Purchased/own:
Pack: Seek Outside Brooks 7400
Sleeping bag: Slumberjack bounty 0 degree Going to get something better
Tent: Luxe hexpeak with 1.5person inner
Trekking poles: Luxe carbon fiber
Outer layer jacket: Browning Hells Canyon speed backcountry
Outer layer pants: Browning Hells Canyon speed backcountry
Mid layer top: SKRE Kaibab 300 Hoodie
Mid layer vest: Browning Hells Canyon speed backcountry
Base layer top and bottom: SKRE Kaibab 170
Rain gear: Plythal packable
Rangefinder: Leupold rx3
Knife: havalon and spyderco paramilitary/morakniv
boots: Crispi Summit

Significant Needs:
Sleeping pad -thinking klymit, does it need to be insulated? Will be insulated with mat to go under it.
Stove -Jetboil/MSR self contained
Water filtration -either platypus gravity or sawyer
Socks -I'd like some suggestions for those that run uninsulated boots.
Binoculars -I know this is preference, but budget says I should try to be under 300. research has pointed me toward the Leupold BX-2 Alpine variety. Would I be better served to get a 12x instead of 10x since we are currently not planning on a spotter?
Blaze orange vest/cap -the current blaze orange that I own would not make it through this much use.
Insulation - I have a northface puffy jacket without a hood that I could find a stuffsack for. I'm kinda leaning this route. Is a vest needed?
Gloves -do most people run liners and mittens on top?
Gun -I'm planning on using my 308 for now. I need to find a place to be able to practice further shots. Most local ranges stop at 100yds.
Gaiters
Game bags
Headlamp

Lighterpack list(under construction): https://lighterpack.com/r/it9ist

I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff, but I'd love some opinions from the experienced among us. I've already learned a lot reading through other threads.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I’m not sure how comprehensive your list was intending to be but I didn’t see game bags, knife for quartering, range finder, headlamp, gaiters, and your might want sunglasses, especially if it snows and is sunny.

You will need an insulated sleeping pad with probably 4 r-value or more. If you carry a sawyer style water filter, keep it in your pocket and in your sleeping bag so it doesn’t freeze. If they freeze, it could cause it to be ineffective.

 

[omegadef]

I’m not sure how comprehensive your list was intending to be but I didn’t see game bags, knife for quartering, range finder, headlamp, gaiters, and your might want sunglasses, especially if it snows and is sunny.

You will need an insulated sleeping pad with probably 4 r-value or more. If you carry a sawyer style water filter, keep it in your pocket and in your sleeping bag so it doesn’t freeze. If they freeze, it could cause it to be ineffective.

Good call. I updated list. I wear glasses, so sunglasses are a pain. I probably need to get prescription sunglasses.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Good call. I updated list. I wear glasses, so sunglasses are a pain. I probably need to get prescription sunglasses.

FYI on the prescription sunglasses. If you have a really strong prescription like me, don’t cheap out with the lenses. The image detail is so reduced when I wear them that they are basically only good for driving in bright sunlight. If I try to wear them in the woods or fishing, I always end up taking them off and just managing with a hat...or I will switch to contacts if I have them with me.

 

[Dos Perros]

Reading your list I can answer a lot of the items with "depends." The one I can't is the orange vest. Do yourself a favor and get the Orange A-glow.

 

[njdoxie]

There so many gear lists on rokslide and elsewhere.


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[Wapiti1]

This comment is probably too late, but.......If as you state, you are a big guy, and that doesn't just mean tall, and you are consistent with your training, buy your clothes closer to the season. If everything works out well, you will not fit what you buy today. Take it from a guy that lost 40lbs many years ago and had to buy a new wardrobe.

Go up a half size on boots to fit fat socks and to keep your toes from being beaten by the boot on long downhills. Just buy from a place that has a good return policy. I like uninsulated Zamberlan Outfitter 980 or Hanwag Alaskas well into the deep snow season, then I switch to Hoffman pacs. One liner sock or light weight merino sock, then a heavy boot sock over the top works well for me. When you stop to rest for a while, or when glassing, loosen your laces so you get blood flow to the feet. They will warm up better. For a cheaper option, Danner Powderhorn is a good boot.

10X is enough for basic elk glassing. You just need to know if its a legal bull, and you can see elk a long way off with 10's. 12's are good as well, but heavier. I don't pull out the 12's unless I am deer hunting. I have not used those Leupolds. Call CameralandNY and get their take in your price range. I am a fan of Pentax and Sightron binos for budget options.

Jeremy

 

[Marble]

A few things about second season.

I would never wear uninsulated boots in second season. It can get into heavy snow single digit temps.

Gloves, I carry a thin wool glove, mechanic gloves, heavy fingered and mittens. I may not take all them the same day but that's what I'll have available. I sometimes will put an extra dry pair if thin wool gloves in a plastic ziplock to keep them dry.

Top layers I wear synthetic longs sleeve with long sleeve button up blaze orange. Then I have a big blaze orange vest, a puffy and waterproof insulated hooded jacket. With that combo I can do any weather at any temp I've ran into.

For bottoms, water resistant, uninsulated pants and a synthetic base layer. I generally will not wear a base layer while moving around as I'll get too warm.

You'll need a hat with a brim. I like having a ball cap and a blaze orange beanie.

For socks my favorite is the smart wool. But there are others that are just as good.

I have gaiters in camp, but rarely wear them.

 

[Fullfan]

Last year I arrived in NW Colorado on the Wed before the opener. Weather was in the 70's by the first day I had 12" of snow and 15 deg. The snow stayed and the temps never got above 25. Be prepared for everything.

 

[Clarence]

You will need a good insulated pad. At least 5r or above. Search on here should have tons of options. Insulated boots would be preferred by most that time of year. You need to think how active you will be and what you can tolerate. My .02

 

[ChrisAU]

If you are prone to sweating do not buy insulated boots. Most southerners (myself included) are world class sweaters. You will be hiking and climbing a lot.

 

[omegadef]

If you are prone to sweating do not buy insulated boots. Most southerners (myself included) are world class sweaters. You will be hiking and climbing a lot.

This is my worry. My feet always sweat on the way to the deer stand in insulated muck boots.

 

[ChrisAU]

This is my worry. My feet always sweat on the way to the deer stand in insulated muck boots.

I will tell you 4 of us did 2nd rifle 2018 at 9k feet with nightly lows ins the 20’s and 1st rifle 2019 at 10k feet with nightly lows below 0 with uninsulated boots and cold feet was never a problem worth noting.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Check the maps in your area before planning to "pack in" for days. The two different units I've hunted in CO were roads and trails everywhere, wasn't really possible to get much more than a couple miles from a road simply because you get a mile in and now you're a mile from another road on the other side.

If you are prone to sweating do not buy insulated boots. Most southerners (myself included) are world class sweaters. You will be hiking and climbing a lot.

This is my worry. My feet always sweat on the way to the deer stand in insulated muck boots.

I hunted 3rd season last year, everything was covered in snow and some places feet deep. I brought 5 pairs of boots (big truck camp) and ended up rotating my two pair of uninsulated boots. Never had cold feet in any way, even when we sat out to glass in 30+ mph winds and temps in the teens other parts got cold but not the feet. I'm a foot sweater so I'd rather have dry kinda cold feet than wet frozen feet. Insulated boots don't do crap if your feet and socks are wet because you sweat when hiking.

 

[ChrisAU]

Also, Thermarest Neoair Xlite has worked wonderfully. Get the large.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

You might want to add a binocular harness of some sort to the list. I really liked having my Kuiu harness last year it was a big upgrade.

 

[Wapiti1]

Half of a foam z-lite sleeping mat. Use it as a glassing seat, kneel on it to keep your knees dry while cooling a meal, use it to stand on in the morning while getting dressed, use it as a front door mat to the tent. Lots of uses, but it is invaluable as a seat if it rains or snows.

Jeremy

 

[cnelk]

Personally, Id first start a list with things to assist 'when shit gets real'.
Then go backward from there.

Last fall during the 2nd Season timeline, Colorado/Wyo got some weather and there is a guy in Wyo they will start looking for again when the snow melts - at least the last I heard.

 

[ChrisAU]

Half of a foam z-lite sleeping mat. Use it as a glassing seat, kneel on it to keep your knees dry while cooling a meal, use it to stand on in the morning while getting dressed, use it as a front door mat to the tent. Lots of uses, but it is invaluable as a seat if it rains or snows.

Jeremy

This, or just get a whole seat pad. First couple years I went I took only half of one of these, worked ok but for the extra ounce I'll now be taking a full one haha.

Amazon.com: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion Insulated Sitting Pad, Coyote: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion Insulated Sitting Pad, Coyote: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[CJF]

This is my worry. My feet always sweat on the way to the deer stand in insulated muck boots.

Always keep an extra pair of dry socks to throw on when you get to a glassing spot or if you are just setting up somewhere for a while. You'll have the same problem with the rest of your body, find some videos or podcasts talking about layering and moisture management. Does no good to have the right clothes if you have the wrong ones on at the wrong time.

From a LA native....Geaux Tigahs