Gear priorities

T

timmymic

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Sep 23, 2012
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I'm from wi and have everything for whitetail hunting here, wondering what I should prioritize for gear to get into western hunting? Nothing specific yet for what kind of hunt, but would lean toward mule deer camping at the trail head... would love to back country eventually but not to that point yet.

I have
10x Binos
6.5 prc rifle with 3-15 Leupold with cds
Shooting sticks

Assuming I need
Spotting scope/ higher mag binos
Tripod
Pack
Camo (not my heavy 0 degree wi camo)
 
The best boots you can afford....preferably 2 pair! "IF" you will be tent camping....a very good sleeping bag. As I have said before.....sore/blistered feet and you can't put in the miles. Two or three nights of sleep deprivation, and you will not be in the game mentally!

Do not discount wool clothing (pants/shirts), wears like iron, warm even if wet, comfortable in variable temperatures. We've been using wool exclusively for almost 30 years, mostly military surplus.....and do not regret using it. You can buy excellent quality military surplus for about 25% of what you would pay for new, retail type wools!

Concerning your pack.....consider a "freighter type" pack frame! You should be able to pack out a "boned-out", cape and head, of a mule deer in one "heavy load"! Also handy for camp chores, hauling firewood, ect! Which brings us to a good bow saw, for cutting firewood! Lighter, faster, safer,than a hand axe.

Good Luck on your hunt! memtb
 
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I really like like my Jet Boil. Mountain House, coffee packs, and home made trail mix. Camping at the trail head gives you a lot more stuff for comfort at base.
A small light tarp or bivey, just in case you get back to deep one day, and have a sleep over.
 
Past some good binos, and if you do the summer hunts, some appropriate clothes, probably the biggest advice if on public land is getting away from other people. Scout, get onX maps, talk to a game warden or whatever.
 
dfanonymous said:
Past some good binos, and if you do the summer hunts, some appropriate clothes, probably the biggest advice if on public land is getting away from other people. Scout, get onX maps, talk to a game warden or whatever.
Click to expand...
Are you going alone or do you have a friend or guide out West already?
Always remember "wool is wonderful."
 
Boots, good boots. I only guided elk/mule deer four seasons. Guys from the east had good rifles, generally shot well, learned insulated bibs suck and had crappy boots. I camp at the trailhead, take two pair to camp. I like to rotate them day to day.
 
I'm in WI too. I've hunted the west many times. If you are going to camp you need a bunch of camping equipment. Same as you would need for camping in WI. Western hunting involves a lot more walking so you need good boots. I like Danners.
You need good optics. I like 10x binoculars. After a first trip you may feel you need a spotting scope too. My buddies sold their scopes after carrying them around one trip.
You need to shoot your rifle more in positions you would use hunting like prone and sitting with a rest and shooting to at least 300yds or more.
You need a pack to carry all your gear and to pack out any animal you may shoot. You should learn to bone out an animal. You need to store your animal so it doesn't spoil (cooler?).
A range finder is very useful.
It can get very warm during the day and then very cold at night so you need clothes for those extremes.
You need to know where you are so ONXmaps on your phone, or a gps, or maps are a must. Westerners don't like trespassers.
You need a study vehicle for rough roads with good tires.
Practice camping in WI to test your gear. Go on a bow hunt or something in the national forests up north to see what you need or don't need.
A good first hunt out west is for antelope. They can be on public land, you can camp out of your truck, and they are easier to pack out than an elk.
Everyone here has lots of good advice.
 
I have done something similar for the first time last year when I went up to hunt DIY in Alaska. I agree with the need for a good pair of boots and a sturdy backpack that can carry reasonable amount of weight.
I Used a Kelty military pack for this purpose which served me well on that trip. In the meantime, I got a new pack that costs about twice as much money and is bit better than to Kelty, so I'm planning to sell the previous one. If you are interested here is the link to the ad on this forum.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/kelty-falcon-4000-backpack.218590/#post-1619425
Please forgive the shameless plug and ignore it if you already have a pack.
 
Besides what has been listed, I carry a big roll of mule tape (look it up if you don't know what it is) in my truck. I carry a 3000 ft roll. this stuff is the Swiss Army knife of game recovery among other uses. If I get an elk or deer down within 1000 yards of a road, I can use my truck to help pull it out to the road.
 
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