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First elk hunt
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<blockquote data-quote="dirtytough" data-source="post: 1576687" data-attributes="member: 6597"><p>I have guided for sheep in AK, hunted Washington high country extensively, hunted early and 3rd season Colorado, killed a buck archery in ND in -57 temps with windchill, and hunted multiple other states. All that is to say I have hunted in warm, wet, cold, snow, wind, all over so I have a decent grasp on wet and cold hunting conditions. And I'm cheap. I would rather have the best optics than top of the line matching camo. </p><p></p><p>Ok it looks like you are on a budget and will be truck camping. Look into a pair of trekking poles. They will help with heavy loads in steep terrain and you can use them as a shooting rest. First bull I killed in Colorado was at 408 yards that I shot off of my trekking poles. </p><p></p><p>Darntough socks. Lifetime warranty. Go to REI and try on boots. They have a ton of mountaineering and backpacking boots. They won't be as expensive as hunting branded boots. And they are as good or better. I'm 50/50 on gaiters. I don't use them in Colorado but do in Washington where its wet. Buy them if you have extra money. I like OR gaiters since they work and again have a lifetime warranty. </p><p></p><p>Some type of synthetic or wool underwear. I forgot mine one year and picked up an off brand at walmart. They still work as well as my expensive stuff. </p><p></p><p>I usually take 3 pieces of clothing for my lower body and 5 for my upper. </p><p>Someone mentioned polypro from Costco. I have some and it works well. </p><p></p><p>I like soft shell pants. They shed moisture pretty well and cut the wind. I have been using Skre Hardscrabble lately. When they first came out they were pretty inexpensive. You can find hunting brands on clearance or even mountaineering brands. Mountaineering companies don't charge more for camo like hunting brands do. Then I have lightweight rain gear. For Colorado I use Marmot Precip. I use it more when its not raining then when it is. When I get to a glassing spot if I start getting cold I use my rain gear. It really blocks the wind and helps keep you warm. </p><p></p><p>Upper body I will use the polypro from Costco or something comparable. 2nd layer usually a thin hoodie or fleece. 3rd layer I have been trying the Skre Hardscrabble jacket and like it for certain hunts like 3rd season. If not that then I use a thick fleece. 4th layer I will bring a down vest or puffy jacket depending on temps. 5th layer is a Marmot precip top.</p><p></p><p>Accessories. I bring a few pairs of gloves if its cold. I use glomits. I haven't found anything warmer or as useful. I also bring thin liner gloves. And I bring latex gloves. If its cold out its very easy to freeze your fingers while cutting up your animal. Throw on the liner gloves and the latex over the top and your hands stay warm and your liner gloves stay nice. </p><p></p><p>A thin balaclava or neck gaiter. And a beanie. </p><p></p><p>Don't get heavy wool outerwear. I used it as a kid growing up and it was heavy, was slow to dry, and wasn't very comfortable. Thats what everyone used. Now even my dad uses synthetic outerwear. </p><p></p><p>I have tried frogtoggs. They fell apart the first time I tried them. For 3rd season Colorado I wouldn't be scared to try them again. Most of the time if I used them I would be sitting and glassing so I feel like they would last. I think frogtoggs are like $35 and you can get the Marmot precip for about $100 from STP. So it is a decent savings to go with the toggs. </p><p></p><p>Don't waste money on a pack cover. Most of the time you won't be using it and its just extra weight. I always carry 2 garbage bags. If it looks like its going to rain line your pack with one. When you kill an elk you can throw quarters and chunks of meat on it to keep it clean and fill the game bags later. Then use it to line your pack to keep blood off your extra gear/clothes. </p><p></p><p>You are day hunting so its not bad to pack an extra layer for a day or 2 until you figure out if you need it or not. If you were backpacking in you would need to streamline your gear a little more.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dirtytough, post: 1576687, member: 6597"] I have guided for sheep in AK, hunted Washington high country extensively, hunted early and 3rd season Colorado, killed a buck archery in ND in -57 temps with windchill, and hunted multiple other states. All that is to say I have hunted in warm, wet, cold, snow, wind, all over so I have a decent grasp on wet and cold hunting conditions. And I'm cheap. I would rather have the best optics than top of the line matching camo. Ok it looks like you are on a budget and will be truck camping. Look into a pair of trekking poles. They will help with heavy loads in steep terrain and you can use them as a shooting rest. First bull I killed in Colorado was at 408 yards that I shot off of my trekking poles. Darntough socks. Lifetime warranty. Go to REI and try on boots. They have a ton of mountaineering and backpacking boots. They won't be as expensive as hunting branded boots. And they are as good or better. I'm 50/50 on gaiters. I don't use them in Colorado but do in Washington where its wet. Buy them if you have extra money. I like OR gaiters since they work and again have a lifetime warranty. Some type of synthetic or wool underwear. I forgot mine one year and picked up an off brand at walmart. They still work as well as my expensive stuff. I usually take 3 pieces of clothing for my lower body and 5 for my upper. Someone mentioned polypro from Costco. I have some and it works well. I like soft shell pants. They shed moisture pretty well and cut the wind. I have been using Skre Hardscrabble lately. When they first came out they were pretty inexpensive. You can find hunting brands on clearance or even mountaineering brands. Mountaineering companies don't charge more for camo like hunting brands do. Then I have lightweight rain gear. For Colorado I use Marmot Precip. I use it more when its not raining then when it is. When I get to a glassing spot if I start getting cold I use my rain gear. It really blocks the wind and helps keep you warm. Upper body I will use the polypro from Costco or something comparable. 2nd layer usually a thin hoodie or fleece. 3rd layer I have been trying the Skre Hardscrabble jacket and like it for certain hunts like 3rd season. If not that then I use a thick fleece. 4th layer I will bring a down vest or puffy jacket depending on temps. 5th layer is a Marmot precip top. Accessories. I bring a few pairs of gloves if its cold. I use glomits. I haven't found anything warmer or as useful. I also bring thin liner gloves. And I bring latex gloves. If its cold out its very easy to freeze your fingers while cutting up your animal. Throw on the liner gloves and the latex over the top and your hands stay warm and your liner gloves stay nice. A thin balaclava or neck gaiter. And a beanie. Don't get heavy wool outerwear. I used it as a kid growing up and it was heavy, was slow to dry, and wasn't very comfortable. Thats what everyone used. Now even my dad uses synthetic outerwear. I have tried frogtoggs. They fell apart the first time I tried them. For 3rd season Colorado I wouldn't be scared to try them again. Most of the time if I used them I would be sitting and glassing so I feel like they would last. I think frogtoggs are like $35 and you can get the Marmot precip for about $100 from STP. So it is a decent savings to go with the toggs. Don't waste money on a pack cover. Most of the time you won't be using it and its just extra weight. I always carry 2 garbage bags. If it looks like its going to rain line your pack with one. When you kill an elk you can throw quarters and chunks of meat on it to keep it clean and fill the game bags later. Then use it to line your pack to keep blood off your extra gear/clothes. You are day hunting so its not bad to pack an extra layer for a day or 2 until you figure out if you need it or not. If you were backpacking in you would need to streamline your gear a little more. [/QUOTE]
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