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Elk Hunting Trip - SW Colorado
Posted on 6/23/25 at 8:23 am
Posted on 6/23/25 at 8:23 am
Seeking gear recommendations for a 5-6 day, five-man DIY elk hunt in southwest Colorado this late September. We will have a UTV for access. I need advice on the right backpack size for day hunting and packing out meat, as well as recommendations for a 1-man tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad suitable for the conditions. I will not be bringing a spotting scope.
6
Posted on 6/23/25 at 8:26 am to bawwithdabaw
Backpack: Mystery Ranch Metcalf
If you are day tripping and can use a UTV, get a bigger tent and a cot
If you are day tripping and can use a UTV, get a bigger tent and a cot
Posted on 6/23/25 at 8:33 am to mylsuhat
quote:
Backpack: Mystery Ranch Metcalf
Solid choice here.
The most important piece of equipment on this trip is physical conditioning and good boots.
Weather can vary wildly in September.
As hat said, no need for lightweight camp gear if youre day tripping off a side by side. Get a 4 man tent, cot, etc.
This post was edited on 6/23/25 at 8:34 am
Posted on 6/23/25 at 7:35 pm to bawwithdabaw
I’ve elk hunted in Colorado once and Montana 4 times. Each time we go, we learn a little more and are more prepared for the next hunt. Here are the top things you need to know in order:
1) Get physically fit to handle the mountains. Lose any excess weight you have, get your legs strong and build endurance. I would put a 50lb bag of corn in my pack and walk 3-5mi in the hills of Birmingham about 3 days a week. I would also do squats, lunges and back exercises. The walk up the mountain will burn your muscles and the walk down will test your joints.
2) Don’t skimp on boots or a quality pack. I love Crispi boots in the snow and Danner boots with no snow. Make sure to understand the terrain you’re hunting and talk to the boot manufacturers on how stiff the soles should be.
As far as your pack, I’d recommend Exo. That will also be really easy to sell after your hunt. Call them and get the right measurements so you get a pack to fit you. I have always hunted with a Kifaru pack and it’s been great. However that exo pack is lighter and nice.
3) Understand the time of year you’re going and weather conditions. Get a good wool base layer, mid layer and shell. Sweat is your enemy when it’s cold. Make sure to dry off before putting on extra layers.
4) Know your rifle and dope chart out to 400 yards. Inside 400 yards is pretty easy once you know your rifle and ammunition and the altitude won’t be as big of a factor until you get in to the 500+ yard territory. DONT SKIMP ON A SCOPE!!! I bought a vortex viper for my first elk hunt and all the nitrogen leaked out by the last day. I couldn’t see anything through the scope and I’m so glad nothing came out for me to shoot bc there wasn’t anything I could do. Now it’s either Zeiss, Nightforce, March or something of that quality.
5) Bring stuff to make a fire in bad conditions. That could be the difference in life or death of the weather goes south quick.
Remember, if you buy quality stuff, it’s easier to sell once the hunt is over. Use the 4th of July sales and get some kuiu gear and good binos from sportoptics. If you don’t take 1-3 serious, it will be a wasted hunt and wasted money. Trust me I learned that the hard way.
1) Get physically fit to handle the mountains. Lose any excess weight you have, get your legs strong and build endurance. I would put a 50lb bag of corn in my pack and walk 3-5mi in the hills of Birmingham about 3 days a week. I would also do squats, lunges and back exercises. The walk up the mountain will burn your muscles and the walk down will test your joints.
2) Don’t skimp on boots or a quality pack. I love Crispi boots in the snow and Danner boots with no snow. Make sure to understand the terrain you’re hunting and talk to the boot manufacturers on how stiff the soles should be.
As far as your pack, I’d recommend Exo. That will also be really easy to sell after your hunt. Call them and get the right measurements so you get a pack to fit you. I have always hunted with a Kifaru pack and it’s been great. However that exo pack is lighter and nice.
3) Understand the time of year you’re going and weather conditions. Get a good wool base layer, mid layer and shell. Sweat is your enemy when it’s cold. Make sure to dry off before putting on extra layers.
4) Know your rifle and dope chart out to 400 yards. Inside 400 yards is pretty easy once you know your rifle and ammunition and the altitude won’t be as big of a factor until you get in to the 500+ yard territory. DONT SKIMP ON A SCOPE!!! I bought a vortex viper for my first elk hunt and all the nitrogen leaked out by the last day. I couldn’t see anything through the scope and I’m so glad nothing came out for me to shoot bc there wasn’t anything I could do. Now it’s either Zeiss, Nightforce, March or something of that quality.
5) Bring stuff to make a fire in bad conditions. That could be the difference in life or death of the weather goes south quick.
Remember, if you buy quality stuff, it’s easier to sell once the hunt is over. Use the 4th of July sales and get some kuiu gear and good binos from sportoptics. If you don’t take 1-3 serious, it will be a wasted hunt and wasted money. Trust me I learned that the hard way.
Posted on 6/23/25 at 9:35 pm to bawwithdabaw
I have two different sized kuiu packs and would recommend that brand. They come with a frame so you can pack out. I would recommend the 5500 LT for elk.
You will want to get a Bino harness also.
You will want to get a Bino harness also.
Posted on 6/24/25 at 5:10 am to wryder1
2nd the exo mtn pack. The 4800 would be my choice for a hunt of that duration.
I really like the schnee’s line of boots. The beartooth 2 has been really great for me in the elk mountains. Good stiffness, but not too much. Like any quality leather boot, you need to break them in before your trip. I put 100+ miles on my boots before getting to the mountains.
On the fitness side, you need to prepare your body for long duration moderate activity. The only way way to do that….. long duration moderate activity. Get your boots, get your pack, put some weight in it, and cover miles.
I really like the schnee’s line of boots. The beartooth 2 has been really great for me in the elk mountains. Good stiffness, but not too much. Like any quality leather boot, you need to break them in before your trip. I put 100+ miles on my boots before getting to the mountains.
On the fitness side, you need to prepare your body for long duration moderate activity. The only way way to do that….. long duration moderate activity. Get your boots, get your pack, put some weight in it, and cover miles.
Posted on 6/24/25 at 1:22 pm to bawwithdabaw
This will be year #5 in the CO mountains chasing elk, my $0.02:
-Cardio.. walk, walk and walk more. I bought weight vests that I wear while walking since we have no elevation
-We are usually doing day trips or one-nighters so backpack setup is a little different.. use an backpacking Osprey and have a frame pack at the camp/car
-I have a Kelty 20 degreesleeping bag which has kept me warm in single digits with some wool longjohns
-Wool clothes, not cotton
-More cardio
-Cardio.. walk, walk and walk more. I bought weight vests that I wear while walking since we have no elevation
-We are usually doing day trips or one-nighters so backpack setup is a little different.. use an backpacking Osprey and have a frame pack at the camp/car
-I have a Kelty 20 degreesleeping bag which has kept me warm in single digits with some wool longjohns
-Wool clothes, not cotton
-More cardio
Posted on 6/24/25 at 1:54 pm to wryder1
quote:I have an exo K3 I use for backpacking it is an incredible piece of gear. It’s a hunting pack designed for packing out meat (the idea being to keep the heavy meat at the top of the pack and not at the bottom) which not coincidentally also works well for backpacking gear. It’s so comfortable you will be amazed. 10/10 recommendation I don’t even look at my osprey pack anymore
As far as your pack, I’d recommend Exo
Posted on 6/24/25 at 8:11 pm to bawwithdabaw
quote:
Seeking gear recommendations for a 5-6 day, five-man DIY elk hunt in southwest Colorado this late September. We will have a UTV for access. I need advice on the right backpack size for day hunting and packing out meat, as well as recommendations for a 1-man tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad suitable for the conditions. I
Are you planning on hiking back to the utv each day? Or spiking out with everything on your back for several days?
That’s two different scenarios and chasing weight is what you want to do as in pay for the highest end lowest weight gear you can because 2-3oz here and there will feel like tons.
I have a ebrelstock pack and have day hunted truck and base camp several times and it is comfortable and capable of hauling meat but I will probably upgrade next year for a lighter pack. Check out stone glacier, exo, kuiu and kifaru and see what meets your budget and needs.
I am planning a col trip for 2026 with a buddy and was tent shopping and he’s using a stone glacier but he told me if he had it to do over again he would get a big agnus copper spur so that’s what I will probably get due to his recommendation.
I have a Sitka 30degree sleeping bag used it down to the 20s in col last year but had to wear my base layers and puffy suit. If you read up on it that’s how it was designed to be used in conjunction with your other layers. It worked good and didn’t bother me my buddy was in his kuiu sub zero bag and was sleeping in his drawers .
Not sure if anyone has mentioned being in shape yet lol but I don’t know of any flatlanders that has said they felt like they over prepared physically for a hunt out west
Posted on 6/25/25 at 8:39 am to bawwithdabaw
I assume you drew a tag?
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