Backpack Hunting Gear List

Why these items are on the list

1. Pack sized for five days. Elk101 suggests at least 4,000 cubic inches for five days, and 4 to 7 pounds empty.
2. Tent with a vestibule. Cutter Stabilizers: solo shelters 2 to 3 pounds, two-person tents shouldn't top five. A vestibule helps when weather turns bad.
3. Sleeping bag, 15-20 degree. Cutter Stabilizers calls it great for early season. Down packs smaller but can be useless if it gets wet.
4. Insulated sleeping pad. Cutter Stabilizers carries a thicker pad, R-value 4.0, to recover from hard days.
5. Stove and light pot. Cutter Stabilizers says to cut weight with an ultralight stove and mess kit, not by packing less food.
6. Water filter or purifier. Cutter Stabilizers warns against giardia and lists pumps, sterilization pens, tablets and gravity filtration systems as options.
7. Water bladder, 3 liters. A 3-liter bladder shows up on both Elk101's and Exo's lists.
8. Food, bagged by day. Elk101 says a pound a day, more for big eaters; adjust portions. Cutter Stabilizers: two pounds or less.
9. Hands-free headlamp. Mornings can start before first light. Exo's list has a headlamp and AAA x3 in its electronics.
10. Paper map and compass. Carry the map in a Ziploc bag. Elk101 adds a GPS for a new area.
11. Two-way radio or satellite phone. For remote areas, GOHUNT suggests a radio or satellite phone to stay connected.
12. First aid kit. Exo Mountain Gear packs leukotape, gauze, wipes, ibuprofen, Advil PM and tweezers.
13. Fire starting kit. Matches, a mini lighter, tinder and firestarters cover it.
14. Rain jacket and pants. In Colorado, Cutter Stabilizers says most late-August and early-September afternoons bring thunderstorms that confine you to the tent.
15. Merino or synthetic base layer. For September elk, Cutter Stabilizers says mornings can start below freezing, then reach the mid-70s. Layer accordingly.
16. Insulating puffy jacket. Brady Miller packs a mid-layer, puffy and rain gear, and rarely much else.
17. Beanie and gloves. Before first light, Cutter Stabilizers says temps can often be below freezing, and lists a warm beanie. Elk101 carries gloves.
18. Waterproof boots. Cutter Stabilizers lists waterproof, uninsulated boots for September elk. Brady Miller prefers lighter, more breathable synthetic-leather blends early season.
19. Trekking poles. Cutter Stabilizers says a non-freestanding tent can pitch on trekking poles. Leave them at camp supporting it while you hunt.
20. Game bags. For packing meat out. Elk101 and Exo both carry them.
21. Knife with spare blades. Elk101's own kit has a knife with spare blades, plus a pocket knife kept in a pocket.
22. Paracord, 50 feet. 50 feet is what Elk101 packs. Exo's kill kit has paracord too.
23. Licenses and tags in Ziploc. Elk101 lists licenses in a Ziploc bag, carried in a pocket.
24. Flagging tape, contractor bags. They go in the hunting and kill kit, with the game bags.
25. Gear repair kit. Patches and similar small fixes go in it.
26. Toilet paper and wet wipes. Elk101 carries toilet paper. Exo adds wet wipes.
27. Bear spray. Elk101 keeps it on his person rather than in the pack.

Tick items off at the kitchen table, then again at the trailhead. Share the list with your hunting partner and agree who carries the shared gear.