Idaho/ Nevada Big Game Hunting

Clothing

Early Season (August- September)

Early season usually includes hot hunts with Archery equipment. I will primarily use synthetics fabrics for these hunts.

ULTRA TIBURON HYBRID ZIP-T

Tiburon series from Kuiu is what I have found to be the best for breathability on dry and hot hunts. Beware if you get some cold weather, you will feel that effect as well.

TIBURON PANT

Strongfleece 220 glove

These gloves can also double as liner gloves for mid-season hunts as well.

Mid Season (October- Early November)

Mid-season is always a mixture of hot and cold, clothing that can adapt to both is best option. This is what I normally wear for an Idaho General Deer Hunt.

Tahr Merino Half-Zip Long Sleeve Shirt

I prefer the ¼ zip top and ¾ zip off bottoms. Being able to vent the top and take off the bottoms are a game changer for mid-season.

Tahr Merino 3/4 Zip Bottom

Kuiu PRO PANT

The pro pant is my favorite pant to wear during the year. It takes on both hot and cold temperatures and includes knee pads. The only con to these pants are they can be a touch noisy due to their fabric at the lower leg.

Kuiu GUIDE DCS JACKET

Softshell Jacket that can take on wind and some moisture, I carry this jacket more than any other.

Kuiu STRONGFLEECE HYBRID 260 ZIP-T HOODIE

Hybrid 260 is my favorite lightweight hoodie. It is packable and does a great job as reducing noise while cutting wind.

Kuiu SUPER DOWN ULTRA JACKET

Kuiu Ultra is a great set to keep in the pack. It is more packable than the pro and is still able to keep you warm. I keep this set in my pack or at my truck all year unless I'm packing the Kuiu pro set.

SITKA Gear Traverse Glove

Sitka Traverse gloves are my favorite gloves of them all. I have a tendency to hand cold hands and these are the best liner gloves I have found for handling cold and drying fast all while continuing to maintain dexterity.

Kuiu GUIDE X GLOVE

Guide X glove is the workhorse glove. I use it for cutting wind when glassing, loading the truck or camp in the morning and basically when I need to handle objects that will break down/tear liner gloves.

Kuiu PELOTON 97 FLEECE BEANIE

This is a great beanie- I prefer fleece over softshell for comfort.

Kuiu CHUGACH TR RAIN JACKET

This jacket is more packable than the Kuiu Yukon set. However, it is still quite reliable.

Kuiu CHUGACH TR RAIN PANT

Late Season (Mid- November to End of Season)

Kuiu PELOTON 97 FLEECE ZIP-T

The warmest base layers I have come across. The warmth to weight ratio is great.

Kuiu PELOTON 97 FLEECE ZIP-OFF BOTTOM

Kuiu AXIS HYBRID HOODED JACKET

Great softshell set with some upgraded sections that are more waterproof/resistant. However, with those upgraded sections comes more noise.

Kuiu AXIS HYBRID PANT

Kuiu NORTHSTAR GLOMITT

These gloves are as good as gold when it is cold and wet. They aren't as packable as down gloves but you can get them wet and still work in them which gives them the upper hand in my eyes.

Kuiu YUKON RAIN JACKET

This is the best set of heavy-duty rain gear I have come across. Good rain gear will give you peace of mind and keep you hunting longer in conditions where some people may stop and turn around.

Kuiu YUKON RAIN PANT

Kuiu SUPER DOWN PRO HOODED JACKET

This is the warmest set of insulation I own. They are a pleasure to wear and worth packing if I know I am going to use them.

Kuiu SUPER DOWN PRO PANT

Kuiu AXIS BEANIE

I like the waterish proofing of this beanie but still prefer a fleece if I can get away with it.

Kuiu PELOTON 97 FLEECE NECK GAITER

Not typically a neck gaiter person but this one is light weight and does not bother me as much as others to wear.

ExOfficio Men's Give-n-go Boxer Brief

These are my go-to underwear for colder weather and when I am making long hikes or expedition trips.

SITKA Gear Men's Traverse Cold Weather Hoody

This hoodie is awesome- if weight and packability are not a factor this is the hoodie I am taking.

Sitka Men's Fanatic Glove

The fanatic gloves meets a nice niche if you are archery hunting when it is cold and requires a glove.

Kuiu ATTACK PANT

This is probably the most versatile pant that I own. It will tackle any season you throw at it. If I was starting over and had to pick only one pair of pants this would be the one. It handles every season well but if you are being specific for your hunt or season there are other pants that will fit your needs better.

Kuiu ULTRA MERINO 145 ZIP-OFF BOTTOM

Another great set of zip-off bottoms if you prefer merino over synthetic.

Rifle & Shooting Accessories

Best of the West Mountain Hunter 7mm Rem Mag

This is my rifle of choice. I have had a great experience with this rifle since the day I acquired it. I have the 4-16 x 42 Blue Diamond scope mounted on it. It's a super easy system that is super effective in the field. I shoot 185-grain ELD-M's out of it and have had no issues with any animal I harvested in the field.

Atlas BT10 V8 Bipod

This is a great Bi-pod for prone shots.

SOLO HNTR - MTN LITE RIFLE COVER

Great cover to make sure you keep your rifle protected from elements and wear and tear.

Bow Set Up & Accessories

Mathews V3X 29

Bows are custom to everyone and Mathews is the manufacture that has fit me best.

Black Gold Dual Trac

I have shot single pins sight for a few years and now with the dual trac being offered it was a no-brainer to switch and have one more pin to account hunting scenarios when an animal distance changes.

Hamskea HYBRID HUNTER PRO™ ARROW REST

A good option for a rest that is limb driven and does not torque or pull on a cable.

Tightspot Quivers Inc 5 Arrow Bow Quiver

A quiver that stays tight against the bow and is removable if necessary.

Bee Stinger Sport Hunter Xtreme Stabilizer

Carter Quickie 1 Release Buckle Strap

Match Grade Field Points – 3 Pack

TITANIUM 1.5 BROADHEAD

Victory Archery VAP Elite Arrows

This is an awesome arrow that is tough but provides max penetration. I usually upgrade the inserts to the 75-grain ss/al.

KuduPoint Broadheads Contour 100gn

This is a great fixed head for accuracy and penetration. My go-to broadhead for elk.

Optics

Swarovski Optik SLC Binoculars

SLC 10x42 - DISC.

These are the binos that I use for archery hunting and long pack trips where weight is an issue.

Swarovski Optik 15x56 SLC Series Binocular

The 15's come out when I have a long way to glass and plan to spend hours behind a tripod. My success has increased immensely since I picked up a pair and put them on a tripod. They are heavy and hard to hold stable so I pick and choose wisely for what hunts I take them on.

Swarovski ATX Spotting Scope Angled Modular Zoom Eyepiece

Swarovski Modular Objective 65 mm

Great spotting scope for backpacking. This model also offers the option of interchanging lens sizes to meet the demands of the hunt.

DIAMONDBACK™ HD 2000 Laser Rangefinder

A decent rangefinder to fit my needs. If you need a rangefinder to reach out there consistently farther for long range shooting you may want to look at a different model.

OUTDOORSMANS STANDARD TRIPOD

Outdoorsman's has been top notch when it comes to staying light weight and having an interchangeable system. I use their bino adapter on both sets of my binoculars. The option to take off the pan head and put it on the window mount is a really nice feature of the system.

Kuiu PRO BINO HARNESS

This system has worked well for me over the years. I don't prefer to wear a lot of gear on my chest so the lack of pockets on the harness is not a negative for me.

Footwear & Accessories

Crispi Briksdal SF GTX

This has been a great boot for me. I have worn this boot on Nevada elk hunts in rolling cedar hills and the Alaskan Range. They can get a little hot with the weather but if you are hiking on a rough surface like shell rock I am not sure there is a better boot.

ALTRA Men's Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe

I like these shoes for really flat, hot weather hunts.

Rimrok Stalkers

These are great for closing in the final distance and not having to rely on socks. You won't want to get in too rough of terrain or plan on traveling far in them.

Injinji Liner Crew Toesocks

I use these for long hikes or back packing trips. The toed liner may take some getting used to but it will keep you from getting hot spots in between your toes.

Kuiu ULTRA MERINO OVER-THE-CALF SOCK

These are my everyday use sock. I like the extra padding that they provide.

Sheep Feet Full length Custom Orthotic

Crocs Offroad Sport Clog

These camp shoes are lightweight and double as a good option for a creek crossing shoe.

Outdoor Research Men's Crocodile Gaiters

These have been the best gaiters for taking abuse for multiple seasons. I do not pack gaiters until there is snow or rain.

Camping Supplies

Kuiu MOUNTAIN STAR 2 PERSON TENT

I pack a 2 person tent for comfort. I occasionally pack a 1 person but if I am spending multiple days I want the comfort of a 2 person tent.

Kuiu SUPER DOWN SLEEPING BAG 15

Nice Bag, compacts super tight

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir® XLite™ Sleeping Pad

I like this pad for how small it packs down.

Backpacks

Stone Glacier SKY GUIDE 7900

I love this pack. It is can do all pack. It cinches down super small for day hunts and expands super large for expedition hunts.

Stone Glacier LARGE ACCESSORY POCKET

I run two of these. One off of each side.

Stone Glacier HYDRO HOLSTER

Makes for easy access to a Nalgene bottle

Stone Glacier QUICK RELEASE SLING

If you have a Stone Glacier pack this is a must have for all rifle hunts. It makes a big difference in keeping your hands free while hunting.

Stone Glacier SWING OUT POCKET

I run two of these on the inside of the bag for organization

Stone Glacier CAMP POCKET

I run two of these on the inside of the bag for organization

Stone Glacier LOAD CELL BAG

Another must have if you own a Stone Glacier. This is my primary meat bag. It helps maintain shape of whatever I'm hauling out on my load shelf.

Kuiu Pack Rain Cover

Great accessory to keep in the pack at all times.

Food & Nutrition

Food takes to everybody differently. I try to eat as many whole foods in packable sizes as possible. Normally I only pack 1 freeze dried meal for dinner. My Favorite freeze dried meals are the Mountain House Spaghetti, Lasagna, and Beef Chili Mac.

Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sause

Mountain House Lasagna with Meat Sauce

Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef

Honey Waffles 16ct Box

FBOMB Macadamia Nut Butter Variety Pack

Jetboil Flash Camping and Backpacking Stove Cooking System

Sea to Summit Alpha Light Long Spork

Having a long spoon makes all the difference when eating multiple freeze dried meals in a row.

GSI Outdoors Infinity Lightweight Backpacker Mug

Great lightweight sealed mug for coffee and spirits.

Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth Water Bottle

Folgers Coffee Singles

Propel Powder Packets

Gear Accessories

Garmin InReach Explorer+ Handheld Satellite Communicator with GPS Navigation, Maps and Sensors with Wearable4U Bundle (+ E-Bank Only) Roll over image

Maybe one of the most important pieces in my hunting pack. Being able to communicate with others while I'm away and to ensure my safety is the #1 priority.

Potable Aqua Iodine and Taste-Neutralizer Tablets

I always carry at least water tablets with me everywhere I go. If I am going to somewhere that has a lot of debris in the water I will use a Grayl Bottle for filtering.

Petzl - ACTIK CORE Headlamp

A good headlamp with multiple settings to keep from burning battery so fast.

GUIDE 12 + NOMAD 5 KIT

For multiple days I will pack a solar power bank and on short trips I will just pack a regular power bank.

3.5" RazorLite™ EDC

My preference is to have replaceable blades vs having to sharpen a knife on the mountain.

LEKI Khumbu Lite AS

Trekking poles are a must have for heavy pack outs in mountainous terrain.

Sea to Summit Event Compression Dry Sack, Sleeping Bag Dry Bag

With having a down bag it is important to keep it dry and it helps with pack space.

DUDE Wipes

The shower wipes that Dude Wipes offer are great for multiple day trips.

GEAR AID Tenacious Tape Fabric and Vinyl Outdoor Camping Gear Repair Tape

This tape is awesome for repair all kinds of gear from tents to down it does a great job.

Smith Lowdown XL 2 Everyday Lifestyle Sunglasses

Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Padding

Carmex Medicated Lip Balm Sticks

Body Glide Outdoor Anti Chafe Balm

Body glide is the ultimate answer to blisters and chaffing.

Super Glue - SuperUNiX

Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen SPF 30