The best gear you can bring is a pair of lungs and legs in the best shape possible. All the money in the world can't buy gear that will replace fitness. If you smoke, try your best to quit before your trip.
Use all your gear before your trip. This especially applies to boots, day pack and safety equipment. New, not-worn-in boots can ruin a trip. Making sure your day pack fits well will make your trip more enjoyable.
Review the Colorado Big Game hunting brochure for the most up to date regulations:
Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1949 MUST carry a Hunter's Safety Card OR get verified with CPW and obtain a CID number with the state. You MUST carry your Hunter Safety Card with you while hunting or have a verified CID number!
-Big Game Brochure with regulations. This is available in stores and online. Prior to arriving to camp, please read the pages regarding hunting laws and common violations (2021 big game brochure pages 14-16).
-Muzzleloader and rifle hunters must wear an orange hat and vest. No camo-orange it must be solid. Pink is now allowed too.
When paying prior to arrival via Venmo or Paypal please contact us for instructions.
When paying at arrival to Base Camp then cash is preferred. Cashier's checks are OK. We do not accept personal checks when paid at time of arrival. If paying by personal check, please send checks by August 1 st to allow time for cashing prior to your hunt. Things get busy around here starting August 15 th . No credit cards are accepted.
The weather in September is unpredictable and any day can turn out to be a winter day up in the high country. A large portion of our hunting area is around 8,500ft. Days are typically into the 60's-70's with nights typically in the 30's and 40's. Highs can get into the 80's and lows can be below freezing. A good layering system is the best way to stay comfortable with the big fluctuation of Colorado weather.
Stay away from cotton, i.e. Carhartt, blue jeans, cotton socks, etc… When cotton gets wet it is useless and it will exacerbate suboptimal weather's effect on your body. Focus on wool and synthetics. There is a lot of newer technology clothing that is lightweight, packable, warm and dries quickly.
***All clothing, except base clothing, should be CAMOUFLAGE. Bring quiet gear. If it goes "swoosh" when you move, don't bring it.***
Baselayers
1-2 Pairs of long underwear sets
Daily Clothing
5 Lightweight hunting shirts
2-3 Light to Mid-weight hunting shirt for layering
3 Pair lightweight hunting pants
1 Pair mid-weight hunting pants
Outerwear
1 Lightweight fleece or soft-shell jacket
1 Heavy hunting jacket for cold weather
1 Full set of rain gear
Accessories
2 Pairs of gloves
1-2 Camo baseball hats
1 Warm hat and/or balaclava
1 Camo face mask or paint
-Synthetics and merino wool are good options.
-These are optional for September hunts, typically we won't need them but can be nice to sleep in.
-Best to have a long sleeve, moisture-wicking base layer shirt against your skin. On guided hunts out of the cabin, we suggest a fresh one for every day of hunting. These should be lightweight merino wool, polyester, nylon, or some modern techy material blend designed to wick moisture.***NO COTTON***
-This could be a mid-weight merino, lightweight fleece, or other non-cotton material. This layer is often a quarter-zip, something like a Sitka core lightweight or midweight hoody.
-This layer could also be a vest if you prefer a greater range of motion.
-On nice days, lightweight almost pajama-like pants are awesome. Anything quiet, comfortable, and non-cotton will be fine. Be sure these are quiet and don't go "swoosh" when walking.
-If you have more than 3 pairs you can bring them.
-Wool or wool/synthetic is best. These are usually the go-to during archery season. This will normally stay in our packs for times we are sitting and it's cooler out.
-For cold weather. Wool or wool/synthetic is best.
-Needs to have wind stopping attributes.
-One lightweight and one heavier (wool is best) pair of gloves is optimal.
-We prefer glommits because they allow us to use our fingers.
-You can also wear dark pig skin leather gloves with separate wool liners for insulation if needed.
-Some of our archers choose to not wear gloves so they are better ready for shooting opportunities.
-Learn to quickly remove or shoot your bow with your chosen gloves.
-This will be your primary daily hunting hat. Some sort of hat that shades your eyes. Bring two in case one gets wet and needs a day to dry.
-Usually merino wool or fleece beanies.
-Light fleece hats can be plenty of warmth during archery season, these keep you warm during morning hunts or around camp if it's cool.
Whatever your preference. Be sure you practice your shooting with a mask on if that is your go-to.
1 Primary pair of waterproof hiking boots
1 Secondary pair of boots
1 pair of camp shoes
7 Pairs primary socks
Gators (Optional)
-A boot that fits your foot and is comfortable is most important. We prefer a lighter weight, not super stiff boot, that provides good ankle support. Some light weight, mid height, type hiking boot works best.
-Try to visit a retail location where you can try on different boot models. Fit is essential.
-Wearing boots that are uncomfortably high can cause "shin bump", an uncomfortable sore spot on your shins.
-Be sure to wear and break these boots in before the hunt. Typically, 10 miles of hiking will break them in. The more mileage you can put on your boots before the trip the better off you will be.
-We recommend bringing another set of hiking boots, like the ones above. Preferably something you've worn before, that are broken in, and are comfortable. The second pair of boots will be used if the first pair gets wet and needs a day to dry out. We will do our best to dry boots out by the wood stove but a backup pair is a must.
-In September, a pair of Merrel type hiking boots is great backup footwear. They are not great in wet conditions, but the reduced weight and increased breathability are nice.
-Even in September, the best option is wool. We prefer lightweight to mid-weight merino wool socks. One pair per day in camp.
-Great in snow and/or rain. Also great when dealing with high, frosty of dewy vegetation
-Keep your boots and feet dryer
We will be eating breakfast lunch and dinner at camp. Be sure to bring separate clothing for camp to avoid having camp smells get on your hunting clothes. Cotton is okay for camp clothing. Camp clothing doesn't need to be camo and includes the following:
-Pants/ shorts
-Shirts
-Sweatshirt/ Heavy coat
-Shorts
-Slip-on shoes (crocs, sandals etc)
- Any other comfortable camp lounge where.
-Bring a bath towel, wash cloth, bar of soap and anything else needed for personal use in the shower house.
-Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, and other personal toiletries you'd use in the bathroom and shower.
-We will provide a twin bed and pillow with clean sheets. If you are picky about your pillow please bring one of your own.
-Something you'd normally sleep in.
It is recommended that you consult your doctor and let them know you are going on an elk hunt in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation around 9000'. Please take your doctor's recommendation on what you should bring and carry with you before you hunt. Let us know if they want you to relay any information to our guides.
We have basic first aid kits at our cabins. Our guides also carry basic first aid kits on our guided hunts. Please feel free to carry any first aid supplies that you would normally carry. Supplement with whatever your doctor suggests you carry.
-Chapstick & sunscreen 30 spf minimum
-Make sure you have enough of any prescriptions
-If you have had anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) to bees or other insects, please carry an Epi-Pen at all times.
-Pepto-Bismol, ibuprofen and other routine medications can be helpful
-Altitude medication if you have a history of altitude sickness
If you have prescription glasses or contacts we highly recommend that you bring a spare back-up pair.
-No better bathroom wipe around than a baby wipe. Good to have a small package of these in your pack along with toilet paper, when you need to go in the woods. A small garden shovel is also recommended. Per forest service recommendations it is recommended to dig a small hole 9" deep and then cover when finished.
-We have a toilet at the cabin. NO baby wipes down the toilet but a good option on the trail.
Please let us know as soon as you can about any food allergies, preferences, or any other dietary restrictions. We will provide a light breakfast in the morning, full lunch and full dinners.
We will also have backpacking snacks to fill our packs with before we head out.
We do our best to cater towards everyone's diets and tastes. However, it is encouraged that you bring specific go-to snacks or beverages you want to have around camp or in your pack.
Day Pack
1 Headlamp
1 Small Flashlight
Knifes/Game Cleaning
6 Game Bags
Hydration Bladder
Handheld GPS
Accessories
Extra batteries/ bulbs for all equipment
Lighter
Scent Killing Spray
Coolers
Camera/ Smart Phone
-Havalon or similar replacement blades are nice
-Small bone saws are not necessary. It's difficult to saw an elk pelvic bone with these small saws. Learn to short quarter elk (gutless method).
-Not needed on guided hunts. Having a good knife on you is always a good idea, but your guide will perform your field dressing for you.
-Always good to have a GPS that you know how to use.
-We can hang your quarters in game bags at base camp in our cool cabin facility.
-Handful of surveyors tape to mark downed game, blood trails or signal your location
-Not needed on guided hunts. We provide game bags in our guided camp.
Our guides carry basic first aid kits and our camps also have basic first aid kits in them. Again, consult your doctor and ask if there's anything specific they recommend you carry. Relay any information to us if we need to be aware of anything. It is encouraged that you also carry the basic first aid supplies you normally carry.
We will have some scent killing spray at the cabin. If you have a go to scent spray we encourage you to bring it.
-If you plan on driving or flying meat home. We can also recommend a several meat processors in the area that can process and ship meat back for a cost.
-Bring your charger and/or spare batteries
-The cold can quickly uncharge a charged battery
-Although not necessary it can be fun to more closely observe game. Bring these if you normally carry them. I personally prefer Leica optics.
-Spotting scopes not necessary on our archery hunts.
-The best thing you can do is practice with an elk-sized target at known distances
-Do not practice with a whitetail or smaller target. This will cause you to underestimate the distance of live elk and mule deer. Our guides will have rangefinders as well.
Pack your bows in hard cases.
-Bow
-Arrows
-Extra Broadheads & Fieldpoints
-Release and an extra release
-Arm guard if used
-Spare parts for you bow
-Allen wrench set
-String wax
-Sharpening file
-Wind indicator
-We do not make recommendations on bow specifics because so much personal preference is involved.
-Work with an archery shop to setup a consistent set of arrows specifically geared towards elk
-We do not make recommendations on arrow specifics because so much personal preference is involved. The important factor is that you have practiced and are confident at varying distances.
-We prefer fixed blade broadheads for elk but this is up to you. Mechanical broadheads have come along way but elk bones are significantly more robust. Please make sure your bow is tuned to your arrow and broadhead combination. Arrows need to be in a hard arrow case or in the bow case.
Wonder what gear our guides run year-round? Check it out here.