Gear

[crtbc]

So I pulled my first archery bull elk tag in 3a/3c.... from what I have been seeing, I plan to spend most of my time in 3c but since I have neevr been elk hunting nor hunting near the rim, I was hoping some could share the knowlegde they ahve gained over the years of hunting/camping in this unit during this time and what gear I may need and what gear I absolutely cannot live without

 

What gear, what cammo, how "cold prepared" should I be, I heard about rain?

 

I am typically always a desert hunter so this will be the first time hunting high country in 10 years living back in NY when I was all of 19

 

Thanks

[Guest akaspecials]

You may want to specifiy late or early hunt. I assume you have the late hunt?

[BASS]

Late hunts are cold, early hunts are warm/hot!

 

Bring some good rain gear, not just the $. 99 emergency poncho. On one of our mid season muzzy hunts we were sweating in the morning, and then ran off a mountain with rain and lightning, raced back on ATVs in hail, and sat in the trailer watching it snow!

 

For camo, its ALL situational. It may look great in the magazines after a couple hours of photoshop, but never looks "right" in the field. I am the school of thought that larger organic patterns like the predator camo is more effective across a broader range than the smaller sticks and leaves; just look at the military Multicam, looks great everywhere and has large random shapes.

 

[crtbc]

sorry..... early hunt

[Guest akaspecials]

Pm sent crtbc.

[verdehunter]

Don't get caugt up in the camo hype. Sure it looks good, but camo was invented to keep people from seeing people. The animals will not know if you're wearing it or not. It is all about wind and movement, rather than what pattern your shirt is.

[billrquimby]

Don't get caugt up in the camo hype. Sure it looks good, but camo was invented to keep people from seeing people. The animals will not know if you're wearing it or not. It is all about wind and movement, rather than what pattern your shirt is.

 

+1. The way some people swear by their special camouflage patterns today, you'd think no one ever successfully hunted before it was invented.

 

The prey animals we hunt see the world in hues of black and white, and (as verdehunter said) usually are more concerned about detecting movement, sounds and scent.

 

Many years ago, I had a small Texas whitetail buck walk up to where I sat in the open on a little dam. I sat as still as I could as it approached, and it didn't bolt until it had sniffed my boots! I was wearing jeans and a tan-color down jacket.

 

Bill Quimby

[Heat]

You want to be prepared to hunt and be comfortable under various conditions. Usually people say cotton kills in the backcountry. I usually agree, but sometimes it doesn't rain and people hunt close enough to camp or the truck to get some shelter before they get too cold. Cotton retains moisture for a long time, which is fine when it is hot out, but if it cools down enough, wet cotton clothes could suck the warmth right out of your body and you could end up with hypothermia.

 

I usually wear a lightweight base layer top, a thin fleece layer as an insulator, and some kind of shell on the outside. By noon I'm usually down to my baselayer. Appropriate layers is where it is at. On bottom if it is cool in the morning I might have some bottom base layer on, but usually it is just my pants.

 

A pancho or light rain suit might come in handy to keep you from getting soaked but I don't really think you need "rain gear" for an AZ hunt.

 

I personally like the Outfitter camo clothes available at Cabela's. Most of my stuff is Microtex, but I have a few other pieces made of various other synthetics. I don't leave home without my Microtex pants for sure! You don't need the latest and greatest mountaineering clothing that seems to be all the rage these days. Sure, for a once in a lifetime sheep hunt in the wilderness you might want to look into KUIU or Sitka, but for the typical AZ elk hunt, you are just appeasing the fashion police if you buy that stuff.

 

Another thing that will help you stay comforable whether it is hot or cold is a good pair of wool socks. Just be sure to air out your feet once in a while if they sweat a lot. Moisture on your feet is usually a start to some foot problems, whether blisters or worse.

 

Nick

[naturegirl]

I have to disagree with not needing "rain gear" on an AZ hunt! I will actually have 3 sets of good rain gear (tops & bottoms) for my early bull hunt! it can down right pour and keep on pouring here in September and even though its called rain gear it will still get wet when it rains that much and that hard.

 

I love hunting in the rain. definitely helps hide noise. Last year early Archery it poured (and I mean down right poured) 3 of 4 days my husband helped a friend on his bull hunt. when the friend asked us what he might need for his hunt I said rain gear and he only brought a poncho. he definitely regretted that one.

[Devil Diver Down]

Gear lists will vary from hunter to hunter--especially depending on how you plan to hunt. I'm in no way an expert (and don't know that unit at all) but if you have any specific questions, shoot me a pm and I'll be happy to answer.

 

I agree with needing quality rain gear. Weather can turn on a dime, especially up in the high country. Wet and cold or even wet and warm can soak the will to hunt out of you. I bought some Sitka stuff last year--guess the fashion police will be happy --for my Colorado archery elk hunt. It was blistering rain and hail down on me for 3 days, but I stayed warm and dry. It's also more comfortable than any of my other hunting (or street/work) clothes so it will be my go-to set up this September, too. I think the buzz on camo patterning is way overblown but I figure I spent some extra money on comfort and durability, which are high on my list. I got 'deals' on them so my wallet only took a little bit of a beating.

 

My best advice would be to get up there to scout with the equipment you plan to have for the hunt. Test everything, whittle down the unnecessary extras and make sure you're ready to go hard by mid-September.

[Heat]

"I bought some Sitka stuff last year--guess the fashion police will be happy --for my Colorado archery elk hunt."

 

Comparing Colorado to Arizona is an Apples to Orange comparison.

 

Trust me I understand the importance in having some quality rain gear when the going gets tough, but that is a very rare situation for this state and I thought it would be better to stear him towards some useful layers. I have some rain gear and rarely use it. When I do, it's usually after I walk back to camp or the truck and put it on. Never really has impacted my hunts much.

 

You guys can pack your rain gear all you want. Not a huge component of a clothing wardrobe for Arizona hunting in my opinion, but to each his own.

 

And just so we are talking the same language when I think of rain gear I'm talking like a Helly Hansen Impertech Suit, or a set of Cabelas MTO50 or similar or Rivers West or something. I'll stand by my statement that a good poncho or light rain suit (army poncho, Frog Togs, Cabelas Space Rain) is probably more than enough for most situations here in AZ on the typical early season elk hunt.

 

Nick

[PRDATR]

You didn't mention if you already have a GPS or not so I recommend getting one if you dont already have one. Under Armour will keep you warm and does a great job on absorbing sweat.

Do you have a pack? I like and use an exterior frame pack about 2500ci. I pretty much have stuck to wool socks made by Smartwool. There may be other brands that are good too. I will also take backup gear, especially boots in case it rains and the first pair gets too wet.

The night air will cool things down which is good as it will create dew and make the first two hours of walking a bit quieter but the forest will get crunchy as it dries out.

Elk need water daily so scout water holes. Bulls will wallow before sunrise and if it is warmer than usual they will go to their beds just after sunrise but will seek water again between 11-1.

Definately scout every weekend when you can just to get to know the area a few times in the week to avoid the crowds. Elk are big and aren't as skiddish as deer. If you use the wind to your advantage and remain motionless they can feed to within feet of you.

Good Luck.