Elk Backcountry Kit
Pack-in mountain hunts for elk, mule deer and more.
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Expedition readiness
In the app, checking off this kit earns the π Kit Packed badge on your expedition.
β°οΈ The checklist
Frame packPack Β· A pack that can haul meat. Fit it to your torso length.
Game bagsPack Β· Breathable bags for quartered meat.
Water filterPack Β· Filter or treat all backcountry water.
Trekking polesPack Β· They save your knees on steep descents, especially loaded with meat.
Tent & sleeping bagCamp Β· Rated for the coldest night you can realistically expect.
Layering system + rain shellClothing Β· Base, mid, insulation and shell. Mountain weather changes fast.
Broken-in mountain bootsClothing Β· Stiff, supportive boots, broken in over months, not days.
Spotting scope + glassing tripodOptics Β· Most western hunts are won behind glass.
Bugle & cow callsCalls Β· Cow calls are the most versatile.
Satellite messengerSafety Β· SOS and texting with no cell service.- Offline maps / land pack downloadedMaps Β· Download maps before you lose service. In the app, LAND packs work offline.
- License & tags (printed or in app)Essentials Β· Carry them the way your state requires. Some states need paper tags, others accept electronic ones. Check your state agency.
Headlamp + spare batteriesEssentials Β· You'll walk in and out in the dark. A red mode keeps your night vision.
Knife & sharpenerEssentials Β· One reliable fixed or replaceable-blade knife plus a compact sharpener.
First-aid kitEssentials Β· Bleeding control, blister care and any personal meds.
Phone + power bankEssentials Β· Your maps, GPS return and weather live on the phone. Keep it charged and dry.
Water & snacksEssentials Β· More water than you think you need, and food that doesn't crinkle.
BinocularsOptics Β· You'll see more game, and see it sooner, through glass than with your eyes alone.
RangefinderOptics Β· Know your distance before the moment comes. A laser rangefinder is the standard tool.- Practice ranging at the distances you expectSharp Shooter Β· If you use the app's Sharp Shooter camera rangefinder, calibrate it on a known distance. Its readings are estimates, not a laser.
βΊ Find lodging near your hunt
Each button opens that site's own search for your area and dates. We may earn a commission from qualifying bookings. In the app, Plan a Hunt β Find Lodging does this automatically from your trip's base camp.
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