First Time Hunt

[3Js]

I am a first timer going out to Montana for a Sept bowhunt for elk. I have no idea what to bring for clothing. The hunt will take place the second week in the Gravelly Range. It is in the southern portion of Montana just west of Yellowstone. We will be at the 8000' area. I am limited to wieght #70 for we are using horses to get into camp. Can anyone help me out as to what to pack and what do most of you use for backpacks. I have one that I use for whitetail hunting but that is not even close to what I think I need for hunting all day in the mountains.

Thanks for any info anyone can offer this newbie.

 

[tibbs]

I would say the most important item is a good pair of hiking boots that are well broken in. The last thing you want are blisters from new boots. The rest of my gear for a Sept bow hunt is a good scent control, appropiate color camo, and a small day pack. During the hunts I live on water and granola/power bars. You may also want to have some light weight rain gear. I use the Dry Plus gear from Cabelas that stuffs into its own travel bag, which makes them light and easy to fit in a day back.
Best of all try to be in shape 8000' feet chasing Elk is a lot of fun, but it can also kick your butt. Good luck.

 

[3Js]

What temps am I looking at? If I read between the lines it sounds fairly warm.

 

[completesportsman]

Probably will be warm but you can never tell. I'd say on average the nighttime lows could be in the 20-30's and daytime highs 60-70's.

+1 on good boots!

____________________________________________________________________
"Now we come to the most important pre-season question. Do you just want to go elk hunting, or do you want to bring one back? If you desire the latter, there is no substitute for hard work. The bigger your goal, the harder the work required to get there. Good luck!" - Cameron R. Hanes

 

[BeanMan]

You had better have gear for warm, wet, and cold. It's likely you will encounter all three in various combinations. You should have a quality shell jacket to repell the weather that has pit zips and layers of non cotton clothing. And put together a basic survival kit that you carry with you regardless of the weather type. You would need to be able to stay dry, build a fire, eat, and be prepared to handle any medical related issues.

I think that Hardecore in the Hunting gear section had one he had made up for sale. You might check with him. Also here is an old thread that discusses a survival kit.

http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID25/875.html

BeanMan

 

[BUGLEMN]

ANOTHER THOUGHT. IF YOU ARE GOING TO HUNT OFF HORSES MAKE SURE YOU RIDE BE FORE YOU GO, SO YOUR BUTT GETS USED TO RIDING. I WOULD TAKE A PAD WITH YOU TO STICK ON THE SADDLE (SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPPERTUNITY TO RIDE BEFORE YOU GO)SO YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO WALK AFTER THE FIRST TWO DAYS. JUST A THOUGHT.

BUGLEMN

 

[completesportsman]

Another thought about that area and that time of year would be GRIZZLIES! Bear spray might be a good idea.

____________________________________________________________________
"Now we come to the most important pre-season question. Do you just want to go elk hunting, or do you want to bring one back? If you desire the latter, there is no substitute for hard work. The bigger your goal, the harder the work required to get there. Good luck!" - Cameron R. Hanes

 

[idropdead]

BeanMan is right. We hunted one and had every kind of weather yor could think of, all in one day once. Next year it was 74 to 76 every day. Be prepard.

 

[eyecrazy]

I guided out of monida for a few years and it seamed to like to snow every year on me take a good warm sleeping bag you can always find ways to stay warm when your a wake but it really sucks hunt with no sleep and shivering all night really saps the energy good boots and socks and full rain gear

 

[3Js]

Thank you everyone for the info. All good some scary. The griz spay concerns me. Hopefully the guide and I will find out, has a gun. I did contact the guide prior to griz info and he stated the second week of Sept they have never ecountered snow and the temps are generally low in the 20's and high in the 70's. Normally no rain but be prepared. Quiet light rainware is hard to find. This weekend Cabela's trip.

 

[armybrat]

I hunt bears in the gravely range and you need bear spray especially if you are bow hunting and going to be calling. I have ran into multiple bears that came into cow calls and they are always looking for something to eat. Most of the time when they figure out what you are they will leave but had a bigger boar that didn't, needless to say he is now on my buddies wall. I wouldn't want to run into a big boar with just a bow in my hand.

Just my two cents

 

[3Js]

I ran into another stumbling block. I am flying out and I measured my bow case. It is larger than the 62 linear inches for baggage requirment. Has anyone ran into extra charges due to oversize. After measuring my Plano I am at 78". Also I was told that the airline will not accept plastic hinges only metal. I went onto the airlines website and found nothing pertaining to hinges.

 

[bullseye6]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-09 AT 10:24PM (MST)[p] i dont know nothing about the area you are refering to but i can give u a little advice on how to get away with taking more clothing on a pack hunt.used to go with my uncle who is an outfitter in colorado and he had the same weight requirements for his clients on how much their bag or pack could weigh.the weight is for youre gear u are taking in a bag not youre body weight...sooo we would put on as many layers of clothing as we could and that gave us plenty of extra clothes and left more room in our bags for other items.it can be an unplesant ride if it is hot but is worth it in the long run because it is always better to have to many clothes on a pack hunt than not enough.the weather this time of year in the high country can change in a heartbeat.good luck on youre hunt and if this is youre first pack hunt on horses,it is better that you weigh youre pack before you leave youre home because most outfitters will not tollerate any over weigh packs,and will make you leave some things behind if overweight.{safety for the horses}cause they are youre lifeline in gods country.....

 

[Stubaby]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-26-09 AT 09:16AM (MST)[p]Amen to that.......I am a scared-e-cat in cougar and black bear country, let alone grizz country. I know guys who pack in the Gallatin for 2 weeks alone with no spray or guns....they pack in at night and all that CRAZYNESS.


+1 on the good boots and rain gear.