Colorado Archery Elk Packing List by Mike Herne

Colorado Archery Elk Packing List

by Mike Herne

While my elk hunting experience is limited to two years, my backpacking experience is heavily derived from 13 years of military experience serving as a light infantryman. If you don’t know much about the military or light infantry, I will say this; a light infantryman carries everything he needs for combat operations, sustainment, and survival on his back. As a result, since I was the ripe old age of 18 humping over 100 kilometers of the rugged Afghan Pakistan border, I found myself purchasing backpacking gear versus using the heavier less effective military issued equipment. This makes for an easy transition to backpack hunting.

This packing list is specific to archery elk season. If I were going to hunt a later season or in a different part of country other than the arid Rocky Mountain West, there are some items that would change. For example if I was hunting an area where there is more precipitation, I would  quickly swap my down sleeping back for a synthetic. Not all of the gear that I am currently using is the gear I would use if I had an unlimited budget, however, it fits my current budget and is more than ample for what I need it for.

There are two items that I will not skimp on when it comes to backpack hunting. Those items are, a pack and boots, you can get by with just about everything else but without a pair of boots that fit and function properly for your feet and a pack that is comfortable both with a light and heavy load. Those are the two items that get you and your gear where you want to be. Check out my packing list by clicking on the link 2018 ARCHERY ELK PACKING LIST

If you have questions you can find me on Instagram at @common_bowhunter find it HERE

Check out Mike’s Podcast Episode 68: Hunting Opportunities on Military Bases HERE