Elk Hunting Checklist
Before leaving home do this:
□ Sharpen Knife/Broadheads
□ Buy Landowner/Cabin owner a Gift : )
□ Organize/Pack
□ Sight/Tune/Pattern/Test/Practice
□ Buy License and keep it and hunter safety card in your wallet together
□ Practice Calling
□ Update Electronics (Charts/Maps/Locators)
□ Check all Batteries
□ Read Local Rules, Regulations, Restrictions, Limits etc.
□ Wash Clothing
□ Clean Binoculars/Scope
□ Read/Watch Instructional Books and Videos
□ Clean Firearm
□ Scout
Archery Specific Equipment:
□ Arm Guard
□ Gloves – Release/Finger Tab
□ Sight Arrows
□ Kisser Button
□ Sound Dampeners
□ Bow
□ Quiver Stabilizer
□ Bow Case (Hard/Soft)
□ Release
□ Targets (Bag/Block/3D)
□ Broadhead Sharpener/Replacement Blades
□ Replacement Nocks
□Wrist Sling
□ Broadheads/Field Points Rest
General Hunting Equipment:
□ Ammunition Game Ear (Amplifier/Wireless Com.)
□ Scent-Free Containers for Clothing
□ Back Pack/Waist Pack/Frame Pack
□ Blind Material Scent-Reduction Detergent/Deodorant
□ Bipod Gun Case (Hard/Soft)
□ Scent-Reduction Spray
□ Gun Sock
□ Scent-Wicks/Drag or Scrape Dripper
□ Bow/Gun Hanger/Rest Hammer and Stakes
□ Scope with Caps
□ Bow/Gun Hoist
□ Range Finder
□ Shooting Stick
□ Bow/Gun Sling
□ Rachet Clippers
□ Spotting Scope
□ Cleaning Kit/Oil/Oil Cloth
□ Rifle/Muzzleloader Stackable Ladders
□ Game Cameras/Batteries/Memory Cards
□ Scent Attractant
□ Targets (Flat/3D)
□ Clothing: Baseball Hat – Blaze Orange (Check Local Laws)
□ Gloves – Shooting Shirt – Camo Long-Sleeved
□ Baseball Hat – Camo
□ Handmuff
□ Shirt – Camo Short-Sleeved
□ Belt
□ Camo Jacket – Camo Windproof Pullover
□ Socks Breathable and Insulated
□ Boots – Insulated/Un-Insulated Depending on Weather Conditions
□ Long Underwear – Insulated/Moisture Wicking
□ Socks – Liner / Polypropylene liner socks (two pair)
□ Boots – Waterproof/Snakeproff
□ Pants
□ Camo Stocking Hat – Blaze Orange (Check Local Laws)
□ Brush Pants/Chaps Pants – Insulated Overalls
□ Stocking Hat – Camo Facemask /Balaclava
□ Camo Parka /I like a ¾ length shell
□ Camo/Blaze Orange Vest – Blaze Orange (Check Local Laws)
□ Gaitors
□ Rain Suit /Poncho (doubles as a ground cloth)
□ Gloves – Insulated/Un-Insulated Depending on Weather Conditions
□ Safety Vest
General Accessories:
□ 2-Way Radios
□ Small Allen wrench key (for rifle hunters)
□ Glass/Lens Cleaner
□ Safety/Shooting Glasses
□ Ax/Handsaw
□ GPS/Map/Personal Locator
□ Batteries
□ Hand Sanitizer
□ Sunglasses and Case/Leash
□ Binocular
□ Hand Warmers
□ Binoculars
□ Hearing Protection
□ Sunscreen
□ Bug Spray/Insect Repellant Device
□ High Energy Food/Snacks
□ Toilet Paper/Paper Towels
□ Camera
□ Hydration Pack
□ Trail Marking Tape/Tacks
□ Compass and altimeter (in the mountains, an altimeter is often most useful for finding camp or downed game)
□ Water Bottle
□ Cooler
□ Identification
□ Water Purification Tablets or Pump
□ Emergency Blanket
□ Knife Sharpener
□ Waterproof Stuff Sack
□ First-Aid Kit
□ Knife/Multi-Tool
□ Weather Radio
□ Flares
□ Lighter/Matches with Case
□ Wind Indicator
□ Flashlight/Headlamp with extra batteries
□ 550 cord (for hanging game; at least 50 feet) /Rope (50 ft.)
Calls:
□ Bugle Cow Call
After the Shot:
□ Folding Saw
□ Game Cart
□ Pelvic Saw
□ Freezer Paper and Tape
□ Game Shears
□ Plastic Bags
□ Gambrel
□ Grinder
□ Processing Kit/Knives
□ Game Bags
□ Gutting Gloves (Wrist/Shoulder Length)
□ String for License/Zip-Ties
Rifle Checklist
□ Rifle/Ammo/License and Tag
□ Change of socks for each day/ foot powder. ” take care of your feet and they will take care of you”
□ 550/para cord
□ Rope
□ Knives for game processing. I carry a Himalayan Imports Khukuri for all around survival use. These blades do it all!!!
□ Compass/GPS
□ Top Map of area hunting
□ Camelback/ Nalgene Bottle (Nalgene are great containers as well and can hold boiling water wrapped in a sock for a cold night)
□ Single butane burner and small container for boiling water or cooking food
□ MRE’S (I usually strip the main courses out of them and pack them all together keeping only the important stuff) pack as light as you can Keep the heaters
□ Lighter/waterproof matches
□ Cotton balls soaked in Vaseline(usually stored in film container, this keeps them water proof and slow burning)
□ Flint and steel
□ More batteries
□ Terrain marking tape/ duct tape
□ Pocket size survival book
□ Flashlight/headlamp cell phone(even when you don’t get service it sends out a signal every time you try to make a call that can be traced)
□ Space blanket/sleeping bag
□ First aid kit (they make them compact and you can get one with a rating for 1 person for 7 days or so
Archery Checklist
□ Bow and accessories
□ Spare arrow rest
□ Spare sight pins
□ Spare cables/wheels
□ Extra string
□ String wax
□ Spare release or finger tab
□ Arrows
□ Hard arrow case
□ Camo, face paint or head net
□ Gloves
□ Rain gear
□ Long underwear
□ Well broken in boots
□ Several pairs of socks
□ Comfortable camp shoes
□ Towel, wash cloth, no scent soap
□ Day pack and or fanny pack
Items that should be carried in pack
□ Emergency space blanket
□ Personal first aid kit
□ Waterproof matches
□ Fire starter
□ Flashlight and extra batteries □ Gloves
□ Trail Snacks
□ Knife
□ Compass or GPS
□ Canteen
□ Sunscreen, lip balm, moleskin
□ Bugle and cow calls
□ Game Bags
□ Binoculars
□ Camera
□ Scents and cover ups
□ Topo Maps
Get in Shape!!!
If you aren’t now, try to get in good physical condition. The altitude and the demanding country will run you down fast. Nothing ruins a hunt faster than being out of shape. Walk up and down the stairs, take long walks with your day pack and hunting boots on. This will prepare your feet, back, and shoulders for exertions that you don’t experience on a day to day basis.
Weather
You should plan for all kinds of weather. It can be 70° one hour and snowing the next. Mornings and evenings are generally cold, so dressing in layers is important. Fall weather in the high country is very unsettled with rain and snow showers being common. If you would like recommendations on clothing feel free to call. Your day pack should include at least the items mentioned above in case you are forced to spend the night away from camp.
Checklists By RMEF
Outfitted Bow Hunter Outfitted Rifle
CONTACT US
