Proper Equipment for Elk Hunting
When you are hunting for elk, it is important for you to have the right equipment. If you do not have the proper equipment, your entire trip can be a big waste of time and a huge disappointment. You may end up wet, cold and hungry. Elk harvesting can be expensive and it is likely that you have waited for this one trip all year. Don’t blow it by being unprepared.
You will need to have a proper place to sleep, equipment and utensils to cook with as well as a purifier to clean your water. In this article, we will take a look at some of the basic, equipment requirements for a successful and safe elk hunt.
One of the first things that you will need to purchase is a good, quality tent. Don’t skimp here. While hunting, you will want and need to keep the elements out. Getting rained or snowed out would be a miserable way to spend your hunting trip. A good tent will cost you a few hundred dollars. This may seem like a lot, however, if you keep it for several seasons and it serves it function, it will more then pay for itself. When picking out a tent, look for one that has a good rain fly. A good rain fly will help keep snow and rain from getting inside the tent.
Even though you will have a tent, you will also need a sleeping bag. Choose a sleeping bag that will be able to keep you warm in temperatures lower then 20 degrees. Although, you will want a warm sleeping bag, you will want one that isn’t too heavy. You will have to carry it around during your trip. When you are hiking for miles, you will want your load to be a light as possible. Shoot for one that is around 3-4 pounds.
You will need to cook during your elk hunting expedition. A woodstove that doubles as a cooking stove is a good choice. You may also choose a propane stone instead. Again, consider the weight of your stove. It will cost more to purchase a lighter stove, but it will be a much more pleasant trip, because your load will be lighter.
Making sure that the water you drink is purified is also a necessity. Being forced to drink dirty water and the ensuing illness that will likely occur, might have you wishing for the nearest hospital and running toward the nearest bushes your entire trip. To avoid this, buy water purifying tablets or purchase a lightweight, portable purifier.
Besides water, you will also need food. Bring along plenty of foods with protein so that you have the energy to hunt. If you do not eat properly, you will be too tired to hunt. Trail mix, beef jerky (or whatever kind you like), trail mix, oatmeal are all good choices.
Make sure that you also bring along bags to keep your game in, a GPS system so that you don’t get loss, a compass and a first aid kit. You will also want to bring along a phone.