Best Elk Hunting Gear of 2023

May 20, 2023

We review time-tested and field-proven elk hunting gear

By Jace Bauserman | Published Aug 4, 2023 4:19 PM EDT

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I’ve chased elk across the West for over 20 years. During that tenure, I’ve learned a lot about the best gear for elk. Elk hunting often occurs in remote, unforgiving landscapes. The gear you decide on can mean the difference between staying on the mountain and punching out early. And, not to get dramatic, but gear can mean the difference between life and death.

There was the tent I was sleeping in that golf ball-sized hail destroyed while I was inside. That made for a painful, exciting night. I took a beating and had to come off the mountain early. I had a small cook stove that wouldn’t ignite above the timberline, which meant a mix of trail mix and granola bars for a week. I’ve had boots rub my feet raw, and trekking poles snap, backpack zippers fail, and the list of gear failures goes on.

Today, I have a proven system of gear that I know won’t fail me, from the cedar-choked canyons of the southwest to the foothills to the awe-inspiring Rockies. My picks for the best elk hunting gear have proved their worth time and time again.

None of what you’re about to read is snake oil. I didn’t use this gear in my backyard and slug it with a “Best” label. That would be gross. This gear is battle-tested in extreme elk environments and always wins.

I know how serious elk hunters are, and I want to recommend gear that I have used and abused, and that’s what you’ll find in this article. If I mention it, you can trust it.

However, it’s essential to explore. Talk to as many elk gurus as you can. Watch gear tutorials on Youtube, and reach out to wapiti kingpins on social media—not the celebs, but the elk hunters that get it done on public dirt on their own every year. Once you get a gear arsenal that you know is second to none, you’ll gain more confidence to wander further and hunt longer.

Kenetrek

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I start with boots, and so should you. Please don’t skimp on quality elk hunting boots because of the sticker shock. You’ll pay for excellent boots, but they keep you on the mountain and make your feet feel like they’re in a top-tier pair of running shoes. My top boot go-to is Kenetrek’s Mountain Extreme 400.

Though I recommend you put some miles on them before your hunt, the Mountain Extreme 400s require no break-in period. I’ve never had a hotspot or a blister, and I love the aggressive K-Talon outsoles. The outsoles grab any terrain, and the 7 mm nylon midsoles give extra support when you’re toting a heavy load on your back.

I have also found that 400 grams of Thinsulate is ideal for most elk hunts, even those that stretch into late October. The boots breathe well and are waterproof. Best of all, though, is their durability. If you treat the boots a couple of times each year with Kenetrek’s waterproofing boot wax, these boots will serve you well for many seasons.

Alps

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Cons

This one will surprise many of you, but please remember that I’ve used Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier, and other top-tier packs. While Mystery Ranch and Stone Glacier make remarkable packs, Alps’ Elite Frame + 3800 Pack is my number one elk pack.

Coming in at around 6 pounds, this pack offers infinite adjustment, and whether the pack is light or loaded down with elk meat and horns, it travels well with the hunter. The waist belt doesn’t rub on the hips, the 3D air mesh suspension lets the back breathe, and the anti-slip lumbar pad provides extra support.

The main compartment has zippers along both sides that run the full length of the main bag, which allows me to get the gear I need when I need it without having to perform a bag dump. I love the waist-belt pockets, and the lightweight PU-coated material dries quickly.

The bag separates off the pack frame in seconds, which makes adding meat to the frame and then pulling the pack up over the meat and reattaching very easy.

Read Next: Best Hunting Backpacks

Sitka

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I’ve tested lots of different elk hunting garbs, and for me, nothing trumps Sitka. My elk go-to is the Kelvin Lite down jacket and Ascent pant. This combo provides an athletic fit, a warm but breathable feel, and second-to-none durability. I also love that both garments feature Polygiene odor control technology, which is engineered to neutralize odor caused by sweat.

From the early season through October, the 17-ounce jacket is my number one go-to item. I layer with one of Sitka’s Core Midweight items and use the Kelvin as my outer layer. You can’t beat its comfort and warmth, and when I need to shed it, the Kelvin stuffs into my backpack with ease and takes up very little room. The pants have zero insulation, but I wear Sitka’s Heavyweight Bottoms under my Ascent Pants when insulation is needed. The pants have four-way stretch synthetic material, which moves with the body and feels remarkable against the skin. The pants resist moisture and dry in seconds. All of the pockets are purposeful. You can’t go wrong with this dynamic duo.

Read Next: Sitka Women’s Ambient Review

Alps

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Your sleep shelter needs to be a good one. I’ve had miserable nights in the elk woods because my tent was garbage. Today, my number one elk tent for backcountry elk hunting is the Tasmanian 2-Person from Alps Mountaineering. The shelter goes up in seconds, and its four-season build stands up against snow, rain, hail, and violent winds.

I will take a two-person tent over a one-person or bivy sack any day of the week. Comfort and rest are essential on a backcountry hunt, and I don’t want to feel like I’m in a coffin. With this tent, I have room for my gear and it fits easily in my backpack. Over the years, the tent has withstood extreme winds, torrential downpours, and an overnight September snow that dropped 3 feet of white. The tent is as durable as the day is long, and it will be with me on every elk excursion for years to come.

Read Next: Best Ultralight Tents

Benchmade

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When you get a bull on the ground, you’ll appreciate a good hunting knife more than ever. I don’t haul a saw in my pack, so I rely on my fixed-blade knife from Benchmade to get the job done. I prefer any make from Benchmade, but I’m a massive fan of their Raghorn Carbon Fiber.

There is some sticker shock, but I promise, this is the last elk knife you’ll ever have to buy. This knife does everything from skinning to de-boning to caping and everything in between. The Raghorn is laser cut from CPM Cru-wear sheets, and you’ll love the lightweight and highly gripable carbon fiber handle. The blade holds its edge and sharpens quickly. This season, I broke down a pair of bulls with the knife, which still shaved the hair off my arm when I was done.

Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls

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One of the many things that make elk such an addictive quarry is their vocality. I love calling elk, and for the past four years, I’ve had excellent success using the Wapiti Whacker Bugle Tube and Black Magic GTP diaphragm from Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls. The Black Magic is extremely versatile; I can create deafening challenge bulges, soft cow mews, and chirps. The Wapiti Whacker is easy to use, and if you take time to master your diaphragm calls, it will help you lure a love-sick bull into range.

If I had only two elk calls to conquer the Rockies, it would be the Black Magic GTP and Wapiti Whacker Bugle. While I am a fan of changing tone and pitch by switching between diaphragms, I’ve had excellent success mastering a single diaphragm that allows me to make cow and bull talk. With this combo, I can rip a locator bugle, hit a challenge bugle, make a guttural glunk, or sound like a ready-to-breed cow. When you find a combo like this, buy multiple reeds and a replacement tube.

Read Next: Best Elk Calls

Ultimate Predator

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I’m a decoy nut, and a decoy is a must-have item when hunting elk solo. Elk, even young bulls with limited rut experience, are savvy. They get to a point when they feel like they should see the elk they are coming to investigate. When elk don’t get visual confirmation, the game is usually over. When you can give that bull visual confirmation by adding a Stalker elk decoy to your bow, chances are good he’ll keep coming, and you can seal the deal.

Mostly because I’ve killed a handful of bulls using the decoy. It’s something every elk hunter should have in their backpack. While I don’t recommend use during rifle or muzzleloader season on public land, this durable, UV-free, quick-drying, micro suede fabric elk fake attaches to the top and bottom limb of your bow via Velcro straps or other attachment systems sold by Ultimate Predator. The shoot-through window means you can hold your bow out in front of you and shoot right through the decoy’s middle. The decoy works remarkably well, and I don’t go into the elk woods without it.

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The best elk gear will fluctuate from hunter to hunter, but make no mistake, the items mentioned above are excellent adds to any elk gear arsenal. Remember, in the world of top-end hunt gear, you get what you pay for. We train and work all year for one opportunity to take down a bull elk. One bad gear decision could make the difference between success and failure—between staying on the mountain for ten days or being forced off after three. Save your pennies, do your research, and build the best elk gear arsenal that you possibly can for the upcoming season.