Elk hunting attire

My father and I will be flying out to Idaho for our elk hunt in several weeks. I have looked at a variety of clothing brands and options. I was going to wear Cabelas microtex pants with a base layer.

Is this suitable? Recommendations please!

don't over think your clothes, it's just an elk hunt. Something that will keep you dry , not noisy, be able to layer. us locals hardly give a thought to special clothes for elk hunting. If you want to blow some money needlessly call Kuiu, they have everything you could possibly need and a whole lot more. I think they even list clothing suggestions for various hunts. Good waterproof boots with a good grip sole, kennatrec, Hanwag, Lowa,Crispi the list goes on and on. as you can see in the pics, nothing special.

@M70375! good to know! We will just use what we have. No need to spend $ if not necessary. We will be in Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Tetons after the hunt.

Also very nice bull elk! That’s exactly what I’m after. I love the dark antlers and white tips!

Main thing I’d say is good quality boots that you’ve really worn in. Think 20 miles minimum. Sidehilling to strengthen ankles is recommended for flatlanders and good for breaking in boots.

While there are a lot of options, and varying degrees of speciality depending on how you are hunting, depending on your hunting timeframe, I’d say be prepared to layer, and have stuff that is wind proof as it’s not will it blow but how much. Temperatures can be exceedingly warm during the day but cool quickly in the evenings - not uncommon during elk season to go from frost to 70s by the afternoon, depending on your altitude. If it’s archery season you’ll be fairly warm, rifle season usually less so. Waterproof stuff can be worthwhile the later in the season you go. Lighter thermals and pants ranging from light weight to heavier are worthwhile. Camo is not really necessary unless you are bow hunting, but can be helpful as Elk see fairly well if you are hunting somewhere more open. Provided you have something that you find comfortable, I’d say stick with it (only exception is if it’s on the real cold side then that stuff earns its salt)

I use a mix of Sitka and kuiu I’ve picked up on sale - mainly because I can get sizes that fit my weird shape well, but buying that stuff is a great way to put a hole in your wallet, so do so if you need to fill a hole (particularly technical) and look for outlet like deals.

And for a little more modest inspiration, this is a 6x6 I took last year in Wyoming, first bull I’ve taken after four years of hunting them and probably 6-8 weeks out there total. Will be heading out to MT this year.

I have done elk hunts in Montana for about 25 years. It sounds like your hunt is an early season hunt so it’s likely to be warm. Unless it’s super cold, I rarely wear long underwear on elk hunts. We use horses in Montana, but also a significant amount of hiking. Dress in layers and remove them when you start hiking. The goal is trying to not break a sweat. When you stop and glass for a while, put clothes back on if you feel cold. I carry rain gear in my day pack and have used them as another layer, especially if it’s windy.

My boots are usually non insulated boots, unless there’s snow on the ground and really cold. I use Kenetrek Hardscrabble and Meindel, both non insulated.

@CloudySkies We are both wearing Schnee boots we wore in Africa. That should be sufficient or I hope so.

In terms of camo patterns I have open country pants I was going to wear. Tops are moss oak bottom land and real tree apx.

I’ll have packable cabelas mt050 rain gear.

Nice elk! If be happy with that!

M70375! said:

don't over think your clothes, it's just an elk hunt. Something that will keep you dry , not noisy, be able to layer. us locals hardly give a thought to special clothes for elk hunting. If you want to blow some money needlessly call Kuiu, they have everything you could possibly need and a whole lot more. I think they even list clothing suggestions for various hunts. Good waterproof boots with a good grip sole, kennatrec, Hanwag, Lowa,Crispi the list goes on and on. as you can see in the pics, nothing special.View attachment 783300View attachment 783301View attachment 783303

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What chu cookin’? It looks delicious.

As mentioned, something to keep you warm and dry. For 35 yrs., all I wore for elk, moose, etc. was Army wool pants, Cabelas rain pants, and an Army M-65 field jacket. The dead critters never laughed at my wardrobe!!

Andrew Short said:

My father and I will be flying out to Idaho for our elk hunt in several weeks. I have looked at a variety of clothing brands and options. I was going to wear Cabelas microtex pants with a base layer.

Is this suitable? Recommendations please!

Click to expand...

@Andrew for Me the Least important is Camo pattern, most important is “quiet” fabric. Within that I always selected layers, usually wool but micro fleece is cheaper & lighter. Very light thin Goretex ‘Quiet’ water proof shell with layers underneath. Boots = Comfortable (what can you walk 5-10 miles a day in —-Up & down steep hills without blisters or sore feet?). My Elk hunts all involved a lot of walking, it was easy to stay warm even in 10 to 20 degree temps…..but “sweating” off and on while on-the-move was mitigated by thin, light, undergarments merino wool or synthetic. To me “Comfort is king” lighter is better then heavy and I’d rather be a little cold then hot. Enjoy your Hunt - the experience of hunting Elk and the areas they inhabit is GREAT.

M70375! said:

don't over think your clothes, it's just an elk hunt. Something that will keep you dry , not noisy, be able to layer. us locals hardly give a thought to special clothes for elk hunting. If you want to blow some money needlessly call Kuiu, they have everything you could possibly need and a whole lot more. I think they even list clothing suggestions for various hunts. Good waterproof boots with a good grip sole, kennatrec, Hanwag, Lowa,Crispi the list goes on and on. as you can see in the pics, nothing special.View attachment 783300View attachment 783301View attachment 783303

Click to expand...

Great Elk!

Bring layers of your favorite water and wind resistant clothing. Thin light layers....

1LuckySOB said:

What chu cookin’? It looks delicious.

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Everything looks delicious in hunting camp. Brats , Bud , and I am not sure what I had in the pot that time.

I am a tight wad so I buy my stuff from Amazon, label clothing means nothing if you know how to shop and dont care about buying a brand name hunting costume.
Here are some examples , lots of different people at work use these with great success
Spend the money on good quality footwear and wool or alpaca socks

I like Wrangler outdoor pants from Walmart and Gerry tech hiking pants from Costco, personally. Both are indestructible, and they can be worn in almost all seasons. If it’s an absolute blizzard, I will switch over to Pnuma Waypoint pants. Seeing as how you are going in September, just wear any pants that are not cotton and are earthen tones. Last year, I went the entire week of third rifle in Colorado in Amazon Basics joggers because it was fairly mild.

It really doesn’t matter what you wear.

It’s all dependent on season and hunting style. If you’re staying in a house or cabin with laundry and heat? Or sleeping in the shelter you’re carrying on your back?

If you’re parking your pickup truck next to a house, you can wear whatever you want.


If you’re carrying everything miles in on your back, you need lightweight clothing that holds it shape and dries quickly.

i guided archery hunts in those microtex pants for many years. they are fine if you are hunting that mid-sept to very early oct season. as mentioned, the wrangler outdoor pants are a great economical option for solid colors. if hunting the river system stuff - the middle fork of the salmon, south fork, selway, the church, etc... you will be active and likely stay plenty warm. heavier pants can be problematic. however if you are doing a fairly inactive hunt orlater season bring some layers. the pants mentioned are not warm.

another economical option is the Duluth firehose pants. cotton so be careful of getting drenched. good luck

Red Head camo pants and shirts for a September archery hunt in Montana




Lots of layers, Filson wool, for a -10F November 2020 hunt.




Mild weather hunt in November 2024

T

Andrew Short said:

My father and I will be flying out to Idaho for our elk hunt in several weeks. I have looked at a variety of clothing brands and options. I was going to wear Cabelas microtex pants with a base layer.

Is this suitable? Recommendations please!

Click to expand...

The one elite brand thing I would pay up for every time is the Sitka core lightweight hoody. That thing goes with me on every single hunt hot or cold next to skin.

Pants …. I just grab decent stuff on sale throughout the year. The one feature I do really like is built-in knee pads if I’m stalking with a bow like the Sitka Mountain pant

I have had good luck over the years with Filsons whipcord trousers and wool shirt. Color to match terrain I would be hunting. A vest to match.