Best hunting pants for mid-OCT Colorado Elk Hunt

[xmanpike]

Going on a backpack hunt in CO mid October. I know weather can vary greatly. I already have good long underwear, waterproof camo for rain, and goos wool socks.

So what are the pants you guys find yourself wearing most often in october while traipsing through the mountians hunting Elk?

Thanks

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I wear BDUs. They're rugged, have lots of pockets (for binoculars, maps, lunch, emergency items, etc.) and you can wear long underwear under them. I usually wear waffle weave underwear in Colorado, but you can buy insulated underwear as well and wear it under baggy pants.

 

[xmanpike]

I have botht he heavier and the lgihter BDU's, but was worried about the weight of the heavier ones. I am looking for the lightest weight yet durable pants.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You're right to worry about weight. You're going from about 100 feet above sea level to 11,000 feet, where the elk are. And you'll be climbing slopes steep as a barn roof.

Mine are the heavier weight BDUs, and I use them in lieu of a pack -- a pack encourages you to carry too much junk.

 

[Art Eatman]

October, 1984, I hunted in Doctor Park, 3,000 feet above Gunnison. On the second morning, the "Hunter Advisory" on the radio declaimed, "And this morning, in Gunnison, Colorado, it is four degrees above zero."

Some things are never forgotten.

 

[ArmedBear]

The Mountain West, in general, is unpredictable in the transition seasons.

The average temperatures look pleasant. What they don't tell you is the standard deviation.

Layers. Be prepared for -10 F, +70 F, and everything in between, including rain, snow, relentless sun, and brutal wind. Gore-Tex is your friend, as is quality sunblock.

 

[CoRoMo]

Every October elk hunt, I wear blue jeans with a pair of long-johns underneath if it is cold; no long-johns if it ain't. I have a pair of well insulated camo pants that I bought from Cabela's, but I only wore those once during a heavy snow one October. But hiking through the backcountry, I was burning up something fierce, so I haven't worn them since. I also have a pair of waterproof 'rain pants' that are camo with a lot of elastic so that you can pull them over whatever pants you're already wearing. I've never found the need to put them on yet. I used to pack one or both of those camos in with me, just in case, but I stopped doing that. They stay in the truck at the trailhead now.

I've found that a comfortable pair of hiking "boots" or tennis shoes, a pair or two of plain socks, blue jeans & long-johns, a long sleeve T-shirt and a flannel shirt are all I really ever prefer 99% of the time. I'll have a few more layers back at the tent if the weather really changes, but I like it cold if I'm going to be hoofing it up and down the mountainsides. I really like to start out the day 'under dressed' if it is going to get up above 60°F. I'll work my way through the morning cold and I'll be nice and comfortable when the sun heats things up. I hunt with guys who dress for the sub-20°F mornings and they have to then shed all their shed layers and carry around those extra clothes in the warm hours. I've been there, done that, and it blows. I'd much rather be a little cold, for a short time in the morning. In the blackpowder season, I wear a short-sleeve T-shirt and shorts. I carry a pair of cotton 'garden gloves' and a toboggan so that my ears and fingers don't snap off during that morning freeze.

 

[ArmedBear]

BTW I think there's a difference between what you should bring with you from Texas, and what you actually put in your pack based on the short-term forecast.

 

[xmanpike]

All good input. I have never backpacked before and Im starting to see the mindset of bring the necessities ONLY.

 

[CoRoMo]

Well, like I've posted in your other threads, bring a lot of gear up here. You definitely won't use all of it, and you will pack in only a small amount of it, but if you at least bring it up here, you'll have it within a hike's distance, if you come to need it. Just because I find myself hunting in tennis shoes more often than not, doesn't mean I don't have a pair of insulated, waterproof boots and wool socks waiting in the truck.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Backpacking Elk Hunt Checklist

Load bearing equipment
Pack (internal or external frame, with waistbelt)
Canteen or plastic water bottle

Clothing
Boots
Socks (Wal Mart Hunter socks) 3pr in sealed bag
Cargo trousers
Waffle weave underwear
Flannel Shirt
Rain Gear (pocket-sized rain parka)
Goretex parka
Goretex socks
Thinsulate socks
Down vest
Extra stocking cap
Blaze orange vest
Wool gloves
Orange Hat
Bandanas (2)

Rifle and ammo
Rifle with sling
20 rounds
Scope covers
Electrician tape to cover muzzle
Jointed cleaning rod
Patches
Gun Oil

Cook kit
Pot (large can)
Pot lifter
Anti-gravity stove
Windscreen
Pot scrubber (in sealed bag)
Spoon
Plastic bowl
Plastic cup
Anti-government Lighter
Denatured alcohol for stove

Sleeping and shelter
Tarp tent
Cord (25-30 feet)
Stakes (6)
Stake Cords
Ground sheet (plastic)
Closed Cell foam pad
Sleeping bag

First Aid and sanitation
Bandaids
Molefoam
Adhesive tape
Neosporin cream
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toilet paper
Soap (liquid)
Bug repellent (DEET)
Water purification pills (2-part if desired)
Sunblock (as appropriate)

Navigation
Map
Compass
GPS

Miscellaneous
Flashlight
Spare batteries
Skinning knife
Gerber saw
Lightweight trash bags
Ziplock bags

Food
Oatmeal packets (three per breakfast)
Cocoa packets (two or three a day)
Freeze dried meals (one per day)

Communications
FMRS radio -- set SOP on channel and call times
Cell Phone -- check for signal

Notes:

An anti-government lighter is a standard lighter with the safety doo-hicky removed so you can light it when your hands are cold.

An anti-gravity stove is made from two soft drink cans. I add a windscreen/reflector/grill -- Two strips cut from soft drink cans with holes at the top. These are formed into a windscreen and 2 lightweight tent pins inserted to hold them in place. The whole thing goes down over your stove and your pot rests on the tent pins.

 

[oneounceload]

I would add another knife or two AND a sharpening device of some kind - your skinner will dull quickly on a large elk. Instead of a jointed cleaning rod, you might look at the pull-through cord type - smaller and lighter.

Some kind of fire starter, especially if it is raining/snowing.

When I lived near Rifle, I liked using pre-shrunk wool pants - sturdy, warm even when wet, and comfortable - not as cheap as jeans, but worth it, IMO

I also liked Duo-fold's insulated thermals - wool blend that didn't itch. Add some silk undersocks -also comfortable.

Good luck - the main thing is being in shape and allowing yourself enough time to get acclimated to the elevation.

 

[X-Rap]

Remember that cotton kills. If I am doing a short hunt and know that I am within range of my truck or camp I don't worry so much but if I am out for a long day hunt or overnight I use wool, fleece, and silk/synthetics.
If you are wet and miles from getting dry and get hit with a fast moving storm you will appreciate those clothes not made of cotton.

 

[ArmedBear]

Hear, hear, X-Rap!

While I might sometimes wear a flannel shirt on a cold, clear day, I don't even wear cotton socks when I go pheasant hunting in mild weather. A few miles on blisters may not kill, but it certainly casts a pall over that day's hunting experience.

 

[xmanpike]

You guys are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you. I will bring along a bunch of stuff in the truck i guess and choose what i think will fit the weather once I'm out there.

 

[skiking]

I wear the lightweight Carhartt double front pants with midweight Capilenes underneath, that usually keeps me warm enough while sitting down and I don't overheat while climbing a ridge, plus the Carhartts are nearly bomb proof. Leave the waffle weaves at home, and get some Capilenes or Duofold for a base layer, don't wear any cotton next to your skin. Dress in layers.

 

[oneounceload]

As far as the weather - hope for the best and prepare for the worst - Like the Sierras, the Rockies can be clear and blue one minute and a raging snowstorm the next - always keep an eye on the sky - you might only get minutes to prepare for something.

Have a good hunt!

 

[jmr40]

If you are backpacking forget heavy cotton pants. They are fine for a day of hunting, but not the best choice for days of packing. Once damp they will never dry and will weigh a ton. And you will have to wear the same pants for days.

The nylon pants made for backpacking are a good choice. They are available in greens and gray that work fine for hunting. Buy them large enough for good synthetic or wool long underwear and you will be fine. Lightweight wool may be an even better choice but can be expensive. The military fatigues are not a bad choice either. Just stay away from the 100% cotton versions. The 65% nylon 35% cotton are not a bad compromise if you can find them cheap enough. Lately I've been finding good deals on the hiking pants for about the same price as the fatigues.

 

[X-Rap]

The nylon pants are nice except for the noise, I like the wool or fleece because it is so much more quiet than the typical rain pants or those you might wear skiing or fishing (the Gore Tex type).If you are posting and not trying to stalk then noise isn't such a factor.

 

[jmr40]

I'm talking about something like this http://www.rei.com/product/794405 They are quiet, will not absorb water, and will be quite warm with good long underwear underneath. I've talked with some Alaskan hunters who swear by this type of pant and use them. I hunted in some this year in temps in the teens and did just fine. They make them with legs that zip off for use when hot. Even if you don't take the bottoms off yuou can unzip around the knees for ventilation.

I'm not specifically suggesting REI, but they are not bad. I've bought some from Bass Pro for around $35. That is about the same price as military BDU's around here.

 

[ArmedBear]

Like the Sierras, the Rockies can be clear and blue one minute and a raging snowstorm the next

October, in particular, is touch-and-go. I hunted deer and pheasant last October, and I remember wearing everything from a short-sleeved non-cotton polo-collar fishing shirt (and sweating in it) to several layers plus a windproof Winter jacket, neck gaiter, Winter gloves, and insulated boots (and still shivering when the wind blew hard).

oneounceload is 110% correct: prepare for the worst, hope for the best. No trip was ever ruined because someone left an extra layer of cold-weather clothing in the truck.

 

[xmanpike]

Those pants from REI look good, might have to pick a pair of those up.

 

[sonier]

oh wow...... i live at 9100 alt i go hunting in about 1200-1400 people get sever sickness at those altitudes and the cold........... well let me state this it snowed here 2 days ago. any time your hunting mountains in colorado, pack for extreme temp ranges. 1st-2 season you can get away with blue jeans, but ive seen below zero in second season before. my gear for running around the farm and hunting 4th season private land is wool pants over blue jeans and pair of ski pants in the truck or saddle pack. when your wool pants start's to get cold its time to head back. I have never seen the point in expensive hunting camo all my animals have been taken with blue jeans. Truth is if your hunting elk with rifles your gona be hunting clearings most of time, which is 500 yard shots average. where i am for deer it is redicoulous i draw my deer tag doe buck whatever they give me, i wake up at 6 am walk on my front porch aim towards our livestock spring and "bang" drive my truck there and process the deer lol theres no hunting involved and for me i do it cause i need the meat for food.
but wool pants ski pants and blue jeans i can work all day in -35 temps in blizzards during lambing season and im ok.

 

[OYE]

Clothing, Have much experience hunting the backcountry in late Oct. and 1st 1/2 Nov. in Idaho.
I use horses. The elevation you are hunting will matter a whole lot. Here's what I take.
Goretex - thinsulate coat, Goretex - thinsulate pants for wet and cold, Poly- pro underwear. Zip- up fleece jacket ( with spare slider), Army arctic pants with button in liner ( the old style nylon arctic pants, very baggy and lets perspiration get away) for the warmer days. Socks - polypro under sealskinz, extra pair insulated sealskinz and one pair wool ( both seldom used ). Pack boots with removable liners (thinsulate 400 gram min., or similar ( These have to be removable to dry them out- no exception to that). The bob sole "snow packs" from Cabelas work well. I also take leather boots with approx 200 gr. thinsulate if in early to mid Oct. Light wool shirt several sizes too big and very baggy. Gloves - at least 2 pair wool liners and 2 pair of good quality mittens. This works to 15 below zero.
Since you are backpacking, the raingear can replace the goretex part and add another light baggy sweater to replace the thinsulate in the coat. In real cold weather
boots with unremovabable liners will not dry out ( they get soaked with sweat) overnight even in a tent with a wood stove. If you get a cold snap that daytime temps stay below 20 deg. you'll be risking frostbite. So take those packs and remove the liners each night and dry them by the fire or in the sleeping bag, and don't forget either. The military trioxane, firestarter is a good investment for late fall hunts. I'll stop here.

 

[OYE]

Forgot to mention the hat. One booney and one insulated with fleece ear muffs. A fleece balaclava as well. Most of this can be purchased through Army surplus stores if you are on a budget, Including
goretex shells and sealskinz socks.