Elk hunting is hard. Skimp on quality gear, and it gets infinitely harder. Stack the odds in your favor this season with Scott Haugen’s top elk hunting gear picks.
by Scott Haugen
Elk season is almost here. Thank God! With its arrival comes the opportunity to put some exceptional gear to the test. Whether you’re looking for last-minute items for archery elk season or gearing up for general rifle season, here is some top-notch elk hunting equipment I’ve used and will keep using.
Meindl Comfort Fit Hiker
For over 25 years, I’ve been a big fan of Meindl boots. I’ve worn them around the world on some of the most demanding hunts. While they have a range of boots fitting the needs of elk hunters, an early-season boot I continually turn to is their Comfort Fit Hiker. I wore this boot hiking and scouting all summer, wore it every day during a 10-day African safari, and it’s going to Alaska with me later this month.
I appreciate this boot’s comfortable yet non-binding fit the most. I have foot surgery coming soon to remove bone spurs and grind down excessive bone buildup. I’m to the point where I can’t wear many pairs of boots, but I can wear my Comfort Hikers all day, every day. They’re durable but not tight, supportive but not restricting. I’ll be wearing these on multiple hunts in multiple states this season.
Benchmade Mini Taggedout Knife
I was a big fan of Benchmade’s Taggedout when it came out. Then, the mini version came out. Oh my. I first took it to Africa and ran it through the hide of various antelopes. I’ve used it to break down animals in the field, and it’s even become my go-to everyday carry knife.
Backcountry elk hunters always want to cut space and weight, making the Mini Taggedout the perfect knife. It’s very durable despite the lightweight feel, holds an edge incredibly well, and touches up fast and easy on steel. The orange Grivory handle is not only easy to see when laid on the ground, but the scales offer additional gripping pressure when your hands are covered in blood and slippery animal fat. It’s great for skinning, breaking down game, and caping, and it makes a great camp knife.
onX GPS Hunting App
I started using onX just over a year ago. I know, I know. It took me a while. Part of it had to do with the fact I’m not a techno fan. Part of it was because cartography and map-making were a big part of my Bachelor’s degree in the 1980s. I love paper maps. Then, after a couple of buddies insisted I pay close attention to what this app can do, it changed how I hunt, scout, and run trail cameras. I have 104 trail cameras set in four states, all marked on my onX app. It’s impacted my big game hunting in a positive way as well as my predator and waterfowl pursuits.
I could go on and on about what the onX app does, but you can learn that on their website. I want to share how applicable and user-friendly the whole onX program is. It’ll quickly pay for itself if you hunt multiple states and get the Elite package. And if you’re intimidated by the app, don’t be. Their detailed website, extensive YouTube video catalog, and online workshops will answer every question.
I was a high school science teacher before getting into the outdoor industry full-time 24 years ago. What you’ll learn through the onX videos and workshops will make any teacher proud and every student eager to learn. Just get it, learn it, and use it. They even offer a free trial.
Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph
Bowhunters constantly test arrow speeds to optimize accuracy. Enter Garmin’s Xero C1 Pro Chronograph. I won’t begin to tell you how this compact, lightweight, awesome chronograph works. But I’ll share why I like it. I like it because it’s simple to set up, versatile, accurate, and logs every shooting session. Being a technologically challenged fellow, I had it out of the box and recorded shot speeds in less than 10 minutes.
I opened the box, and found a charged C1 Pro, so I downloaded the app and paired it to my smartphone. Press “pair” on the device, then add it; follow the prompts. Then I grabbed a .22 rifle and laid down on the back porch — we live in the country and this is my shooting range. On the C1, I hit the “start session” button, selected the bullet speed, entered the bullet weight, then set the unit to the side of and behind my barrel and shot three times. It recorded every shot. It did the same on a .223 and a 6.8 Western I’m having a Leupold CDS built for, which was the main reason for my getting the Garmin Xero C1 Chronograph.
When done with each session I hit the “end session” button, waited a couple minutes for it to synch to my phone, then bam, all the data was on my phone. The data is also stored on the C1 so you actually don’t need your phone in the field when testing it, just synch it once your home. The C1 works with arrows, paintballs, air rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 Binocular & RX-5000 TBR/W Rangefinder
The latest version of Leupold’s best-selling binocular, the BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2, uses high-quality glass and improved lens coatings to deliver the resolution, clarity, and glare-reduction serious hunters demand. The challenge of battling harsh light and bright reflections is over. Available in 8×42, 10×42, 10×50, and 12×50, the upgrades include optical design and Form-Fit eyecups. The lightweight aluminum body provides comfortable hand placement with an open-bridge, slim-hinge design, and is incredibly rugged. Waterproof, fogproof, guaranteed for life.
New this spring to the Leupold lineup was their RX-5000 TBR/W rangefinder. This cutting-edge device seamlessly connects to the Leupold Control App, allowing you to adjust its settings, customize display options, and take accurate ranges, all with a few quick taps on your mobile phone. However, the real selling point of the RX-5000 is its pinning feature. Thanks to its GPS technology and the Long Range mode, you can now quickly drop pins on a variety of digital mapping systems from over three miles away. It boasts a 5,000-yard ranging distance, 8x magnification, accurately ranges in fog, rain, and snow, and is waterproof.
Browning Gannett 5500 Pack & Primal Scalpel Kit
Browning rifles shine. We know that. But many of their accessories are top-of-the-line. I first tried their Gannett 5500 Pack on a bear hunt. I loved it. This 5,500 cubic inch pack is a backcountry elk hunting win. The carbon fiber frame is sturdy, and the belt, chest strap, compression straps, and meat shelf ensure heavy loads don’t shift. The pack section is removable, and the frame can be used alone to haul meat. The pack also reattaches over the meat. It’s an ingenious design, and I plan on taking it on a moose hunt in Alaska for this feature alone. It weighs only 5.8 pounds and includes a rainfly, Duraflex buckles, YKK zippers, and many other appealing features.
As for breaking down a bull, Browning’s Primal Scalpel Kill Kit rocks. Do it if you’ve never used a scalpel to break down big game. In this kit, the Primal Scalpel ensures you always have access to a razor-sharp edge to make every cut effective through readily available stainless steel scalpel blades in sizes #60A, 21, 22, and 24. The polymer handle scales with rubber over-mold result in a secure hold no matter how bloody your hands get. Four 37″ x 21″ game bags, 10 feet of paracord, three zip ties, a storage bag, and two pairs of disposable gloves round out this kit.
Kuiu Pro Pack
Revolutionary upgrades such as improved suspension, multiple pocket access points, and precise fitting adjustments make Kuiu’s Pro Pack one hunters will appreciate. I put the 3600 model to the test all summer and instantly appreciated the easy-to-adjust fitting options. This equates to a comfortable pack that sits tight to the torso, doesn’t sway on uneven ground, and lets you keep going all day. The waist belt and shoulder straps provide ultimate comfort and don’t slip. What I would have given to have a pack like this 30 years ago when living a subsistence lifestyle in Alaska’s Arctic, where Dall sheep, moose, and caribou were always on the menu.
The Kuiu Pro Pack series has five sizes to fit every hunting need. One frame and suspension fits all the pack bags in this modular system. The compression straps are tight, holding heavy loads in place. I like the insert that offers additional lumbar support and weight-bearing relief, too.
Slayer Elk Calls
Tediously designed and meticulously built by hunters, Slayer Calls new Clearwater Series of diaphragm calls is a home run. With these, you don’t need to lean on the “I can’t blow diaphragm calls” excuse. The Clearwater series consists of seven custom reeds, each with their own specifications. Latex thicknesses, tension, and stretch are precise and designed to deliver accurate sounds based on tongue and air pressure. An aluminum dome ensures proper placement of each call on your palate, thus controlling airflow while articulating your tongue and preventing the gag reflex.
If using diaphragm calls is new to you, start with the light pressure reed. If you’re a veteran, you’ll quickly work your way up the Clearwater line and immediately see each call’s application for all the possible scenarios we elk hunters face.
If it’s too late in the season to learn how to blow a diaphragm call, check out their Enchantress call. This pushbutton call is easy to use and creates a wide range of cow and calf chatter. And while you’re at it, their Archangel Acrylic Bugle Tube is worth every penny. I’ve called several bulls with it and love how the unique back pressure system results in loud, high pitches, which means easy calling.
Slayer Calls gives 10 percent of each purchase to organizations that protect the environment and wildlife, support conservation efforts, and preserve America’s hunting heritage.
