Put this 2020 western hunt thread but figured I might get a few more responses if it Is not buried on page 21

I'm doing an inventory of clothing I need and I already have a lot of deer stuff - I know I need boots and rain gear but here is what I have already - looking for recommendations on what I need additional and/or To replace:

Scent Lock polyester pants / zip up shirt ( can I get by with this versus 1st lite or Sitka wool?)
Polar weight Cabela's base layer
Banded zip up or pullover fleece ( which one should I take?)
Banded semi puffy vest ( synthetic fill)
Lightweight Ol Tom nylon pants Or
Columbia nylon hunting pants ( for back up)

Will be hunting 1st rifle in Co. - Oct 10-14

I don't have a full down jacket - just the vest listed above and debating whether I can get by with other layers I have

What zone?

Sounds crazy, but you can encounter early season winter storms that early in the year. Not necessarily likely, but there is legitimate potential, especially at higher elevations.

So, yes, a full sized coat is recommended for good preparation.

Edit - I would always choose an article that allows one to zip up/down as weather dictates. So banded zip up jacket instead of pull over fleece.

My brother and I did 1st rifle last year, we aren't deer hunters so had to buy most of what we needed. More thin layers is better than 2 or three thick layers. At night we cold camped in single digits, during the day, sitting in the sun and glassing we were in light weight long sleeves, in the timber were were more bundled up. I wouldn't want to hike all day in the polar weight stuff, you will sweat your ass off. We spent the money on good merino wool layers and it was worth it.

Guys with way more experience than me will be along with more specific advice.

bkag9824 said:

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What zone?

Sounds crazy, but you can encounter early season winter storms that early in the year. Not necessarily likely, but there is legitimate potential, especially at higher elevations.

So, yes, a full sized coat is recommended for good preparation.

Edit - I would always choose an article that allows one to zip up/down as weather dictates. So banded zip up jacket instead of pull over fleece.

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. I drew 41,42,411,52,521. - close to Grand Junction

I haven't elk hunted Colorado but I have deer hunted Montana. I really like my Sitka Timberline Pants, and would recommend them because of the waterproof seat and knees. The pants you have listed may work but I am not familiar with them. Also I would go ahead and have a full puffy jacket with you. I really like my Sitka Kelvin lite for synthetic but this is an area that you can save a lot if money by buying a non hunting brand.

A good hard shell would also be nice to have but here again you don't have to go high dollar to get a quality piece of gear. Marmot Precip or Cabelas Space Rain are great bargain options. I bought a Sitka Stormfront last year when they were on clearance and it is bomb proof.

If you decide you want a soft shell instead let me know I have an XL jet stream from Sitka I have been meaning to sell. Only been worn 3 or 4 times.

Wool base layers
Puffy jacket
Good thin waterproof jacket.
Nylon 4 stretch pants
Gaiters if there is snow.
Rain pants if it's supposed to be a wet week.
Wool socks and extra wool socks and change them as often as possible.

You are trying to convince yourself you dont need a puffy. You want a good puffy. Check rei garage sales.

Only advice is a great pack and don't skimp on the sleeping bag. The rating is often misleading as well - 'zero' degrees is the survival rating, not comfort. Etc. Get a puffy bag that can compress down for easy packing and light weight. My bag was too heavy. Too cumbersome. Took up too much space, and generally froze my tail off at night.

I have archery hunted elk in September in Colorado. Have experienced warm, short sleeve weather mid day and complete white out snow storm the same afternoon.

Had the same experience in Wyoming, near Yellowstone, last September. High country is great to hunt in. Just have to be prepared for any weather.

Layers are important. Rain gear is essential.

That area has some decent elevation to it. Powderhorn Ski is in that general vicinity.

Definitely do not skimp on appropriate clothing. Layer, layer, layer as has been said.

It's pricey, but some of the technical clothing by companies like FirstLite are well worth the investment for camo tops.

Merino base layer with a hood, puffy vest, puffy jacket, good pants (I like the $22 Wrangler Outdoor Series because they're just as good without insane price gouging of the other companies I just recommended). Much easier to swallow $25 after tax for an extra pair of pants that's a size larger than normal to more comfortably fit base layers under than otherwise.

I took those pants through some gnarly scrub while bird/elk hunting in CO, and they held up incredibly well. Even if you tear them up, you can buy almost 5 pairs of them for one pair of FirstLite.

If you're not game for shelling out $$$ for FirstLite or others, you could probably do just fine with a dirt/neutral colored merino top from an off-brand.

Sportsman's Warehouse is your best bet in Junction for outdoor supplies you may have forgotten. Also an REI nearby, but they don't carry ammunition...obviously.
Tons and tons of really good fishing on Grand Mesa as well, so don't forget a rod.

And if you happen to make your way into Junction for rest/food:

• Bin 707 has a really good cheeseburger and fries. All of their food is actually quite good, but I'm a fan of the burger.
• Head a little further west into Fruita and get a pizza at Hot Tomato. Some of the best pizza I've ever had.
• Ale House and Kannah Brewing are both good, but I'm partial to Palisade Brewery (hard to beat a cold Dirty Hippie)
• Cafe Sol and Dream Cafe have good breakfasts
• Sweet Coloradough in Glenwood has best donuts in case you end up with a sweet tooth

harge57 said:

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You are trying to convince yourself you dont need a puffy. You want a good puffy. Check rei garage sales.

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truth.
My down puffy is essential equipment, almost survival gear. For me there's been many times where putting on the puffy means I can nap...er, sit quietly...in my spot past dark, instead of sitting for an hour then getting up and walking around because I'm freezing my tail off
check out the kuiu super down if you want to buy once cry once

harge57 said:

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Wool base layers
Puffy jacket
Good thin waterproof jacket.
Nylon 4 stretch pants
Gaiters if there is snow.
Rain pants if it's supposed to be a wet week.
Wool socks and extra wool socks and change them as often as possible.

You are trying to convince yourself you dont need a puffy. You want a good puffy. Check rei garage sales.

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Ok. I was on the fence ( because I'm trying to fit a new scope into my budget) but y'all have convinced me to get the puffy and the wool base layers. Was already planning on Cabela's rain gear. It sounds like I have what I need for the mid layers.

bkag9824 said:

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That area has some decent elevation to it. Powderhorn Ski is in that general vicinity.

Definitely do not skimp on appropriate clothing. Layer, layer, layer as has been said.

It's pricey, but some of the technical clothing by companies like FirstLite are well worth the investment for camo tops.

Merino base layer with a hood, puffy vest, puffy jacket, good pants (I like the $22 Wrangler Outdoor Series because they're just as good without insane price gouging of the other companies I just recommended). Much easier to swallow $25 after tax for an extra pair of pants that's a size larger than normal to more comfortably fit base layers under than otherwise.

I took those pants through some gnarly scrub while bird/elk hunting in CO, and they held up incredibly well. Even if you tear them up, you can buy almost 5 pairs of them for one pair of FirstLite.

If you're not game for shelling out $$$ for FirstLite or others, you could probably do just fine with a dirt/neutral colored merino top from an off-brand.

Sportsman's Warehouse is your best bet in Junction for outdoor supplies you may have forgotten. Also an REI nearby, but they don't carry ammunition...obviously.
Tons and tons of really good fishing on Grand Mesa as well, so don't forget a rod.

And if you happen to make your way into Junction for rest/food:

• Bin 707 has a really good cheeseburger and fries. All of their food is actually quite good, but I'm a fan of the burger.
• Head a little further west into Fruita and get a pizza at Hot Tomato. Some of the best pizza I've ever had.
• Ale House and Kannah Brewing are both good, but I'm partial to Palisade Brewery (hard to beat a cold Dirty Hippie)
• Cafe Sol and Dream Cafe have good breakfasts
• Sweet Coloradough in Glenwood has best donuts in case you end up with a sweet tooth

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Thanks - great info - I already have a pair of the wranglers .

AgDad121619 said:

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harge57 said:

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Wool base layers
Puffy jacket
Good thin waterproof jacket.
Nylon 4 stretch pants
Gaiters if there is snow.
Rain pants if it's supposed to be a wet week.
Wool socks and extra wool socks and change them as often as possible.

You are trying to convince yourself you dont need a puffy. You want a good puffy. Check rei garage sales.

---

Ok. I was on the fence ( because I'm trying to fit a new scope into my budget) but y'all have convinced me to get the puffy and the wool base layers. Was already planning on Cabela's rain gear. It sounds like I have what I need for the mid layers.

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if budget's a concern skip the rain gear for right now. It's the western slope, if the forecast says it's gonna rain/snow while you're up there go to sportsman's warehouse and get a set of frog toggs. If the forecast says it's not gonna rain then it's not gonna rain (actually I take a poncho like this one http://www.exped.com/usa/en/product-category/ponchos/bivy-poncho-ul it stays with me at all times)

I hunt near there every year around 1st rifle. About 7000 feet. Usually afternoons are pleasant and sometimes in the upper 60's to 70's. Nights are mid 30's. Around cold fronts it can get to teens at night and 30's-40's in the afternoons. Got snowed on a couple of times but it doesn't usually last long. 1st season looks to be a little later this season.

If you need an orthopedic surgeon while there, I can recommend one in GJ. St Mary's is a nice hospital with great views.

Part of the hard look at the budget is a desire for a new scope. I had myself convinced I had nearly everything I needed but the more research I do, the more I realize need

Black Ovis merino wool on camo fire is where it's at for budget wool base layers. I basically run around in them all year (summer to ski season). My only complaint is their sizes are kinda whack

This thread is pretty well covered, but classic woolies and long johns go a long way.