GEAR
Going Light In Elk Country
by Brad Fenson
Miles from the trailhead, I wiped sweat from my brow and put my tired legs into overdrive to push toward a bull bugling somewhere out in the darkness. As the eastern sky began to brighten, I crept over the ridge to the incredible sight of the monarch hot on the heels of a younger bull getting too close to his harem.
It was still a few minutes before legal shooting light, but fortunately I was carrying my Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2 binoculars. They gathered light so well that I could clearly see the rut-fest taking place in the meadow, and as I zeroed in on the herd bull, I easily counted antler points. The newest generation of Leupold binoculars, the Gen 2’s open-bridge design keeps them lightweight at only 25 ounces, and with a price tag of $699, they offer great value for exceptional glass. And these binoculars are built waterproof and with the toughness you expect from Leupold. I appreciated the smudge and scratch-resistant lenses as I pushed through evergreen thickets and brushy creek bottoms. The unit comes with a tripod-adapter port and interchangeable form-fit eye cups that make it easy to glass for long periods. Leupold is the official optics of RMEF, and I can see why.
I knew this was a bull I wanted, and I brought my rifle off my shoulder and rested it on my pack. Before this remote backcountry hunt, I pored over rifle specs and chose the Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed. The rifle feels like a custom firearm and shoots like one too, allowing me to take one of the finest bulls of my life on that hunt. I prioritized saving weight for this multi-day trip, and Browning keeps the Speed to a trim 6 pounds, 7 ounces. A Vari-Tech composite stock is adjustable for length of pull, comb height and grip angle so you can fit it to your body and shoot with optimal accuracy. The redesigned receiver, bolt and fluted sporter-weight barrel with radial muzzle brake make the rifle easy to pack and shoot. It’s light, but it’s still durable. The Speed performs perfectly in any weather, and rough country is no match for the the smoked bronze-colored Cerakote coating. The X-Bolt Speed 2 Sport is available in popular elk hunting calibers starting at $1,469.
If you’ve caught the elk bug like me, you probably have more than one firearm in your safe. On hunts where every ounce counts, I’m a big fan of compact models, and the Kimber Hunter Pro Dissolve Blak delivers with minimal weight and great packability. . This bolt-action rifle weighs a paltry 5 pounds, 14 ounces, and is 41.25 inches long including the 22-inch barrel that excels when you’re navigating heavy forest and brush-choked trails. It’s available in several suitable elk calibers. The single-stage lightweight trigger makes the Kimber enjoyable to shoot with a threaded suppressor-ready barrel and muzzle brake to help keep recoil at bay. And with an MSRP starting at $1,006 and a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee, you get an exceptionally accurate rifle at a great value.
For backcountry personal defense, I’m a big fan of the Kimber Camp Guard 10mm. The powerful 10mm cartridge in a 1911-style pistol was developed in partnership with RMEF. It starts at $1,279.99, but provides priceless peace of mind when packing out elk or just trying to get some sleep in the backcountry. Easy to holster and weighing just 38 ounces, the Camp Guard won’t slow you down on long days afield.
Like many elk hunters, I’m addicted to starting my hunting season by getting close to screaming bulls with archery equipment. And with recent advancements in technology and materials, it’s a good time to upgrade your hunting bow to something lighter, faster and tougher, like the Hoyt RX-9 Series. Take the new-for-2025 Carbon RX-9 Ultra. Measuring 33.5 inches axle-to-axle, the Ultra performs just how you’d expect from a Hoyt—with a forgiving 6.5-inch brace height and a smooth-shooting new Gen 4 HBX cam enabling speeds up to 340 fps. Just 4.3 pounds, the Ultra is compatible with the In-Line Accessory System for a better-balanced hunting rig and quieter shooting. The RX-9 also comes in a short-draw model, making it a great option for any age or stature. Do yourself a favor: stop by an archery shop and shoot the Ultra to appreciate why it’s one of the best bows on the market and worth every cent of its $2,099 MSRP.
Elk hunting isn’t just hard hiking; the time spent glassing can be more valuable than miles on the trail. I’ve spent many mornings and evenings climbing to vantage points to survey prime elk country with the Nightforce Configurable Field Spotting Scope (CFS) 6-36x50 F1 and can safely say it is my go-to for backcountry hunts. It’s compact and has a balanced functional design. It weighs just 33.7 ounces and fits nicely in my pack with an overall length of 14.1 inches. The straight design lets you store it easily and intuitive user controls allow you to make micro adjustments to get the animal perfectly lined up in the spotting scope, while maintaining overall stability. Starting at $2,950, let the elk move and consider hunting smarter, not harder with the CFS.
A backcountry adventure in the Yukon was an eye-opener when my host went through my things and left half of them on the floor. It was a lesson in packing light and critically selecting the essentials. When looking at new packs, it is easy to see where hunters have influenced design and features. No backcountry elk hunt could be possible without a good backpack. The Eberlestock Just One Pack is a complete update of the original pack that started it all for the company and comes with all the elements I look for to be successful. Weighing as little as 6.6 pounds, the pack offers a host of features perfect for “going in light and coming out heavy.” The pack weighs nearly a pound less than the original with a lightweight aluminum Intex frame, yet emphasizes comfort, which you realize the value of once you’ve had to haul out an elk multiple miles. The Just One lives up to its name, expanding from a daypack to a larger system, and will hold hulking elk quarters or camping gear for multi-day adventures. Starting at $399 the pack has a scabbard that keeps your rifle centered on your back, distributes the pack’s weight evenly and provides more support for your back. A variety of adjustments create a custom fit and beautifully balanced pack, and the extra pockets helped me keep things safely stowed and organized on the hike.
Another great option is the Eberlestock Team Elk Pack developed in partnership with RMEF—10% of proceeds go to conserving elk and elk country. Just 6.5 pounds and priced at $399, the Team Elk is a great load-hauling pack. It also includes the patented rifle scabbard and one of the best meat-carrying systems available. No matter which Eberlestock you choose, they are all built to withstand years of abuse.
I often wish my grandfather could see the choices of hunting clothing we have today. The lightweight technical garments at our disposal manage moisture and heat with a level of comfort that far outpaces the plaid wool of yesteryear. One of my favorite clothing companies is KUIU, and I’ve yet to find a better hunting combo than the KUIU Guide PRO soft-shell hooded jacket and pants. These outer layers are built to deal with the changing conditions of elk country, with durable, water-resistant, quick-drying and quiet Primeflex Nylon. They have a soft, micro-fleece interior, built-in wind resistance and plenty of stretch so you can move easily. And because weight is always a consideration, the 22-ounce jacket priced at $279 and the 17.5-ounce pants priced at $199 resist the elements without weighing you down.
Backcountry hunting success and comfort is often as much about the ounces we put in our bodies as the ounces we shave from our packs with lightweight gear. Fortunately for hunters on a mission to find an elk, Peak Refuel Meals weigh only a few ounces and are designed to rehydrate quickly, taste fresh and provide much-needed calories. These premium freeze-dried meals taste great and are a breath of fresh air compared to salt-laden dehydrated options of the past. Peak sources quality ingredients, offers many options in generous portions for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks, and a bit of boiling water cooks the meals in about 10 minutes. Meals start at $14.99 and are my go-to for food that keeps me in the field.
When it came time to find a three-season tent for one of my recent hunting trips, I was excited to try the Hilleberg Helags Yellow Label, built for warm-weather excursions where saving weight is key. Named for a mountain in northwest Sweden, the Helags line of tents are surprisingly roomy, extremely light, and most importantly, comfortable. Two vestibules keep gear dry while the all-mesh inner tent doors provide ventilation without compromising weather protection. Available in a 5-pound, 5-ounce two-person model for $1,120, or a 5-pound, 12-ounce three-person model for $1,210, the Yellow Label tents pack easily on your back, set up quickly and stand up to the elements in classic Hilleberg fashion.
When I was a young hunter, there were nights when I slept in a bivy sack on the side of a mountain in a shallow, shale-strewn sheep bed. But as age has started to creep into the equation, I wanted to pack in a more comfortable camp that would allow me to recharge at night to stay fresh for long days in the field. I’ve found one of my favorite sleep systems with ALPS Mountaineering. It includes the incredibly compact ALPS Ready Lite Cot weighing only 5 pounds; the Pioneer Insulated Sleeping Pad weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces; and the Zenith Sleep Bag coming in at a feather-light 3.6 pounds for the zero-degree model (2.4 pounds for the 30 degree). Priced at $299.99 the cot starts with an aluminum frame and honeycomb ripstop fabric with a two-layer top that creates a sleeve to add a two-inch-thick air pad. If you pair it with the Pioneer sleeping pad ($99) you’ll be comfortable all night. The pad uses layers of internal space-blanket-like film that reflect body heat to keep you warm. It comes with a repair kit and can be used with the Nano Air Pump ($39.99). And whether you opt for the Zenith +30-degree bag priced at $249.00 or the 0-degree bag for $379.99, you can rest easy in hydrophobic down, a contoured hood and insulated chest and zipper baffle to keep warmth in and cold out. I actually think I might sleep better on a mountainside in my ALPS system than I do at home.
I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to be a hardcore backcountry hunter. Ounces matter when it comes to packing your camp in and elk quarters out and I’m continually amazed at the advancements we see in ultralight gear that can withstand the tortures of elk hunting.
