Let's Go West: Part VI
What Gear Is Essential?
When people think about western deer or elk hunting gear, they usually picture massive backpacks, ultralight everything, and a pile of expensive equipment. That’s not wrong, but it’s not the only option.
For a lot of first-time hunters, a truck-based hunt is the most realistic and forgiving way to get started out West. You’re hunting from a vehicle, camping nearby, and returning to the truck daily. That changes what gear you truly need and what you don’t. The goal isn’t to bring everything you own. It’s to bring the right gear, in the right quantities, without overcomplicating the hunt.
The biggest advantage of a truck-based hunt is flexibility. Your truck is your gear locker, shelter, food storage, and recovery zone. You don’t need to carry your entire life on your back every day.
Instead of one perfect piece of gear, it’s often smarter to bring backup layers, spare boots, extra socks, and dry clothes. Weather changes fast out West, and being able to swap gear can save a hunt. A week of hunting can bring 60 degrees on Monday and -30 by Thursday. You need to be prepared for changing conditions at all times.
Clothing is very likely the one piece of gear you can’t mess up. With that being said, don’t get caught up in the hype of the latest and greatest. You don’t need the newest camo system to be effective. You do need clothing that works across temperature swings and handles wind.
Clothing needs:
- Base layers (merino or synthetic)
- Insulating mid-layer (fleece or puffy)
- Windproof outer layer
- Waterproof rain gear
- Warm hat and lightweight gloves
- Extra socks (nothing feels better than a fresh pair of socks in the morning)
- A primary pair of broken-in hunting boots
- A backup pair or lightweight hikers
- Water (and a way to purify more)
- Food for the day
- Extra layers (mid layers, rain gear, insulation layers)
- Kill kit (knife, game bags, gloves, electrical tape, ground sheet)
- Headlamp
- First-aid kit
- A warm sleeping bag (Rectangular bags are nice for base camps)
- A quality sleeping pad and cot (cots are colder if you don’t have a pad on top of them)
- Pillow
- Wall tent, tipi, or large free-standing tent
- Table
- Grill or Blackstone
- Water Jug (5gal minimum)
- Camp food (burgers, tacos, hot dogs, think easy and quick)
- Cooler
- Camp Chair
- Crocs
- Binoculars (10x or 12x)
- Outdoorsman's bino adapter and bino stud
- A lightweight but sturdy tripod
- Spotting Scope
- Tire chains
- Jump starter
- Tire repair kit and air compressor (uncharted supply makes a good one)
- Extra fuel
- Shovel and tow strap
- Headlamp (keep a spare in your door)
- Excessive duplicate electronics
- Specialty gear you don’t know how to use
- Extra clothing (you don’t need three fleece layers for your weeklong hunt)
Boots and Footwear:
Good boots are crucial, even on truck-based hunts. You’ll likely cover more vertical terrain than you’re used to, and uneven ground punishes weak footwear. Don’t skimp on boots. If your feet fail, your hunt is over. A good pair of boots can last years, even in tough conditions. Spend the money on boots! Since we are talking about truck camping, I’d strongly recommend two pairs:
Your boots should be one of the first pieces of gear you purchase before a hunt. Buy them several months in advance and wear them often. They need to be broken-in and comfortable, long before you put them to use on your hunt.
There are so many options for good gear. It can be overwhelming at times to break down what is necessary and what is a luxury item. First and foremost, you need a solid backpack. I’d recommend one with an internal frame so you can pack significant weight with it. You’ll be packing 15-20lbs of gear every day, and hopefully more if you find success.
At a minimum, your pack should carry:
If you kill an elk, you’ll need to be able to carry an extra 40-60lbs. Don’t show up with a small day pack and no plan for getting your meat out.
Camping gear is much more straightforward for a truck-based hunt. You don’t need to count ounces and packability of each item; this allows you to maximize your sleep and recovery. The benefits of sleep are well documented, but on a hunt, the ability to stay focused, push farther, and stay positive due to quality sleep can’t be underestimated.
Camp Items:
Bring the items necessary to be comfortable at camp. The days can be short and the nights are long; make sure you enjoy your time sitting around a fire or reading a book in solitude.
Optics:
Let’s break down optics. You know the old saying…You can’t kill what you can’t see. With that being said, you don’t need a $5,000 optics setup to kill animals, but you do need reliable glass. You will want each of the following items at whatever price point you can afford:
Good glass saves time and energy by letting you hunt with your eyes instead of your legs. You can never go wrong with quality glass, but don’t break the bank for the most expensive glass on the market. There are good options that will be more than adequate for most situations. Maven, Sig, and Vortex all make optics that will work just fine. Go to a local sporting goods store and try a few of them. One thing to understand is to go outside and look through optics. The lighting in box stores makes all of them look very good, but you’ll see a difference when you go outside.
In Your Truck:
Your truck kit also needs to have a few things. If you break down and don’t have the tools to get back on the road, you could lose multiple days of your hunt. Time is the most valuable resource you have…we want to maximize the time you spend hunting!
This is where truck-based hunts really shine—and where people still forget essentials.
Commonly overlooked items:
Western roads can go from dry to impassable fast, be prepared for those changes.
Don’t pack for the what-ifs. Every hunter is guilty of this at some point, and it’s what kills a good gear list. Here are a few things that people often throw in at the last second to make sure they are ok if something out of the ordinary happens.
Start simple and plan for the hunt. The people who pack for the what-ifs end up with five extra battery packs, three headlamps, and six knives…that’s just extra weight. Don’t do it!
A truck-based western deer or elk hunt is one of the best ways to learn western hunting without overwhelming yourself. You’ll be able to avoid the expense of ultralight backpacking gear while still enjoying the experience. Focus on reliable basics, comfort, and adaptability. Use your truck as an advantage. Learn what works for you in real conditions. If you have specific gear questions, subscribe to RuckList and look at what others have taken on similar hunts. RuckList is a resource for you!