Justin Western Guide • Medicine Lake, Montana

Late Season Rifle Elk

The pursuit of elk. A dream to so many hunters out there. It will present its own set of challenges. One thing you can do to help yourself get through those challenges is to be properly geared for your hunt. I have been hunting elk for the past 10 years, guiding for elk professionally since 2016 in Montana and Colorado. I've watched the gear world change, tired many different brands and found what works for me as well as others. Below, you will find my list of suggestions and recommendations of clothing, weapons, gear and more to help make your next western elk hunt just a little bit easier.

- Justin Western

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Optics

Binos/ Rangefinder

I'm a big fan of the Leica range finding binos. The 10x42's are a great option and you save a little on room by having your binos and range finder in one unit. They have great warranties and they hold up to the test.

Geovid Range Finder 10x42

Bino Harness

Alaska Guide Creations Classic HBS Bino Pack

Spotting Scope

The Leupold Gold Ring line of spotting scopes are in my opinion the best deal on the market. For judging bulls or just general glassing you can't go wrong with one.

Leupold GR 12-40x60mm HD Gold Ring Spotting Scope

Tripod

If you want the best tripod I would suggest a Spartan. They are durable and will hold up to the test.

Spartan Precision Equipment Sentinel Tripod

Phone Adaptors

I pair my Leupold spotting scope with a Phone Skope adapter for my cell phone. You can get some great photos while scouting or it comes in handy trying to show someone where an animal.

Universal 'Lollipop' Phone Case

Leupold Gold Ring Compact Optic Adapter

Backpacks & Gear

Backpack/ Pack Frame

Now I use two different pack depending on that I'm doing. Day hunts where I'm hunting closer I love my team elk pack made my Eberlestock. It's a little on the heavy side for packs but it will hold up over the years and has enough room and pockets to make it very user friendly. For my backcountry hunts the New FORLOH Method Pack System is awesome. Very customizable and a quality made in the USA pack.

Eberlestock Team Elk Pack

FORLOH Method Pack System

Knives

For knives I love my Outdoor Edge RazorLite. With the changeable blades I never have to stop to sharpen a blade. been using the same one for 10 years now and can skin and quarter an elk with one blade. I always carry a fix blade knife with me also. This is where Benchmade comes in. Quality knives that hold an edge.

RazorLite™

Benchmade Hidden Canyon Hunter

Hydration

For hydration I prefer Nalgene bottles. After having a hydration bladder leak or freeze in my pack I got away from using them.

Nalgene Tritan 32 oz Narrow Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle

Headlamp

I always carry a headlamp that can switch between white, green & red. White will spook game and stock and is noticeable from a long distance.

Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp

The Eric Jackson Edition headlamp.

Gear - Accessories

Calls

I use Rocky Mountain Hunting calls- awesome customer service and they make the calls to fit your mouth type. I struggled for years to perfect my elk calling until the guys at RMHC set me up. They make it easy by giving you a selection of calls that fit your mouth type.

Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls

Trail Cameras

PREVUE 26

Other

I always carry Leukotape with me. Works great in first aid applications, making field repairs on packs, clothes, tents, etc.

BSN Medical Leukotape

Camping Equipment

Between Stone Glacier and NEMO you can't go wrong.

Tent

Stone Glacier Skyscraper 2P

Sleeping Bag

NEMO Sonic Sleeping Bag

Sleeping Pad

NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad

Trekking Poles

MOMENTUM TREKKING POLES

Food & Nutrition

Supplements

IGNITE TRAIL PACKS

ELECTROLYTES STM - 30 Ct

Electrolyte Salt Tablets

Snacks/ Bars

PERFORMANCE BARS - 10 Pc-Conquer Caramel Crunch

Freeze Dried Meals

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff

Clothing

I'm a big fan of FORLOH as they are sourced and made here in the USA. They have amazing customer service and get back to you quick.

Baselayers

FORLOH Deep Space Base Layer Crew Long Sleeve Top

FORLOH Men's Deep Space Base Layer Bottom

FORLOH Men's Deep Space Half Zip Long Sleeve Top

Insulation/ Midlayers

FORLOH ThermoNeutral Down Jacket

Outerwear/ Jackets

FORLOH AllClima SoftShell Jacket

Pants

FORLOH AllClima Stretch Woven Pant

Rain Gear

Now for rain gear I love Helly Hansen if you wanna stay bone dry while glassing during a rain storm. But FORLOH makes great rain gear if you have the chance to dry it out over night.

FORLOH Mens AllClima 3L Hunting Rain Jacket

Helly-Hansen Men's Moss Rain Coat

Footwear

I love Crispi boots as they fit my foot great and seem more flexible then comparable brands.

Crispi Guide Non-Insulated GTX

Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Socks

Clothing - Accessories

If you wanna blend in so everyone thinks your a local get yourself a Stormy Kromer. Its every pro guides choice for headgear. Now while sitting on a cold day you're going to wish you had some good mitten's to keep your hands warm. I carry 2 pairs of gloves typically. One set of mittens and one set of lighter gloves.

Gloves

Stormy Kromer Waxed Tough Mitts

Vertx Move to Contact Glove

Hats/ Beanies

Stormy Kromer Original Kromer Cap

Bandana

Stormy Kromer The Outsider Bandana

Firearms

Rifle Equipment

Rifle

My spare rifle I use for hunters is a Remington 700 chambered in 30-06. Paired with a Leupold GR VX-3. Great rifle, fantastic scope, and great round for elk hunting. If you're looking for a elk hunting rifle to take out west for your first time I'd recommend a Tikka T3x chambered in a 30-06.

Tikka T3x Hunter

Tikka T3x Hunter 30-06 SPRG

Remington 700

Remington 700 chambered in 30-06

Ammunition

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Trophy Bonded Tip Rifle Ammo

Rifle Scope

Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope

Bipods/ Shooting Sticks

Spartan Precision Equipment Javelin Lite Bipod

Slings

COMFORT STRETCH FIREARM SLING - ALASKAN MAGNUM

Muzzleloader Equipment

Muzzleloader

BPI Accura LR-X-Cerakote FDE/ Nitride/ Veil Wideland

BPI Accura LR-X-FDE/ Nitride/ Veil Wideland- .50 Cal (WPS) 30" Barrel

Bullets

PowerBelt AeroLite AeroTip Bullets - .50cal 250 Grain

Powder

Hodgdon Triple Se7en Magnum Pellets 50-Cal.