Caribou Gear Journal

Field-proven hunting tips, gear care, backcountry insights, and product education from the Caribou Gear team.

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Elk hunter checks wildfire smoke and access at a Western trailhead where a gravel road splits beneath a smoke-softened ridge.

air quality • Aug 10, 2026 • 6 min read

Wildfire Smoke Before Elk Season: What Hunters Should Check Before Leaving

Smoke over an elk unit does not tell you whether the air is safe, the road is open, or the...

Hunter secures high-mounted elk antlers above a white game bag on an external-frame pack in the Rocky Mountains.

elk antlers • Aug 5, 2026 • 7 min read

How to Pack Elk Antlers and Meat on the Same Pack

Build the meat load first, carry the skull high with the nose up and tines down, and secure the antlers...

Western hunter glassing elk country from a distance to avoid disturbing a scouting area before season

elk hunting • Jul 10, 2026 • 4 min read

When to Stop Scouting an Elk Area Before You Start Hurting It

Summer scouting helps hunters learn country, but too much pressure can hurt the area before season. Here’s when to back...

Western hunter reviewing an elk hunt plan with maps GPS and weather notes before opening morning

elk hunting • Jun 26, 2026 • 6 min read

How to Pressure-Test Your Elk Plan Before Opening Morning

A hunt plan can look good on a map and still fall apart fast. Here’s how to pressure-test access, wind,...

Hunter organizing labeled elk meat bags coolers and freezer space after a successful packout

elk hunting • Jun 19, 2026 • 4 min read

What Happens After the Packout: Planning the Meat Handoff Before Elk Season

The packout is only one part of the job. Elk hunters should plan processor timing, freezer space, labels, coolers, and...

Hunter organizing coolers ice and game bags in a truck bed before an elk hunt

cooler plan • Jun 17, 2026 • 5 min read

How to Build a Cooler Plan Before an Elk Hunt

A cooler plan starts before the shot. Elk hunters need enough space, ice, drainage, airflow, and transport room before the...

Organized elk hunting kill kit with knives gloves cordage game bags batteries tags and replacement supplies laid out before season

backcountry hunting • Jun 12, 2026 • 4 min read

What to Replace in Your Kill Kit Before Elk Season

A kill kit fails when small items are missing, dull, torn, or worn out. Here’s what to replace before elk...

Hunter marking an elk kill site and packout route on a GPS while reviewing terrain in steep mountain country

backcountry hunting • Jun 3, 2026 • 4 min read

How to Mark a Kill Site and Packout Route Without Creating Confusion

A bad marking system creates confusion fast during an elk packout. Here’s how to track the kill site, staged meat,...

Western hunter reviewing packout route and terrain before an elk hunt in steep mountain country

elk game bags • May 27, 2026 • 3 min read

How to Plan an Elk Packout Route Before the Hunt

Most hunters plan how to get into elk country. Far fewer plan how they will get an elk back out.

Organized elk hunting truck setup with coolers game bags tarp gloves straps water and packout gear

colorado hunting • May 22, 2026 • 2 min read

What Should Be in Your Truck Before Elk Season Starts

The truck is where your hunt starts and where your packout ends. Here’s what should be ready before elk season....

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