Colorado has great terrian for elk hunting, and deer hunting, and the Colorado hunting possibilities are endless! Whether you’re a seasoned Colorado hunter, or you are going with a Colorado hunting guide, you’ll need to be prepared in the clothing department. If you’re thinking about planning a Colorado hunting trip, you’ll want to be sure to follow these tips when it comes to packing your clothing, because as you may know, or may have heard, Colorado has some unpredictable or otherwise known as “bipolar weather.”

  • Shoes. You’ll need at least two, maybe even three different pairs/types of shoes.  The first pair of shoes you’ll want to bring is very obvious, your hunting boots. Hunting boots should typically be all leather or a leather-insulation combination. Do not come hunting in Colorado without these boots being worn in! Whether hunting on your own, or hunting with a Colorado hunting guide, you’ll most likely be walking/climbing a lot on rough terrain. The second pair will be your camp shoes. If your hunting boots are wet, which is very likely after a day of hunting in Colorado, they’ll need to have time to dry, and this is where your camp shoes come in handy. We recommend some type of tennis shoe or deck shoe that is lighter and will give your feet a break. The third pair of shoes you should bring on your Colorado hunting trip is a pair of insulated pack boots for very cold or snowy conditions. These boots will keep your feet warm, but may not be great for climbing on rough terrain, so make sure they have a tough exterior and inflexible spine in order to give your feet good support. If you plan on wearing leather boots, you may want to rub them with bees wax in the same manner as shining a shoe. Place them by a fireplace or in a slightly warm oven for a very short time in order for the leather to better absorb the wax. This will help make your boots water resistant.

  • Socks. When hunting in Colorado, wool socks typically work much better than cotton. Wool socks are thick and retain heat, while cotton socks tend to get wet and do not retain heat. If your feet sweet a lot and get cold, we recommend that you carry an extra pair in your backpack. There is also the choice of wicking socks. These will be the best type of socks for drawing moisture away from your skin. For some extra protection, you can sprinkle the inside of your boots and socks with baby powder.

  • Pants. Wool pants with skin friendly lining will be the best choice of pants for hunting in Colorado, unless it happens to be hot and dry. This type of pant provides warmth and won’t absorb water like jeans would when walking through wet grass or snow. We also recommend bring some rain pants, or gators. Rain pants or gators work well when walking through wet grass and weeds.

  • Hats. Did you know your head is the best temperature regulator? Hunting season in Colorado can typically get cold, and a beanie hat can help with extra warmth. They are easy to take off and store if you begin to get too warm. A very popular favorite is a neck and head cap combination. This is something you can pull  down below your chin after heating up, while the rest stays around your neck.

  • Gloves. If you are hunting in Colorado during the cold season, ski-type gloves are the best. The downfall to these types of gloves is that they don’t work very well when trying to pull the trigger or clasping your bow release. We see a lot of hunters wear wool gloves with half fingers for more convenience. Wool is great for warmth and retaining heat qualities if wet. Another good option would be gloves that have hinged fingers. These allow you to fold back the glove to expose your fingers only when necessary.

Elk hunting in Colorado, as well as deer hunting in Colorado, can be extremely rewarding and an experience you’ll hopefully remember for a lifetime. Make that experience better by being prepared when it comes to your clothing, and of course, don’t forget the camo!

If you’re looking for a hunt you’ll remember for a lifetime, book your guided elk or deer hunting trip with us today!