Trail’s full backcountry gear list from early season to peak rut
September is closing in. Bulls are showing off their antler potential, and Trail Kreitzer just laid out every ounce of gear he trusts for a month-long, multi-tag, archery elk quest.
We sifted through what he packs to stay light, lethal, and consistently in the elk during every phase of the rut. The categorized tables below are trimmed to the gear that’s earned its keep, on backcountry bivy hunts, in New Zealand’s tahr country, and everywhere in between. This is a kit built through seasons of proof, not theory.
Think of it as a working blueprint: light enough for endless sidehills, tough enough for sudden snow squalls, and dialed into an easy-access system that works under pressure. Use it to plug gaps in your setup, swap in your trusted brands, or copy the layout if you’re starting from scratch. Every item here earned a ride on Trail’s back and now it can earn one on yours too.
Trail’s gear list is just the start. Your full hunt plan is one click away. With GOHUNT Insider, you’ll get unit draw odds, terrain overlays, 3D maps, and planning tools built for the DIY hunter like you.
Trail’s gear list proves that a tight, no-fluff kit can handle everything September throws at you. From thirty-degree swings to brutal meat hauls, without dragging you down. Use this list to fine-tune your setup and grab any missing pieces from the GOHUNT Gear Shop before the first bugle breaks the silence on opening morning.
Got gear questions or looking to make a swap? Drop a comment. The GOHUNT team is always down to talk systems, tweaks, and backcountry recommendations.
Item | Game bags |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Seam-free bottom, grab handles for hanging |
Item | Knives |
Model | Goat Capra (replaceable) + Goat TUR carbon fixed |
Rationale | Scalpel for hide, fixed for joints |
Item | Blades |
Model | |
Rationale | Fresh edge ready as needed |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Game bags | Seam-free bottom, grab handles for hanging | |
Knives | Goat Capra (replaceable) + Goat TUR carbon fixed | Scalpel for hide, fixed for joints |
Blades | Fresh edge ready as needed |
Item | Rangefinder |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Archery-mode angle compensation for steep shots |
Item | Binoculars |
Model | Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX 12x42 |
Rationale | Sweet-spot magnification and brightness |
Item | Harness |
Model | |
Rationale | One-hand bino draw, dust-proof flap |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Rangefinder | Archery-mode angle compensation for steep shots | |
Binoculars | Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX 12x42 | Sweet-spot magnification and brightness |
Harness | One-hand bino draw, dust-proof flap |
Item | Stove |
|---|---|
Model | Soto Windmaster + 3.9 oz fuel |
Rationale | Roughly nine boils per can, enough for an eight-day loop |
Item | Pot |
Model | |
Rationale | Boil, eat, drink |
Item | Utensil |
Model | |
Rationale | One tool to rule freeze-dried pouches |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Stove | Soto Windmaster + 3.9 oz fuel | Roughly nine boils per can, enough for an eight-day loop |
Pot | Boil, eat, drink | |
Utensil | One tool to rule freeze-dried pouches |
Item | Nalgene Bottle |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Bomb-proof; no catastrophic bladder leaks |
Item | Collapsible Bottle |
Model | |
Rationale | Extra camp water that folds flat |
Item | Purification |
Model | |
Rationale | Ultra-light, kills everything, fool proof, no filter clogs |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Nalgene Bottle | Bomb-proof; no catastrophic bladder leaks | |
Collapsible Bottle | Extra camp water that folds flat | |
Purification | Ultra-light, kills everything, fool proof, no filter clogs |
Item | Cow call |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Fool-proof bite-and-blow |
Item | Bugle tube |
Model | |
Rationale | High-pitch volume that cuts timber |
Item | Diaphragms |
Model | |
Rationale | Consistent bugles and chirps |
Item | Call pouch |
Model | |
Rationale | One-hand grab on pack strap |
Item | Wind checker |
Model | |
Rationale | Very important, wind is everything |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Cow call | Fool-proof bite-and-blow | |
Bugle tube | High-pitch volume that cuts timber | |
Diaphragms | Consistent bugles and chirps | |
Call pouch | One-hand grab on pack strap | |
Wind checker | Very important, wind is everything |
Item | Pad |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Elite warmth-to-weight; worth the noise |
Item | Bivy |
Model | Rab Alpine Bivy |
Rationale | Toss-and-sleep, mobility |
Item | Tarp |
Model | |
Rationale | Fast sleep/storm pitch, invisible when skies are clear |
Item | Bag |
Model | |
Rationale | Roomy yet efficient; side zip pairs with their pillow |
Item | Pillow |
Model | |
Rationale | 1.5 oz ticket to better sleep |
Item | Ground cloth |
Model | |
Rationale | Pad protection and clean quartering surface |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Pad | Elite warmth-to-weight; worth the noise | |
Bivy | Rab Alpine Bivy | Toss-and-sleep, mobility |
Tarp | Fast sleep/storm pitch, invisible when skies are clear | |
Bag | Roomy yet efficient; side zip pairs with their pillow | |
Pillow | 1.5 oz ticket to better sleep | |
Ground cloth | Pad protection and clean quartering surface |
Item | Bow |
|---|---|
Model | Mathews Lift X 33 @ 70 lb |
Rationale | Longer axle-to-axle, limb-shift tech |
Item | Sight |
Model | |
Rationale | Multiple aiming points; ideal for incoming elk |
Item | Rest |
Model | |
Rationale | Rock-solid cable-driven drop-away |
Item | Stabilizers |
Model | Mathews Bridge-Lock 15″ front / 12″ rear (3 oz / 8 oz) |
Rationale | Balanced hold in swirling wind |
Item | Strings |
Model | Apex Custom |
Rationale | Zero creep, no peep rotation |
Item | Arrows |
Model | Ultraview 1K arrows, 300 spine, 470 gr finished |
Rationale | The thing most responsible for harvest success |
Item | Broadheads |
Model | SEVR 1.5 Ti hybrid |
Rationale | Field-point flight, titanium toughness |
Item | Quiver |
Model | |
Rationale | Bow balance plus quick reloads |
Item | Release |
Model | TruBall Executive hinge |
Rationale | Slows the shot, keeps target panic at bay |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Bow | Mathews Lift X 33 @ 70 lb | Longer axle-to-axle, limb-shift tech |
Sight | Multiple aiming points; ideal for incoming elk | |
Rest | Rock-solid cable-driven drop-away | |
Stabilizers | Mathews Bridge-Lock 15″ front / 12″ rear (3 oz / 8 oz) | Balanced hold in swirling wind |
Strings | Apex Custom | Zero creep, no peep rotation |
Arrows | Ultraview 1K arrows, 300 spine, 470 gr finished | The thing most responsible for harvest success |
Broadheads | SEVR 1.5 Ti hybrid | Field-point flight, titanium toughness |
Quiver | Bow balance plus quick reloads | |
Release | TruBall Executive hinge | Slows the shot, keeps target panic at bay |
Item | Backpack |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Beaver-tail access; comfortable carry |
Item | Add-ons |
Model | |
Rationale | Hydration with no “junk-drawers”(top lid) |
Item | Trekking pole |
Model | |
Rationale | Third contact point on deadfall; tarp pole in storms |
Item | Compression sacks |
Model | |
Rationale | Shrinks sleeping bag and puffy, frees pack volume |
Item | Possibles pouch |
Model | |
Rationale | Bright one-stop stash so nothing disappears in the dark |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Backpack | Beaver-tail access; comfortable carry | |
Add-ons | Hydration with no “junk-drawers”(top lid) | |
Trekking pole | Third contact point on deadfall; tarp pole in storms | |
Compression sacks | Shrinks sleeping bag and puffy, frees pack volume | |
Possibles pouch | Bright one-stop stash so nothing disappears in the dark |
Item | Stakes |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Lightweight, anchor tarp or tent |
Item | Power |
Model | 2 x 1000 mAH power bank |
Rationale | Get about 2 full phone + inReach charges each |
Item | Headlamps |
Model | PEAX Backcountry Duo & Petzl e+LITE |
Rationale | Main light with bright red mode and featherweight backup |
Item | Satellite Messenger |
Model | |
Rationale | Two-way texts and SOS anywhere |
Item | Tools |
Model | Allen wrench set + BCY #23 D-loop cord |
Rationale | Field fixes for rest, sight, and string loop |
Item | Saw |
Model | |
Rationale | Clear lanes and skull-capping |
Item | Tape & Marker |
Model | Sharpie wrapped in Leukotape |
Rationale | Tag signing and blister armor |
Item | Cordage |
Model | |
Rationale | Misc. & hang meat bags |
Item | Fire kit |
Model | Pyro Putty, 2 lighters, waterproof matches |
Rationale | Cold, wet survival insurance |
Item | Med & repair |
Model | First aid kit, Gear Aid Seam Grip WP Field Repair Kit, wet-wipes, tooth care |
Rationale | Keeps wounds, leaks, and hygiene in check |
Item | Tourniquet |
Model | North American Rescue C-A-T |
Rationale | Life saver if needed |
Item | Cables |
Model | |
Rationale | Charge phone, inreach, flashlight, banks |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Stakes | Lightweight, anchor tarp or tent | |
Power | 2 x 1000 mAH power bank | Get about 2 full phone + inReach charges each |
Headlamps | PEAX Backcountry Duo & Petzl e+LITE | Main light with bright red mode and featherweight backup |
Satellite Messenger | Two-way texts and SOS anywhere | |
Tools | Allen wrench set + BCY #23 D-loop cord | Field fixes for rest, sight, and string loop |
Saw | Clear lanes and skull-capping | |
Tape & Marker | Sharpie wrapped in Leukotape | Tag signing and blister armor |
Cordage | Misc. & hang meat bags | |
Fire kit | Pyro Putty, 2 lighters, waterproof matches | Cold, wet survival insurance |
Med & repair | First aid kit, Gear Aid Seam Grip WP Field Repair Kit, wet-wipes, tooth care | Keeps wounds, leaks, and hygiene in check |
Tourniquet | North American Rescue C-A-T | Life saver if needed |
Cables | Charge phone, inreach, flashlight, banks |
Item | Puffy pants |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Adds camp/glassing warmth and boosts sleep system |
Item | Down jacket |
Model | |
Rationale | Packs to grapefruit size yet erases any chill |
Item | Active mid-layer |
Model | |
Rationale | Berber fleece breathes uphill and dries fast when you sweat |
Item | Grid-fleece hoodie |
Model | |
Rationale | Lightweight, versatile “all-day” layer over a base tee |
Item | Rain shell |
Model | |
Rationale | Thunder-cell insurance without Alaska-grade bulk |
Item | Base tee |
Model | |
Rationale | Handles ninety-degree stalks and dries quickly in camp |
Item | Sun / thermal hoodie |
Model | |
Rationale | Thumb loops, deep zip, and odor control for multi-day wear |
Item | Underwear |
Model | |
Rationale | Zero chafe, fast dry, comfort |
Item | Hat |
Model | |
Rationale | Mesh panels vent heat well |
Item | Beanie |
Model | |
Rationale | Sleep warmth, easy on/off for listening to elk talk |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Rationale | Light fleece keeps fingers functional at dawn |
Item | Belt |
Model | |
Rationale | Holds hip quiver and keeps pants up |
Item | Pants |
Model | GOHUNT Lightweight Pant (available soon) |
Rationale | Favorite, great balance of fit, function and durability |
Item | Socks |
Model | |
Rationale | Ten-day durability with zero blisters |
Item | Boots |
Model | |
Rationale | Leather upper + Flex 4 sole for climbs and steep descents |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Puffy pants | Adds camp/glassing warmth and boosts sleep system | |
Down jacket | Packs to grapefruit size yet erases any chill | |
Active mid-layer | Berber fleece breathes uphill and dries fast when you sweat | |
Grid-fleece hoodie | Lightweight, versatile “all-day” layer over a base tee | |
Rain shell | Thunder-cell insurance without Alaska-grade bulk | |
Base tee | Handles ninety-degree stalks and dries quickly in camp | |
Sun / thermal hoodie | Thumb loops, deep zip, and odor control for multi-day wear | |
Underwear | Zero chafe, fast dry, comfort | |
Hat | Mesh panels vent heat well | |
Beanie | Sleep warmth, easy on/off for listening to elk talk | |
Gloves | Light fleece keeps fingers functional at dawn | |
Belt | Holds hip quiver and keeps pants up | |
Pants | GOHUNT Lightweight Pant (available soon) | Favorite, great balance of fit, function and durability |
Socks | Ten-day durability with zero blisters | |
Boots | Leather upper + Flex 4 sole for climbs and steep descents |
