Take some thin easy to pack rope or parachute cord. If you get an elk down and need to gut it by yourself having rope to tie a leg off to a tree or other support can be a big help and if you plan on quartering or boning it out and need to hang it. HIgh energy protein bars or FINiBARs I recommend from Biotest.net for pack food if you're going to be humping the boonies for long hours.

Good luck!

Thanks ,great advice. You're making me feel like I maybe somewhat prepared. I have both those items or at least accpetable subsitutes.

take some chap stick. mountain air can be very dry at times. also put some extra socks in your pack. Dry socks around lunch time feel pretty good. and as SoCokhntr said, parachute cord is a life saver. It comes in handy in more ways than one.

Along the same line, one guy suggested that I bring along some Saline nasal spray. This helps keep the nose moist and helps prevent nose bleeds.

Thanks for all the input!

OMG! Great suggestion! I am never w/o a botle or two around. People are suprised as to how dry it really is round these parts! ...well maybe not as bad this year So helps when at higher altitudes when there is even less H2O...though do not over do it either as you culd develop fluids in the lungs if at high alt for an extended period. I usually use mine 2-3 times a day, with a spray or two in each nostril.

Your TAGS !!

Some game bags to put your meat into, black pepper to coat the meat (stop flies and their eggs), emergency fire starting supplies, spare batteries for the electronic stuff, emergency shelter (space blanket), knife sharpener tool, a tube of crazy glue(does a multitude of things, to include emergency stitches on a deep wound)

Tags - check, double check!!!
Got all the other stuff too, with the exception of super glue.
Guess there will be another trip to the store

Thanks all.

Headlamp, batteries, fire startin method I(i always start a fire next to the carcass to keep away the critters for my return trips), a hand full of nitril gloves, blade sharpener, folding saw, scent killer (i swear by dead down wind), good binocs, dont forget your trigger release =), cow calls (diaphragm and sigle reed), a can of copenhagen, a big-ass bowl of wheaties!

Nice idea! ...that fire can sure help keep the fingers toasty when cleaning that bugger out when it is -5 degrees!

Although you didn't say whether you were on a guided hunt or not, the next item you should always have.(I have guided for the past 15 years) A diaphragm elk call. Even with a guide behind you calling, most likely you will need to stop that big bull for the shot. By being the one to stop him, you are then choosing where he stands for a shot and is in a clear shooting lane which your guide can't often see. If you don't already have a diaphragm, I would recommend the "sound plate" calls from primos...easy to use even for a beginner. Practice making both cow sounds and bull sounds on the reed. Don't worry about sounding perfect but do attempt to get skilled enough that you can both mew like a cow and do a low "growl" like a bull. As for which sound to use when a bull is coming in........pay attention to which sounds the guide/caller is using that the bull is actually coming in to. Often i will be both cow-calling and bugling at the same bull, however it is actually one of those two sounds that is really moving the bull. If he is coming hot to the cow call then a cow or calf mew will stop him in his tracks for the shot but if he is coming to fight and you mew at him often times he will continue walking thru your shooting lane as he is focused on finding that bull to fight. If he is coming for a fight then a low "growl" on the reed will stop him in his tracks more effectively and keep him in your shooting lane. Oh and if it isn't on your list already I would definitely recommend a laser rangefinder........one misjudged shot on a big bull and that $200 will seem like a bargain! Good luck out here, hope you let the air out of a biggun!