Dan's GEAR
PNUMA - Base layers merino wool top & bottom, gunnison hoodie, waypoint jacket & pant, insulator vest, and for late season whitetails iconx heated core vest. Discount Code: elkshape20
ONXHUNT - Download your maps for offline mode before you step out the door on your next hunt. This is the most reliable mapping application out there. Discount Code: ELKSHAPE
WILDERNESS ATHLETE - Trust your recovery from training and hunting with hydrate & recover, energy & focus, pack-out bars & bites and more. Discount Code: elkshape30
MATHEWS ARCHERY - V3 31 has 75# mods, 80% let-off, custom strings from Podium Archer (BCY 454), Bowmar Nosebutton, 3/16 peep from Radical Designs, Hamskea Trinity Rest, Black Gold Pro Sight (3 pin slider), Mathews Web Quiver (4 arrow), Engage Leg Limbs, 10" Flatline Stabilizer up front (2oz) with 10 Degree Drop, 8" Flatline Rear Stabilizer (4oz), Titanium Archery Products Infinite Angle Rear Mount, Mathews Side Plates.
V3 27 - 75# Mods, 80% let-off, custom strings from Podium Archer (BCY 454), Bowmar Nosebutton, 1/4" peep from Radical Designs, Hamskea Trinity Rest, Black Gold Pro Sight (single pin), Mathews Web Quiver (4 arrow), Engage Leg Limbs, 10" Titanium Archery Products Stabilizer (2oz) with 10 Degree Drop, 8" Rear Stabilizer (4oz), Mathews Side Plates
VORTEX OPTICS - My favorite item is the UHD 10x42's for all hunting pursuits. Rangefinder of choice is the Razor HD 4000, and Spotter is a Razor 65mm angled on their Summit Carbon II tripod made specifically for the backcountry. I also am in love with their Vortex Wear for training and scouting. Discount Code: elkshape
KIFARU - My preferred pack and frame for ALL elk hunting is the HOODLUM on a Duplex. Other good options are the .22 Mag, Kutthroat or Stryker. I also use the Shape Charge on whitetail hunts. I've tried so many packs out on the market, Kifaru is hands down the best fitting frame I've found.
BLACK RIFLE COFFEE - Veteran owned & operated and unapologetically American. Need I say more? I use their instant coffee packs and pour overs at basecamp or on the mountain. When I am at home, I prefer JUST BLACK beans and generally do a pour over with a CHEMEX set-up, weigh & measure my grind and enjoy the best testing coffee on the market. Discount Code: elkshape
BAKCOU - I am in love with my eBike, it's literally a MULE and appropriately named that. I use it for cruising cat roads looking for spring bear in full stealth mode. You can use it to easily sneak into your treestand sets or pitch bugles off of it in September. Best money spent! Discount Code: elkshape
BOOTS - I've tried Kenetrek, HanWag, Crispi and Danner. I prefer a wider toe box, higher boot, stiff but not too stiff, very grippy vibram on the bottom, leather or synthetic depending on the weather & terrain (synthetic can dry fast). Boots are so personal so please find what works for you. Currently winning in my mind is the Crispi Colorado, Guides & Briksdal. Buy them HERE & use Discount Code: elkshape
TREKKING POLES - I have 2 pairs and love both. One is the LEKI Micro Vario and the other is Black Ovis Crestone Collapsible, buy either HERE & use Discount Code: elkshape
STOVE - Tried & true Jetboil
CHEST HOLSTER - I use a glock .40 in regular black bear and wolf country. If I am in Grizz country then it's a S&W .44mag. I have chest holsters for both that fit under my bino harness from Northwest Retention Systems, click this LINK and use the Discount Code: elkshape
BINO HARNESS - I have tried them all... Adak, Alaska Guide Creations, FHF, Pnuma, Vortex, etc... so far, my favorite is from Marsupial and here's the LINK.
TARGETS - 365 Archery targets hold up to field points and broadheads, plus I can replace the core when needed. I take the 36" diameter with the 10" core with me on the road when traveling for elk hunts. I sell them here in our store.
CAMERA GEAR - Most photos and videos captured are through a Sony A7III, AS7III, A7C, and a bunch of lenses. My favorite lenses are all Sony G series - 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 70-200mm. We also use DJI products from gimbels, action cams and drones. Images are all about good lighting and composition. Filming is more technical in my opinion, my best advice is worry more about educating yourself on photography then worrying about buying expensive gear.
FREEZE DRIED FOOD - Stowaway Gourmet Discount Code: elk10
BROADHEADS - I have had tremendous luck with Grim Reaper Micro Hades 3 blades, made in America. I am also tinkering with IronWill s125 and s100's with bleeders. Speaking of Ironwill, I really dig their titanium HIT inserts and collars. I have both their 10grain and 25 grain impact collars. I don't use mechanicals and I think they will eventually fail you, just my opinion.
KNIVES - I have tried so many on elk, my absolute favorite is the classic BUCK 110 and their Legendary Hunting Skinning Knives.
ARROWS - ABT (always be tinkering) - currently I am using Easton Axis 5mm Match grade 340 spines. I really like AAE Max Stealth vanes, I put them in max helical. I have tinkered with AAE Hybrid 26 and Hunters as well, but ultimately I end up with the Stealths. I don't like wraps on the back of the arrow and when I am not hunting in Idaho I use nockturnal lighted nocks. My goal for FOC is 13-15% and a total weight around 440-480 grains given my draw length of 27".
RELEASES - I get asked this a lot so here goes - most of the elk I have harvested have been with a Scott XT singe hook index release. I also use a Carter Too Simple 3 finger thumb when hunting. In practice, I float around a lot hinges, tension, etc... some of the other releases I own are Carter Honey, HTM, Scott Black Hole, Nockon Backstrap.
TRAIL CAMS - I have tried many and found the best luck with SPYPOINT - I run lithium AA's and a 64GB memory card on video mode, use their cell phone cams and transmit images directly to my phone. Also, they make CELL LINKs that can turn any trail cam into a cell phone cam!
SLEEP SYSTEMS - I run a 2 man tent from Klymit (Maxfield), a floorless shelter from Seek Outside called Cimarron 4P with stove for colder hunts. I really like my Western Mountaineering Versalite on a Klymit pad, but I run cold so keep that in mind.
OFF ROAD POWER PRODUCTS - My truck is a mobile attack unit for elk hunting out west. I have a Ready Lift for suspension, a full DECKED system for storage, Method Wheels (MR315), Nitto Ridge Grips Tires, Thule Tepui Roof Top Tent on a Leightner Rack.
Bulletproof Your Shoulders
Healthy shoulders rank supreme in my little world of archery. I would encourage anyone not wanting to go under the knife for shoulder surgery to create a dedicated space for bands and shoulder stability. I like the simplicity of CrossOver Symmetry. Here’s the LINK to learn more about CrossOver Symmetry and here’s a LINK to get the Amazon knock off. I don’t care what you buy, but I do want this equipment readily available for your garage gym.
Discount Code CrossOver: elkshape
Getting Home Gym Equipment on the CHEAP
I suggest shopping Craigslist, Garage Sales or Facebook Marketplace. If you’re an Amazon Prime Member then take advantage of their fast free shipping. When we used to own a gym, we paid so much in freight fees that it would make you sick. Here’s a list of items to start thinking about for down the road. These are listed in no particular order:
- Get a Pull-Up Bar LINK
- Get a Pair of Dumbbells LINK
- Snag a decent Barbell LINK
- One or Two Kettlebells 35# and 53# LINK
- MedBall 20# LINK
- Bumper Plate Set 45’s # 25’s#, 10’s# LINK
- Assault Bike LINK
- Concept II Rower LINK
- Concept II Ski Erg LINK
- CrossOver Symmetry LINK
- Squat Rack LINK
I would start slow on building your garage gym. Over time, you can find good deals locally and add to your arsenal. If you're a Rogue Fitness fan, wait for November when they have awesome daily deals that will save you cash on equipment and shipping. There's a lot of competition in the home gym supplier market, so feel free to check out other brands as they're moving towards better and better gear. Also, buying a ton of gear out the gate is a mistake many make. Don't believe me? Just ask every CrossFit gym owner that shops Facebook Marketplace - there's always great equipment to purchase from locals that were overzealous on building a garage gym until it started collecting dust. You have to make darn sure you're committed to working out in the cold and dark garage gym when you don't feel like it. Start building today, pace yourself, and eventually you'll have a killer set-up that is extremely convenient.