At 4 a.m. in mid-October, there's still several hours of darkness ahead when Jesse heads into the mountains for a day of elk hunting. Jesse is one of our chefs at Gastro Gnome and has been hunting in the Bozeman area since 2011. Some of the perks of living in Bozeman? A massive elk population of course, and also not having to travel far to find them. That means Jesse can spend a full day in the mountains and still make it home for dinner with his family.
Here's what Jesse packed in his daypack for an 18-hour, 12-mile day in the mountains:
- Two Gastro Gnome meals: Biscuits & Gravy and Peach Cobbler
- One Gastro Gnome snick-snack: Maple Apple Trail Mix
- 2–3 liters of water
- Jetboil
- A "kill kit," including game bags, knives, and gloves
- Extra layers, including rain gear, an insulation layer for the cold, and an extra pair of dry socks
- Archery equipment, plus an extra release for his bow (it's easy to lose, he's learned!)
- Binoculars and harness
- Bear spray
Jesse likes to get hiking before sunrise, eventually finding a high point where he can sit, eat breakfast, and glass the valleys with his binoculars. He makes sure to bring plenty of snacks to enjoy while glassing, and tries to avoid eating while actively hunting.
On his most recent trip in the Bridger Mountains, he spotted two bull elk fighting over a group of cow elk, along with mule deer and a moose. Not a bad day in the mountains!
Jesse has been bringing Gastro Gnome meals along on his hunting trips for years. When you’re covering miles of rugged terrain from dawn to dusk, having clean, nutrient-dense food is an important part of the experience. A good meal to fuel your adventure is always worth making room for in your pack.
Stop by our store in Four Corners to shop our freeze-dried meals and chat with our team about the backcountry, or visit our online store to prep for your next adventure.
Happy hunting,
Gastro Gnome Meals
