If you're like me and you've grown up familiar with whitetail hunting but you're hoping to plan a hunt out west, this list is for you. Last year, I ventured on my first-ever, rifle elk hunt in Craig, Colorado. I literally learned about the hunt only TEN DAYS before I left; I had to scramble to find the correct stuff to pack. This year, I'm preparing for my first archery elk hunt in Carey, Idaho. I am by no means a western hunting expert but, by sharing what I've learned along the way, my hope is to help out other non-western hunters in a pinch.