These are the brands elk hunters rely on for clothing, packs, boots, calls and optics. Many are based in Montana, close to the elk country where their gear is tested.
| Brand | Based In | Founded | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sitka Gear | Bozeman, MT | 2005 | Technical hunting apparel |
| KUIU | Dixon, CA | 2011 | Ultralight layers, sold direct |
| Mystery Ranch | Bozeman, MT | 2000 | Load-hauling frame packs |
| Stone Glacier | Bozeman, MT | 2012 | Ultralight modular packs |
| Kenetrek | Bozeman, MT | 2005 | Mountain hunting boots |
| Phelps Game Calls | Pe Ell, WA | 2009 | Elk diaphragm calls |
| Vortex Optics | Barneveld, WI | 2004 | Binoculars and VIP warranty |
Sitka Gear
Founded in 2005 by Jonathan Hart and Jason Hairston, Sitka set out to bring technical outdoor fabrics to hunting clothing. The company moved its headquarters from Napa, California, to Bozeman in 2011.
KUIU
Jason Hairston launched KUIU in 2011 after co-founding Sitka, building ultralight hunting layers sold directly to hunters instead of through stores.
Mystery Ranch
Pack designers Dana Gleason and Renee Sippel-Baker founded Mystery Ranch in Bozeman in 2000, after decades of building packs together. Its frames are known for carrying heavy loads, which makes them popular for packing out elk.
Stone Glacier
Kurt Racicot founded Stone Glacier in 2012 after building his own lightweight packs for alpine sheep hunts. The company makes modular frame packs and mountain clothing in Bozeman.
Kenetrek
Jim Winjum founded Kenetrek in Bozeman in 2005 after years designing boots for another Bozeman company. Kenetrek designs its mountain boots in Montana and has them built in Italy.
Phelps Game Calls
Civil engineer and elk hunter Jason Phelps started Phelps Game Calls in 2009 in Pe Ell, Washington. Its elk diaphragms and bugles are among the most popular on the market.
Vortex Optics
The Hamilton family brought the Vortex brand to market with its VIP warranty, and the company is headquartered in Barneveld, Wisconsin. Its binoculars and spotting scopes are common in elk camps.
Sources
- Outdoor Sports Wire: Sitka Gear background
- Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Sitka moves to Bozeman
- KUIU: about us
- Mystery Ranch: Kletterwerks history
- Textile World: Vista Outdoor acquires Stone Glacier
- Guidefitter: the Kenetrek story
- GearJunkie: MeatEater acquires Phelps Game Calls
- Vortex Optics: who we are