Any interest in an actual hunting thread ?

[CRJR45]

I am in the planning stages for a Alaska hunt , my first , should I post about it or shall we continue the veiled political posts ?

My wife and I hope to fly up in the middle of August and spend some time fishing and sightseeing for a couple weeks . Then she will fly home while me and a friend fly into the bush for ten days . I have the tag and transport all lined up , just more ideas about what NOT to bring , LOL .
I'm the over packing kind of guy .

Any interest ?

 

[Dave N]

 

[Hammsolo]

I’ve never been, but would love to hear the story as it unfolds.

 

[The_Jim]

Got no advice, but what are you hunting?

 

[longbow51]

Lots of things not to take, but take a really good tent, think Hilleberg. It can really blow and you need something bombproof.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Yes please.

 

[Werty]

Your location will decide on what you should bring. I assume you have done this, but definitely contact your transporter and go off there recommendation.
Unfortunately without knowing your location and game your hunting. Its hard to give suggestions. Hunting the SE is totally different than the NW.

 

[nrpate05]

Is there a political angle we can derail this thread with...??

 

[CRJR45]

Moose hunt in the SE side of the state .

Lots of things not to take, but take a really good tent, think Hilleberg. It can really blow and you need something bombproof.

How many tents ? A wall tent ? Or just my Big Agnes ?

 

[noharleyyet]

I'm appalled with the lack of ideological sensitivity connoted by your egregious title mister... ...how dare you.

 

[Werty]

I would definitely reccomend a tent with wood stove (bring a good hand saw) for drying out gear. A wall tent is nice if you can put on the plane. Bring a tarp and lightweight chair, when its raining you're not stuck in your tent. Bring good rain gear. I would first see how much weight I'm allowed to carry on the plane and then go from there

 

[CRJR45]

I would definitely reccomend a tent with wood stove (bring a good hand saw) for drying out gear. A wall tent is nice if you can put on the plane. Bring a tarp and lightweight chair, when its raining you're not stuck in your tent. Bring good rain gear. I would first see how much weight I'm allowed to carry on the plane and then go from there

Going to need an extra trip to drop off supplies, already factored that in . I have a couple tarps and a fold up chair .
The transporter has a wall tent I can use .
What about water filtration?
I’m taking six solar lights , like walk way type . Rain gear I have plenty of , do I take one set or more ?

 

[CRJR45]

I'm appalled with the lack of ideological sensitivity connoted by your egregious title mister... ...how dare you.

Do you need a safe space ?

 

[noharleyyet]

Do you need a safe space ?

 

[longbow51]

Moose hunt in the SE side of the state .

How many tents ? A wall tent ? Or just my Big Agnes ?

I've only been once, but was caught in a blizzard for 5 days. I think the Big Agnes is risky.

 

[Werty]

Going to need an extra trip to drop off supplies, already factored that in . I have a couple tarps and a fold up chair .
The transporter has a wall tent I can use .
What about water filtration?
I’m taking six solar lights , like walk way type . Rain gear I have plenty of , do I take one set or more ?

Yes on taking water filter with a extra bag. I personally would take 1 set of rain gear with some repair tape, you could toss in a small packable rain poncho in case.

 

[CRJR45]

What about bears ? Do I need bear fencing?
If you owned a Glock 23 would take it or buy G29 ?

 

[Little Canyon Creek]

When we flew into the Alaska range, we brought a bear fence to fence off our camp. But at the landing strip we met some seasoned Alaskan dall sheep hunters that were getting taken out who told us that these bears didn't really bother tents. Their explanation was that unlike YNP bears that get used to campsites and tents being a potential source of food, these bears didn't really know what they were and would generally avoid them. They advised us to keep the food in the tent vestibule but to use the electric fence for the meat away from our camp, which is what we did. Our food was just freeze dried meals, and we kept the used packages contained within a dry bag, so I think our cooking created minimal food scent. If you are actually cooking stuff over a fire or with a gas stove you would probably want to take different precautions than we did. We didn't have any problems, but maybe other people with more Alaska experience will disagree with this advice.

We did see a sow grizzly on our trip. She was munching on blueberries over a mile away from our camp on the first day we could hunt, and she wandered off somewhere as we didn't see her again for the rest of the hunt. We didn't have any bear protection other than our rifles, and I didn't feel unprepared. Having both fired handguns and practiced in an empty field with bear spray, I can tell you that I know which one I would take in an emergency situation, and it is not the handgun. The margin for error with a handgun under a stressful and dynamic situation is much smaller than with bear spray. But bear spray is maybe a no go on your flight in. If that is the case, I would take a handgun over some archery equipment if you are going that route. Odds are you won't have a problem though, especially if you approach your carcass carefully and store your meat away from camp with an electric fence.

If anything, the Alaskans we met told us we would have more problems with the ground squirrels messing with our stuff. That proved to be true, with one particularly curious ground squirrel constantly causing minor problems for us, including nibbling on a water bladder when we weren't looking. Luckily we had spares, but watch out for those dang ground squirrels.

Good luck with your trip! I can't wait to go back and hunt Alaska, and I am sure you will have a ton of fun.

 

[CRJR45]

When we flew into the Alaska range, we brought a bear fence to fence off our camp. But at the landing strip we met some seasoned Alaskan dall sheep hunters that were getting taken out who told us that these bears didn't really bother tents. Their explanation was that unlike YNP bears that get used to campsites and tents being a potential source of food, these bears didn't really know what they were and would generally avoid them. They advised us to keep the food in the tent vestibule but to use the electric fence for the meat away from our camp, which is what we did. Our food was just freeze dried meals, and we kept the used packages contained within a dry bag, so I think our cooking created minimal food scent. If you are actually cooking stuff over a fire or with a gas stove you would probably want to take different precautions than we did. We didn't have any problems, but maybe other people with more Alaska experience will disagree with this advice.

We did see a sow grizzly on our trip. She was munching on blueberries over a mile away from our camp on the first day we could hunt, and she wandered off somewhere as we didn't see her again for the rest of the hunt. We didn't have any bear protection other than our rifles, and I didn't feel unprepared. Having both fired handguns and practiced in an empty field with bear spray, I can tell you that I know which one I would take in an emergency situation, and it is not the handgun. The margin for error with a handgun under a stressful and dynamic situation is much smaller than with bear spray. But bear spray is maybe a no go on your flight in. If that is the case, I would take a handgun over some archery equipment if you are going that route. Odds are you won't have a problem though, especially if you approach your carcass carefully and store your meat away from camp with an electric fence.

If anything, the Alaskans we met told us we would have more problems with the ground squirrels messing with our stuff. That proved to be true, with one particularly curious ground squirrel constantly causing minor problems for us, including nibbling on a water bladder when we weren't looking. Luckily we had spares, but watch out for those dang ground squirrels.

Good luck with your trip! I can't wait to go back and hunt Alaska, and I am sure you will have a ton of fun.

Thats what I'm talking about ! ^ Ok , what about bear spray in a high wind situation ? Some kind of ground traps for the rodents ?

 

[fallfreak]

Glad to read a thread on hunting!