GEARING UP FOR YOUR HUNT

Over the years, our experience has shown that the more relaxed, patient type of hunter has the greatest chance of success in securing the larger trophies.  Although you are the one who paid for the hunt and rightfully will expect your money’s worth, please keep in mind what we consider to be your obligations and responsibilities to our professional staff.  They are as follows:

1. Bring good quality equipment as specified below.
2. You don’t have to be a match shooter, but you should be able to shoot a 6-inch group at 200 yards.  PRACTICE SHOOTING FROM PRONE, STANDING, AND (PARTICULARLY) SITTING POSITIONS.  The sitting position is the most versatile and accurate for field shooting conditions.  PRACTICE IT – LEARN IT!!

Individuals should bring the following gear with them:

1. Rain Gear - A complete set of top quality waterproof rain gear including a pair of bib overalls or loose fitting waist pants and preferably a ¾ length jacket; no poncho style rain slickers as they are not suitable to wind and brush.  We will order these for you, pre-paid at approx. $145, if you don’t have them. We recommend Grundens Petrus 3/4 length coat and Grundens Petrus pants, available at Mack's Sports Shop (see below).
2. Hip Boots - One pair of good quality insulated hip boots that fit snugly with two pair of boot socks (one heavy and one medium).  We will order these for you, pre-paid at approx. $140, if you don’t’ have them. We recommend LaCrosse Big Chief Waders (600 Grams Thinsulate Insulated), available at Mack's Sports Shop (see below).
3. Sleeping Bag - One good quality sleeping bag (down fill, Primaloft or Hollo fill rated to 0 degrees F or more).
4. Parka - One cold weather field coat or parka with hood.  This coat should be as compactable as possible.  Thinsulate or Primaloft type insulation is good.
5. Hat - One stocking style hat and one bill hat; brown, green or camouflage are best.
6. Gloves - One pair of warm wool or fleece gloves and one pair of Atlas PVC insulated rubber gloves with removable liners, available at Mack's Sports Shop (see below).
7. Jacket - A polyester pile or polar fleece jacket – these are very good under rain gear as they keep moisture out and dry quickly, e.g. Sport Hill 3SP Jacket, Sitka Gear Celsius Jacket, etc.
8. Heavy Shirt - One wool or fleece field shirt.
9. Long Underwear - One set of Carol Davis Sportswear long underwear, one set of light weight merino wool long underwear.
10. Socks - Three pair of heavy wool and cotton boot socks and three pair of medium wool socks. Smartwool is recommended.
11. Pants - One pair of medium weight polyester or wool field pants. We recommend Sport Hill 3SP Pants or Filson wool pants.
12. Binoculars - One pair of Binoculars, 8x32 or 10x40 are recommended.
13. Headlamp - One flashlight, one head lamp, LED style (Petzle).
14. Waterproof Bags - One waterproof bag for camera, film and other personal items.
15. Space Blanket - One ‘thermal space blanket’, 6’x8’ or 8’x10’ – these make good ground cloths for sitting on while glassing.
16. Scope Covers - One set of scope covers; inner tube type is very good in brush.
17. Water Bottles - One Nalgene style water bottle, one water treatment bottle: 20-26 oz. Katodyn type.
18. Sleeping Pad - One Therma Rest Sleeping Pad or light weight good quality air mattress.
19. Hand and foot warmers - Catalytic hand and foot warmers.
20. Personal Items - Personal medications, bio-degradable soap, toiletries, baby wipes, toothbrush, razor, etc.
21. Back Pack - Top Quality Back-Pack, ruck or frame style – Discuss this with me personally.
22. Satellite Phone - This is optional. We have satellite phones in our camps, but they are usually not for personal use. If you need to make frequent personal/business phone calls, we recommend you buy or rent a satellite phone of your own, especially if you have any health concerns. Iridium is best.

*Goat Hunters should bring high quality good fitting quality hiking boots such as Meindl, Kennetrek, Scarpa, Lowa, Danner, etc.

Recommended caliber for Moose and/or Deer:

30.06, 300 Win or WBY Mag, .338 Win. Mag .375 H&H Mag.,.

Recommended caliber for Brown Bear & Goat:

300 Win or WBY Mag., .338 Win. Mag., .340 and .378 Weatherby Mag. .375 H&H Mag.

I Recommend Top Quality Scopes and Mounts

WHAT NOT TO BRING!

1. DO NOT bring jumbo size duffle bags.  They will not fit in our aircraft.  It's preferable to use standard size rubber/waterproof duffle bags.
2. DO NOT bring jumbo size gun cases.  They won't fit in our aircraft, either.
3. DO NOT bring suitcases; travel as light and tight as possible.

Hip boots, proper raingear, and packs may be pre-purchased from me with two-month advance notice and payment. 

1. Hip Boots: $140.00
2. Rain Coat: $145.00
3. Backpacks: $240.00 to $600.00

We can purchase other necessary items for you on request and will bill you accordingly.

Traveling gear (your home to camp) MUST BE limited to:

1. 2 duffle bags or 1 duffle bag & 1 pack: maximum combined weight of 80#
2. one gun case - with enclosed soft case
3. one hand carry

For your last minute gear and equipment needs, I recommend these sporting goods stores in Anchorage.

Mountain View Sporting Goods

3838 Old Seward Hwy.

Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 563-8600

(907) 563-8297 fax

www.alaskaoutdoors.com/MVSC

email: mvsports@alaska.net

Barney's Sport Chalet

906 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 561-5242

(907) 561-1027 fax

www.barneyssports.com

Mack's Sport Shop

212 Lower Mill Bay Rd.

Kodiak, AK 99615

(907) 486-4276

www.mackssportshop.com

You will be traveling to ‘Bush Alaska’ where you cannot always obtain what you want.  Here are some things frequently desired but unavailable:

1. Film
2. Cigarettes
3. Liquor
4. Batteries (whatever size you’ll be needing)
5. Moleskin (for blisters brought on by hip boots)

Airlines now limit you to 2 bags at 50 pounds each plus one carry-on bag.

Excess baggage is at a rate of $50 or more per each piece.