Thought you might enjoy this. http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite...rticles/snowykodiak/
You guys are plenty tough. I would like to find 1 African hunter who would willingly go and freeze his ass off in a tent for 10 days and then take on a bear in the open without even a decent DG rifle at hand.
Better yet I read that the average whitetail hunter will spend up to 8 solid days up a tree to take his buck. That is a lot of time up a tree.
Having always wanted to hunt and explore Alaska I guess it all holds a special mystique for me, but on average how do you who have hunted both areas (AK and Africa) rate them in terms of overall hunt satisfaction.
Ian

Vlam, I
Interesting question. Africa is one of my favorite places to hunt. So is Alaska. Both have merits and drawbacks. Alaska is cold, Africa is not. Alaska snow, Africa not. Lots of different animals in Africa. Alaska has plenty of animals but not the variety like Africa. Africa, we at least, have to use a guide. Most hunts are very civilized. Alaska we can do it all ourselves. We can also walk for a week and not even see a sign of another human being. Both places are great. Each has its own merits and drawbacks. As I get older I find I tolerate the cold less. Lasting 8 days in a treestand is about average for deer. Oh and I have never been snowed in in Africa. Neither have I had an avalanche close the only trail out. Or had snow above the peak of a cabin. Can you tell I dont like the cold much anymore? The wildness yes, cold no. Arfica, things that are venomous and slither, alaska no. Africa has 100 degree hunting days, alaska not. Alaska -40 degrees, Africa not

Mike
Thanks for he answer. I think I will just have to try both and see what flies. Hell any hunting is good hunting. I can see where that cold starts to get to you. Had snow three times here this year but nothing like what you have.
The real attraction for me in AK is the openness, like you say you can go for days without seeing anyone, that is something that must be worth a million bucks after sitting in an office for a few months.
-40 OUCH.
Anyway, now I just have to try it for myself. What would you recommend for a first time NA hunter who wants to get out into the wilds?
Ian

Once you've sat in a tree in a wind at -25C you'll have a whole new appreciation for what cold can do to your mental state. I've sat there for 3 or 4 hours constantly convincing myself to stay put. It's a real let down to go through that torture and climb down at dark with no shot taken. Then you have to get your frozen body a mile or more back to a cold truck. My fingers will barely get the key in the door they are so stiff. But you know what-the next day I'm ready to go again.

Compared to Africa where the gin and tonic is waiting north American hunting is a wee bit different.

the chef