Whoo Hooo!! I've been seeing a lot of deer here on the road system. as a matter of fact I shot a button buck with a muzzleloader on Sat. The WX is mostly clear 32 deg. wind 20kts and expecting about 1 inch of snow sometime after midnight. All in all, not bad weather. I hope it is like this or better when you get here.

13 days!

Rnovi, is this your first trip to AK ?

HH Impertech is the default standard AK. rain gear. You don't need two sets of rain gear and don't depend on goretex.

Stopping loading up on Cabela's stuff and start shopping at Barneys Sports Chalet. I find that most of the Cabelas stuff is too heavy for AK. The lighter your gear, the faster you can travel, the further you can go without running out of gas, the more likley you will be successful.

I have had Cabelas gear fail on me up there. There are a couple of exceptions to the above, Like Cabela's Microtex pants, maybe a couple other things. I would not depend on their stuff in that environment, after spending that much time and money to get there. Buy better gear.
Look for outer ware with pit zips, whenever you can, staying dry is staying warm. Being able to ventilate is important, does that heavy berber cabelas fleece have pit zips ? Or, will you just roast ? I think that stuff is more for stand hunting than hiking and you will do plenty of climbing and hiking.

I have one of those Berber fleece hoodies from Cabela's, since it is so warm and windproof I took it to AK ONCE. I used Cabela's points to get it for free. It did not compress worth a shit, was mad heavy and I did not even take it out in the field, I left it in the Outfitters house. It would however be good for a down home flat lands deer hunt. But, not for an Ak. Mtn hunt.

Nobody wears dickies anymore, get a windproof fleece head sock from Cabelas. There, that is another good item they have, OR a neck gaitor. The head sock is one of the first things that I pack, when I go. Mine is so old, it is not even windproof. The old saying if your head is warm, the rest of you will be warm applies. Keeping your neck warm while sitting is also important to keeping you warm. It get windy on Kodiak, be prepared for that.

The other first thing I like to put in my pack is a half roll of TP, in a zip loc bag, in case you need to dispose of some breakfast, while out in the field. Personally, I like to put a piece of 550 cord thru the cardboard roll, so I can hang it around my neck and use Cold Zero's head, as a field expedient Toilet paper dispensor. This works better than cutting up your $50 Patagonia bottoms, to use for ass wipe. If you need to use it, I think you will agree it is the most important item in your backpack. Can be used for fire starter also, but then again, My life better be on the line if I am burning the TP.

Who are you hunting with ? I have hunted there several times with the top Outfitters on the island and in the end did better by myself "semi" guided. Good luck.

I would go with either a light weight, or medium weight long underware, Patagonia makes good underware. Weight depends on how much you sweat. Personally, I like to start out the day and hike up in the lightweight weight, when I get to where I will be glassing, I take off the wet light weight and dry off in the wind for a minute, then put on a dry medium weight shirt and hang the wet one on a warm rock or bush to dry. But, hey that is just me.

I would not buy your boots from Cabelas either, if they are the house brand. If you are going with La Crosse, that is quality kit. For socks look into Smart Wool light hikers and pack an extra set in a zip lock bag in your pack.

I almost got stuck out over night on Kodiak once, when a boat was way late to pick us up. That changed my perspective on things when I saw how unprepeared my 30+ year veteran Outfitter was, for the situation. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own ass and what happens to it. After that reality check, I carry a fairly thorough well thought out survival kit.

Last tip, if you don't want to look like a tourist from California while you are there. Get yourself a pair of Carhartt pants to wear while going to, from and while you are there.

Post some photos when you come back.

quote:

Originally posted by guns68:
I stand by my comments. My rescue and survival are my responsibility and I delegate that to no one. Do what you are going to do.

Sage advice. I agree.

quote:

Originally posted by hntr:

quote:

Originally posted by guns68:
I do not want to be argumentative, but I think that's the first time I have ever heard someone say don't worry about personal survivial gear, especially when refering to Alaska. Too many things can go wrong. Do what ever you are going to do Robert, but I recommend erring on the side of caution. Just to be on the up and up, I carry survival gear to include an AquaSar with me even when I'm on the road system (pretty much the areas you can drive to) here in Kodiak.

He's going to be with a guide, no? I imagine the guide that has a lot of time logged on Kodiak has the necessary gear. We only had one between my hunting partner and I, kind of the same situation, one beacon two people.

Uh, been there done that. I hunted with the senior most Outfitter on Kodiak and got the lesson on, it's your ass, depend on no one. I would have ended up like a frozen Cod, if I depended (which I was that trip, never again) on the Outiftter to keep me alive. I likely would have survived the first night, but probably not the second night.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob:
You have pretty good gear recommendations so far. Wind on Kodiak can be the equivalent of riding a bike - it can flat out howl.

One thing I personally always take with me is a wide brimmed hat. You can go Gore-tex with Outdoor Research or with oilskin, like a Filson. I hate wearing a hood (especially in big brown bear country where I want to be able to hear everything that is going on around me), and a wide brimmed hat keeps the rain from running down my neck.

The Gore Tex hat from O.R. is a quality piece of kit. However, a soaking wet baseball hat works for me also. You can give 1-2 costs of a spray water proofer to your hat if you want overkill. I don't bother, but I do like a hood at certain times. Moving through tall brush would not be one of them.

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:


My guide is Jake Jefferson - he's got the first aid/survival/water stuff taken care of. I've had the joy of Montezuma's, compliments of Mexico...yeah, that's just bad news.

If get you get separated from the above J.J. Guide, then what is your plan ? Oh, shit ? How about if he gets mauled, not like that has not happened before.

As for shaving, that goes in the weight saving category, not needed.

Ak Stick, thanks for your service.

Rnovi, rain gear is not the place to save money. If you want to save money, buy a cheaper plance ticket and stay in chepa hotels while transiting to and from.

Since it's come up several times and it is a worthy question:

What exactly do you pack in your survival kit?

If I was local and did not have to content with TSA, the kit would be better, especially for Fire Starting.

Garmin GPS 60 CSX, Case, extra batts

Vertec X-700, 5 Watt Submersible Aviation/Marine Survival radio, packed in an Otterbox, with a list of frequencies.

V.S. 17 Panel

ACR MS 2000 Strobe Light

one roll red flagging tape

Rescue Reflectors 3" x 5" Signal Mirror

Fox 40 Whistle, lanyard

Write in the Rain notepad & Fisher Space Pen

Gerber Folding Saw

Survival Blanket H.D. with Grommets ( Green & Silver)

50' 550 Cord

Extra Pair of Smartwool Light hikers & liners in a zip loc

Katdayn Guide Water Filter

Victorinox Swisstool or Leatherman Wave, Eze-Lap sharpening stone

Petzl Tikka Headlamp & Small handheld LED light

Candles & Windproof lighter, World Survival Institute P60 Hot Spark Firemaker & popsicle sticks packed in mylar bag

Lifesaving Systems Corp.
Tri Sar Harness 487-0 Orange PFD (with CO2 cartridge removed)
http://www.lifesavingsystems.c.../general/frm_lsc.htm

CZ. Those of us who live here usually don't have half that stuff with us. We would have t hire a packer just to haul it around .......

What did we do before we had all that stuff. ....
maybe ignorance was bliss and we just enjoyed ourselves. Having a great Alaskan adventure.

quote:

Originally posted by Cold Zero:
If I was local and did not have to content with TSA, the kit would be better, especially for Fire Starting.

Garmin GPS 60 CSX, Case, extra batts
I usually carry this in my packboard. Could go with this, maybe.

Vertec X-700, 5 Watt Submersible Aviation/Marine Survival radio, packed in an Otterbox, with a list of frequencies.
Huh??? Get a S.P.O.T. with extra batteries

V.S. 17 Panel
What inell's this thing. Don't need.

ACR MS 2000 Strobe Light
Forget this too!!!

one roll red flagging tape
Always carry this in my packboard too. Good to mark your pack or downed game if ya gotta leave 'em for a while.

Rescue Reflectors 3" x 5" Signal Mirror
Naa! Don't need.

Fox 40 Whistle, lanyard
Don't need this either. Don't need to whistle Dixie.

Write in the Rain notepad & Fisher Space Pen
Don't need this either....

Gerber Folding Saw
Ok, here. But it's gonna be my game saw instead. In my packboard, of course.

Survival Blanket H.D. with Grommets ( Green & Silver)
I could go with this, ok.

50' 550 Cord
This is ALWAYS in my packboard..

Extra Pair of Smartwool Light hikers & liners in a zip loc
I always take extra socks on a trip but they don't stay in my packboard. Don't need 'em for survival.

Katdayn Guide Water Filter
Nice to have in camp, maybe but not necessary in a survival situation.

Victorinox Swisstool or Leatherman Wave, Eze-Lap sharpening stone
Don't need the Leatherman. I always carry a sharpening steel on my belt or in my packboard.

Petzl Tikka Headlamp & Small handheld LED light
Neither is necessary - leave at home..

Candles & Windproof lighter, World Survival Institute P60 Hot Spark Firemaker & popsicle sticks packed in mylar bag
My fire starters are strips of bicycle inner tube stored in a zip lock bag. They'll even start a fire with wet

Lifesaving Systems Corp.
Huh??? If I gotta ask what this is, I don't need it.

Tri Sar Harness 487-0 Orange PFD (with CO2 cartridge removed)
We're huntin the Brooks Range or, moose about 75 miles out of town. Shouldn't need to cross any rivers.
Again, too much bulk & weight.

http://www.lifesavingsystems.c.../general/frm_lsc.htm

Finally, in closing, IF you think you need survival gear on your hunt, I heartily suggest you make up some pemmican at home & take it with you. Pour the mix into a cupcake paper to cool/set up. Make sure to add salt & some spices (onion & garlic powder). Each small "hockey puck" will provide about 500 calories weighs about 6 ounces and nothing needs cooking. Taste isn't the best but it will keep you going. I virtually lived on it for about 2 days up in the Brooks. Some of the early Arctic explorers lived on this stuff on their journeys. If they did it, so can you.
In closing, what Gumboot wrote.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by Cold Zero:

quote:

Originally posted by hntr:

quote:

Originally posted by guns68:
I do not want to be argumentative, but I think that's the first time I have ever heard someone say don't worry about personal survivial gear, especially when refering to Alaska. Too many things can go wrong. Do what ever you are going to do Robert, but I recommend erring on the side of caution. Just to be on the up and up, I carry survival gear to include an AquaSar with me even when I'm on the road system (pretty much the areas you can drive to) here in Kodiak.

He's going to be with a guide, no? I imagine the guide that has a lot of time logged on Kodiak has the necessary gear. We only had one between my hunting partner and I, kind of the same situation, one beacon two people.

Uh, been there done that. I hunted with the senior most Outfitter on Kodiak and got the lesson on, it's your ass, depend on no one. I would have ended up like a frozen Cod, if I depended (which I was that trip, never again) on the Outiftter to keep me alive. I likely would have survived the first night, but probably not the second night.

So what did you do? Set off your satalite beacon and get picked up by the coast guard?

We were sitting by the shoreline, waiting to be picked up by Boat. When it got dark and no boat showed, the Outiftter started gathering Fire wood, while I sat there fat, dumb and happy, not really knowing what was going on. Until, the Outfitter told me the boat was not coming and to start gathering as much Fire wood, as I could. That is when reality set in.

I asked how do you know the boat is not coming, he replied the boat never makes a pick up after dark. The boat ride was 45-60 min to go back to camp. Said boat had no running lights, no PFD's, was flat bottomed (for lake use), had a rotted out internal gas tank requiring the use of a red plastic portable tank, no hard wired in VHF radio, no backup outboard, etc. When he tried to reach the boat on his handheld, the batteries and compartment were corroded, so no comms.

I was already cold from a long day of hunting in single digit temps, the wind was howling, I had no food or water left. So, I started gathering wood quickly. The boat did eventually pick us up that night well after dark.

To sum up, it was a reality check for me, to teach me what could happen if you depend on others to save you or to be prepared. I now take things into my own hands.

While I have been on 4 AK. Sheep and Goat hunts, anyone who can not easily carry my above list of items on a Kodiak Deer hunt needs to work on their fitness.

How much is your life worth ?

Well it's good you got with the firewood .. some hunters w ill just whine like a girl
Comms gear is grossly overrated ..

I guess that's the difference between resident sport / subsistance hunters and visiting sport hunters.
Basically all you need is to be able to stay warm and have enough water and food to function. All the toys and Nick knacks may keep you occupied and get your mind off being stuck where you are. But correct activity will serve you a lot better.

Well folks, I'm here now! Here's hoping all the planning and help from you all pays off in a fine adventure!


Either way, I'm here now and living the dream.

WOOL and lots of it. 20 degrees isn't that cold but i can assure you that 20 degrees with 80 percent humidity is plenty uncomfortable. ive lived in southeast alaska for almost 20 years and wool is hard to beat in the wet. i usually wear some polarfleece longjohns under wool bibs and my hip boots over that. if you get hot (and you will with all the hiking around here) you can remove layers before you start to sweat. as some of the other posters have said, blacktail aren't very sensitive to color (at least the last 40 or so that ive encountered) so a wool plaid shirt in earth tones or green and black checkered has worked well for me.

I spend a lot of time out in some crappy Colorado weather. The neck GAITER (gator is that scaley lookign ugly animal from the south)makes a workd of difference when it is wet and windy and nasty out.

Someone mentioned a good survival food for emergencies.

I take these everywhere and love them.

Meal Pack Bars