I am about 40 days away from my sheep hunt in AK. I have trained as hard as I possibly could given where I live and I have a demanding profession that causes me to travel often. I am in the best shape I have been in for a very long time. I have almost all of my equipment/gear.

My biggest problems were boots. I got a pair of Kennetreks. They would not work. I got 4 different pairs of Scarpa boots. They never fit right. I tried several others that I did not buy. I finally got a pair of Lowa's as well as something from Cabela's. I am not 100% happy. They are probably about as good as I will be able to get. I have probably covered over 125 miles in the Lowa's and 60 in the Cabela's boots often wearing a pack.

When I booked the hunt, I drastically increased by exercise. I exercised a lot before. I also drastically descreased what I ate down to 1200-1500 calories a day. I was often exercising 4 hours a day. HARD!! One would think I would lose weight. Wrong. I gained 17 pounds. After a lot of medical tests, it was determined that I suceeded in putting my body in starvation mode. My metabolism had almost shut down. They now have me eating about 3 times what I was eating. The weight is coming off. I wish I had figured this out earlier.

I appreciate all of the help that various parties have given me.

I have some more questions as follows:

1- I have a full exterior frame pack. I doubt it will fit in the overhead bin of the plane. How do you transport these packs without getting them wrecked?

2-I have 10 days until we leave for 10 days of bird shooting in Argentina. I have been training with 60 pounds of corn in my pack. I am thinking about adding 10-15 more pounds. Is this a good idea at this late date?

3- I will get back from Argentina about 3 weeks before I leave for AK. At what point do you think I should start to taper off and let my body recover?

4- My socks are all wool I think. I have Darn Tough and some others whose name escapes me. I am a bit concerned whether these will dry out easily or not. Any comments would be apreciated.

5- I have several pairs of Merino wool long underwear. I also have several pairs of Under Armour. Which would you use?

6- I have Sitka rain gear as well as the Helly-Hanson plastic stuff. Which would you use?

7- Has anyone ever used Thompson's Waterseal on you boots? If so, how did it work.

8- I am thinking is coating my boots with Thompson's Waterseal 2 or 3 times. Then, just before I leave, cover them with the Grainger's wax. What do you experts think?

9- Can anyone recommend a good outdoor store in Fairbanks? I need to buy things like waterproof, windproof matches that I cannot travel on commercial airlines with?

10- I have thought of taking a small package of birthday candles to help starting fires. What do you think of that idea? They can't weigh more than an ounce or 2.

Thanks everyone!

don't go overboard. if you've gotten yourself in as good a shape as you are, the resst will come easily. take what you really need, nothing else. what works well before will work well now. socks are important, take enuf, a good fitting pack (i like a frame cause i hang the rifle on the top peg) there are quite a few outdoor store in fairbanks (it isn't a little town anymore) goretex lined boots solve the waterproof problem. and #1 - don't forget to enjoy yourself. you are about to enter the most magnificent land in the world. treasure the moments because as the years go by and you realize that you can't do it anymore, those moments become priceless

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Larry,
I am envious of you,,although i will be hunting buff and tuskless at the same time, I still miss the northern mountains. You have been far more diligent then most hunters going on a sheep hunt. It will pay off when you are there and sleeping on the side of a mountain that you have chased all day and bedded down for the night. Just dont push yourself so hard you go into hunt with a stress injury or worn down.
I have read most of your posts regarding this trip. I dont recall much about rifle or shooting, maybe was discussed and I just dont remember. I took one sheep at 90 yards. Other than that the other 9 sheep/goats have been from 250 to 550. Have you spent much time shooting at 400 or so. Range finder? What about if it is raining/snowing, range finder will not be very good in that weather?
I answered your questions below based on my experiences
Have a great trip.



QUOTE]Originally posted by larryshores:
I am about 40 days away from my sheep hunt in AK. I have trained as hard as I possibly could given where I live and I have a demanding profession that causes me to travel often. I am in the best shape I have been in for a very long time. I have almost all of my equipment/gear.

My biggest problems were boots. I got a pair of Kennetreks. They would not work. I got 4 different pairs of Scarpa boots. They never fit right. I tried several others that I did not buy. I finally got a pair of Lowa's as well as something from Cabela's. I am not 100% happy. They are probably about as good as I will be able to get. I have probably covered over 125 miles in the Lowa's and 60 in the Cabela's boots often wearing a pack.

When I booked the hunt, I drastically increased by exercise. I exercised a lot before. I also drastically descreased what I ate down to 1200-1500 calories a day. I was often exercising 4 hours a day. HARD!! One would think I would lose weight. Wrong. I gained 17 pounds. After a lot of medical tests, it was determined that I suceeded in putting my body in starvation mode. My metabolism had almost shut down. They now have me eating about 3 times what I was eating. The weight is coming off. I wish I had figured this out earlier.

I appreciate all of the help that various parties have given me.

I have some more questions as follows:

1- I have a full exterior frame pack. I doubt it will fit in the overhead bin of the plane. How do you transport these packs without getting them wrecked?

I put mine in a very large duffel bag to keep straps and such from being ripped off. Has always worked fine

2-I have 10 days until we leave for 10 days of bird shooting in Argentina. I have been training with 60 pounds of corn in my pack. I am thinking about adding 10-15 more pounds. Is this a good idea at this late date?


I would not increase the weight, no need to cause a stress injury this close.


3- I will get back from Argentina about 3 weeks before I leave for AK. At what point do you think I should start to taper off and let my body recover?


I would just go into maintenance mod on the training. You have pushed your body pretty hard, dont go into the hunt under nourished and dragging like you just finished a marathon.


4- My socks are all wool I think. I have Darn Tough and some others whose name escapes me. I am a bit concerned whether these will dry out easily or not. Any comments would be apreciated.

I use smart wool. Usually take 2 pair, maybe 3. They will dry over night in the tent unless it is raining and real humid. Often i will find a rounded rock that fits down into my boot and set it beside the fire to warm up, not get smoking hot, just warm. Drop it into wet boot and cover with my wet sock. Amazing how much it will help dry boots out over night.

5- I have several pairs of Merino wool long underwear. I also have several pairs of Under Armour. Which would you use?

I exclusively use Ullfrotte merino wool with silk under. Have used from minus 20 in Kyrgiza to 60's in new zealand with no trouble. Does not hold BO stink either. While climbing if i het real hot i will often strip down to silk and it will dry out in minutes if there is a breeze.



6- I have Sitka rain gear as well as the Helly-Hanson plastic stuff. Which would you use?

Helly hansen for sure will keep you dryer from the rain. You will sweat like a pig if moving at all though. Wet is wet whether from the inside or outside. Plus it is heavy and bulky. Sitka gear will be fine unless it is a long down pour. I use sitka or king of the mountain wool and carry the packable rain gear to throw over and have been fine


7- Has anyone ever used Thompson's Waterseal on you boots? If so, how did it work.

Never tried, dont think i will. Snow seal or something similar on a goretex boot has always worked for me.


8- I am thinking is coating my boots with Thompson's Waterseal 2 or 3 times. Then, just before I leave, cover them with the Grainger's wax. What do you experts think?

See above

9- Can anyone recommend a good outdoor store in Fairbanks? I need to buy things like waterproof, windproof matches that I cannot travel on commercial airlines with?

Dont know any stores

10- I have thought of taking a small package of birthday candles to help starting fires. What do you think of that idea? They can't weigh more than an ounce or 2.


I take two different things with me for fire starting. Old inner tube from bicycle, rubber burns long even in rain. Can wrap some around rifle butt, bino, frame of pack... Also I take cotton balls and smear them throughly with vaseline. And then stuff them into an old film canister, those things are like gold now since we are in the digital age. I carry a bic lighter with me which you can buy at any gas station once in AK

Thanks everyone![/QUOTE]

Thanks.

I have a new extremely light rifle . I went to TX for a long range shooting school. I shot out to 600 yards.

I have practiced a few times. However, the longest range around here is 300 yards . I have made several trips to the range to shoot at that distance.

I've never hunted sheep, but I hunt the Rockies for elk. I use a Dragonfly J107 for my pack. Rifle is in the enclosed scabbard keeping my hands free. I have found that a walking stick helps immensely in maintaining balance as you climb or side hill in the scree. Breathe, and take it slow and you'll be fine.

larry:
I too think that you're overdoing it a bit. Your guide/packer will be carrying all necessary camp gear. You'll have to carry personal stuff like your sleeping bag, rifle, etc. As to stores here in Fairtown, we have Big Rays (I really like 'em), Sportsman'e Warehouse & Frontier Outfitters.
BTW, for socks, all I wear in the field is 1 pair of Smartwool's. I don't wear any sock underneath them. Carry a couple of spare pair in a zip lock bag in your pack when you go into your spike camp. As to insulated under wear - I only wear a pair of light weight long johns. I never wear a heavy pair of them. The Brooks is "relatively" warm in Aug. I would be sure to take a pair of light weight ski gloves tho. Also, I never take a rain jacket. Instead, we take the insulated jacket made by Integral Designs (with the hood). sadly, this is only available thru Barney's in Anchorage as far as I know. I'd take a light weight, easily compressible jacket.
As a side note - always carry at least 1 water bottle and a roll of TP in a zip lock bag. Very important!!!
Understand, that you could possibly run into some snow but I've never seen it really cold in Aug. Good luck & enjoy your trip - it'll be great.
Bear in Fairbanks

I agree I have hit it hard. I am trying to compensate for lack of hills/mountains
Where I live.

Larry,

With respect,......you better start at least considering the possibility of discovering that your guide is far less prepared than you are.

Upside for the guide? No guiding. You can shoot better, hike farther and pack more than anyone he's ever experienced.

Downside for the guide? No tip. You just got thru shaming him, you know it, he knows it, you out worked him Monday thru Saturday, gave him time off for Sunday prayers and then pummeled him a little more since, "What the heck, its the start of a new week!" The only tip you'll owe him is, "Get a little more prepared next year Sonny!"

I doubt that I will be able to keep up with the guides. In spite of all the preparation, I am still 57 and come from the flatland's at sea level. I am shockingly slow on downhills. As noted earlier, I am carrying a few extra pounds due to my own stupidity. I seriously doubt that the guides have much to concern themselves with.

I go on every hunt prepared, one like this especially. Yes, I do hope that I can shoot better, walk further and pack more than anyone he has ever guided. Hunting is serious business to me. If a guide prefers someone show up unprepared, then I have the wrong guide.

As for the tip, I have been on a lot of hunting trips in my life. I have ALWAYS left a tip. This will be the same. Successful or not.

You're more than prepared, relax a bit. The odds of not killing a sheep on a guided hunt are pretty slim...

Good luck on your hunt.

These responses are giving me a lot of confidence.

Don't over do the weight in the last month and blow out a knee. Keep it reasonable.

If your rifle is new, I would keep shooting it to make sure it doesn't develop problems. Practice shooting by holding the gun while wearing a day pack or your back pack, shuck off the pack on the ground, and flop down and shoot using the pack as a rest - all in a relatively short amount of time. That should get you used to shooting the way you will in the field, not off the bench. Shoot exactly the way you would in the field. If you've only shot off the bench, your zero may change significantly.

When I get ready, if I shoot off the bench, I hold the fore end with my off hand, just like I might in the field.

Snowseal is fine for your boots. If you have worries, call Barney's in Anchorage (just google them for the info) and ask them a bunch of questions. They're great guys and have the gouge.
They'll hook you up.

Don't shoot the barrel out before the hunt . Sounds like you will be just fine (not that I know much about sheep hunting). Have a great hunt! Let us know how it went.

After all of this preparation, the one thing that scares me is weather. Can't do a damn thing about it. On my last AK trip, I was snowed in for 11 days. Only got to hunt sheep one day.

Larry,

If you are still not totally happy with your boots give Lathrop and sons a call and see if they can help. They do a lot with custom footbeds and may be able to help make one of your pair of boots work. probably your lowas' will be the ticket.

good luck

http://www.lathropandsons.com/

Like others have said, go easy on the weight. From now on, always take the stairs, not the elevator!When there,due to elevation, pace yourself. Have fun!

Larry,
Some hypoxic training will help prepare you for the altitude, and Clermont has some hills that are challenging.

Good luck

Larry,
It sounds like your as prepared as a flat lander can be. If you stopped training period, it would take several weeks for your muscles to completely heal up. Then you would start going backwards.
Like others have suggested, when you return from argentina. I would pack my pack with everything you plan on taking into spike camp. Do just enough walking with it on to maintian your fitness. You should arrive fresh and ready to go.
Im planning on easing off the training for my goat hunt 2 weeks out.

quote:

1- I have a full exterior frame pack. I doubt it will fit in the overhead bin of the plane. How do you transport these packs without getting them wrecked?

I use a big black/camo duffle from Bass Pro Shops, believe it or not, that I've taken to Alaska several times. I use a tiny TSA lock to keep the zippers shut. I'm still amazed every time it rolls off the conveyor that it has held up for going on 7 years. It is what my Kifaru Long Hunter goes in, and it stores small.

2-I have 10 days until we leave for 10 days of bird shooting in Argentina. I have been training with 60 pounds of corn in my pack. I am thinking about adding 10-15 more pounds. Is this a good idea at this late date?

You are going guided, right? Let the younger, whipper-snapper earn his keep by carrying the extra weight.

4- My socks are all wool I think. I have Darn Tough and some others whose name escapes me. I am a bit concerned whether these will dry out easily or not. Any comments would be apreciated.

Darn Toughs seem to be the current flavor of the month. I have used SmartWool for several year now, even daily, but I've got some DTs as gifts so I'll use them also.

7- Has anyone ever used Thompson's Waterseal on you boots? If so, how did it work.

Get some Nikwax paste from Campmor or somewhere.

9- Can anyone recommend a good outdoor store in Fairbanks? I need to buy things like waterproof, windproof matches that I cannot travel on commercial airlines with?

Frontier Outfitters or Sportman's Warehouse and, of course, Wal-Mart . Seriously, Fred Meyer's is better than Wal-Mart .

10- I have thought of taking a small package of birthday candles to help starting fires. What do you think of that idea? They can't weigh more than an ounce or 2.

Small plastic film canister, or little tiny "dope" ziplock, with Vaseline soaked cotton balls. Hand sanitizer burns well also.

Also, try green Superfeet insoles for your boots. Your feet will thank you.

Love your view on going into this hunt well prepared...look forward to your full report in a few weeks. Wish you luck!

Thanks all. I am really looking forward to this adventure.

larry

I do not know how many different boot "waterproof" products, but the best is know of is what I use now.

Get some OBENAUF'S Heavy Duty LP.

Put your boots in the sun to warm them up, and apply a thin coat.

Repeat 3 or 4 more times.