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I am going to the Brooks Range in August on a backpack hunt for Dall sheep. I have miscellaneous questions as follows: 1- Should I take bug repellant? 2- Do you carry your wallet and money in your pack? 3- How much water do you carry? 4- Are trekking poles worth the effort? 5- How do you carry your binoculars? 6- Do you carry a spotting scope? 7- Do you take your own range finder? 8- What do you carry in your pack? I don't mean the obvious things like coats & rain gear. I am thinking of less obvious things like moleskin, tweezers, blister treatment kits, etc. 9- What do you think of the portable electric fences to keep bears out of the camp? 10- Do you take more than 1 set of boots? 11- How many extra batteries do you take? 12- On your own hunts, what would you say the steepest slope is stated in degrees? 13- What would you estimate your pack weighed when you weren't packing out meat? Preparation is going well. I am having a hell of a time with boots and pack. For example, my new pack had the strap across the chest break. Thanks. | ||
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My responses are that of a resident. I assume you are using either a guide or are hunting with a close relative, i.e. brother or the like, as required for nonresidents. That person will be a good source of information for you but here is my thoughts FWIW.
"...I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprize, and independance to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks." Thomas Jefferson | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by larryshores: I am going to the Brooks Range in August on a backpack hunt for Dall sheep. I have miscellaneous questions as follows: 1- Should I take bug repellant? Small bottle of DEET, but there weren't any bugs on my hunt. 2- Do you carry your wallet and money in your pack? Left it in the camp where the Supercub dropped me off. I did think about a damn bear eating my cash though. 3- How much water do you carry? 32oz. Nalgene bottle whenever we left the river and started a climb. The guide had a filter pump. 4- Are trekking poles worth the effort? Neither my guide or myself had them and they would have been in the way and dangerous when climbing. 5- How do you carry your binoculars? I used the standard adjustable strap on my Swarovskis. That's all I ever use. 6- Do you carry a spotting scope? No, and didn't regret it. The guide had one. 7- Do you take your own range finder? I did but left it in the spike camp when I was assured the guide had one that worked. 8- What do you carry in your pack? I don't mean the obvious things like coats & rain gear. I am thinking of less obvious things like moleskin, tweezers, blister treatment kits, etc. A few Cliff Bars, extra pair of socks, Havalon Knife, Two pocket cameras and batteries, ball cap, Filson wool beanie, Filson Wool gloves, fleece wind stopper vest. Wiggy's 8oz. waders. 9- What do you think of the portable electric fences to keep bears out of the camp? Not as a client on the sheep hunt, but did take and use one on last years caribou drop camp and would bring it again. 10- Do you take more than 1 set of boots? I would definitely take the extra pair of old boots you have talked about. Larry, when your loaded up heavy with meat, cape and the horns of that fabulous Dall Ram and make that last pull into base camp, your feet, back, legs, arms are going to feel like shit. But that's okay, it all will go real good with that shit eating grin of satisfaction you'll be wearing on your face. 11- How many extra batteries do you take? I took two identical Canon pocket cameras and an extra battery for each. One extra set for my GPS. 12- On your own hunts, what would you say the steepest slope is stated in degrees? You don't want to know. 13- What would you estimate your pack weighed when you weren't packing out meat? 50# when hiking from where I was dropped off at the Supercub strip to the spike camp. When we climbed for a ram, probably only 25# or less. "If you are not working to protect hunting, then you are working to destroy it". Fred Bear | |||
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1. Bug repellant? In Aug. in the Brooks? NO. 2. We leave our wallet in base camp. Carry your license & tags in your shirt pocket in a small zip lock bag. 3. I usually carry about a quart. My partner uses a camelback that holds a lot more. Don't forget, water is weight you have to haul. Water is usually easy to find. 4. Trekking poles? Not for me. A waste of good money IMHO. Cut a walking stick when you get to base camp. I would recommend a waliking stick. 5. Binos. I carry them around my neck & tuck them inside my unbuttoned shirt. I don't like straps that some use for binos around my chest. 6. Spotting scope - For 2 people, only 1 scope. You won't need one, your guide will carry it. Lots more bulk/weight. 7. Range finder - Never have in the past. I may start taking one this year. Up to you but more crap to carry & worry about. Most sheep are shot within 100 -150 yds. 8. In my pack while hunting? Hmmm. Parachute cord, small sheath knife & sharpening steel. Also, our Integral Designs lightweight jacket with hood. These will keep you warm even when wet, btdt. Expensive tho. Also, first aid kit w/ moleskin as you mention. Also, light weight gloves like ski gloves. 9. Electric Fence?? Larry, bears aren't behind every tree in the Brooks. There are no trees. Sorry, couldn't resist. Seriously, not needed. Too much bulk & nonsense. Who's gonna haul it into spike camp? Not the guide, it'll be you. Your best bear defense is keeping yourself aware of your surroundings at all times. My partner & I walk single file & use hand signals most of the time. We both know what the other is gonna do without talking. Keep your eyes open at all times & you'll be ok. It's open country up there so you can see long distances. 10. Extra boots. As in a spare set of camp boots? Normally, we don't. Again, extra weight & bulk. You MIGHT want to take a set of camp shoes for base camp but you're not gonna be spending a lot of time there. It'll be into base camp 1 day & out to the spike camp the next. If the weather co-operates. 11. extra batteries - 1 spare set for the GPS and 1 spare set for the S.P.O.T. We don't use the GPS that much & the S.P.O.T. is only used once a day to send an "OK" message to my wife. she demands it. BTW, batteries are litium for extended life. Also, usually a couple of spare sets for my small camera. 12. Steepest slope? I dunno. The Brooks are an older mountain range thus, in general, not as steep/rugged as, say the Alaska Range. You can go as steep as you have the nerve to attempt tho. 13. Pack weight - I'm guessing here. Hiking in to set up an 8 -10 day spike camp, we probably take about 70 lbs. That's food, tents, sleeping bags, & everything else. IMHO, here's where un-necessary BULK comes in. I don't even take a sleeping pad. Too bulky for me. When hunting, I'd guess our packs at about 15 lb.'s or so. One suggestion here, I strap my rifle across the uprights of my pack board. I use the nylon strapping with quick release buckles to get it off. Carrying a rifle while hiking is a real PITA. Keep your hands free & use your walking stick. Believe me, you won't need your rifle so fast that you have to have it in your hands at all times. About all I can think of for now. Be sure to take care of that strap problem on your pack board. Have a good trip & keep us posted. Bear in Fairbanks Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes. I never thought that I'd live to see a President worse than Jimmy Carter. Well, I have. Gun control means using two hands. | |||
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1-no 2-ID and hunting license in water proof bag 3-two 32 ounce Nalgene I have a water pump 4- no 5- looking for some thing better 6- not if I had a guide 7-not if I had a guide 8- moleskin, leather men,550 cord, small med kit, extra chap-stick, and I put an small amount of duct tape and etape on my nalgene. I put all my stuff in event dry bags 9-no way 10-no that would take up the space of two days of food 11-2 sets for my spot and GPS 12- I think the worst you will see is steep rock slides and scree so not bad you wont be playing cliff hanger. 13 I keep my self to 45 pounds what kind of pack did you get? | |||
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I have one made by Barney's. It just came yesterday. I forget the model. | |||
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Seems to me if you have to have answers to all those questions you really need to go with someone that been there done that. Have you done any back packing before. If you are hiring a guide you better get with him and decide what he is brining also so you don't duplicate a lot of extra weight. | |||
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Have fun! | |||
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Larry: In preperation for your hunt I suggest 2 books: "Mountain Sheep: A Study in Behavior and Evolution" by Valerius Geist ISBN 0-226-28572-3 "Sheep Hunting in Alaska" by Tony Russ ISBN 0-9639869-0-2 In my pack I carry an alcohol stove (no firewood in sheep country) from www.end2endtrailsupply.com, long handled lexan spoon from REI, and meals prepared according to www.freezerbagcooking.com. I also carry a space blanket, candle, dixi cup (to be turned upside down with x cut in botton used as candle holder) and clothes pins. I have spent the night from 2400 to 0300 (darkness does not last too long in the arctic in August) with lit candle between knees, space blanket wrapped around body held closed with clothes pins just to be above a sheep when it got light enough to shoot. Don't forget white tyvek coveralls in case you have to cross a mountain face in view of sheep on a far off mountain. | |||
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Larry: Watch vhs tape "Advanced Field Judging North American Wild Rams" by Duncan B. Gilchrist. He has been called home which is a loss to the sheep hunting fraternity but his books and tapes are very informative. You may find yourself in a situation that requires quick determination of the legality of a ram without the immediate consultation of your guide. Don't forget white tyvek coveralls in case you have to cross a mountain face in view of far off sheep that you do not want to spook. | |||
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My one input would be a big yes on the trekking pole. Two are ok, but tend to get in my way. One pole is well worth it. Particularly going down hill it will give you balance and security that two legs don't give. Also, with a heavy pack it takes a big load off your knees. Get a high quality one like the Black Diamond. If after a few days you find it wasn't worth it, leave it at camp. If you don't have it, you may regret it. A single pole with one of the ultra light "bivy tents" can also make a siwash a lot more comfortable: http://www.nemoequipment.com/product/?Meta+1P+Tent Dave | |||
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Relax and enjoy the hunt. You will do fine. Brett DRSS Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member WSF Rhyme of the Sheep Hunter May fordings never be too deep, And alders not too thick; May rock slides never be too steep And ridges not too slick. And may your bullets shoot as swell As Fred Bear's arrow's flew; And may your nose work just as well As Jack O'Connor's too. May winds be never at your tail When stalking down the steep; May bears be never on your trail When packing out your sheep. May the hundred pounds upon you Not make you break or trip; And may the plane in which you flew Await you at the strip. -Seth Peterson | |||
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1- Should I take bug repellant? Never trust an Alaskan that says no, they have built up a tollerance. Yes, small bottle and a headnet. 2- Do you carry your wallet and money in your pack? You've got to at least have an ID along with your license and locking tag. I carry my stuff in one of those little waterproof sea bags and hang it around my neck, but inside my shirt. 3- How much water do you carry? 1 quart and either treatment or filter. 4- Are trekking poles worth the effort? Get two. 5- How do you carry your binoculars? With my pack, they go in a pouch on my chest, but still with the shoulder straps. 6- Do you carry a spotting scope? I would. 7- Do you take your own range finder? I would 8- What do you carry in your pack? I don't mean the obvious things like coats & rain gear. I am thinking of less obvious things like moleskin, tweezers, blister treatment kits, etc. Yes. 9- What do you think of the portable electric fences to keep bears out of the camp? Your guide should take care of bears. 10- Do you take more than 1 set of boots? No. 11- How many extra batteries do you take? In August, it's not going to be dark much. I carry one extra set for whatever electronics I carry (headlamp, GPS, camera). 12- On your own hunts, what would you say the steepest slope is stated in degrees? 13- What would you estimate your pack weighed when you weren't packing out meat? For a guided hunt, you better shoot for 40 lbs. The best video I've watched for sheep hunting is "Lace 'em Up", by Proving Trail Adventures. It is way worth the $40. If you are going to carry a big stick, you've got to whack someone with it at least every once in while. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Alaska Hunting Forum Misc questions-backpack hunt
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Relax. Take one step at a time (with our trekking poles) and you will be fine. If you don't feel comfortable tell your guide.