Hello everyone,
I have a chance to go to Alaska and hunt spring black bear in the Valdez area in May (looks like the 3rd week of May). I'd appreciate any tips on gear you could provide me with since this is my first time to visit Alaska. My friend and I will be hunting with a local fellow who we know from our Internet conversations (we all share a passion for handgun hunting).
I'm especially interested in recommendations concerning boots, and back packs, but will gladly accept any other tips that may help make this trip go smoothly.
Thanks in advance for all your help and guidance.

Good quality rain gear is a must and a reliable pair of ankle fit hip boots.

Possibly insulated ankle fit hip boots..Tough but quiet raingear that fits well enough to just about do yoga in......Will you be acessing where you will hunt via boat.....???? Check the [ABC in May ]thread Prince William Sound is quite simular to Southeast ... Depending on where you are in the Sound......Study up on Boating Saftey.... TAPE YOUR MUZZEL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will probably need some real good system for cleaning and defogging your optics...... Be careful ,,,, Have fun ....You might make a few calls just to check on things and be sure all the $$$$$$$$$$$$ are mutually understood befor hand...... Have fun !!

Dougm58,

What are you using for a handgun, if that is what you are going to take? What part of Pa.?

Woody

#1 tip would be to find out as much as possible about the friend of the friends experience and plans for the hunt. If it's a boat based hunt, what type of boat is it, what is his experience on the water, how long has he been hunting the area, what has his success been.

Unfortunately friend of a friend dream hunts often end up as nightmares. Generally folks that are experienced have a select set of folks they hunt with and don't often go out with total stranges.

Not to dampen your plans, gut it's a good reality check. The weather conditions are such, and especially when you add possibly running out in the sound, that I'd be very, very paticular about who I was hunting with.

barneys sports chalet in anchorage has a lot of good stuff, its made for hardcore hunters not so much hikey climey like rei. give them a call they may have a catalog

better yet a website

http://www.barneyssports.com/

Thanks for the link Paul......I thot they would { if anyone would] have an ice ax that was long enough to be useful ...

Thanks fellas, lots of great advice. I really appreciate it.
The fellow we are hunting with has lived there for 20+ years and has extensive experience hunting in that area, but I do understand the perils of hunting with a stranger, so will heed your advice and study up and be prepared for the worse.

Woodrow S,
I live outside of Harrisburg Pa. I will be taking 3 guns, my xp100 in .338wsm, an Encore with a .500S&Wmag barrel, and a 6 inch .454 to wear on my hip. I'm not sure what the typical range will be, so figured this assortment should cover everything.

I have written all your suggestions down on my equipment list. Thanks for the Barneys link too.

not sure what type of pack you are looking for? internal or external frame and price.

for internal frame i would go with one of the kifaru packs. i own the m.m.r. and the zulu

for external frame i would buy the barney's frame and bag. i have one and love it.

good binos. swarovski or leica in 10x,

Thanks Cold Zero,
I was thinking about an external and liked the Barney's
I will be taking my Leica Duovids 8-12x
Thanks again.

Are you planning on packing in for your hunt? If your not then I wouldn't bother with bringing a full pack, i'd bring just a frame and a daypack. Take a look at the Cabela's Extreme Alaska Outfitter pack frame, they made some good improvements over the older packframes they use to make. No pins and rings and a much improved suspension system.

doug,

You have good advice above. Get real rain gear, if it breaths it leaks, sometimes sooner than later. I took some gore tex it lasted half a day. HH Impertech has worked for me on two hunts. Good socks help, I wear a liner and Smart Wool, just make sure your hip boots fit properly with the socks you will be wearing.

Fleece is the way to go, light for warmth, and drys fast. Swazi's fleece is outstanding, their Severon(spelling?) overshirt is my favorite.

I agree with 70 nut the Cabela's frame is pretty good, I have the bag also and it has been through a Brown Bear hunt and Moose hunt/haul. No issues at all.

Best thing you can do is get your body ready, and that helps the mind through the challenge that can be Alaska.

HBH

If you dont want to spend a ton of money on a pack get the cabellas alaska 1 or 11 external frame pack it's the same as the camp trails frame with moose bag these are very tough and unless you make a living packing out moose you wont wear it out. Ive modified one by cutting it downand lowering the bag ( remove the shelf and drop the bag down )Ive been using it for 15 yrs now ,packing out deer I have no problem sneaking up on deer or going tru brush ect.

Guys, thanks for all the good advice.
I'm gonna probably buy the Cabellas pack frame, and getting a set of the HH rainwear.

I'll bring some fleece as well to go with my wool shirt.
My friend in Alaska has recommended getting an Alaska atlas, with topo maps so that he can guide through over the phone. I spoke to him last night for 4 hours, it looks like we are in for a great adventure
I really appreciat all the sound advice, many of the items you folks suggested he mirrored during our phone conversation.


Thanks again

Another place I buy alot of stuff is brigadeqm.com
Another thing you should have is a survival kit that you keep with you and dont depend on someone else. a small folding saw is a must for making shelter the $10 saws will work fine. forget things like fishhooks and magnesiem, you will need to invent your own method of emergency fire starter, most things that work best are not legal even to check on commercial airliners. Whatever idea you come up with test it on a rainywindy nite in your backyard and make sure you can get a fire going. places where you will be might get 200 inches of rain a year. Keep junk to a minumum so you will have it with you and test it so you wont be in for any surprises


If your gonna be dumb you gotta be tuff

quote:

I spoke to him last night for 4 hours

HA! Neal is a "little" long winded sometimes, eh?

You are in for a wonderful adventure with him. I had to back out of this spring hunt because of a previous AK caribou hunt I've already committed to. I gotta win the lottery!!!

Your 338 should really shine on the bears, I know you can shoot it better than most anyone that hasn't been around the specialty pistols realizes. Mr "Bear" is in for a big surprise!

Some recommendations I've recently gotten from the co-worker I'm going to AK with (he's been on this same hunt 3X already):

Lots of socks. Enough to change at least 2X a day.

Several pair of gloves. You can count on your hands getting wet, so have extra to change to. Same thing goes for hats.

Lots of layering. He said to forget wool, but use synthetic shirts, etc. I'll still probably bring my favorite couple of wool shirts, just wouldn't feel like hunting if I wasn't wearing some wool...LOL

Something I hadn't thought of was when he suggested a bug net. If the temps get above 50 he said the black flies would drive you nuts without it, especially while taking care of your bear/caribou.

My hunt is going to be completely different than yours as we will be tenting it. You may be able to dry wet clothes out, but my co-worker told me to not count on it.

Can't wait for your stories!

I forgot to mention one more thing. My co-worker said to buy an assortment of "dry bags" and pack EVERYTHING inside them.

Cold Rider,
Ya Neal can talk (lol)
Thanks for the great advice. I'll make sure I pack those items you mentioned. I agree about the wool, I can't imagine not having a shirt or two along.
I'm really excited to have this opportunity to hunt with Neal, I can't wait. Good luck on your hunt as well, and don't worry, I'm sure both of us will have some great stories to tell!