Scope Cover
| Updated August 2017. This list is to give you an idea of what gear and equipment I like to pack for a hunting trip in Alaska. This is a fairly complete list where weight and bulk isn’t a factor. I carry less when I fly in than when I’m hunting by boat, and I carry even less when I’m backpacking. (See my sheep hunting list at www.bucktrack.com.) Everyone’s list will vary. The first part of this list will be items I normally carry when out actually hunting, followed by a list of sleeping gear, then a “kitchen” items list, a clothing list, other items, and then a list of gear I would add for a float trip. Please email me with your ideas and suggestions. | |
| For other huntings lists, including shorter, lighter list, and for a full line of books and videos on Alaska hunting and fishing, please visit www.bucktrack.com, | |
| Items to Carry in the Field | |
| Ammo | Try to carry the same caliber as your hunting partner, if practical. |
| Binos/Covers | Waterproof, quality binos. Vanguard Endeavor binoculars are a great value in quality optics. |
| Blister Prevention | Leukotape is the gold standard. Use it BEFORE you have blisters |
| Bow/Arrows | Razor sharp arrows. Use a powerful bow for moose. |
| Bug Dope | I like the small Repel 1 oz. pump spray bottle, but I rely primarily on keeping as much skin covered as possible when the bugs are bad. |
| Camera | Waterproof camera and/or in ziplock bag |
| Candle stub | For emergency fire starting |
| Canteen | Filled with filtered water unless you have a bottle filter. |
| Compass/Mirror | Carry it! Know the direction to camp, river, etc. Signal mirror is a plus. |
| Flagging tape |
To mark your kill, trail, camp, whatever |
| Food | High calorie, dry foods. Cheese, peanut butter, crackers, nuts, Snickers etc.. |
| Game Bag | So you can carry a full load of meat back to camp |
| GPS | At least one per party. Know how to use it. Enter camps, pickup points, etc. I really like my Garmin eTrex. |
| Headlamp/batteries | Led headlamps are the only way to go! |
| Knife | Havlon knives with changeable blades are a favorite. |
| License | In a ziplock in a secured pocket |
| Lighters | One in a ziplock in an inside secured pocket, the other elsewhere. |
| Lipbalm | with sunscreen. Use it before your lips are chapped. |
| Matches | In a waterproof container |
| Measuring Tape | Cloth tape to measure antlers/horns |
| Pack | The ALPS freighter is a great value in a good pack. I usually carry a frame pack, and “carry in field” items with me while hunting. |
| Parachute Cord | About 50 feet |
| Prescription drugs | |
| Rain gear | Quality raingear. Good to shed rain or protect you from a cold wind. Helly Hansen Impertech is often considered the gold standard in Alaska. |
| Regulations | I’ve had to consult the game regs MANY times in the field. |
| Rifle | Sighted-in. .270 or larger. A familiar gun that YOU can shoot ACCURATELY. |
| Satellite communicator | Garmin Inreach Explorer+ I wish this had been available years ago. For me, this is a great compromise for price, performance, safety, communication and subscription plans. There is two-way texting, maps, gps, an SOS button and more. Most of Alaska does not have cell phone coverage. If the expense of buying isn’t justified, check into rentals. |
| Space Blanket | Reinforced space blanket, NOT the thin ones as big as a cigarette pack. |
| Spotting Scope | At least one per party. I really like my Leupold 12-40 x 60. If you will use a spotting scope very often, it is one item where it pays to spend some money for quality. |
| Swiss Army Knife | A spare, all-around knife with can opener, tweezers and scissors. |
| Game Tags/Permits | In a ziplock in a secured pocket. Make sure you know how to tag your animal. |
| This List | Refer to it each time before heading afield. |
| Toilet Paper | In a ziplock. |
| Topo Maps | In clear, one gallon “freezer” ziplocks. Fold the map to show your area. |
| Tripod | Carry one that fits your camera and your spotting scope |
| Warm clothes | Extra warm clothes in a plastic bag. Include a balaclava. |
| Watch | |
| Sleeping Gear | |
| Sleeping Bag | Rated to about 10 degrees, avoid down unless you’re an expert camper. |
| Sleeping Pad | Closed cell foam, air mattress or Therm-a-Rest. Good for insulation & comfort. |
| Tent Poles/Stakes | Carry a strong, wind-resistant, name-brand tent that you’ve set up and tested. |
| Camp Kitchen Items | |
| Food | 2 lbs of dry food per day. You will need more if food is not dried (canned food, for example.) |
| Canteen | |
| Cooking Pots | Two nesting pots of about 1-2 quarts (liters) |
| Cup | One for each member |
| Foil | Cooking fish or meat |
| Fuel | No fuel on commercial flights. Ask air taxi should be able to fix you up, ask ahead. |
| Margarine | For cooking and calories |
| Can opener | A small one. I like the military P-38 style |
| Salt/Pepper | If hunting, carry separate “cape salt.” |
| Spoon and fork | A set for each member |
| Stove | The Coleman Dual Fuel Sporter II is a nice little workhorse stove that can burn unleaded gas as well as white gas. For backpacking, I use an alcohol stove. |
| Stove Kit/Wire | Repair parts and the like. |
| Towel | |
| Water Treatment | You should boil cooking water and filter or treat drinking water. Aquamira is a favorite of mine and much more effective and better tasting than iodine. You can treat a big jug of water in minutes. Gravity filters are also popular. If you bring just a filter, it’s smart to bring Aqua Mira as a backup. |
| Water Container | Collapsible. For carrying water from source OR storing filtered water. |
Clothing |
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| Balaclava | Fleece or polypro. They are the warmest item you can carry per pound! |
| Cap | A cap with a bill to keep the rain off your face, and earflaps, is nice |
| Boots | Broken in, waterproof hunting boots. |
| Vest | Fleece, fiber-fill or down. |
| Gloves | Fleece |
| Hooded Sweatshirt | Fleece |
| Jacket | Fleece |
| Mittens | Wool or fleece |
| Mitten Shells | Goretex. To wear over gloves or mittens if cold or wet |
| Handkerchief | 2 Cotton. They have lots of uses. |
| Hip Boots | Not neoprene. Most folks prefer ankle fit for walking. Bring small patch kit. |
| Long Underwear | Bottoms-2 |
| Long Underwear | Tops-2 |
| Pants | SportHill Men’s Expedition Pant are my favorites.  Comfortable, stretchy and dry fast. |
| Pants | Fleece for when it cools off. Fleece dries a lot quicker than wool. |
| Rain Coat | Helly Hansen Impertech is often considered the Alaska standard. |
| Rain Pants | I like full side zip, but at least make sure you can pull them over your boots. |
| Shorts (Underwear) | 2 pair |
| T Shirts | 1 |
| Socks | Wool. 3 pair |
| Socks | Liner. Reduces blisters. Light polypro or similar. 3 pair. |
| Camp Shoes | Running shoes or something else light. |
Other Items |
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| Antibiotic | Check with your Dr. and use correctly |
| Antibiotic Cream | |
| Archery Repair Kit | |
| Aspirin/Etc | Or some other painkiller. Also carry antacids, etc. |
| Bone saw | |
| Book | Bring one. You may have a long wait or two! |
| Bow | One extra per party |
| Bowstrings | Two extra |
| Burlap bags | About 5 per moose hunter |
| Cape Salt | 2-5 pounds depending on animal size |
| Cash | |
| Checkbook | |
| Credit Card | You’ll be able to use this for most expenses. |
| Duct tape | As Red Greene knows, it’s useful for countless purposes |
| Eyeglasses/Contacts | Extra pair, just in case. |
| Extra Batteries | |
| First Aid Kit | Bring First Aid instructions also. |
| Floss | |
| Game Bags | Strong ones . About 3 for a caribou, and 5 for a moose |
| Garbage Bags | Strong ones. For garbage and to keep gear dry. |
| Handiwipes | Or similar cleanup wipes. |
| Headnet | If you need it, you’ll be glad you have it! |
| Lomotil | or other anti-diarrhetic |
| Lures/Tackle | If you like fishing at all, you’ll want to have them along. |
| Misc. Items Bag | Mini can-opener, fine wire, fish hooks, lighter, tacks, safety pins, etc. |
| Needle | I use floss for thread. |
| Note Book | |
| Pen/Pencil | |
| Pliers | I like the mini Vicegrips. Can be used as a vice, pliers, wrench, clamp, etc. |
| Parachute Cord | aka 550 cord.100’ per person. Used to hang food, gear, guying out tents, etc, etc. |
| Prescription drugs | Make sure you carry them on your flights. |
| Rag/Oil | For cleaning guns |
| Rod/Reel | If you like fishing at all, you’ll want to have them along. |
| Scoring Sheets | B&C or P&Y |
| Small Soap | |
| Spare glasses or contacts | Just in case |
| Steel or Stone | Sharpen knives thoroughly at home. |
| Stuff Sacks | |
| Sunscreen | Use it before you’re burned. |
| Sunglasses | |
| Tarp | The blue ones are OK. At least two per party. To cover meat, gear, etc. |
| Toothbrush/Paste | |
| Topo Maps | |
| Tripod | Choose one you can use for cameras and spotting scope |
| Video Camera | Bring extra batteries and tape. |
| Ziplock Bags M/L | Always useful for maps, food, carrying water, etc. |
| Hunt Plan | Written agreement with the air taxi, listing pickup place and time and fees. Home folks should have the plan, too. |
| Raft/Misc. | |
| Buckets | With Gamma Seal lids. These make great, light, waterproof containers that double as camp seats. |
| Bolts | Make sure you have all the bolts |
| Cargo net | To keep gear off the floor. This helps prevent raft damage and wet gear. |
| Dry Bags | I am a fan of NRS Bill’s Bag. They are a good bag and a great value. Duffel bags lined with heavy garbage bags will work |
| Dry boxes |
for all your electronics. |
| Extra Valve | A leaky valve can cause problems |
| Frame | All parts. Make sure you know how to put it together |
| Life Vest | One per member. WEAR THEM! |
| Needle/Thread | For sewing up big tears |
| Patch Kit | Check glue. Plenty of patch material. |
| Rope | For a bowline, grab-line, etc. |
| Oars | An extra is a wise idea. |
| Pump | Inspect for damage. Carry two for two or more rafts. |
| Raft | Inflated and inspected before trip. |
| River Information | From guidebooks, land managers, whatever. |
| Raft Seat | |
| Tarp | To cover raft |
| Wire | Many uses |
| Wrench | To fit raft bolts |
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