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
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
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
 

This list and other Alaska hunting and fishing information can be found at www.bucktrack.com
Alaska hunting books and videos from Buck Publishing: