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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In Augest I am going grizzly hunting,250 miles south of Anchorage and I am still unsure of what to bring as I am limited to 65 lbs. of gear and would like some info if possible. thanks!
Hi Mike,
Presumably you’re going guided? If so your list will be largely dependent on what the guide is providing. I’d contact him to get a list of recommended gear.
In August that far south in Alaska it might be very cool, wet windy and rainy at times, but the temps won’t be very low, probably not much below freezing if it gets that low, so you’ll just need fall gear, not winter gear. I’d prepare for bugs, and bring a headnet and DEET. Definitely bring good rain gear, top and bottom.
I’d bring a set of long underwear tops and bottoms just to sleep in if it’s chilly. It’s nice to get into something completely dry before you crawl into your sleeping bag.
This list might give you some ideas: https://bucktrack.com/Sheep_Hunting_List.html. Again, if guided, my first suggestion would be to contact your guide.
Good luck!
Buck
While hunting big game this past year in Alaska, I tried to cut back on the gear being transported. I tried the IWOM, XT containment system because of its light weight and portability. This hunting suit is amazing. In sub-zero weather this suite kept me warm and dry for 7 to 10 hours at a time. I love this thing.