Grizzlies, gear and Alaska

What you need to know before you go

April 9, 2015BY: Stephen Spurlock

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Clothing

Base layers top

Under Armour 1.0 long-sleeve base layer x2Under Armour short-sleeve HeatGear x4

Base layers bottom

Under Armour Base 2.0 x4

Insulation layer top

First Lite Chama QZ

Insulation layer mid layer

KUIU Super Down Zip-TUnder Armour Hoodie

Outer shell

First Lite Boundary Stormtight JacketUnder Armour Softshell Jacket

Pant

KUIU Attack pant

Rain jacket

First Lite Boundary Stormtight Jacket

Rain pant

Sitka Dewpoint Pant

Headwear

Under Armour Beanie

Glove

Under Armour ColdGear Glove LinerMechanix Winter Armor Glove

Boots

Kenetrek Mountain Extreme UninsulatedKenetrek Gaiters

Base layers top	Under Armour 1.0 long-sleeve base layer x2Under Armour short-sleeve HeatGear x4
Base layers bottom	Under Armour Base 2.0 x4
Insulation layer top	First Lite Chama QZ
Insulation layer mid layer	KUIU Super Down Zip-TUnder Armour Hoodie
Outer shell	First Lite Boundary Stormtight JacketUnder Armour Softshell Jacket
Pant	KUIU Attack pant
Rain jacket	First Lite Boundary Stormtight Jacket
Rain pant	Sitka Dewpoint Pant
Headwear	Under Armour Beanie
Glove	Under Armour ColdGear Glove LinerMechanix Winter Armor Glove
Boots	Kenetrek Mountain Extreme UninsulatedKenetrek Gaiters

Weapon

Archery gear

Elite Energy 32 set at 73 lbsEaston Injextion 400 Arrows (eight broadheads, four w/field points)Solid BroadheadsPrimary and backup release

Emergency bow repair gear

Assorted accessories (link to build your own kit)

Archery gear	Elite Energy 32 set at 73 lbsEaston Injextion 400 Arrows (eight broadheads, four w/field points)Solid BroadheadsPrimary and backup release
Emergency bow repair gear	Assorted accessories (link to build your own kit)

Optics

Tripod

Swarovski AT 101 Aluminum TripodDH 101 Tripod Head

Binocular/ rangefinder

Swarovski EL 10x42S4 Gear Bino HarnessLeupold Rangefinder

Spotting scope

Leica Televid 62 mm Spotting Scope

Camera

Nikon D90Nikon CoolPix AW110

Tripod	Swarovski AT 101 Aluminum TripodDH 101 Tripod Head
Binocular/ rangefinder	Swarovski EL 10x42S4 Gear Bino HarnessLeupold Rangefinder
Spotting scope	Leica Televid 62 mm Spotting Scope
Camera	Nikon D90Nikon CoolPix AW110

Accessories

Headlamp/ flashlights

Black Diamond HeadlampSureFire Flashlight

Sunscreen/ bug spray

Bullfrog Mosquito Coast

Personal hygiene pack/ miscellaneous

Wet Wipes (30 pack x2)Travel ToothbrushDeodorant (optional)MelatoninAspirinBand AidsMole SkinNeosporinChapstickSewing Kit

Headlamp/ flashlights	Black Diamond HeadlampSureFire Flashlight
Sunscreen/ bug spray	Bullfrog Mosquito Coast
Personal hygiene pack/ miscellaneous	Wet Wipes (30 pack x2)Travel ToothbrushDeodorant (optional)MelatoninAspirinBand AidsMole SkinNeosporinChapstickSewing Kit

To Get the Gear Listed above to Alaska, I Packed in the following System:

Hunt pack: Optics, tripod, personal effects, partial personal hygiene pack, flashlights, gloves, and rain gear.

Waterproof duffel bag: Clothing, remaining personal hygiene items, boots, emergency bow repair kit, and backup release

Bow case: Bow, arrows (field tip arrows stored in an arrow tube, broadheads in an arrow box), first change hunting clothing, and primary hunting release. This is how I pack for any trip that requires air travel.

Hunting Methods

We spent most of the hunt posted up on one of two glassing points. On days with good weather, hours were spent on the glass. On days with poor weather, we spent much of the day in the cabin, sneaking out with any break in the weather to glass from the deck of the cabin.

Other Considerations

Notes on Gear

I found my KUIU Super Down Zip-T to be the most useful article of clothing that I packed. The temperature ranged from between 10 to 60 degrees fahrenheit each day. Layers that are light and packable are a must for spring hunts. My Kenetrek gaiters were also extremely useful on this hunt.

As you can see from my packing list, I don’t have a ton of brand loyalty when it comes to hunting gear. I do lean towards Under Armour’s synthetic layering systems because my skin seems to be sensitive to wool. When picking gear for a trip like this, the most important thing you can do is rigorously prep and practice with your gear. Make sure you know how it functions and in what situations each piece is useful. Once you get into the mountains, you have what you brought and there is no turning back.

In hindsight, I would of packed some heavier optics. I went light thinking that we would be covering more country. We spent most of our time on two glassing points. This was some big country and I wish I had packed my Leica Geovid 15x56s for locating bears. I have always found glassing with two eyes open to be best. Alaska is big country and the looks can be extremely long.

Once located, the spotting scope could then be used to identify sex and trophy quality.

Packing Hacks

Here are a couple tricks to pack for a trip like this:

Waterproof luggage: As we discussed above, Alaska weather is brutal. Most hunting adventures in Alaska will start in Anchorage where other commercial flights are caught to other parts of the state or where you jump in a bush plain and head towards parts unknown. Life is simply easier when you pack your hunting gear in luggage that allows for the elements.
Utilize your bow case/gun case: I always pack my primary set of hunting clothes in my bow case or gun case. This makes them readily available for when its time to catch your flight to wherever you are hunting. There is nothing worse than digging through your neatly packed hunting duffel looking for an item when the time finally comes to catch your bush flight to your hunting area.
Every inch counts: Pre-hunt, I always take time to pack a few essential items in out of the way places. My favorite underutilized packing area is the legs of my tripod. Before I head out, I always wrap 3 ft of duct tape on one leg, 3 ft of electrical tape on another, and several spare boot laces on the third. Tape and rope are always useful. Take time to consider what items you already intend to take that can be used for alternative purposes. Another underutilized packing area is your binocular system. I always make sure I have a fresh optic cleaning system attached to my binocular harness.

Lessons Learned

From my Alaskan experience I learned several important lessons. The first lesson was the importance of taking the time to prepare for the physical challenges a hunt presents, Alaska requires a certain mental toughness that exceeded any hunt I have gone on in the lower 48. Alaska requires more gear prep than your average hunt.