Alaska Spring Bear & New Gear

[Brock A]

With the spring bear season about to kick into high gear I wanted to start a thread covering our Alaska Black Bear hunt. Paul, Travis and Myself are headed North for the first time doing a "drop camp" with an outfitter up there. As a DIY guy, this is a change of pace for me! When my good friend Marc Warnke with Outdoors International approached me about the hunt, we couldnt say no. A coastal style hunt has always been on my bucket list.

Here is the outfitter & the hunt we are doing

http://www.pacificmountainguides.com/hunting/un-guided-black-bear-hunting/

On top of covering the hunt, I wanted to keep this thread going with some cool new gear I am taking with me. Robby and I worked together to get some great stuff. Reviews will follow on all these.

Firstlite - Their new heavy duty & light duty rain gear as well as their new puffy

http://www.firstlite.com/cirrus-jacket.html
http://www.firstlite.com/vapor-jacket.html
http://www.firstlite.com/seak-jacket.html

Black Ovis - Benchmade knife

http://www.blackovis.com/benchmade-hidden-canyon-hunter-fixed-blade-knife

Enlightened Equipment - 10 degree Rev quilt with Downtek treated down

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/revelation/

Zamberlan 960 Guide boots

Heathers Choice meals

http://www.heatherschoice.com/

I bought the Moms Pasghetti, Smoked Salmon Chowder & Tomatillo Ranchero

I hope to have lots of pictures, videos and bear meat in the near future!

 

[adventure907]

Good luck, sound like a fun trip. If you need any help while you're in Anchorage, let me know.

 

[colonel00]

Looking forward to following the hunt. As mentioned in your wader thread, I'll actually be in the Valdez area later in May if you guys are still there after your trip. I'm not sure what your exact dates are yet. The Packraft Rondy is also going on the weekend of the 20th and it sounds like there will be an outstanding turnout.

Good luck on the hunt!

 

[Mjm316]

Good luck on the hunt. I'm just east and a little south of where you are headed in Cordova chasing bears. It's greening up VERY fast and getting tougher and tougher to see by the day. As far as your rain gear it will be a great test as it's rained steadily everyday so far with today being the worst. Pretty much raining sideways today. Bears are out in full force! Some of them
Have been up high. Way high. Higher than the goats.

 

[Brock A]

Good luck on the hunt. I'm just east and a little south of where you are headed in Cordova chasing bears. It's greening up VERY fast and getting tougher and tougher to see by the day. As far as your rain gear it will be a great test as it's rained steadily everyday so far with today being the worst. Pretty much raining sideways today. Bears are out in full force! Some of them
Have been up high. Way high. Higher than the goats.

Man thanks for the tips! Good stuff. I'm looking forward to the new experience.

 

[justfleming22]

Good luck out there. A buddy and I are heading out for a three day backpack hunt this weekend for some spring black bear up north a little. Look forward to hearing how the new rain gear holds up. Happy hunting!


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[Brightwhite]

Looking forward to your thoughts on the heathers choice meals and the FL heavy rain gear. I'm heading to AK in 2017 and have been considering another set of rain gear and this one is on my list.

 

[ktowncamo]

Very anxious to hear about the Rev Quilt. I'm a sleeping bag nut and the Down Quilt sounds very interesting. Good luck on the hunt.

 

[Brock A]

Very anxious to hear about the Rev Quilt. I'm a sleeping bag nut and the Down Quilt sounds very interesting. Good luck on the hunt.

Any specific questions you have about them? I have a couple seasons on my current quilt.

 

[Brock A]

I received the knife yesterday. This is going to be a sweet tool!

 

[dreamingbig]

Great gear to test. I love my 20F EE quilt. Looking forward to hearing about the new heavy rain gear from FL.


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[robby denning]

I wanna see that Benchmade Knife in action

 

[Brock A]

I wanna see that Benchmade Knife in action

Does cutting open my food packages count? Because I can guarantee that will happen ;-)

 

[Brock A]

This cirrus jacket is going to be a pretty sweet addition to the system

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Brock, Just wanna wish you good luck and have no doubts you'll have a blast.

Shoot a little field video of that EE quilt in action, compressed size, loft, etc..... really interested in that review.
Have fun and careful with the fireball!
Hunt'nFish

 

[luke moffat]

Good luck Brock!!! You should have a great time!!! Thats some very pretty country over there!!! Becca shot her first black bear in the neck of the woods! Look forward to your report!

 

[Nick Muche]

Good luck Brock, hope you have an enjoyable time in Alaska.

 

[Brock A]

Justin got me all set up. Hopefully I don't run out of ammo.

 

[ktowncamo]

Any specific questions you have about them? I have a couple seasons on my current quilt.

I used the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed last year which is kind of a hybrid quilt/sleeping bag combo. I love it. Google it if you've not seen it. What I want to know about the Quilt is do you find that the coverage in cooler temps is adequate or are you always poking out with a leg or arm and thereby getting cold? I envision what it'd be like to sleep with one blanket and since I must sleep like I'm in a tornado my gut tells me I'm gonna get cold! Am I far off or thinking crazy?

 

[Brock A]

I used the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed last year which is kind of a hybrid quilt/sleeping bag combo. I love it. Google it if you've not seen it. What I want to know about the Quilt is do you find that the coverage in cooler temps is adequate or are you always poking out with a leg or arm and thereby getting cold? I envision what it'd be like to sleep with one blanket and since I must sleep like I'm in a tornado my gut tells me I'm gonna get cold! Am I far off or thinking crazy?

If you utilize the straps under your pad it really keeps it sucked down. I have never had any issues with a limb sticking out and getting cold. It's a big fear for alot of people. I'll try and shoot some pics/video of it in use.