HuntHarder
WKR
I just got back from an Alaskan Caribou hunt at the end of September. I spent 7 days out in the rain, snow, sleet and 2 days of sunshine. haha. This was a hunt where you figure out what works and what does not.
CAMO- I was thoroughly impressed with my Sitka Coldfront tops and bottoms. Before the hunt, I bought these outrageously priced items in the hopes they would actually be as good as they claim. I also brought my lightweight rain gear and purchased a set of Helly Hansen because it was supposed to be a stormy hunt. I never felt the need to change out of the coldfront gear. I stayed dry, warm and I was able to wear it in temperatures from sub zero to 40*. Most I ever wore was some merino and a long sleeve shirt under the coldfront. WOW, this stuff is worth it's price and more.
BOOTS- I took waders, bogs muck boots and Kennetrek Mountain extremes. Barely used the waders but they worked when I did. I wore the Kennetreks for 1 day and quickly realized they are not the right boot for the hunt. My feet got a little cold and I was worried by mid day that they were about to start letting moisture inside. I waxed them multiple times before the hunt and also wore gaiters. ( Kennetrek gaiters were awesome). The Bogs boots were the go to and kept my feet warm and dry. They lack ankle support, so I think in the future, I will try and see if there is a pair of muck boots that offer a little more support. The Alaskan landscape is really unforgiving and when you find yourself needing to cross a bog, you know your life is about to suck until you reach the otherside.
BACKPACK- Kifaru Reckoning 24" composite stays. I have used this bag on many hunts and I really like it. It holds tons of gear and also is big enough to throw the meet inside the bag on the packout. This was my first hunt where I had to haul a decent amount of wait out of the field with the 24" frame. I had the 26" for 4 years and decided I should see if the 24" would do the same and have a slightly lower profile. The answer is NO. I got load out of the field, but getting load lift was difficult with the 24" stays. My pack was right around 100lbs for 6-7 miles of Alaskan hell. Damn those bogs. haha. I actually weighted the meet once at the lodge and confirmed my weights. I am 5'10" and I think a 26" frame is needed. Sucks to find out this fact when the packout is that far. haha.
Sleeping pad- Insulated static V. This pad is gonna get the boot. I had to re blow it up atleast twice a night. Not sure where it leaks from, I can not find it, but I am thinking it is the fill valve.
MARSUPIAL GEAR BINO HARNESS- I have been using this since it was developed and it has been super comfortable. I tried out the padded wider harness this time and it is even more comfortable than the original.
BLACK OVIS GAME BAGS- These are MONEY!! Super impressed, great bag, even the Grizzlies like them. ( lost the ribs to a grizzly over night).
INREACH- Priceless and really helped during the hunt. I downloaded some maps for it and bluetoother my phone to it. Works great and is much easier to operate from your phone.
SOTO Stove- By far the best stove I have used. Super light weight, push button ignition that lights EVERY time I push it. Did I mention it boils water faster than a mountain house goes thru you. ( now that's fast!!) Buddy had the MSR and we ended up using my stove every time after the first night. We could literally boil water twice on mine before his would get his water boiling.
I am sure there is a bunch more stuff I liked, but these are the things that stuck out to me. Thanks for the listen.
CAMO- I was thoroughly impressed with my Sitka Coldfront tops and bottoms. Before the hunt, I bought these outrageously priced items in the hopes they would actually be as good as they claim. I also brought my lightweight rain gear and purchased a set of Helly Hansen because it was supposed to be a stormy hunt. I never felt the need to change out of the coldfront gear. I stayed dry, warm and I was able to wear it in temperatures from sub zero to 40*. Most I ever wore was some merino and a long sleeve shirt under the coldfront. WOW, this stuff is worth it's price and more.
BOOTS- I took waders, bogs muck boots and Kennetrek Mountain extremes. Barely used the waders but they worked when I did. I wore the Kennetreks for 1 day and quickly realized they are not the right boot for the hunt. My feet got a little cold and I was worried by mid day that they were about to start letting moisture inside. I waxed them multiple times before the hunt and also wore gaiters. ( Kennetrek gaiters were awesome). The Bogs boots were the go to and kept my feet warm and dry. They lack ankle support, so I think in the future, I will try and see if there is a pair of muck boots that offer a little more support. The Alaskan landscape is really unforgiving and when you find yourself needing to cross a bog, you know your life is about to suck until you reach the otherside.
BACKPACK- Kifaru Reckoning 24" composite stays. I have used this bag on many hunts and I really like it. It holds tons of gear and also is big enough to throw the meet inside the bag on the packout. This was my first hunt where I had to haul a decent amount of wait out of the field with the 24" frame. I had the 26" for 4 years and decided I should see if the 24" would do the same and have a slightly lower profile. The answer is NO. I got load out of the field, but getting load lift was difficult with the 24" stays. My pack was right around 100lbs for 6-7 miles of Alaskan hell. Damn those bogs. haha. I actually weighted the meet once at the lodge and confirmed my weights. I am 5'10" and I think a 26" frame is needed. Sucks to find out this fact when the packout is that far. haha.
Sleeping pad- Insulated static V. This pad is gonna get the boot. I had to re blow it up atleast twice a night. Not sure where it leaks from, I can not find it, but I am thinking it is the fill valve.
MARSUPIAL GEAR BINO HARNESS- I have been using this since it was developed and it has been super comfortable. I tried out the padded wider harness this time and it is even more comfortable than the original.
BLACK OVIS GAME BAGS- These are MONEY!! Super impressed, great bag, even the Grizzlies like them. ( lost the ribs to a grizzly over night).
INREACH- Priceless and really helped during the hunt. I downloaded some maps for it and bluetoother my phone to it. Works great and is much easier to operate from your phone.
SOTO Stove- By far the best stove I have used. Super light weight, push button ignition that lights EVERY time I push it. Did I mention it boils water faster than a mountain house goes thru you. ( now that's fast!!) Buddy had the MSR and we ended up using my stove every time after the first night. We could literally boil water twice on mine before his would get his water boiling.
I am sure there is a bunch more stuff I liked, but these are the things that stuck out to me. Thanks for the listen.
