blueridge
Well-known member
I am getting my gear together for my Alaska moose hunt (leave on Saturday). I keep going back and forth on a few items and would appreciate some input. I am used to backcountry elk hunts and try to run a 40# pack (dry) for a week long hunt. My weight for this 10 day drop hunt has gotten out of hand. I keep trying to tell myself it's a completely different gig and is in no way apples to apples, but the weight conscious side of me is cringing big time. Anyway, here's the scoop:
10 day fly-in hunt, dropped at a backcountry air strip at the headwaters of a river. Shrubby down low with ridges on each side that go up from 3000 to above tree line at 4500'. My son and I both have moose tags. 4 brow tine, 50 inch unit. We're probably limited to a couple mile radius of the air strip just to be able to get meat back, so our base camp and glassing/calling/hunting spots can't be too far away. Temps (what I can see so far on the 10-day) range from 40-50, but very well could get down to freezing towards the end. And wet!
Here are the items I keep going back and forth on, their weights, and some of my thoughts on them. (I could post my clickable, sorted by category, Excel spreadsheet, but ... wllm ... it's just too soon.)
*20-60 spotting scope (39.2 oz).
*10x42 binos in chest harness (33.4 oz).
I already have quick stix on my trekking poles, so for the tripod I add the 3rd leg w/ quick clip (10.8 oz) and a fluid head (16.4 oz). I've never brought my spotter on a hunt. But I have also never been in a restricted unit (4 brow tine or 50") or done a glassing intensive hunt. Spotter only, binos only, or bring both? Practical relevance?
* .22 pistol and holster (41.5 oz) for hunting grouse and ptarmigan.
* mini fishing rod and lures (14.1 oz). F&G said they don't know if salmon run that far up the river, but there are a couple nearby mountain lakes that may hold lake trout and dollies.
* bear spray and holster (13.1oz). It's grizz country. Is it worth having both spray and a rifle?
*camp chair (32 oz). I love a damn camp chair, ... but can't I find a good (wet) log?
* puffy pants (17.3 oz). I hate being cold. Temps aren't supposed to get too cold, but AK wind can be cold when it blows. I will also have 350g wool long johns.
* tent lantern (9.8oz). It's nice to have a communal light source other than individual head lamps, but it doesn't get dark until 8:30. Go to sleep! Or have a fire.
* minimal first aid kit and tourniquet (4.5 oz). I've never used my first aid kit. Should I be a duct tape bandaid guy who can make a tourniquet with a belt or p cord?
* Leatherman with hex bits for scope screws (8.5 oz). Tighten everything at the truck and leave it, or don't be stupid, it doesn't do any good a plane ride away from the truck??
It looks like there's potentially 10-15 lbs on the table. What would you take and what would you leave? Or, with a base camp that has to be pretty close to the airstrip, just bring it all??
10 day fly-in hunt, dropped at a backcountry air strip at the headwaters of a river. Shrubby down low with ridges on each side that go up from 3000 to above tree line at 4500'. My son and I both have moose tags. 4 brow tine, 50 inch unit. We're probably limited to a couple mile radius of the air strip just to be able to get meat back, so our base camp and glassing/calling/hunting spots can't be too far away. Temps (what I can see so far on the 10-day) range from 40-50, but very well could get down to freezing towards the end. And wet!
Here are the items I keep going back and forth on, their weights, and some of my thoughts on them. (I could post my clickable, sorted by category, Excel spreadsheet, but ... wllm ... it's just too soon.)
*20-60 spotting scope (39.2 oz).
*10x42 binos in chest harness (33.4 oz).
I already have quick stix on my trekking poles, so for the tripod I add the 3rd leg w/ quick clip (10.8 oz) and a fluid head (16.4 oz). I've never brought my spotter on a hunt. But I have also never been in a restricted unit (4 brow tine or 50") or done a glassing intensive hunt. Spotter only, binos only, or bring both? Practical relevance?
* .22 pistol and holster (41.5 oz) for hunting grouse and ptarmigan.
* mini fishing rod and lures (14.1 oz). F&G said they don't know if salmon run that far up the river, but there are a couple nearby mountain lakes that may hold lake trout and dollies.
* bear spray and holster (13.1oz). It's grizz country. Is it worth having both spray and a rifle?
*camp chair (32 oz). I love a damn camp chair, ... but can't I find a good (wet) log?
* puffy pants (17.3 oz). I hate being cold. Temps aren't supposed to get too cold, but AK wind can be cold when it blows. I will also have 350g wool long johns.
* tent lantern (9.8oz). It's nice to have a communal light source other than individual head lamps, but it doesn't get dark until 8:30. Go to sleep! Or have a fire.
* minimal first aid kit and tourniquet (4.5 oz). I've never used my first aid kit. Should I be a duct tape bandaid guy who can make a tourniquet with a belt or p cord?
* Leatherman with hex bits for scope screws (8.5 oz). Tighten everything at the truck and leave it, or don't be stupid, it doesn't do any good a plane ride away from the truck??
It looks like there's potentially 10-15 lbs on the table. What would you take and what would you leave? Or, with a base camp that has to be pretty close to the airstrip, just bring it all??
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