No matter how you plan for your hunt, do not plan on eliminating the need for packing meat-and lots of it! Not to mention the care of that meat while still in the bush and waiting to be picked up. The elements and the bears make that a chore too. Oh, but it adds so much to your adventure! AGAIN, bring a buddy that has your same enthusiasm. One that can do the work of three men: I'm not talking about Larry, Moe and Curly either! I'm talking about a real friend, one who has the same enemies you have.
I wanted to set the tone for this last part of this series. It's going to be a hard hunt. That's the adventure and that's the challenge when hunting big game in Alaska. It's worth every effort. It's an Adventure!
Add to your gear list a good camera. Each of you should have one. Before you fly to the river trade cameras with each other, when the trip is over, trade back. That way, your camera will be filled with photos of you. Same for your buddy. Alaska is very photogenic, almost at every turn. Bring lots of memory cards/film.
You'll probably purchase your camp food locally. Whatever you purchase, make sure it comes in or can be repackaged in Ziploc bags back at the hotel room. Cans will follow you and you CANNOT leave them along the river-WE DON'T DO THAT HERE! Everything from your flour, sugar, coffee, tang, dried beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, and anything else you bring along, make sure it is emptied out of its bulky store container, put in ziploc bags and packed in a cardboard box for the trip. This method cuts down on bulk, weight and ultimately your trash while in the bush.
You're going to need waterproof bags for your gear. Two each should do the trick-make that work. Sleeping bag, clothes, hygiene items, all go in those two bags. Your backpack should remain emptied and bungeed to one of the bags. Stuffed backpacks don't get along well with small aircraft. They are not "pack friendly". Packing efficiently may save a flight at the end of your trip especially if there is meat and antlers to deal with.
Pack your rifle inside a soft case, then pack it inside a hard case. You can leave the hard case at the air taxi's place when you head to the bush. Hard gun cases pack horribly in small aircraft.
A word about the raft. They are very easy to maneuver as the oars are in the middle and they turn on a dime. Only one of you will be "driving". Unlike a canoe, this eliminates a lot of stress on friendships where one blames the other.
With a mile or two of river practice, you'll be a pro. There are a variety of rivers safe to raft and have good moose and bear populations in the areas they flow through. These rafts are workhorses! Your budget included the rental of a good raft. You and your buddy will have a comfortable ride too!
When you decide on the location of your river hunt get purchase your topo maps of the area at http://www.topozone.com/states/Alaska.asp and study them. Work your way through the country stopping and hiking to the high points in the area. You'll be glassing back across the river and the area you just hiked through. AVOID seeing anything too far back up the river :) Study those topos and remember the high points nearest the river on your topo.
With a $3,500.-$4,000. budget you can hunt some of Alaska's big game and have a blast doing it. START SAVING for that trip of a lifetime!
You no doubt, still have questions about your hunt. There is no way to address all the issues you face if you want to hunt here. But I have given you some very good "bush wise" tips about Alaskan big game hunting.
If you and your partner are ready to hunt I can provide you with a information packet, everything you need to know, contact numbers as well as gear and food list. You may edit it as you wish, but nothing will be overlooked.
While you're out there, don't corner something meaner than you.
