Hunting Alaska on Your Own

This is a subject that needs some attention. I don't think I have ever read much about this subject. However, deciding on a cold camp or not, can make ALL the difference. Some have came a long way, spent a bundle to get here (not to mention the wife's offsetting costs) and are in the middle of a dream of a lifetime! Bruice Sermonis from New York State is pictured in the photo. They followed this blog series when it was first posted and is pictured here just landing in remote Alaska with three of his friends September 2011. Readiness is ALL! Every decision you have made about gear, food, and safety will make this experience better or worse.

As a rule Alaska's wildlife is not to overly concerned about camp smoke. In fact, wildfires are commonplace in Alaska. At any given time during the summer in Alaska there is a fire burning somewhere around the State.  Unless you have managed to get in a spot where there has recently been people hunting, you should not have to worry about that. Just be safe with your fire and don't overuse it.

Something that will send game in a different direction is excessive, loud human voices, wood splitting, anything that is totally out of place in the environment will cause alarm. Avoid that! Moreover, scaring game further away from your camp makes the meat and trophy packing back to camp much harder!

If you are still planning on a DIY hunt in Alaska, you are going to need to know something about hide and cape preparation while afield. Nothing ruins an Alaskan adventure like ruining your cape or trophies hide. Next post I'll go into that. YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS. This is one of the guides main tasks for clients. If you are hunting on your own, then you'll need to know how to prepare your trophy as well as the care of your meat.

This series will culminate with the four guys from New York State mentioned earlier who followed this blog series and came to Alaska last fall.

(this post has been updated since its original posting)