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alaska

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Category: Hunting, Fishing & General Outdoors
Forum Name: General Hunting
Forum Description: Techniques, tips, stories, general discussion, etc.
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Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 18:08
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Topic: alaska
Posted By: SChunter
Subject: alaska
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 10:48
If you were going on a moose hunting trip to Alaska with a resident, (so there is no outfitter based suggested supplies), what would you take?  Bear may also be involved!
Firearm
clothing choices
rain wear
packs
sleeping bag suggestions
hunting related supplies
 
The hunt is still in the planning stages, so where and how (float vs. hike vs. who knows) is still up in the air.
 
Suggestions?



Replies:
Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 11:15
.375H&H as far as the rest goes can really help you there, good boots will be very important for sure. your going to want light clothing that repels water well and yet keeps you warm, its alaska after all. a good compact gun cleaning kit would be a good idea, even if its just a boresnake type.

im fairly certain that if you talked to enough people in here they will be able to line you out. John Barsness would be a good one to ask.


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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 11:46
I was also thinking along those lines, Pyro.  We may be taking a small group of 4--one has a 338 ultra, one has a 416 rigby, but being left handed, I was moving towards a new gun.  I have a 7mm Rem mag a bolt stainless stalker, but was thinking along the lines of a 375 H and H.  Suggestions for the left handed world?


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 11:51
i do believe, and i may be wrong but i could swear that the min. allowable caliber in alaska in bear country is .338, i may be wrong on that i will look at the alaska web page and get back to you.

as far as your rifle, you can get a m700 xcr in .375H&H in left hand check out remingtons web page, they have section just for south paws.


-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 12:08
Nothing wrong with the 7 mag for moose.
Layered clothing, wool or synthetic.  A waterproof and breathable outer barrier.
Hippers that fit good around the ankles.
I still have an external frame pack and won't comment.
A synthetic bag of good construction. I have a North Face but any good brand will do.
Compass, maps, GPS with local topos loaded, fire starter, medical kit.......
 
 


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 12:18
no doubt the 7mm mag is enough for moose, especially when coupled up with a good bullet. i suggest the H&H or .338win mag for bear defense more than anything.

just so its clear, dont wanna give anybody the wrong ideaBig Smile


-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 12:58
Could always get a 50bmg but the 375h&h will do the trick too.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 13:05
i wouldnt want to have to carry a 50bmg at 9000ft above sea level for a week with a slew of brown bears nearby Bucky

-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 14:48

What about a double rifle in the 500 nitro! I like double rifles! lol



Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 15:43
But there won't be a 270 on the trip!


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 16:06

what about a LOTT?



Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 16:12

7mag will do in moose, but if your going to purchase a new rifle I'd jump into either 338 or 375.  As always, good boots and hippers, I like wool clothing, good rain gear.  Most importantly a good set of knives for when you harvest your 60" moose. 



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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/13/2010 at 16:16
Don't forget a good digital camera thats waterproof


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 01:19
338 win mag is more popular in Alaska than .375 H&H and if you look at the balistics at 400 to 500 yds they are quite comparable. The real difference is that you can buy some .338 WM rifles in Tikka left  or the Savage Accutrigger Accustock left hand at really reasonable prices compared to the cost of a .375 H&H most of which are quite costly.  The 7mm mag is probably adequate but with the kind of bears they have there I'd go .338 WM and the scope I would want is the Trijicon 2.5-10x56 with the amber post.  You will probably want rain gear made of Gortex or some type of waterproof outer shell or tarp. Really good boots  Irish Setter Snow Claw Xt    2000 gram thinsulate.  Take two weights of gloves and adequate head gear be able to layer clothing  -- polartec.  North Face makes good coats.  Take a way to start a fire and two knives and a small saw or hand axe ( the Glock shovel has a saw in the handle. http://www.glock.com/english/outdoor_entrench.htm - http://www.glock.com/english/outdoor_entrench.htm   Several pairs of socks in case they get wet.  A couple of MRE's and basic survival kit with emergency first aid supplies.  Nalgene bottle and provodine iodine to purify water. 
http://www.lapolicegear.com/quikclot.html - http://www.lapolicegear.com/quikclot.html   quick clot.
http://international.findmespot.com/ - http://international.findmespot.com/    SPOT 
GPS & compass &  topographic map
AMMO - extra AMMO


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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 09:49
i dont know if anybody mentioned this or not but from what ive been reading other places about alaska hunts, they all recommend you take rent a satellite phone since cell phone service is spotty at best.

-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 10:18
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

i dont know if anybody mentioned this or not but from what ive been reading other places about alaska hunts, they all recommend you take rent a satellite phone since cell phone service is spotty at best.
 
Good thinking, not all outfitters, if your using one, will have that availible, and I doubt cell coverage is good.


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 10:34
suggestions on the boots/waders?  Spotting scope, or binos on a bipod/tripod to use also with shooting?
We had already discussed the sat phone rental!
 
Other Ideas on 338 vs. 375?
 


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 10:44
Thinking back you have a gun adequate for moose. Why not get a S&W 500 revolver for Bear!  It would add a new aspect to the hunt and you could easily carry it in addition to your rifle in case you saw a bear on the moose hunt!


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/14/2010 at 10:45
I would say a good set of binos would be fine instead of a spotter for ease of carrying around being you dont' know what your doing as far as type of hunting, stalk, walk, sit.


Posted By: Duce
Date Posted: January/17/2010 at 12:36
Try to get your friend to haul the moose out after you shoot one that is a lot of meat and hide antlers to pack back across miles of frozen ground to camp Watch out for bears  they can smell moose blood for miles .
Duce  Big Grin


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Duce


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/17/2010 at 13:00
My brother-in-law and another friend did a drop camp for moose in Alaska. He ended up with a nice one that was around 55". He used an .06 in a Sako with a 1.75-6 Leupold. He also had my FA83 in .454 for back up.
He was worried about his shot being a dinner bell for bear, but none materialized. Packing it back to camp was indeed and ordeal. His buddy stood guard while he was cutting. It took several trips and it was wet and the ground was soft. Add serious work outs to the list.Wink

Doug





Posted By: Duce
Date Posted: January/17/2010 at 13:48
There was a story posted on here Smilea year or two ago about a couple of guys shot a moose and one had to shoot a bear with his handgun a 44 mag. I think Chris posted it and it had some good pictures.
Duce 


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Duce


Posted By: RONK
Date Posted: January/17/2010 at 17:56
 I would not even attempt a hunt like that unless I were in absolute TOP physical condition.
 A dead moose, Alaska's "Take Everything Edible" meat salvage laws, hip waders, and miles of muskeg between moose and camp can make it one of the most physically grueling hunts on EARTH. 
 I'd probably just use my trusty old .30-06 and 200 grain Nosler Partitions, but if I were to buy a new rifle for that hunt, I think I'd jump right to a .416 Remington, Weatherby or Rigby and 400 grain bullets. It would be a fairly short, light, fast-handling, stainless, bolt-action, weatherproof, hard-kicking S.O.B., and it would never be more than one step away from me during the entire hunt!


Posted By: Texas
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 13:06
Now you're talking. 416 Weatherby for me, please! And +100 on the top physical condition requirement. I'm thinking hunting real near where a float plane can land would work best for me...

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"There are some things which cannot be learned quickly and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are the very simplest things..." Ernest Hemingway


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 13:13
All good ideas!  Keep them coming.  Still not sure about the rifle!
 


Posted By: Duce
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 13:25
Will you be hunting in the mountains or on the plains tundra areas? A big difference in what you need and what you can use to carry your camp equipment. A 30-06 worked fine for me a long way back as far as dropping  a moose. Even thought it has been a long time ago I still have very clear memories of the packing out. As I have said in other post the only way I will shoot a moose now is if it is standing in the back of my pick up truck. Ronk is right about  Alaska  law requires you to pack everything out and the penalties if you don't are much more sever than in the lower 48. You can have a wonderful time hunting and fishing in Alaska as long as you respect local fish and game laws and know if you are on park land etc. Some of my best memories are fishing and hunting with an old friend that had moved up there.  He has passed now and I will probably never make it back up there but I do miss it.
Duce 


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Duce


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 14:57
Duce, we are still unsure of destination.  The two that I will be hunting with are well experienced in transport--boat or atv or hiking--methods and being Alaska residents well versed in local laws related to hunting/fishing.  We were contemplating a float trip.


Posted By: JF4545
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 15:44
I spent 3 years in Ak. back in the 70's and most of those guys then used 300 WM for Bears. I came across some guys one day who shot a (Grizzly) Brown Bear on the road. They said the Bear came after them when they stopped there truck to go pee.  I did not believe them at all, it was just an excuse to shoot a Brown Bear out of season with no tag...They shot the Bear with a 30-06 though and there were 2 of them and 4 of us. We all rolled the Bear into a flat bottom boat they had, we tipped the boat, rolled the Bear in then picked up one end of the boat and set it on the tailgate. Then we picked up the back of the boat and slid it in there truck.....The Bear was not dressed out either as they wanted to get out of there in case a Cop or GW came by.. That was one heavy damn Bear, I remember that..That was about 1976, things or laws are probably more strict today I suppose...
   My only advice to would be to let several people know where you are going and when you will be back if you are being flown in somewhere....


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: January/18/2010 at 16:20
"As I have said in other post the only way I will shoot a moose now is if it is standing in the back of my pick up truck."
 
Duce, that is funny Laugh


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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: CDBIDSBEAR
Date Posted: January/27/2010 at 08:09
Duce,
           A mate of mine just returned from a successful Moose hunt in Alaska.  He's also a Leftie and purchased a Remington M700 .375H&H from the Remington Custom Shop (it was an off the shelf rifle, just lucky to get what he wanted).  He worked up a load using the Barnes 270grain TSX and it worked perfectly.  He ended up with an awsome 66" Moose and had the trip of a lifetime.
On the Bear topic, he and his guide did have a close call.  The Grizzly false charged them, causing both of them to drop to a knee and draw a bead.  He said it stopped and reared up onto it's hind legs, chomping it's jaws and growling.  He recons it was the coolest experiences he's had, and wants to go back some day to hunt one.  It was only during one of the stop overs at an airport on the way home that he got to the chapter in the bear book he took with him showing how dangerous that particular instance was.  Apparently not much difference between a stop and a charge.
On the physical side of things he is probably the fittest guy I know (both physically and mentally) and takes his pre-hunt fitness extremley seriously.  He said that it was the hardest thing he's ever done (and he's hunted Mongolia, China, Kazakstan before).  He said that the hardest part is the fact that the ground is so wet you're constantly pulling your feet out of slush.  They even walked through lakes where possible as it was easier in the water than in the slush.
As far as gear goes definately a set of good Hip Boots, and the best quality rain gear you can get.  He actually went for an old school rubber rain coat as anything else eventually soaks through and you just can't get gear dry in that climate (out of his 12 day hunt, they had one & a half days of no rain).  He also recommends some oil soaked cleaning cloths in sealed zip-lock bags to enable you go wipe your rifle down each night. 
Hope you enjoy your trip, keep us updated.
Regards
Craig


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: January/27/2010 at 09:13
thanks craig!


Posted By: Longhunter
Date Posted: February/02/2010 at 01:28

As to the rifle, stainless steel and synthetic stock for sure.  Blued rifles and walnut stocks can get badly messed up in that weather.  They also take precious time to maintain when you get back to camp and are cold, tired, and hungry.  I want my rifles able to take any weather I can.  You might think about putting electrician's tape over the muzzle to keep out snow, heavy rain or mud (if you trip).  It works.

 
The .338 is a great all-around rifle for America, and worked just fine on my brown bear (DRT).  If you think your future holds a trip to Africa for DANGEROUS game, then a .375 is a better choice.   
 
You will want a goretex parka, and probably want to layer.   I used down when hunting in deep snow, but prefer synthetic fill since it will keep you warm even when it's wet.  That goes for both your jacket and your sleeping bag.  Layering will let you shed some of your insulation and either put it in your pack or strap it on (very securely) when you are walking.
 
Synthetic underwear is another problem.  It can be fine when sitting, but too darned hot when walking even in really cold weather. 
 
Footwear is always a tough choice.  Waterproof for sure.  The insulation depends upon how cold the weather is, and how much walking you will be doing.  My "really cold weather" boots were too heavy to do a lot of walking, but they kept me warm.   My upland boots are great for walking, but not warm enough for seriously cold weather.  You're looking at a compromise here, or taking two sets of boots (and wearing one on the plane).  Walking on tundra can be hard work, since you are constantly stepping up and down.  An extra pound in each boot will wear you out fast, but cold feet can absolutely stop you. 
 
Just a few thoughts you may find helpful.    


Posted By: biggreen747
Date Posted: February/06/2010 at 01:43
My 338WM for Moose and a short, fat liberal that I can outrun for Bear. In all seriousness though there are some great recommendations here. I specifically bought my Kimber Montana 338WM for that type of hunt. I would also have a Bushnell Elite, Burris Six X (which I have), or if you can afford it a Zeiss Diavari since all these have a water repellant coating. With the wet weather they have I would consider one of those scopes a must have since you are dealing with 2 animals that are entirely capable of injuring or killing you. 

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We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.


Posted By: cpBT
Date Posted: February/06/2010 at 20:03
+1 for 338 WM.  A co-worker of mine has guided fall hunts for many years and a .338 is what he carries.  My dad also killed a lot of moose with his .338 WM.  It's plenty of rifle.

Craig


Posted By: LRSMike
Date Posted: February/07/2010 at 08:14
Check out a store online called REI, a good place to look at for clothing, and sleeping bags/tents for cold weather. Boots, hmm there are quite a bit of good ones, look up the ROCKY S2V's. I know they are a military style boot, but they have no break in period, and can sustain water up to the top of the boots, breathe very well, and are light to boot. A good pair of goretex socks, or thick insulated should do the trick for the feet portion. REI also has some packs you can look into, and I would recommend loading your pack with about 50-100 lbs of gear and walk a few miles (4-10) depending on your physical standings, a couple of times before you go, to get used to some weight. A great buy would be an ALICE pack, with frame and shoulder straps, and Tactical Tailor also makes a great rucksack for these purposes. Check them out!

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You don’t know what you don’t know.

And those who don’t know and never try, never will.



Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 08:36
seen the REI site--good advice--thanks!


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:29
hey sam you wanna take oprah to alaska?? 

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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:35
do you prefer the one word answer, or two?
Although I am planning a mission trip to Haiti. . . 


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:37
I am not sure that Sarah would approve.


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:42
sam meet oprah





-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:50
sorry, yes, I am very much thinking of purchasing my own!  Sorry for the mistake on my end!


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:51
how does oprah like the vortex?


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 10:57
so far so good, its a nice scope. i had a 4200 elite on it last year.

-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 11:09
what's your magnification recommendation for her?
Why did you choose the winchester version?


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 11:48
the magnification is up to you, my 4200 was a 3x9 and i felt comfortable with it, i took shots at a running deer with it at 300 yds, im not worth a damn at hitting moving targets. the scope that is on it now is a 2x7 viper with the versa plex.

the winchester was just by chance really. i was at a gun show two years ago walking around looking for a gun, in a medium caliber, .338win mag or bigger. there was a guy there in the corner who had tables  on three sides of himself, he was not only a dealer but a builder. that big silver tube caught my eye, i honestly thought it was a .223 or 22-250 or a .243 with a heavy contoured barrel. i asked him if i could look at it and he said sure, so i did and flipped the gun over and read .375H&H on the barrel as it in the picture. i asked him how it shot, he said it goes bang. i was like great, he said i built that 4rifle and only shot it 2-3 times to make sure it would function. its got a mcgowan barrel on it, and man will it shoot. the price was right so i bought it.


-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"


Posted By: SChunter
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 13:00
i've never run into a left handed deal like that!


Posted By: pyro6999
Date Posted: February/08/2010 at 13:10
shes a sweet shooter too.

-------------
They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead"

343 we will never forget

God Bless Chris Ledoux
"good ride cowboy"



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