Equipment List
for your
Outfitted Alaska Hunt
Sportsman's Guide and Air Service recommendations.

Equipment List
Please click on each item below for a detailed explanation.

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Sportsman's Guide & Air Service  3250 Lake Park Circle  Anchorage Alaska 99517
phone/fax 907-248-3181     email: mail@alaskasport.com
Joe Schuster  owner/operator

GPS and Compass - Each party, preferably each person, should have at least one hand held GPS unit and know how to use it. For float trips, this will greatly help you pin point your daily positions, landmarks and pick up zones on our maps. It is easy to get disoriented if you hike out across the featureless tundra. A direct GPS line back to camp can save a lot of wondering around and greatly reduce meat packing distances. Practice at home and know how to enter and track coordinates. Bring extra batteries. A pocket compass will aid in tracking general directions and save on GPS battery life.
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Hip Boots or Waders - Each hunter should have a pair of insulated hip boots or waders. On float trips and wet tundra conditions these are one of your most important pieces of equipment. Alaska hunters often wear these from sun up to sun down every day whether wading streams, climbing mountains, breaking brush or hiking across tundra. Your rain pants should fit over your hip boots and allow easy comfortable unrestricted movement. Rain pants over your hip boots makes you essentially waterproof from the waist down. Be sure your boots have no leaks and are broken in and comfortable before your trip. You will be spending a lot of time in these and do not want wet feet, blisters and hot spots to ruin your hunt. I recommend "ankle tight" LaCross insulated waders, but there are many other fine brands on the market. Breathable "Gortex" pant style waders are also becoming more popular with hunters. These are very comfortable and eliminate the need to pack rain pants. Breathable fabrics are more durable than you may think and are actually easier to repair in the field than rubber waders. I personally use waist high breathable waders, as do many of my guides, for both fishing and hunting and prefer them over rubberized hip boots. Which ever style of hip boot or wader you choose, bring along the appropriate repair kit.
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Rain Gear - Do not get cheap when it comes to rain gear. Staying dry can be the biggest factor in the success and enjoyment of your hunt as well as your health and safety. Do not show up with plastic or ponchos or you will be sent home, hunt canceled, no refund. Gortex and other breathable fabrics are getting better all the time and combination systems with zip out liners are very functional, eliminating the need to pack several different coats and tops. Rain pants should slip easily over hip boots and allow for ease of movement. Rain tops should allow plenty of room to layer warm clothing underneath.
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Sleeping Bag - Bags should be rated to sub zero. Construction should be of synthetic material. Feathers, down, and cotton are useless if they become wet. Pack these in a stuff sack inside your water proof bag. Compression sacks are useful for high loft sleeping bags.
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Sleeping Pad - Cots are provided for your sleeping comfort on our fully outfitted hunts. Pads are not provided and are not required. This optional item does offer an added level of comfort and thermal insulation when placed on the ground or cot. We recommend the Therma-rest style, self inflating type of pad, preferably with the non slip surface. Inflatable air mattresses are not recommended.
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Pack Frame - Each camp should have at least one, quality rigid frame pack with meat bag, straps and/or cord for securing meat and antlers. Preferably each able body packer in camp will have one of these.
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Day Pack - Some or all members of your party should have a small lightweight day pack for carrying various items when hunting away from camp for the day.
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Toilet Paper - Each member of a party should include one roll of toilet paper with their gear. Place this roll in a water proof zip-lock bag along with a butane lighter. All toilet paper is to be burned as completely as possible after use.
Sportsman's Guide and Air Service, employees and clientele are to follow the "Leave No Trace, outdoor skills and ethics" principles and practices as developed by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and endorsed by four federal land management agencies - the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Compliance: Disposal of wastewater and human wastes shall be at least 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark and will be accomplished at the spike camps by digging "cat holes", individual small holes four to eight inches deep and four to six inches in diameter. The resultant flap of sod containing roots, soil and above ground plant parts shall be replaced after deposit of waste. All toilet paper shall be completely burned. If it is determined that individual spike camps may be used for the duration of an entire hunt or consist of four or more persons for three or more consecutive days, then pit privies will be constructed for use and back filled with a minimum of two feet of over-material when the pit has reached capacity or the operation is terminated.
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Water Bottle or Canteen - Each camp will be supplied with fresh drinking water and cups. We recommend each person also bring a personal Nalgene bottle or canteen to carry with them for hydration during the day and for mixing drink preferences etc...
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Flash Light or Head Lamp - Each person should have one of these along with extra batteries and a spare bulb. We have found head lamps to be the most useful, allowing for hands free use. 
Note: Lanterns are not provided with the outfitted gear package.
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Knives and Sharpening Tool - Everyone has their preference in skinning and butchering knives. We suggest leaving the large "Rambo" blades in the show case and bringing a variety of small to medium blades. Four to six knives with two to eight inch blades, either fixed or folding handles, should be fine. Have a good sharpening tool and know how to use it. Alaska game hides are tough and dirty. Frequent sharpening will be required. Soft steel blades sharpen much easier and quickly than hardened stainless blades. If you are planning to take capes, be prepared with a couple of smaller finer blades for turning the lips, ears, eyes etc. An Exacto knife with curved blades works excellent for this delicate work.
Note: Our outfitted kitchens do not come with knives. You are expected to have a pocket knife for dining and food prep purposes.
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Binoculars and Spotting Scope - Each hunter should have a pair of binoculars. If you are purchasing new, buy the highest quality you can afford. Quality optics permit longer viewing with less eye strain. This can make a difference in the outcome of your hunt. You may be spending many hours each day behind your glasses. Be sure your binoculars at least claim to be "water proof". Glasses which only claim to be "water resistant" will fog over the moment you enter Alaska. 8x40 are a minimum, 10X42 or 10x50 are recommended. Spotting scopes may or may not be appropriate for your hunting destination and should be discussed as per your hunt. In most of our hunting destinations, a good pair of binoculars will be sufficient
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Rifle or Bow - 20 to 30 rounds of ammunition or arrows as appropriate, gun oil and maintenance tools
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Bone Saw - Folding pack saw for antler removal.
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Camera and Film - It takes a lot of pictures to get that one good shot, so bring plenty of film. Many expensive cameras and camcorders have been ruined when exposed to Alaska's tough wet conditions. If you are an avid or professional photographer pack camera's in the appropriate water and crush proof boxes. If you are not an avid or professional photographer then leave the expensive photo gear at home. The simpler the camera the better. Waterproof disposable camera's are great for Alaska conditions and in unskilled hands take just as good pictures as would the expensive and heavy gear. We recommend at least a couple of these small disposable, waterproof camera's as back ups for anyone who is planning to bring an electric camera.
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Wristwatch - (with alarm) You will want to keep track of daylight hours while you hunt. In September Alaska losses 5 to 10 minutes of daylight each day. An alarm will help you awake to be sure and hunt those productive first morning hours. While moose hunting, a couple of calls in the darkness an hour or so before daybreak can often bring a moose to the tent door for breakfast.
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Personal Toiletries and Medicines - Small Towel, Wash Cloth, Soap, Toothpaste, Tooth Brush, Package of Moist Towelettes, Razor, Prescriptions, Ibuprofen, mole skin...
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Insect Repellent and Head Net - By September the mosquito season is largely over. Though present, their numbers are not overwhelming as they can be during the peak of their season in mid summer. The fall brings on the hatch of "white sox" in Alaska, a small biting black fly with white feet. A slight breeze will help keep these pests at bay, but if you find yourself out on a windless hot afternoon, you will want a head net and bug dope. Small pump bottles are easier to pack around than large aerosol cans. There are many brands and formulas on the market that seem to work with varying effectiveness. The active ingredient DEET seems to be the most effective overall. Any brand of repellent with a high percentage of Deet should work well. The increasing frequency of frosting nights all but eliminates flying pests by seasons end.
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Sunglasses
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Hunting Boots - leather or synthetic, ankle high, water resistant, hard soled, hiking boots
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Warm Coat - A coat that will keep you warm in freezing wet conditions is essential. 2,3,4 - in - 1 coat systems, consisting of a waterproof outer shell and one or more zip in liners, are fantastic for extended hunts in Alaska's varying conditions. These systems eliminate the need for a separate rain jacket and additional warm tops as listed below. There are many excellent brands available on the market. If you don't already own one, invest in a good one and it will serve you well for many seasons.
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Tops - 2 to 3, long sleeve tops of varying thickness and warmth, polar fleece, wool or synthetic materials. This category includes pullovers, sweaters and light jackets that may be layered for additional warmth as needed.
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Bottoms - 2 to 3 pants, water proof or resistant, varying thickness and warmth, polar fleece, wool or synthetic materials.
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Long Underwear - 1 pair, top and bottom, of polypropylene or other synthetic blend, long underwear.
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Underwear and T-Shirts - as you feel you will need to be comfortable on your trip. Again, don't over do it. Items can be rinsed and dried during your trip if needed.
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Socks - several pairs of varying thickness and warmth, wool or synthetic
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Stocking Cap - If things get cold, you will need a warm hat to prevent heat loss through your head. A baseball cap or brimmed hat is fine if you prefer them for sun protection, but also bring something that will insulate and can be pulled low over your ears.
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Gloves - 2 pair, 1 light, 1 warm, water resistant materials, removable liners
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Bandana or Large Handkerchief - These always seem to come in handy for a variety of uses around a camp. i.e., wash cloth, sun protection, dust mask, pot holder, napkin, handkerchief, marker, flag, hand signal, bug dope dispenser, sling, bandage, tunicate....
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Book, Playing Cards, Writing Materials - Don't forget something to pass the time while waiting out weather or an airplane, etc... Nightly notes or a journal is a great way to help you remember the details of your hunt.
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Add any items you feel will make your hunt more enjoyable -  Don't over do it!
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