Equipment List
for your
Guided Alaska Hunt
Sportsman's Air Service recommendations.

Click on items 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 - Your guide will have each of these, but it is not a bad idea for each hunter to bring one also. It is easy to get disoriented in thick brush or 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. In Alaska's wet terrain, 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" Lacrosse 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 - We will provide our guided clientele with sleeping bags if desired. Many hunters still prefer their own bag. Please let us know your intentions. 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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Day Pack - Each hunter should have a small lightweight day pack for carrying various items when hunting away from camp for the day.
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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. Small personal use flashlights only. Mag-Lights - bad. Mini-Mags - good.
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Knife -  Your guide will have the appropriate hardware to skin, butcher and care for your meat and hides in the field. Unless you want to get personally involved in this, you may leave your skinning knives at home. Everyone should bring at least one folding pocket knife. If  for nothing else, this will be used for your personal dining purposes. Please leave the large "Rambo" blades in the show case at home and bring a medium sized utility knife, preferably with a locking blade.
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Binoculars - 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.
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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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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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Personal Toiletries and Medicines - Small Towel, Wash Cloth, Soap, Toothpaste, Tooth Brush, Package of Moist Towelettes, Razor, Prescriptions, Ibuprofen...
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Insect Repellent and Head Net - 
Your guide will have bug dope, but you may want to bring your own bottle or favorite brand. By September the mosquito season is largely over. Though present, their numbers are not overwhelming as they can be during the peak of their summer season. The fall brings on the hatch of "white sox" in Alaska, a small biting black fly. 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.
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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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