cnelk's 2014 Alaska Moose Adventure/Hunt

[cnelk]

Since I dont have any more elk tags for this year, Its time to start my planning and gathering gear for my 2014 Alaska moose adventure/hunt.
The reason I am calling it an 'Adventure/Hunt' is that is how I am approaching it.
Adventure first, hunt second.
This will be a SuperCub fly-in hunt.
Sept 15 -25
60lb per person
I am taking my bow in hopes of sending an arrow into an AY moose.
But if things dont work out , as we know they sometimes dont, there will be a 375 H&H in camp.
I am a hunter first, this isnt an archery only hunt, it is an Alaska Adventure/Hunt

I am hoping to take all of you along in gathering info, going thru gear, logistics in preparation and all the way to Alaska and back.
The info will be shared in case anyone else is thinking about going to Alaska.
I believe that most of the stuff will pertain to both moose and caribou hunts.

I am applying for a caribou tag when the application process opens in November.
Results are posted in Feb

Some background:

I have a high school friend that now lives in AK. He is retired from the Army as a Major.
He has 3 tours over-seas as a Black Hawk pilot
He also hunts AK moose each fall and has taken some dandies

We hunted caribou in AK together in 1998 and now its time to go back.

He is coming to Colorado to hunt elk mid-November with an E/S tag. My son has a cow tag.
That will the kick-off hunt to go over stuff for next September.

Im inviting anyone interested to post thoughts, ideas and anything that will be of assistance

I have started getting some new gear, and will post my gear list soon for your review and thoughts.
If any sponsors that would like their gear tested on this hunt, I would entertain that, if weight restrictions/logistics allow.

So, who wants to tag along?

[Buglemaster]

I'll tag along Brad. Ive entertained the idea of an Alaskan hunt also. Have relatives in Anchorage that have been twisting both arms & one leg for the last 10 years.They have a jet boat, so it would probably be a "river rat" expedition when & if we ever do it.Certainly will be fun to watch your hunt play out.60#'s for a 10 day hunt eh?? That's gonna take some careful thought.

[Swede]

I do not know if I can follow along with you or not. I may still be in elk camp at the time, but if you post it all here I will catch up when I return. Good luck and let us know what is in that 60# bag of goodies. Bringing along two weapons seems to put you at a handicap as you will need to drop off about 10 pounds of something else. I might choose either the bow and a 44 mag., or just the 375 H&H.

[cnelk]

I will post the gear list today.
Some of the list contains items for 2 guys [weapons/tent/food/misc gear]
I havent weighed all the gear yet, but do have some approx weights on some items
I will be close!

My goal is that most gear will be appropriate for any remote big game hunt, especially elk.
Not keen on spending $$$ on stuff that will only be used for this hunt.

Swede
I understand your schedule wont allow to be 'online' for most of September, but it it should make for good reading upon your return.
Plus, I will be getting out of the bush about the same time you are completing your elk hunt.

[cnelk]

Gear List


WEAPON/PACK
PSE Drive Bow / 44mag handgun [Typically the transporter does not count the weapon weight]
8 GoldTip Arrows w/ broadheads
12 rounds 44 ammo
Kelty Cache Hauler w/ bag


FOOD
Mountain House meals 2 a day
Oatmeal packets
Tortillas
10 - PBBH
10 snickers
1lb cheese
Jerky
Smoked fish
Dried fruit
Coffee singles / drink mixes
Seasonings for meals

UTENSILS
1 Nalgene water bottle
Cooking pot
Long Spork
Coffee cup

SHELTER/SLEEPING
NorthFace tent
Big Agnes ‘Farwell’ 0 degree Sleeping Bag
Big Agnes insulated air core pad
Pack cot

CLOTHING
Helly Hansen Impertech II rain gear
Badlands Inferno Jacket
Helly Hansen Wool shirt
Pendleton Wool shirt
Wool sweater
2- Wool field pants
Lacrosse Alpha Burly 800gram Rubber Boots
Lacrosse 600gram Hip Boots
Wool hat
Head net
2 sets gloves wool/fleece
2 sets thermal bottoms
2 sets thermal tops
3 pair of smart wool socks
Sealskinz socks
1 pair camp shoes
Extra underwear


OTHER
Propane single burner
2 propane fuel bottles – 2lb
Katadyn Base camp water filter
Collapsible 5 gal water jug
Nikon Monarch Binos 10x40
Nikon 440 Rangefinder
GPS DeLorme PN30 w/extra batteries
Headlight w/ extra batteries
Digital camera w/ extra batteries
Cutco drop point knife
Skinning gloves
First aid kit
2 tarps
Duct tape
550 cord
2 bic lighters
Fire Starters
8 Moose game bags
2 large compactor bags
Sat phone / SPOT
Trekking poles
Crazy Creek camp chair
Silky Gomtaro ProSenti Saw
20 clothes pins
Z seat pad


TOILETRIES
1 roll TP
Baby wipes
Towel/wash cloth
Soap
Toothbrush/paste

[ElkNut1]

Brad, awesome! That hunt is on my bucket list! (grin) Would love to hear about the prep & adventure itself! Very nice gear list too, what's it way at present?

ElkNut1

[cnelk]

I have been corresponding with a few guys that travel to AK and have had some success with getting gear to/from AK and having the necessities in the bush. I am lucky enough to have most of the gear mentioned

Below is what I will call the 'Top 5' tips

1) Best sleeping bag, pad etc you can afford. You spend 1/3 of the hunt sleeping/resting, and it's critical to your overall enjoyment...especially 10 nights out.

2) The right tools make a huge difference. My favorite butchering knife is a Cutco. This knife is amazing, and I've never found one that cuts more easily on big animals. My favorite saw is a Silky Gomtaro Pro Sentei. I can fell 10" trees with it, make firewood, saw skulls, create meat poles, etc.

3) If you believe in fresh filtered water, the hands-down best answer is a Katadyn Base Camp unit. You fill the bag with water, and let gravity run it through the filter. No pumping. You'll need a collapsible jug or 2 for the clean water.

4) 5 gallon bucket. Load it with as much Mountain House, oatmeal, coffee and food as possible. Put the lid on and tape it securely. Label and ship it up. Throw it on the Cub. The bucket is food storage / seat / wash tub / water bucket / emergency night toilet. Really handy.

5) Two (three is better) complete sets of thin...next to skin...long johns. Every 3 or 4 days just peel naked and wash your body with 'No Rinse' (brand) bath wipes, and put on clean underwear. Wash and air dry the dirty ones (10 minute job in your bucket). Heat some water and do a hair-wash and shave. You'll feel great, and no ripe, funky smell following you around.

[Swede]

You have a very well thought out list. This thread just may find its way into the archives later on. Even if someone wants to make changes for their personal hunt needs, this is a great starting point.

[Triplebhunters]

Cnelk I will watch this go. Would love to caddy this one. I do have a book on the how to alaska, if you want me to send it to you. I won't start reading it. Have looked at a few pics. Baught it off alaska forum a couple years ago.

[JJ Overkill]

CAN I COME PLEASE

I will be watching this tread. i have been looking into a hunt like this. i want to go in the next 5yrs. just not sure on the funds

[cnelk]

This hunt will take place on the 'other side' of the mountain for me as I turn 50 in a few months.
Its my Bday gift to myself.

I completely understand the cost factor and that is why I hope I can give any cost savings or insight to someone that may be going in the future.
My costs may be a bit skewed since my buddy lives there, but the generalities would be close.
My expense goal is ~$3500 door to door

Triplebhunters:
I would appreciate any reading material you would like to offer. I will be sure to return it.

[G Posik]

Following along. I am starting to gather information myself for my moose hunt.

Glenn

[bnsafe]

definitely watching. im to big a chicken to ever do this myself, but I can live thru you

[Vanish]

My wife's uncle is in Alaska and he keeps bugging us to come up and do an archery moose hunt with him, so I'll be watching this thread!

[Triplebhunters]

Pm sent.