Kodiak hunt gear questions

[Sapper 27]

As this will be my first bush plane dropoff hunt (I am normally used to walk-ins where weight is paramount) I have a few questions regarding gear that we will be bringing out. I have a flight with Andrews Air (#1200 capacity) that will be transporting 3 people (me at roughly 225# and the other 2 at about 175# each). Only 2 of us will be hunting the other person is going as a mule if you will. I figured each hunter's pack will be about 50#. We have an Arctic Oven 10 Extreme reserved which weighs in at about 42# without any type of stove. Our plan was to buy our food in town the day prior to flying out eliminating the need to check a bunch of bags from Fairbanks. Any recommendation as to what type of container we should pack the food in to load up on the plane. Tough boxes? Cooler? Again we would rather buy this stuff in Kodiak prior being flown out so we would be at the mercy of whatever the local retailers have in stock. Also, what would you all recommend in regards to getting rid of food package waste in the field. I have read that building fires is not the best option due to spooking the bears. The only other thing I can think of is storing trash in the container that we would bring out. Not sure about that either. Suggestions? As far as the other gear I have compiled a list that is still a work in progress. Any rec's on mailing the hides back to Fairbanks would also be greatly appreciated. I was thinking mailing a frozen hide in a plastic tote. Thanks for any advice you all may have.

Shawn

[AK Troutbum]

I pretty much take all my gear down to either NAC or Ace cargo and ship it down about a week or so before I go. Typically the only thing I bring down with me on the plane is a cooler of food, and weapon, sometimes my pack (minus fuel) also. I'll usually bring a bag back with me on the plane, but ship everything else back home the same way it got down there. Shipping is pretty reasonable (Just want to make sure you declare all HazMat and pay the additional $25), then the back haul is something like 25 cents/lb.

[Bfish]

I would definitely take along some folding chairs. Makes life so much more civilized not to have to always sit on the ground

[Gary]

For shipping gear, I've used fish boxes many times. Pack a couple duffle bags (to hold the gear on the return trip) then use the boxes to ship the meat/hides. Plastic totes are good, too. Drill some holes thru the lids & zip tie the lids to the boxes. We usually shop in Kodiak for stove fuel & incidentals, but I'd send everything else. Kodiak is a small town & depending on your timing, you could find some of the things you want to pick up in short supply. Hate to get there & find out there had been a run on TP, the day before. Maximize your 3 checked bags (w/AK Air) and you should be good to go.

[Sapper 27]

Good point Gary! I will def bring what I can via checked luggage. I figured I might ship a couple things down there prior as well. I believe my charter will hang on to them for me until I get there?

[AK Troutbum]

They'll hold on to your stuff, no problem. They have connex's right there at the office/dock where they store personal gear.

[Gary]

Good point Gary! I will def bring what I can via checked luggage. I figured I might ship a couple things down there prior as well. I believe my charter will hang on to them for me until I get there?

Yes they will. Andrews is a great air taxi; I've always been very pleased with their service.

[Big Daddy]

On a side note.... I will be going to Kodiak for a goat/deer hunt and I am wondering about boots. the good the bad about kenetrek and some of the other boots that are out there. thank you in advance.

[stid2677]

I would invest in a small hand held travel scale, I keep one with me at all times. Saved me money and time more times than I can count. Sucks repacking bags at the ticket counter to get under 50lbs.

Weight everything,, it will be more than you think.

I use cheap plastic totes for Kodiak trips, drill the top so you can use zip ties to keep the top on. I like to pack a couple Army Kit bags in the totes, this way I can use the duffles to pack gear in for the return and pack hides and meat in the totes. Make sure to get the ones that meet the max size limit, these can be packed with up to 99 lbs and flown with you on Alaska as excess baggage for 50 bucks, keeps hides with you.

The Best Western has a freezer and they will let you store totes in there, They all get funny with leaky bags and totes prevent this. The totes work well in the field to store meat, can be weighted down with rocks and placed in cold water to act as a cooler and to keep scent down.

I like to eat freeze dried food to keep scent down until after the bear hunting is over, we rinse all food packaging and keep it in a compactor bag until we have a large fire before we fly out and then take anything that did not burn.

A few dura logs or a bag of charcoal are nice (consumables) to have along to cook or help get wet wood to burn.

When I go to Kodiak I buy one way tickets,, I have had to pay to change my ticket because of weather so many times that I just book my return ASAP when we get back to town. If you do miss your Alaska fight, Andrews used to give a weather letter, if you take it to the counter to rebook, I was told they will waive the rebook fee.

Food sure cost more on the island,, we always flight as much as we can to save money and buy the heavy stuff and fuel or booze there.

Get a big one.

Steve

[delong1301]

+1 on the small hand scale. I bought one for $20 on Amazon and always travel with it.....has saved me a PIA several times.

[Duckhunter01]

Might want to consider some kind of waterproof bags. Keep gear as dry as you can. Kodak weather is brutal at times and can surprise you. Cold camping it is the only way IMO. Anything to increase the odds helps. Of course after he is down a nice fire with some back straps is in order..

Good gear is a must. Love the tote and zip tie idea. I use pelican cases. They weigh a little more but are durable, waterproof and solid.
Have fun and good luck. Can't wait to return next spring to chase those browns..

[Jeff Shannon]

On a side note.... I will be going to Kodiak for a goat/deer hunt and I am wondering about boots. the good the bad about kenetrek and some of the other boots that are out there. thank you in advance.

I've worn their Hardscrabble boots on a couple of Kodiak goat hunts and they've worked flawlessly. Definitely my favorite mountain boots.

[Sapper 27]

Great points by all. I am going to be pallatizing a load out of Fairbanks to send early to prevent me from having to travel so heavy. That should help me limit to what I need to buy in Kodiak. The pallat will consist of our Arctic Oven tent, propane stove, totes, cooler, most of our food, etc. I was thinking of buying some fresh food in Kodiak for the trip. Don't want 3 mountain houses a day for 2 weeks. Any suggestions as to where to stay the night before and after the hunt? Restaurants? Local craft beers? Would love also to hit up a charter for some fishing if that's possible before heading back to Fairbanks. This thread is not helping keep my excitement down! CANNOT. WAIT. Thanks fellas...

Shawn

[flatt_lander]

Action packers work great for storing gear and such. Andrews Air is top notch! Great folks and they run a clean tight ship!

[Bullelkklr]

Steve's post was dead on. the cheap plastic totes are the ticket and they don't weigh much. Stack them for the trip in if you need.

6 point crampons come in handy on the steep grassy slopes on occasion.

I used a set of Lowas and they worked good for me. taking them to the brooks range this year.