Alaska spring bear

[hunter01]

My oldest son and I are planning an OTC spring bear hunt in unit 6, prince william sound. If anyone has some pointers they could share, PLEASE PM me. We need all the help we can get! Also, we would be happy to have another hand or two along to share skiff and gear rental if anyone is interested in a spring bear adventure. Thanks!

[bushog]

Black bear, no?

[hunter01]

Jan 23, 2024 9:04:42 GMT -5 bushog said:

Black bear, no?

Yes sir. Can’t afford the big boys.

[hgunhtr]

has Dalin bought into your crazy idea to go to alaska? HaHa keep me posted on the schedule, Would love to go however your aware of the struggles that have to be overcome first.

[bigbrowndog]

I’d be interested but my spring months were planned out last fall, so no time. Let us know how it goes though, the missus wants a bear and Alaska would be a nice vacation.

Trapr

[bearskinner]

Good hip waders you can WALK and hike in, and really good rain gear.
Cold and wet leads to a miserable time.

[sixshot]

You will want the "ankle fit" waders, makes it much easier. Not that it's easy!

Dick

[hunter01]

Jan 23, 2024 10:42:08 GMT -5 hgunhtr said:

has Dalin bought into your crazy idea to go to alaska? HaHa keep me posted on the schedule, Would love to go however your aware of the struggles that have to be overcome first.

Yes sir. You’re always invited to our camp fire.

[hunter01]

Y’all are making it sound like a big ole wet wad of SUCK!😂
My brother lived in Ketchikan for years and that the first thing he told me…..get some GOOD rain gear!

[hgunhtr]

Aint no such thing as good rain gear! your either getting wet from the outside or wet from the inside, pick your poison. I would rather have sunny 60 degree weather during the day and no rain to have to contend with. As long as I am dreaming might as well dream big. Go figure, everytime i come to texas to hunt i bring cold and snow.

[bearskinner]

That country doesn’t stay so green without lots of rain! I had my place on the Kenai from 1984 till 2017 and enjoyed it immensely, but you need to learn how to boat in the rain, fish in the rain, hunt in the rain, hike in the rain……… good rain gear isn’t inexpensive, but cheap rain gear IS expensive.

[northerngos]

Jan 23, 2024 18:29:41 GMT -5 bearskinner said:

That country doesn’t stay so green without lots of rain! I had my place on the Kenai from 1984 till 2017 and enjoyed it immensely, but you need to learn how to boat in the rain, fish in the rain, hunt in the rain, hike in the rain……… good rain gear isn’t inexpensive, but cheap rain gear IS expensive.

What did you find worked best for you? I’d assume gore Tex would be a sad joke.

[bearskinner]

I like Sitka gear ( Sitka Alaska, extremely wet) tight woven wool and polar fleece. None of the fibers that hold water, like cotton. Silk blend sock liners and undergarments. There’s so many brands and styles of breathable, waterproof gear, that’s comfortable and warm or cooling as needed. My stuff is a decade old, but works great for me still.

[x101airborne]

"Cotton kills" is one important thing to remember. Never been to Alaska but I have been to Ft. Drum NY and wet plus cold IS a giant bag of suck! I know it is "cliche" to follow the TV celebrities but "Meat Eater" Steve Rinella lists his gear on his website and he has a cabin somewhere on a remote island in Alaska. Might look to see what he is wearing up there.

[gregs]

Worked in Ketchikan from mid Jan through May and again on Metlakatla for about 5 months summer through the fall and Sitka for a year. The lower pan handle is in a rain forest (160-180" annually).

As the others have said. Spend the money on good rain gear and clothing. The surplus mil wool clothing is getting sparse but works well. Xtra Tuff boots are regular footage there but has had a great migration since manufacturing moved to China. Boot drier might be good to pack along along with glove drier. Your outfitter might provide. Nothing worse than than being wet and cold. Beg, borrow or steal some good binos.