I've Been Invited on a Hunting Trip

[MoxieDawn]

I didn't know where to put this thread, so I thought I wouldn't get in trouble if I put it where "anything goes." I joined this forum because I need some advice about hunting.

Yes, I am a girl, and I have been invited on a hunting trip. I hunted squirrels when I was a kid, but I have never hunted anything even as big as a whitetail, and this hunting trip will be all the way to Alaska to hunt moose and maybe even run across a grizzly bear. So, like I say, I have experience with shotguns and that's really it. Also, I am not from a place that is cold, I am from Alabama. This hunt will be next September, so I have a year to prepare so that I am not an idiot. My friend is a very experienced hunter who has hunted all his life and goes on long hunts in Alaska every year for the last 10 years or so, so I'm not worried about being out there with some fool. More, I am worried that I will be a hinderance to him because I am not experienced.

He tells me that I will be using a 30.06. He uses a Remington 300 ultra mag. Usually he goes for three weeks, but with me it will only be for one week. The temperature gets into the 30s at night that time of year. There is not a cabin, it is a tent situation. I hope some of you might give me some advice on what I can expect and how I can prepare myself for it. My friend thinks that if I can survive the Alaskan outdoors for a week and kill a moose it will be a life-changing experience for me, and I think he's right. The only problem is, I think he overestimates my ability to be rugged. When I ask how to get ready, he just says that he'll take care of me and I'm going to love it. But I am afraid if I don't get some knowledge he will just be babysitting me, and that's no fun. I want to impress him.

So...tell me what I need to know to be a moose hunter. Thank you in advance.

[jplonghunter]

Women Hunters posts. There are some very knowledgeable ladies in regards to hunting.
Alaskan Hunting posts. Good info on hunting specific regions. If you don't have a rifle of your own acquire one that fits and practice,practice,practice.30-06 recoil is substantial and you need to accustom yourself to it. Good hunting.

[petey]

Sounds like an exciting trip for sure. There's quite a few people on here that hunt Alaska and can tell you about the terrain and what to expect. I'd say aside from learning the firearm you're going to shoot start preparing yourself physically for the hunt. Also 30 degree weather sounds marvelous to me, but I'm from Western PA, so that's normal or above temps that I hunt in.

Here's a few pointers.

You're hunting moose, so be prepared to be in "not-so" dry country. Get yourself a good pair of boots that can tred water and get them broke in. Start hiking as much as possible in your boots. I can guarantee that walking flat lands of Alabama (I'm assuming) may not prepare you for the Mountains of Alaska. Once you get boots broke in, make sure you walk/hike any hills you have around. Keeping warm, dry feet will make your trip much more enjoyable. Oh yeah, when I go on hunting trips...I ALWAYS bring 2 pair of boots, so you might as well break in a couple pair. Many people use hip waders for this style of hunting, so I'll let them chime in as I've never personally been on a Yukon or Alaskan moose hunt.

Next...Have you ever tent camped at all? If not and you have the time, might I suggest a couple dry run camp excursions over a short weekend? Again, I LOVE to camp, but nothing beats a nice warm motel room and hot shower....and tent camping is not that! If you have camped before, then no biggie, just another walk in the park...but get yourself a GOOD low temp (-30) sleeping bag.

Clothing - All I can say is one word - "Layers". You're very fortunate, since nowadays there seem to be plenty of clothes designed for women in the outdoors. 10 years ago it wasn't the case. Get yourself a couple pair of good insulation layer, like under armor or like. Then your middle layer can consist of any number of wind breaking, warmwear material on the market. Your outer layer should be waterproof. Without it you'll be in trouble. Nothing worse than hunting in wet damp clothes. Keep yourself warm and dry and the experience will be no different than laying on the beach on a hot sunny day, provided you have the proper clothing. I suggest doing some research on womens clothing, layer system.

Check out http://proishunting.com/
SHE apparel - http://shesafari.com/v2/
Cabelas - http://www.cabelas.com/womens-hunting-clothing.shtml


You'll need a good daypack, to handle your gear, food and possibly pack out an animal. Many people have mixed feeling on this. Some go with non-frame style packs, just basic day packs, like a kids bookbag. They are very light but not versatile. I suggest getting a pack with an internal frame that not only is comfortable, but breathable, and can handle heavy loads. NOTE: not all backpacks are created equal.

I suggest Eberlestock packs http://eberlestock.com/ like X2 or Halftracker.

What other gear is nice to have? The obvious, compas and maps (or GPS to find your way back to camp) Shooting sticks, to steady your shot.

I could go on and on. Granted a person can go nuts buying all the latest gear and gizmos and do you really need it all? Well no, but believe me...proper clothing, and gear can turn an uncomfortable hunt otherwise, into a very enjoyable one.

Hope this all helps!

[petey]

Also, forgot a good set of Binoculars, at least 10X and whatever you can afford. Spend as much as you can on these, as they can make or break a hunt. Don't go out and buy a $50 pair and call it good. You'll be spending a lot of time looking through binoculars scanning the mountains for critters. Nothing worse than making a 3 hr hike to an animal and it not being what you expected or wanted, b/c of poor optics. Just about every hunt I'm on, I spend the majority of it looking through my binoculars, so get a pair that's easy on your eyes and are of good quality.

[Jack]

Petey's covered things pretty well. The one addition I would make is this: in addition to a warm sleeping bag, you need an insulating pad underneath you to sleep comfortably. There are several options: closed cell foam pads, which are warm but not thick enough to give you much padding from the ground. Open cell foam pads, which can be comfortable (get one 3 inches thick), but are bulky, and can also get wet.
Probably the best choice is one of the pads from a company called Thermarest. Those are kind of a cross between an air mattress and a foam pad, they insulate well to keep you warm, are comfortable, and pack up to be not too bulky.

[MoxieDawn]

Hi Petey and all of you. Thanks for finally getting me official here!

First, about gear. I have been assured that I will be fully outfitted in everything I could possibly need, but that's a great point about the boots. I guess he needs to get those to me early. Honestly, being in shape to tromp through Alaska is one of my biggest concerns. Also I'm slightly concerned that with him being very experienced that he may overlook something that would be more important to a novice than it is for him. About the gun, my brother-in-law has a 30.06 that I can practice with. How comparable is the recoil to a .12 gauge shotgun?

Yep, I've camped in tents before, but it's been a long time. I'll get in practice again this winter. And those camping trips were always at a campground where there were bathrooms. I won't have a bathroom out there. How does that work, exactly? Also, he says I can have no bath or I can wash in a 30-degree creek. Why can't I just heat a bucket of water at the campfire?

[petey]

If you can handle a 12 gauge a 30-06 is nothing. Two different styles of recoil albeit, where a shotgun is more of a push than a rifle's recoil punch. Don't get too worked up about it though. Nothing kicks more than a 12 gauge (3" mag shells) in my mind and I'm a little dude and shoot all types of magnum rifles. Just practice and learn the rifle and you'll be good.

You're lucky if everything gets outfitted for you! Creek washing can wake you up for sure, and there's no rule that says you can't heat up water. They make all kinds of cool stuff now, from camp showers, to portable potties. Check out Cabelas camping section and you'll see.

[bigbrother]

Moxie,
Petey did a great job at covering the gear and physical aspect of the hunt. No doubt getting into the best shape you can before you go will help in uncountable ways (coming from personal experience of failing at this).

As far as your other comments, I wouldn't worry so much about becoming a hinderance and being inexperienced. I'm sure your friend understands what he may be getting into. Hunting is far more than just getting the game. You'll understand this, especially in Alaska where just the shear magnitude and beauty of what you will experience will outshadow the weather. Enjoy the experience, your friend will enjoy it as well, and will appreciate the comraderie that you will offer. My guess is, that's what he's looking for most of all, you just being there to experience what he loves.

Now that you're part of our group....keep us all updated on your progress and of course you have to let us all know how it goes!

Good luck and no worries!

[wrenchman]

If You can get out and hunt some deer or small game before next seasen and shoot shoot and shoot some more we can recomend lots but some times it helps if u get out and use it to see what will work for u.
shooting a pellit gun and 22.s will help with the triger control and moter skills.

[MoxieDawn]

I really appreciate all these answers! I was worried you'd think I was some silly nuisance. Because it can't be overstated what a priss I can be sometimes, and I really don't want to be on this hunting trip. I have a year to get manly.

bigbrother, I appreciate the word on getting in shape, because I'm not. I'll start working on that now. Also, wrenchman, you really mean just shooting my Daisy BB gun will help? Because I can afford BBs, but I'm not sure how many target practice sessions I can afford with 30.06 shells (rounds? cartridges?). And I think may dad has a .22 rifle. Those bullets aren't too expensive, right?

Petey, yes, I'm very lucky. My friend has all the hunting gear I need, and I'll get "girl" clothes for it. He even says if I can handle the 30.06 well, I might even earn my own gun. Wow! And believe me, I know that people will pay thousands and thousands to go hunting in Alaska and I will pay nothing. That's another reason why I want to be a good hunter and not a hinderance.

Now here are my new questions. My friend is a joker. So when I ask him stuff about the trip, I always get the worst possible answer. You know, the most extreme thing. And I can't tell what is the real answer and what answer is to freak me out so he'll think it's funny. Like when I ask about bathroom business. "We're gonna be bears, darlin. Does a bear **** in the woods?" So...what if he really means that? Do you dig a hole for that? Should I pack my gardening spade?

[petey]

I'm sure he's just joking around with you. I'm also quite sure he's aware of your concern about personal hygiene for the week and has planned for that. I doubt you'll have to dive behind whatever nearest bush is available to take care of business.

Packing a garden spade would more than likely get a chuckle out of him, so if you want to play that game, go ahead a play along and then drop the ball that you knew he was joking all along.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Packing a garden spade would more than likely get a chuckle out of him, so if you want to play that game, go ahead a play along and then drop the ball that you knew he was joking all along.

Or if you REALLY want to have some fun, pack a post hole digger in your gear, and tell him you expect HIM to haul it!

[popplecop]

When you find a good pair of waterproof boots, buy the second pair too. This assures one that you have a dry pair for the next day. There are not any boot dryers available in the bush and dry boots, socks are a must.

[wrenchman]

yes bb guns and 22.s are what most kids start out on it helps moter skills sholder the gun aim triger controll by picking a spot on the target.
I no guys that hunt all over the world and shooting big game guns alot can cost lots of money and be hard on you and they shoot lots of 22.s
another way and my wife thinks i look like a big kid get the gun u intend to hunt with get to no the gun well make sure the scope is adjusted to you and you can pick up targets with it you dont need to shoot it to lern this you can do it in your house by picking a spot on the wall and aiming.
I do have to say most hunts like there is not a lot shooting going on becouse when you do then there is lot of work.

[Rapier]

Never been to AK, but spent many years in ME and NH, both moose hunting areas. One thing that will tell you about your hunt is to ask if you will be hunting by boat or on foot. I suspect with an invite to a lady novice moose hunter you will be hunting by boat with possible short walk outs from a boat landing, if you see a moose. I would not expect cross country treks, especially not in moose country.

Do you have cable TV or satellite system? If so. look for the TV program Alaska State Troopers, I think it is on the National Geographic Channel. The State Troopers do the F&G business in AK also and many of their programs show fishing and hunting patrols with a couple actually showing troopers checking moose camps along creeks and rivers. I think that might give you a feel for the terrain you may be hunting in.

Moose do like low lands so if you will be on foot, a good ole boot pulling mud, like AL Gumbo, is just the ticket for leg muscle exercise. Without the mud, just walk every day, a few miles at a time to build strength and endurance.

Here is a boot that has been used for almost 100 years in ME for hunting moose:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/33174...281-ppxs&dds=y

The boot is built the way it is so you can feel the ground through the soft sole, you can avoid breaking sticks and twigs, even under water, while your feet stay dry and warm.
Ed