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Hunt Alaska With

Bear Adventur

Bethel, Alaska w.pbadventures.com

P.O. Box 2509 Bethel, AK 99559

(907) 543-5275 [email protected]

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Papa Bear Hunting Primer

I. Contents II. ALASKA ..............................................................................................................................................4

III. PREPARING FOR THE TRIP .................................................................................................................5

A. Travel Reservations: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

B. Physical Conditioning: .......................................................................................................................................................... 5

C. Packing Lists: ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

D. Alcoholic Beverages: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

E. Weight Restrictions: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

F. Shipping Items to Bethel: ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

IV. PRE-TRIP: ARRIVING IN BETHEL .........................................................................................................7

A. Arriving in Bethel: ................................................................................................................................................................. 7

B. Payment for Trip: .................................................................................................................................................................. 7

C. Purchase Fishing License: ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

D. Equipment Inspection/Weigh-In: ......................................................................................................................................... 7

V. THE TRIP.............................................................................................................................................8

A. Drop-off Day: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

B. Taking of Game: .................................................................................................................................................................... 8

C. Salvage of Meat: ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

D. Pick-up Day: .......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

E. Return to Bethel: .................................................................................................................................................................. 9

VI. POST HUNT ..................................................................................................................................... 10

A. Overnight in Bethel: ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

B. Donating Meat: ................................................................................................................................................................... 10

C. Shipping Antlers and Capes: ............................................................................................................................................... 10

D. *TIPPING*: .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10

E. Flight Home: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10


VII. PACKING TIPS: ................................................................................................................................ 11

A. Personal Gear: .................................................................................................................................................................... 11

B. Camp Equipment: ............................................................................................................................................................... 11

C. Food: ................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

VIII. Quartering Moose and Caribou ...................................................................................................... 12

IX. Helpful Hints: .................................................................................................................................. 13

X. Raft Instructions ............................................................................................................................. 14

XI. Boat Instructions ............................................................................................................................ 15

XII. Personal Packing List ...................................................................................................................... 16

XIII. Camping Equipment/Gear List ....................................................................................................... 17

XIV. Food List ......................................................................................................................................... 18


II. ALASKA

People say Alaska is the last frontier, I am not sure I agree with the word frontier, but I

know it is like no other place in North America. The Alaskan wilderness is the most

rewarding place on earth for some, and the harshest place for others.

The Alaskan Bush will produce memories that will last you a lifetime. We will assist you

in planning for this adventure to insure fond memories of the Alaskan wilderness.

Remember, that you have chosen a trip that will take you where you’ll be out of

contact with civilization for 7 days or more in some cases, up to 100 miles from the

nearest hospital, and into an environment of ever changing weather conditions. We

cannot guarantee your success, that is why they call it fishing, but we can guarantee

you will have an experience of a lifetime.

The better prepared you are for your trip the better the odds are for your success. Our

most successful fishermen are those who do not lose sight of the fact that they are

here on vacation. They do not push so hard trying to fish every second that they fail to

take in the beauty and enormity of their surroundings.

The bottom line is we will do what we can, so that you can enjoy yourself and leave

Alaska with lasting memories.

-- Steve Powers, Papa Bear Adventures


III. PREPARING FOR THE TRIP

A. Travel Reservations:

In the confirmation letter your hunt drop-off and pick-up dates were given. Please remember that your

arrival and departure dates are different than your hunt dates. Several major airlines fly from the lower 48

states to Anchorage. From Anchorage to Bethel we recommend Alaska Airlines. Each hunter needs to plan

on being in Bethel by 4:00 PM the day prior to the hunt drop-off date and depart Bethel the day after the

scheduled pick-up date. Please contact us with your itinerary, so that we know your arrival and departure

dates / times.

B. Physical Conditioning:

The last thing you want to happen is that on the fourth or fifth day of the hunt you have to slow down,

because your back is aching or your legs are sore. A modest exercise routine, such as jogging, push-ups and

sit-ups or at least a lot of walking will go a long way in helping you enjoy your hunt.

C. Packing Lists:

The equipment, food and personal gear packing lists you will find in this document have been prepared to

assist you. It is highly recommended that you use the lists as a guide/reminder when preparing for your

trip. What you ultimately decide to bring or not to bring is up to you, however quality gear and equipment

are important details in order to have a positive experience in the Alaskan Bush. If you decide to rent

equipment from us, notify us ahead of time, so that the equipment will be ready for you when you arrive.

NOTES:

1. NO WADING SHOES/BOOTS WITH CLEATS OR SPIKES WILL BE ALLOWED ON OUR AIRCRAFT OR IN OUR

RAFTS.

2. FELT SOLES ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED IN ALASKAN WATERS.

D. Alcoholic Beverages:

Alcoholic Beverages cannot be purchased in Bethel, so if you want any Alcoholic Beverages for your trip you

must bring it with you. Alcoholic beverages can also shipped from Anchorage. Contact us for details.

E. Weight Restrictions:

Each group is allowed 100 lbs of gear per person (the 100 lbs includes all; personal gear, camping

equipment, food/supplies and weapons).


F. Shipping Items to Bethel:

There are several options available to those outside of Alaska who want to ship some items ahead of time;

UPS, Fed Ex, Alaska Air Cargo and the U.S. Mail. The cheapest option is to ship the items Parcel Post through

the U.S. Mail, however this is also the slowest method (the average Parcel Post package takes 3 to 4 weeks

to arrive from the lower 48 states. The best options for shipping items from inside Alaska are either by Air

Cargo (Northern Air Cargo, Evert’s Air Cargo and Alaska Air Cargo) or the U.S. Mail. We will pick up and

store any items that are shipped or mailed ahead of time (please put the group leader’s name on the

shipment so we can easily identify who it belongs to).

Mailing Address: PaPa Bear Adventures

P.O. Box 2509

Bethel, AK 99559

Physical Address: PaPa Bear Adventures (For UPS or Fed Ex shipments only)

198 H Marker Lake Road

Bethel, AK 99559

Phone: 907-543-5275


IV. PRE-TRIP: ARRIVING IN BETHEL

A. Arriving in Bethel:

Upon arrival in Bethel you will be met at the airport by a PaPa Bear representative who will take you

and your party to our Lakeside Lodge for the night. While at the Lodge you will have time to finish

any last minute details, get all your gear packed, weighed and ready for flight(s) the next day.

B. Payment for Trip:

To lock in your trip we require an initial (25% down) booking deposit, which you should have already

taken care of by now (the deposit is nonrefundable). Your final payment is due prior to being flown

in on your trip. Final payments must be in the form of cash or check (credit cards will not be

accepted for final payment).

C. Purchase Fishing License:

To eliminate purchasing licenses once you arrive, you can purchase your license on line at:

www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/buyonline . Should you still need to purchase your license after you

arrive, a PaPa Bear representative will be able to sell you your fishing license.

Listed below are the fees:

Non-Resident Hunting License: $85

Non-Resident 7 Day Fishing License: $55

Black Bear Tag: $225 Caribou Tag: $325

Moose Tag: $400 Wolf Tag: $30

D. Equipment Inspection/Weigh-In:

An initial weigh in will occur upon your arrival at the lodge. We understand that everything you bring

will not go with you on your trip, but we have found this is the easiest way to make an initial

determination if you’re under the 100 lbs per person weight limit or not. If you exceed the weight

limit you will have to leave items behind.

Remember the maximum weight for each flight is 100 pounds per person.

If you exceed the weight limit you will have to leave items.

We will provide safe storage for any personal gear you plan to leave behind while on the trip.


V. THE HUNT

A. Drop-off Day:

“Drop-off Day” is the day your hunting group will be flown out and dropped off for the hunt.

Departure times vary, but it will be on the day after your arrival into Bethel. Due to weather, and

other delays in Bush Alaska, departure times are given in days and not hours. If we are unable to get

your group into the field on the day you are scheduled to depart you will overnight again at the

Lodge. It is very unusual for us not to get the hunters into the field on their scheduled departure

day.

B. Taking of Game:

The State of Alaska game laws are very precise on what are legal Big Game animals for both

residents and non-residents to harvest.

SAME DAY AIRBORNE is not permitted by Alaska Law.

“You may NOT hunt or help someone else take big game until 3:00 a.m. the day following the day

you have flown in” -- (Alaska Hunting Regulations).

This means that the day you are dropped off you are not allowed to hunt. If requested PaPa Bear

will review the State of Alaska Hunting Regulations with each hunter in Bethel, but it is the personal

responsibility of every hunter to understand and hunt within the regulations. PaPa Bear Adventures

practices ethical, fair chase hunting and is not in anyway responsible for the taking of legal or illegal

game.

If we learn of an illegal kill or un-salvaged meat, we must notify the Game Wardens.

C. Salvage of Meat:

Again, the State of Alaska game laws are very precise on what must be salvaged from a big game

animal. The law is simple; all edible meat must be salvaged. It is up to the hunter to understand the

law and follow it. Not salvaging all the edible meat is one of the most violated laws in big game

hunting in Alaska, and one that can be prevented with just a little bit of extra time. It is also the law

that the antlers are the last item to leave the kill site.

All the salvaged meat must be packed to camp before the antlers are brought back to camp.

Two people can expect to carry a butchered caribou back to camp in one trip. Bull moose on the

other hand are a different story. Moose are huge animals, and sometimes weigh up to 1800 pounds.

Each hunter should be ready for this challenge. Once a bull moose is on the ground, two hunters can

expect to spend 4 to 6 hours dressing and quartering it. Then all the meat and antlers must be

packed back to camp. It typically takes approximately 10-12 pack trips (50-60 lbs/trip) to get a

butchered moose out of the field.

NOTE: Alaska law requires all caribou and moose quarters to remain on the bone

(the law also requires moose ribs remain on the bone) until removed from the field. Sunlight, heat,

lack of air, and flies are your worst enemies in preserving your meat.


D. Pick-up Day:

On the morning of your Pick-up Day everything, except your tent (if the weather is bad), must be packed up

and positioned next to the lake or river ready for the Pick-up. It is your responsibility to be ready and at the

pick-up point. Should we arrive and you are not ready there is a possibility (based on the schedule and the

weather) that we may have to leave without you and come back and get you later that day or the following

day. Bottom line; be ready when the plane arrives to pick you up.

Note: Remember, “Drop-off and Pickup Days” are days not hours.

E. Return to Bethel:

After you are picked up in the field; you, your meat, and trophy will be flown back into Bethel. After

everything is unloaded from the airplane, your last task will be to prepare for your trip home.


VI. POST HUNT

A. Overnight in Bethel:

Hunters will overnight in Bethel at our Lakeside Lodge.

B. Donating Meat:

The meat from an average bull caribou will weigh between 100 - 150 pounds and the meat from an average

Bull Moose will weigh between 400-500 pounds. The local people of Bethel and some of the surrounding

villages live off of the meat year round. PaPa Bear requests that any meat you do not want to take home, be

donated to the local people. PaPa Bear will assist each party donate their meat to the local people. PaPa

Bears experience is that it is easy for hunters to donate CLEAN, UN-SPOILED, meat to the local people. Meat

that was not properly taken care in the field will be difficult, if not impossible to donate, and the hunter will

have to pay to ship rotten meat home. PaPa Bear has meat boxes available for you so you can properly

package the meat you want to take home with you.

C. Shipping Antlers and Capes:

Each hunter should expect to spend approximately $250 to $450 to ship their antlers back to their home. It is

each hunter’s responsibility to prepare his or her antlers and capes for shipment.

D. *TIPPING*:

It is proper etiquette to tip the pilot and hostess. The average tip for each usually runs between $50 and $200.

How much you tip is completely up to you. It is simply a way to express your gratitude for their assistance and

job they perform for you. When you eat at a nice restaurant and receive good service, do you leave a nice

tip? Enough said.

E. Flight Home:

Typically the day after your “Pick-up Day” you will fly home. A PaPa Bear representative will take you to the

Bethel airport to meet your flight.

NOTE: NO WADING SHOES/BOOTS WITH CLEATS OR SPIKES WILL BE ALLOWED ON OUR AIRCRAFT OR IN

OUR RAFTS. FELT SOLES ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED IN ALASKAN WATERS


VII. PACKING TIPS:

A. Personal Gear:

Follow your packing list, try not to add or delete from the list at the last minute. Consolidate

wherever possible. Help minimize your baggage by consolidating as many guns as possible into the

same case or by taping the gun cases together. There is no need for soft gun cases. Wear your

traveling clothes to Bethel and use your carry-on as an overnight bag for Bethel. Your traveling

clothes and overnight bag will be left in Bethel. Fall time in Alaska is very wet, and once cotton gets

wet in the Bush you will never be able to dry it, and that could become dangerous so minimize the

use of cotton. Typically what happens on these hunts is that hunters wear one set of clothes the

entire hunt and keep a second set of clothes for an emergency in case they get wet.

B. Camp Equipment:

Don’t double pack anything. Meet with your partners and give each other lists of what to bring.

Each bag or box should weigh between 40 and 50 pounds (remember 50 lbs. is the maximum

weight limit on each bag for all the commercial airlines). Weigh each bag or box prior to going to

the airport. Remember the most important piece of equipment in Bush Alaska is your brain. The

recommended packing list, if followed, will equip you for most any situation, but always remember

to think and keep it simple!!!

Make sure to check the operation of all of your equipment, prior to departing on your trip.

C. Food:

The recommended food list should serve as a menu. Vegetables and other fresh foods do not keep

well. This is a wilderness hunt. I’m not recommending you make it a survival trip, but plan your

meals carefully. I recommend you sit down and plan each meal of the trip.

Plan your meals for two days longer than the planned hunt in case of bad weather.

Use the recommended food list as a menu. Steaks, Chicken and Hamburger are on your list, but take

them only if you have room and weight to spare because as soon as the first bull is on the ground,

you’ll have more meat than you could eat in three months!!

**IMPORTANT PACKING TIP**: Weigh all your gear ahead of time or at least make a conservative estimate of your

weight and should your weight exceed the 100 lbs maximum then go back and consolidate and/or cull to get the

weight down prior to coming up here. Every year we see groups arrive that are overweight and have to go through

and leave stuff behind that they shipped or dragged all the way up here with them. Don’t waste all the time, effort

and money to haul all your stuff up here only to find out that you are overweight and must either leave some things

behind.


VIII. Quartering Moose and Caribou

1. Make sure you have taken all of your photographs.

2. Check to make sure you have knives, game bags, bone saw, sharpening stone, and tarp.

3. Spread tarp out on the ground near the animal.

4. Remove the cape by cutting the hide up the center of the backbone from the tail to the upper

neck. Then, cut the hide behind the front leg around the entire body of the animal.

Do not gut the animal yet. Skin hide down from back to underside of neck. Skin around foreleg.

Skin to the head. Sever the neck behind the skull.

5. Remove the rest of the hide from the head being very careful around the ears, eyes, lips, and

nose. If you have any questions, we can discuss them during the Safety/Hunting meeting.

6. Next remove a hindquarter. Bend it toward the backbone, cut deep following the pelvis bone.

Cut through the ball joint cartilage, cut to the backbone and sever. Lay the hindquarter on the tarp.

7. Remove the front quarter in the same manner, but follow rib cage. Place the front quarter on the

tarp.

8. Remove the backstrap. Follow the backbone and rib cage as a guide.

9. Remove the neck by skinning the other side or cut through the hide on the other side (if not

caping the animal).

10. Roll the animal over using the legs as levers. If you can’t roll, gut the animal.

11. After rolling over, remove the other hindquarter, front quarter, backstrap and place them on the

tarp.

12. Remove the both tenderloins. The tenderloin is located inside, under the backbone.

13. Caribou: remove the rib meat from the rib cage.

14. Moose: cut out entire rib cage on each side

(moose hunters must leave rib meat on the bones until removed from the field).

15. Two front quarters, two hindquarters, two backstraps, two tenderloins, neck meat, rib meat, and

brisket should all be on the tarp, clean. Remember, all the edible meat must be salvaged.


IX. Helpful Hints:

• Always cut away from your body

• Do not cut cape if you want to mount it

• Take your time

• Keep your knife sharp

• KEEP MEAT DRY, CLEAN, AND COOL


X. Raft Instructions

1. Make sure you have one pump, one hose, two oars, one rowing frame, one repair kit, ten

straps.

2. Inflate until all raft compartments are firm. All the wrinkles/waves should be out of the

raft.

3. All heavy weight must be suspended from the float tubes or on the cargo nets.

4. Cargo nets will be located in the front and/or back of the raft. You will carry your weight

and bulk suspended in the cargo nets. You can also cut tree branches, lay them across the

raft, and stack weight on branches off the floor.

5. Never put heavy objects on the floor of the raft, it will damage the floor.

6. Never stand on the floor in shallow water.

7. Tie moose/caribou racks upside down over top of everything including tarp.

8. Do not leave raft at water’s edge at night. Take the raft out of the water and to your tent.

This will decrease the odds of BEARS chewing on it. Water levels can also rise several

feet overnight and this will help insure that your raft is still with you in the morning!

9. Do not let oars rest in the water when not in use - they could get snagged and pop out of

the oar locks and go to the bottom of the river.

10. Never, Never, Never, leave meat in raft overnight.

11. Keep raft away from fire.

12. Avoid running aground, snags, etc.; walk the raft if it’s shallow.

DO NOT ABUSE THE RAFT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN MINOR DAMAGES.


XI. Boat Instructions

1. Place everything on floorboards.

2. Always keep sleeping bags in dry bags.

3. Do not leave boat at water’s edge at night. Take the boat out of the water and to your tent. This will decrease

the odds of animals chewing on it. Water levels can also rise several feet overnight and this will help insure that

your raft is still with you in the morning!

4. Inflate boat until all the compartments are firm. All the wrinkles/waves should be out of the boat.

5. Avoid running aground, snags, etc.; walk the boat if it’s shallow.

6. Keep away from fire.

7. Make sure you have one pump, one hose, one oar, and one repair kit.

8. Never, Never, Never, leave meat in the boat at night.

DO NOT ABUSE THE BOAT.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN MINOR DAMAGES.


XII. Personal Packing List

ITEM RECOMMENDATION PACKED

Underwear Personal Choice

Long Underwear Medium Weight Thermax or Cabela’s MTP Series

T-shirts Personal Choice

Socks One pair for each day you will be out

Two Long Sleeve Shirts Personal Choice

One Light Pair of Long Pants Personal Choice

One Heavy Pair of Long Pants Wool Pants

Wool/Synthetic Sweater Personal Choice

Gloves Personal Choice

One Coat (20 Degree F) Personal Choice

One Hunting Hat Personal Hunting Hat

One Synthetic Stocking Cap Personal Choice

Two Pairs of Gloves Personal Choice

Raingear Cabela’s Dry Plus Gear

One Pair Hunting Boots Personal Choice

*Hip Boots (All Drop Camp hunters need hip boots). Moose hunters will live in them and caribou hunters will need them to get on/off airplane and for moving along the lake or crossing streams.

**Caribou Float Trip Hunters should need chest waders.

Moose Hunters: Cabela’s Contour or Thinsulate-Insulated

Hip Boot: Ankle Fit is a Must

Caribou Hunters(Drop Camp): Lightweight waders for temporary use. Wiggy’s (www.wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Prod uct_ID=5) are perfect for this hunt. They are basically waterproof loose fitting socks that slide right over the boots.

Caribou Hunters(Float Hunt): Chest waders.

Knife and Sharpener Personal Choice

Flashlight w/spare batteries Mini-Mag Light

Sleeping Bag Personal 10 Degree F Bag

Sleeping Pad THERM-A-REST

Pack Frame w/Pack Cabela’s Alaskan Frame & Pack

Disposable Lighters/Strike anywhere matches Just So It Lights When You Need It

Binoculars Personal Choice

Canteen or Water Bottle Personal Choice

Mess Kit (Fork/Spoon/Bowl/Plate/Cup) Personal Choice

Toilet Kit w/All Personal Medications Tooth Brush, Soap, Tooth Paste, Chap Stick and Personal Medication

Face Towel Personal Choice

Rifle/Bow/Handgun Personal Choice

1 Box of Ammunition (20 Ea.) Should Match Gun

12 Arrows Hopefully 12 Attempts Are Enough

Bug Repellant Musk Oil / Deet

Chap Stick Personal Choice

Video Camera (Optional) Personal Choice

Camera w/film or flash cards Personal Choice

Spotting Scope (Optional) Personal Choice

The weather on your trip will vary from very warm to cool and rainy, so it is highly recommended that you

pack your personal gear and equipment in dry bags to keep your things from getting wet along the way.


XIII. Camping Equipment/Gear List

Note- Although Satellite Phone is as an optional item we highly recommend having one of them.

ITEM OPTION PACKED ITEM OPTION PACKED

Tent(s) North Face/ Cabela’s

Aluminum Foil Personal Choice

Stove (Gas or Propane) Coleman Two

Burner Paper Towels Personal Choice

One Quart Camp Pot Personal Choice

Hatchet Personal Choice

Water Filter Personal Choice

Lightweight Camp Grill

Personal Choice

Collapsible Water Jug Personal Choice

Dishwashing Soap/Scouring Pads

Personal Choice

Lantern (Optional) Coleman

Duck Tape Personal Choice

150 Feet of 550 Parachute Cord

Green or White Army

Small Fuel Funnel: Personal Choice

100 Feet of Rope Nylon Rope

Cooler (Optional) Personal Choice

Bone Saw Wyoming Saw

Garbage Bags Personal Choice

Gun Oil Personal Choice

Salt (If Keeping the Capes)

Personal Choice

Three Tarps Personal Choice

* Sat Phone (Optional)

Personal Choice

One First Aid Kit Personal Choice

GPS Personal Choice

Water Proof Bags Personal Choice

Chairs/Stools Personal Choice

Shovel (optional) Army E-Tool

Coffee Pot Personal Choice

Can Opener Personal Choice

Cooking Utensils Personal Choice


XIV. Food List

BREAKFAST

Instant Oatmeal

Granola Bars

Instant Pancake Mix

Powdered Milk

One Pound of Margarine

Instant Coffee/Tea

Instant Cocoa

Pop Tarts

LUNCH

Meal Ready to Eat (MRE):

Sandwich Meat

Cheese

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Crackers

Bread/Tortilla Wraps

Mustard and Mayo

Crystal Light or Kool Aid

SUPPER

Freeze Dried Meals

Minute Rice

Potatoes

Steaks, Chicken, Hamburger Etc.

Salt/Pepper/Seasoning/Sugar

Note:

Not all the food on this list is required. The concept behind the list is that Breakfast is a hot, energy meal, Lunch is quick and easy, and Supper being a hot meal, replacing the calories you lost throughout the day. We recommend that you sit down and plan each meal of the trip (plan on 1 day more than the actual trip length), using the above list to assist you.

Always keep in mind your weight restrictions. Call us with any meal questions.


This document protected by Copyright.

Do not distribute or republish without written consent of

PaPa Bear Adventures

This document protected by Copyright.

Do not distribute or republish without written consent of

PaPa Bear Adventures

P.O. Box 2509

Bethel, AK 99559

All rights reserved

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