Since my return from Alaska’s Pribilof’s on Saint Paul Island, I have been contacted by several gentlemen with my assessment and what kind of gear was required. The following is a list I compiled of not only specific gear but integral items of the hunt that include trip insurance, baggage and ballistics.
Clothing – Having a washer and dryer are HUGE help on this trip. This cuts down on the number of regular clothes and under garments you need to bring.
You will be staying in Anchorage at least one day prior flying out to Saint Paul. I would wear something comfortable to fly in such as old jeans or sweats to include a hooded sweat shirt. You necessarily do not need a coat or jacket as you can wear your parka or parka liner while out on the island in non-hunting situations. Other than that throw a few pair of underwear, a couple of t-shirts, and a couple pair of regular cotton socks; remember you’re going to Alaska in the dead of winter to hunt…..not party or dine in fine eating establishments. As stated, you can wash clothes when you need to stay fresh.
Layering Garments – It’s cold on Saint Paul, but not unbearable in my opinion. The temperature feels colder when the wind howls off the Bering Sea. Other than that; you damn sure want to stay dry (or at least do your best to).
If you can afford it; but at least two pair of the best long underwear in your price range, layering should be a common for seasoned waterfowlers. From there I took two pair of fleece wader liners, three pair of thin type sock liners, three pair wool socks and a wool camo sweater lined with Windshear. Proper outer garments (listed next) rounded out the selection for a comfortable hunt out of the boat or land points.
Outer Garments – Anyone even thinking about this trip should already have a nice pair of heavy, neoprene boot waders, waterproof parka and liner to go with it. The only suggestion I have is to get a nice pair of 5mm waders with the heavily insulated boots; this gives your toes wiggle room to keep the blood flowing and to keep warm.
Hands and Face – I’m about half Polar bear and do not get cold easily. For my head I wear a wool stocking cap or the new tight looking fleece skull caps. For my neck area I use a fleece neck gaiter. These can also be pulled up over the ears and nose for taffy asses!!! Haha!! Every high end parka should have an insulated hood with it or you can use a waterproof bomber type hat as well.
As far as gloves; you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Atlas brand commercial fishing gloves. There are several types and they are inexpensive; but better yet are always pliable and waterproof. I brought three pair of these with me just in case the liners got wet or I got flogged by a Bering Sea wave which will happen out of the boat and or on land……trust me! I don’t remember the model numbers off hand but I prefer the black ones with the heavy lining. They are warm and you can shoot with them easily. These can be purchased here: http://www.seattlemarine.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1783&idcategory=982
Shotguns – Although I have a large variety of waterfowling shotguns; I chose to take both of my Remington pumps, 870 XCS and 887 to Saint Paul with me. I left all the high end Italian autos at home for this trip but several of my gunning mates used theirs with much success and no malfunctions. Unless you don’t unpack your guns; they are going to get soaking inside and out with freezing, heavily salted Bering Sea water. When the wind blows you can have the possibility of volcanic sand on and in it as well. Take a basic gun cleaning kit with non-aerosol cleaners and oils. Trust me…you will need to break your shotgun daily and clean it thoroughly. Just wiping it down will result in heartache when you see what sea water does to them overnight. Rust grows quickly and I saw screw in chokes become permanent while I was there. It’s pretty much common sense gun maintenance. When that King drake flies by you need to remember you didn’t spend big bucks and fly half away around the world to miss or have a malfunction due to gun care neglect.
Ammunition - This part of my “list” may cause heartburn with some of you but it’s the way I feel about buying cheap ass steel loads versus good, high density, nontoxic waterfowling loads and the proper chokes to use it with. I have seen the other guys from years and what they shot and that’s fine…..I’m just gonna pass on how I prepared for and what I brought for this trip. You’re going to kill King Eiders to mount as trophies; why in the hell would want to shoot goose type loads at them and rip them to shreds in the process?? I used Remington HD Tungsten #6’s and took one box of #4’s. I also, with the help of a good friend, took hand loaded Tungsten Super Shot (TSS) in #7 shot and #5 shot. I patterned both my shotguns using these loads here at home before Ieaving to know exactly what I was dealing with. With the TSS I had a 30 in. pattern at over 50 yards out of an improved cylinder, titanium choke. When you hunt off the land points you have to hunt with the wind in your face to be able to have the surf wash your birds back to land to retrieve. I was expecting 45+ yard shots into fierce winds and one day it was; but in the same breath my best day land hunting was shooting Kings at less than 20 yards so I had to adjust accordingly. I found the Remington HD to have patterned closely to the TSS so I was confident with either load and or chokes. Sure they are expensive loads but with horrible weather approaching which could have locked us in the camp for days; I took a shot at my first King which was easily 60+ yards out flying away from us with a 2 ¾ TSS #5 and dropped it like a rock. Steel #2’s aint gonna do that…………..! Take what you want or call it overkill but I had zero cripples in my week of hunting the island.
Odds & Ends – These may sound simple to you but some of the most important pieces of gear I ended bringing I never saw on anyone’s list.
Full length White Waterproof Parka – Here at home in Texas we hunt snow geese out of spread regularly. I was already equipped with a Hodgman full length parka while you sit on the water’s edge awaiting passing flocks of Kings. It was light enough to put over my parka yet waterproof and better blocked the howling wind. Not to mention…it snows like a bitch on Saint Paul in January so you blend in.
Padded Seat Cushion (Boat Seat) – I cannot begin to tell you how important this piece of equipment is in my opinion. You sit for long periods of time on volcanic rocks and your ass will get numb without it. I left mine at Charlie’s camp for future hunters to use so have at it when you get there.
Removable Ice Spikes (Wader Boots) – I’d say these aren’t a must but can help when walking to the land points after you leave the vehicle. These rocks are slippery already and then get frozen sea spray piled up on them. I busted my ass more than once without them. Like I say….not a must but can be helpful.
Goggles – This was the best investment I made for my trip Saint Paul. There is absolutely no way you are NOT going to get flogged by waves of sea water in the boat or on the land. You can sit in one spot on NE Point for 45 minutes and be fine and then out of nowhere get totally drenched by a wall of salt water. You can’t go wrong with goggles no matter what you kind get. I chose what the troops are wearing in winter combat situations; you can find them online.
Bits & Pieces – Here’s a couple of bits of info I wanted to pass along not really hunting related except for maybe one small suggestion.
First off…….you’re going to want to collect habitat for mounts while you are there.
Secondly……Saint Paul has a Post Office; go to the store in town and get some boxes and tape and mail home items like waders, parkas, or dirty clothes that can wait. It takes a while to get home (3 weeks or so) but you will lighten your load tremendously for the flights home. No sense in paying these huge overweight bag fees because if it works out; you should have big, frozen, heavy Kings to take home as well.
On that note…..besides my rolling duffel and my rolling Cabela’s traveling gun case; I brought a 72 qt. cooler for my third piece of luggage. It protects items from being crushed and it serves to haul your birds back home in. I was the only one in my group that didn’t pack their birds on carry on luggage. I packed my birds as well stuffed my parka liner in there and after 4 flights and over 24 hours later on returning home my birds were still frozen solid. When you check your cooler in on departure; tell the employee to put “Must Go” or “Frozen Items” stickers on your cooler. It’s normally neon in color and the baggage handlers take care of it accordingly.
One note on the gun case……pack as much of your shotgun shells inside your gun case as you possibly can (Alaska Airlines allows 50 lbs. of ammo per person). This avoids them from randomly opening up and ransacking your other luggage.
Everything else your outfitter of choice will tell you to get or do before leaving your home state to head to Alaska.
