May 2009: SOLO Alaskan Brown Bear

[swp]

Steve,

Could you share with us some of your equipment specs.(tent, clothing, ect) What worked for you and what didn't?

Thanks,
Scott

[AZStickman]

Excellent story Steve. I still remember back to when you left the lower 48 to begin your Alaskan adventure. It's great to see how things have worked out for you and that you got your opportunity to live the dream.... Congrats..... Terry

[Tater]

Steve,


   Congradulations on a hard earned trophy.
 
Thanks for letting us look over your shoulder great story telling and great pictures as well.

[Steve H.]

"Steve,

Could you share with us some of your equipment specs.(tent, clothing, ect) What worked for you and what didn't?"

This year it was shorts and a T-shirt!  Normally on solo hunts I go very light.  This hunt was not abnormal for me other than I had an extensive amount of gear; I routinely do solo trips as a norm.  I suppose I have a couple hundred solo days all across Alaska.

I used a 4-man Cabelas Outfitter tent with the bige vestibule on this an other trips where weight is not an issue.  Just standard camping gear beyond that.

Cloths.  I use felt bottomed wading shoes like those fly-fishing people use.  To avoid excessive heat and trapping sweat I use the stockingfoot waders but they are hipboots.  Cabelas is the only place I have found them as hipboots.  They have cordura and it is a bit noisy.

I had (but lost) a Rivers West jacket and it was good on colder drizzly days.  I have some Sitka (non-rain) gear and used it on drier/warmer days.  I also have Sitka raingear and like it well for drizzle-days but neither of the above will withstand the heavier SE Alaska solid rain in my experience.  Helley hanson and Peter Storm will but they are a bit noisy to hunt in when it is "bear-time".

What else?  My 10mm Glock has stopped every rampaging bear in it's tracks that has charged me so far, lol.

[bill langer]

Thanks Steve and congrats!!!

[steadman]

Congrats Steve! Great story and great bear! A dream hunt for sure, thanks for taking us along.

[Deer-N-Rabbits]

Great story and accomplishments...maybe one day.

[ishiwannabe]

Awesome story! Great job in all aspects!!

[razorsharptokill]

Awesome story! How many bears have charged you?

[BlkDog]

Thank you sharing the journey.  Great story and congratulations on a great bear!  I've been on the edge of my seat, up late each night anxious to read the latest posts. Well done!

[Shinken]

Thank you for sharin' a persistent and consistent effort Steve that led to a successful outcome!

One day that will be the ultimate hunt for me.  [I may have to one day move to Alaska for that to play out!]

Congratulations and for tellin' a fabulous story!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[Mark U]

Steve'er, you'll be sorry about not adapting me.  Think of all those African and Oz hunts you will miss out on, paid for by me.  Ric mic can't afford you anymore.

However, since my wife is from Alaska, and her family still lives there, I have alternative ways.

I also googled earth and found your island.  A boat was parked on the east side that day, tide out.  Running the straight at night used to scare the bejusus out of me, but I had a 25hp motor on a 12 foot aluminun, talk about gettin' on the plane. Felt lucky to be alive after two hours of full bore in the dark with the tide going out.

[beauhunter]

Dude, you're nuts. That is pretty awesome though, congrats. Is this gonna show up in TBM. I could read it again. Way to stick it out, and get it done...

Beau

[Greg Szalewski]

Steve, Congrats on getting your bear and above all by doing it on your terms. Your story telling is truely an inspiration to us all.

[Stripstrike1]

Steve....you have created a monster!

[Stripstrike1]

Steve....you have created a monster!

[Steve H.]

I sent some of my homies a short e-mail and a couple pics and inncludied Don T.   He asked if I would consider submitting to TBM which I probably will BUT you guys got the BIG-piture story, by necessity a TBM submittal will have to be a condensed version!

[jcar315]

Just let them know they will have to add a few extra pages that issue!

[Dale Hajas]

           

[wasapt]

thanks for the adventure, great story and pics, you are very deserving of this trophy for sure.