Wooohooo! I just got orders to Alaska! Heading up that way in the spring.
And as I'm moving back from Japan, I have a hankering for some new firearms. In particular I'm looking for a good pistol for the big varmint that try to eat you and a rifle to dispense some justice on a moose or two.
I grew up in AK so I know the lay of the land, but didn't grow up hunting though I fished a lot. My wife, a former semi-vegetarian (no pork, no red meat), has been most supportive - maybe demanding - of me picking up hunting and bagging a moose and a 'boo. I'm not generally a person who feels the need to bring a gun while hiking. In all the years of hiking in AK, I never once felt the need to have a side arm, or even bear spray. However, when hunting, it seems most prudent and there is a much higher wolf population in south central AK than southeast where I lived.
I know hunting rifles have been brought up in this forum before, but I thought I might resurrect a discussion on the topic anyhow.
So, that brings me to my question(s) - if you were moving to the Great Land, and your better half demanded that you slay the beasts of the land, what would YOU bring? And what would you bring to keep the beasts from slaying you?
I'm thinking of a Redhawk in .44 w/ 5"-ish barrel for a sidearm, that or an S&W - opinions on this? Go BIGGER? Usually a .44 is more than enough, unless you're on Kodiak, to dissuade any bear.
For the big game I'm thinking about a Rem 700 w/ stainless barrel and composite stock. I bought one of these for my brother several years ago and it's a pretty nice rifle. Anyone have experience with this or prefer something else for moose? I figure moose is about the biggest animal i'll go after (not that there's much bigger) and I'll probably never go after a bear - unless it's going after me.
Also, does anyone have any experience with a chest holster? There's a variety called the "Alaska chest holster" designed for hiking w/ a pack or keeping your side arm high up when going through water.
Discuss! and thanks in advance for any insight.
And as I'm moving back from Japan, I have a hankering for some new firearms. In particular I'm looking for a good pistol for the big varmint that try to eat you and a rifle to dispense some justice on a moose or two.
I grew up in AK so I know the lay of the land, but didn't grow up hunting though I fished a lot. My wife, a former semi-vegetarian (no pork, no red meat), has been most supportive - maybe demanding - of me picking up hunting and bagging a moose and a 'boo. I'm not generally a person who feels the need to bring a gun while hiking. In all the years of hiking in AK, I never once felt the need to have a side arm, or even bear spray. However, when hunting, it seems most prudent and there is a much higher wolf population in south central AK than southeast where I lived.
I know hunting rifles have been brought up in this forum before, but I thought I might resurrect a discussion on the topic anyhow.
So, that brings me to my question(s) - if you were moving to the Great Land, and your better half demanded that you slay the beasts of the land, what would YOU bring? And what would you bring to keep the beasts from slaying you?
I'm thinking of a Redhawk in .44 w/ 5"-ish barrel for a sidearm, that or an S&W - opinions on this? Go BIGGER? Usually a .44 is more than enough, unless you're on Kodiak, to dissuade any bear.
For the big game I'm thinking about a Rem 700 w/ stainless barrel and composite stock. I bought one of these for my brother several years ago and it's a pretty nice rifle. Anyone have experience with this or prefer something else for moose? I figure moose is about the biggest animal i'll go after (not that there's much bigger) and I'll probably never go after a bear - unless it's going after me.
Also, does anyone have any experience with a chest holster? There's a variety called the "Alaska chest holster" designed for hiking w/ a pack or keeping your side arm high up when going through water.
Discuss! and thanks in advance for any insight.