Must-Have Gear for a DIY Float-Hunt

by
posted on August 13, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
float-huntmust-haves_lead.jpg

Using the right gear can mean the difference between life and death on a remote Alaska float-hunt. Here is the most important gear we used on our recent trip.

Packrafts: Alpaka Raft Forager and Pristine Ventures PR-49 with PFDs and 240cm Aqua-Bound Shred Carbon paddles. MSRP: Forager $1,595-$2,250, Aqua-Bound Shred Carbon Paddle $260; alpackaraft.com | PR-49 $1,550-$1,625; pristineventures.com.

Waders: Frogg Toggs Grand Refuge 2.0 (one word: awesome). MSRP: $269.99; froggtoggs.com.

GPS/Communication: Garmin InReach (stay found, communicate and summon help with one device). MSRP: $399.99; garmin.com.

Dry Bags: Watershed Yukon and Animas (nearly everything will go inside these). MSRP: $159; drybags.com.

Footwear: Muck Boots Fieldblazer II (comfortable, warm, easy on/off). MSRP: $139.99; muckbootcompany.com.

Clothing/Raingear: Sitka Gear (lightweight and capable). MSRP: $40-$489; sitkagear.com.

Sleep System: Big Agnes Battle Mountain 3 tent and insulated Air Core Ultra pad (warm synthetic bag; you’ll sleep like a baby). MSRP: $849.95; bigagnes.com.

Backpack: Barney’s Frontier Gear of Alaska Freighter external frame. MSRP: $289; barneyssports.com.

Maps: MyTopo.com custom (for big-picture orienteering). MSRP: varies; mytopo.com.

Rifle: T/C Venture in .300 Win. Mag. (due to a gunsmithing accident, I ended up taking my backup rifle). MSRP: $578; tcarms.com.

Miscellaneous: compass, 200 feet of para-cord, 12x14-foot tarp, Pristine Ventures TAG meat sacks, headlamps, folding saw, knives and more (all this stuff may be your regular hunting gear; just make sure it’s quality and waterproof).

Latest

Herman Shooting B14 Squared CIMA CF
Herman Shooting B14 Squared CIMA CF

#SundayGunday: Bergara B14 Squared CIMA CF

On this week's #SundayGunday we’re checking out the Bergara B14 Squared CIMA Carbon Fiber rifle, a beautiful, new-for-2025 fusion of modern elements and classic sporter style targeted squarely at backcountry hunters. Weighing in at a mere 5.8 pounds, it’s also the lightest B14 that Bergara has produced to date. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

New for 2025: Streamlight Sledge Headlamp

Streamlight has launched the Sledge headlamp, a low-profile, rechargeable flood headlamp engineered for outdoor enthusiasts who demand durability, versatility and long run times.

Member's Hunt: Bear Camp Memories

Stephen Prall of Hawley, Pa. sends us an excellent story of a long-anticipated bear camp.

Video Highlights Hornady’s Conservation Impact

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), in collaboration with Hornady Manufacturing, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), has released a new video titled “Funding Conservation for Future Generations.”

Range Review: DoubleTap Ammunition's SnakeShot Defense Loads

New for 2025, these hybrid rounds from DoubleTap Ammunition launch hollow point bullets with birdshot pellets.

First Look: LTT Impact Long-Range Tikka Rifle

Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT) has announced the launch of the LTT Impact Long-Range Rifle, in collaboration with Tikka.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.