Best Field Accessories for
Hunting in Alaska in 2016
Diamond D Custom Leather Guide’s Choice™ Chest Holster
The Guide’s Choice™ Chest Holster is our go-to pistol holster when hunting, fishing or hiking in Alaska. It’s comfortable to wear, positions the pistol in an easy-to-access spot for quick draw that does not get in the way when you are hunting or fishing, and it is available to fit a wide range of pistols. The model we have tested over the last 8 years fits a Ruger Redhawk .44 Rem Mag revolver and is the best holster we have ever used.
Pristine Ventures Legend
We love how lightweight and portable this system is, which makes it really well-suited to travel to remote destinations. Sporting a huge 1,250-pound capacity, it’s a great choice for two fishermen on a float trip or for a single hunter to float-hunt caribou and even moose. At 13 feet long and 46 inches wide, this hybrid canoe/kayak has a big footprint on the water, which equates to low-draft and the boat when loaded can float in 7 inches of water. It’s built tough to take on Alaska. The boat can be rowed with either a kayak paddle or with a rowing kit and oars and is available in green, gray, red or yellow.
Delorme InReach
This two-way personal communicator offers two-way satellite text messaging, delivery confirmation, SOS alerting, remote GPS tracking and locating, and an Android and Apple operating system device interface for use with smartphones and tablets. It’s compact, lightweight, waterproof, floatable and impact-resistant, and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult to reach GPS environments.
Otis 31dB Ear Shield
One of the things that we especially liked about this hearing protection from Otis is that it does not interfere with the stock. This enables shooters to get better stock weld when shooting. We also liked how light and small the product becomes when fully collapsed and that it offers a wide range of adjustability. This device is designed so that shooters can still hear conversations, yet gun blasts are muffled and no batteries are required. Pretty cool.
Garmin Oregon 650T GPS
The unit combines an accurate GPS system with an easy-to-use touchscreen. It offers exceptional battery life for long days in the field and convenient re-charging. Additionally, users have the ability to use AA batteries for extended trips off the grid. Testers commented that it is convenient to have the use of an 8 megapixel camera with this one device.
Ascender Game Carrier Yukon Outfitter 
This comes to us from Scott Witzigman from Ascender Game Carrier. He used the Yukon Outfitter model to harvest a bull moose in 2015. “After harvesting a huge Alaska bull moose on the last day of the season, the pilot and I dressed it out and put it in game bags for the night and returned the next day with the Yukon Outfitter model and a Cessna 180 on floats. We landed on a very small lake approximately half amile from the moose and I loaded and transported the 700-plus pounds of meat by myself while the pilot flew small loads back to our base camp on a larger lake. The unique high flotation single-wheel design of the motorized Ascender Game Carrier easily traversed over tundra even while carrying two huge hindquarters and made a very daunting task a relatively easy 2 1/2-hour one-man job.” In places where motorized vehicles are not allowed, Ascender Game Carrier’s Silent Stalker is an option to consider.
Greatland Laser Green Laser Rescue Flare
The Green Rescue Laser Flare is a hand-held laser signaling device that provides an effective way to signal a rescue party both day and night. The waterproof device can run for up to five continuous hours and under optimum conditions has a visibility range of 30 miles at night and 1- to 5 miles during the day. The Greatland Laser Green Rescue Laser Flare is convenient, built tough and a smart item to have in your survival kit.
Rigid Industries Light Bar
The Rigid Industries SR-Series light bar is available in a wide variety of lengths and configurations, making it a perfect low-profile option for your off-road vehicles in Alaska’s dark autumns. With a virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lens and features like the spot/flood light combo, these light bars provide an expansive coverage area to illuminate the night sky far and wide, a useful tool for sportsmen who start early and finish late. Check out the SR 30-inch for your side-by-side or the 10-inch spot for your ATV at Truckwell of Alaska.
Weego JS12 
Eliminating the need for jumper cables or bulky jumper packs, this portable battery is just the type of field accessory our testers are looking for, making our lives easier while out and about in Alaska without adding a lot of weight or taking up much space in our packs. The unit starts gas engines up to 6.4L and diesels up to 3.2L and works with cars, trucks, boats and ATVs. It also charges any USB device, including phones and tablets, as well as laptops and other accessories with its 12v and 19v outputs.
Mr Heater Portable Buddy Heater
Most of Alaska’s hunting occurs in spring and fall when our temperatures are cool, especially at night. You will appreciate the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater for your family in camp.
Pacific Eyewear Shooter’s Edge Glasses
We tested the Echo frames with polycarbonate yellow lenses. They are light, comfortable and the yellow lens color provides excellent clarity. These shooting safety glasses meet or exceed national safety standards, and are available in a range of frame options, including over-the-glasses styles, with lens color options of clear, yellow and brown.
Orion 25 Cooler
Whether needing a cooler for your trip out in the Interior for moose lashed to the ATV on a trek deep into the wilderness, or even tied to the raft for a week’s float hunt, this is the cooler for you. Just grab and go—this versatile cooler does it all.
Land Shark Instant Survival Shelter & Stealth Bag
For use on both land and sea, in climates hot or cold, the Land Shark Instant Survival Shelter & Stealth Bag increases survival time by enclosing the user and helping regulate their body temperature in extreme environments. It also provides protection from the harmful effects of sun, sea and rain, while offering increased visibility or stealth, depending on the wearer’s needs.
Arctic Ice Alaskan Series XL
Keep your large cooler cool and dry for days in camp. These non-toxic panels are reusable and biodegradable. We recommend multiple panels and they will last you for years.
Otis Hardore Hunter Cleaning System 
This compact cleaning system is well-suited for packing into the field, and the one kit can probably accommodate everyone in camp as it breech-to-muzzle cleans .17 through .50 caliber rifles and pistols as well as .410 through 12-gauge shotguns. The kit includes bore brushes, slotted tips for receiving patches, patches, Memory flex cable, cleaner/solvent and a nice tool kit for cleaning hard to reach places in your firearm. The whole kit fits in the palm of your hand.
Mustang M.I.T. 100 Camo Automatic Inflatable PFD
The PFD is light and low-profile, which made it easier for hunters to wear it in 2015. The camo pattern is Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades, a pattern that we feel works pretty well in Alaska. PFDs like this make it easy for everyone to wear one, and in the chance that you were to fall in, it could save your life.
Leatherman Signal
We really liked this new introduction from Leatherman, and among the 19 tools in this multi-tool are a fire-starting ferro rod and an emergency whistle. This tool accompanied us on the water, in the woods and around the house, and with tools such as pliers, wire cutters, knife, saw, hammer, screwdriver, bottle- and can-opener, we found ourselves using it for many types of jobs.
MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer
We liked having heat and no-heat settings and a timer control for the dryer. The unit can accommodate two pairs of boots, shoes or gloves at once. It gets the job done so our garments are dry and ready for the next adventure.
Galco Gun Leather SAO166 Right Hand
Field editors liked the secure fit of the Galco Single Action Outdoorsman belt holster when carrying a Ruger .44 Super Blackhawk revolverin the field. The Galco leather fully covers the trigger guard. It allows for a strong-side or cross-draw carry and fits belts up to 1 3/4 inches.
The Surveyor’s Exchange Satellite Phone Rental Program
Over the last 15 years we have rented Iridium satellite phones from The Surveyor’s Exchange and we have used them all across the state. The phones have always performed well, and the people at The Surveyor’s Exchange have always had the units ready to pick up when stated, have given good instruction on how to use the phones and have been professional and pleasant. The rental kit comes in a rugged weatherproof case and programs include a rental fee and per minute airtime use. We recommend renting one from The Surveyor’s Exchange on every trip where you will not have cell phone or land line communication access.