Summer 2020

Description

2020 Annual Gear Guide

Departments
Opener 6
The Hunt 8
Trip Tips 10
After the Shot 12
Ballistics & Ammo 14
Shooting for the Field 16
Life on the Ledge 18
Red Gold 20
Backcountry Nutrition 22
Recipe 72
Advertiser Index 73
Online 74

Features

2020 Editors’ Choice Awards
by Hunt Alaska Staff 24

The fifth annual Hunt Alaska Editors’ Choice Awards showcase the best gear we tested in 2019/20. Categories for this year’s awards include Firearms and Ammunition; Optics; Cutting Tools; Field Accessories; Watercraft; Apparel; Game Bags, Holsters, Packs, Cases and Kennels; Camping; GPS and Communicators; Bowhunting; and Cooking.

2020 New Gear
by Hunt Alaska Staff 48

Now is the time to start gearing up for hunting season! Here’s a short list of some promising new items to consider taking to the field with you in 2020. Rest assured, we’ll be testing many of these ourselves this fall.

10 Tips to Maximize Your Sheep Hunting Experience
by Billy Molls 54

Dall sheep hunting is one of the most prestigious and demanding hunts in Alaska. Billy shares years of experience with these 10 tips to help you be a better sheep hunter, whether you’re a beginner or experienced.

A Bruin of a Lifetime
by Casey Dinkel 60

Casey Dinkel relives the joy of helping his father, Gene, take a mature brown bear on Unimak Island—a hunt which Gene had dreamed of for 50 years. The three-man team of Casey, Gene and John Whipple wisely planned 14 days for this hunt at the base of the Aleutians.

Double-DIY Success 2,800 Miles from Home
by Danny Stotler 66

Even DIY hunters can score big on moose in Alaska. Danny Stotler and hunting partner, Mark Thonhoff, were dropped off in lower Yukon country and managed to bag trophy bulls of 59- and 63 inches.

COVER / Danny Stotler embarked on a DIY moose hunt and came home with a true trophy and memories to last a lifetime. © Danny Stotler