Description

Departments

4   Hunt Alaska Online

6   Publishers’ Welcome

10  Hunting for a Compliment

12  Gun Dogs

16  Trip Tips

20  Red Gold

24  Backcountry Nutrition

57  Ad Index

58  Recipe

On The Cover

Luke Hayes, age 11, of Eagle River, AK, harvested his first caribou during the youth Forty mile hunt. © Guy Hayes

 

26

2023 Editors’ Choice Awards by Hunt Alaska staff

The eighth annual Hunt Alaska Editors’ Choice Awards showcase the best gear we tested in 2022. Categories for this year’s awards include Firearms and Ammunition; Optics; Knives; Field Accessories; Apparel; Game Bags, Holsters, Packs, Cases; Camping; and Cooking.

38

2023 New Gear by Hunt Alaska staff

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 2023. Rest assured; we’ll be testing many of these ourselves this fall.

44

Field-Judging Bears by Scott Haugen

Live bears are among the most difficult big-game animals to accurately judge for trophy potential. Scott Haugen has observed, hunted, and killed many bears in his noteworthy hunting career, and offers great tips in this feature regarding how to size up bears in the field.

50

Choosing the Right Tent by Casey Dinkel

On a backcountry hunt in Alaska, a tent is more than just a place to sleep. It is your lifeline. Alaska’s weather is often unforgiving. If there is one item in your kit where you should buy the best, this is it. Casey Dinkel shares years of hard-earned, real-world experience to help you choose the best tent for your Alaska hunting adventure.