Lane’s complete kit for a truck-supported backpack hunt
Planning your first Alaska caribou hunt means prepping for soaked tundra, 20-hours of daylight, and the occasional bear sniffing around camp. Lane’s doing it DIY with a truck-supported base camp and the flexibility to head out on backpack loops as the herd demands. He’s laid all his gear choices out on the table so you can see exactly what’s making the cut.
Everything here pulls double duty: comfortable enough for truck-side living, light and bomb-proof enough for multi-day stints on the tundra. The gear tables below break it all down plus have links to the GOHUNT Gear Shop where you can dig into finer details like weights and dimensions.
Feel free to copy this list or tweak it to match your style and budget. Either way, you’ll step onto the tundra with a system that’s ready. Spot a hole? Have a tip that saved your hunt? Drop a comment and help this Alaska rookie out.
Lanes’s gear list is just the start. Your full hunt plan is one click away. With GOHUNT Insider, you’ll get unit draw odds, terrain overlays, 3D maps, and planning tools built for the DIY hunter like you.
Putting a bull on the ground is hard enough and wondering if your gear can hang shouldn’t be part of the stress. Lane’s trimmed his selections to a reasonable load and still feels ready for everything Alaska might throw his way, from soaked boots to curious bears.
If you’ve chased caribou up north and see room for an upgrade, drop a tip in the comments. First hunts come with learning curves, and the whole GOHUNT crew (Lane included) is always game to hear what’s worked for you.
Thanks for tagging along and good luck on your own tags this fall!
Item | Thermacell & refills |
|---|---|
Rationale | Try to keep mosquitoes at bay |
Item | Fly Rod & Reel |
Rationale | Hopeful for surf‑and‑turf |
Item | Kindle Paperwhite |
Rationale | Sub 8 oz. kills the boredom |
Item | Montana Decoy Co. & Ultimate Predator caribou decoys |
Rationale | Sometimes a bull needs visual courage |
Item | Foil & Spices |
Rationale | Cook fish for the guys |
Item | Rationale |
|---|---|
Thermacell & refills | Try to keep mosquitoes at bay |
Fly Rod & Reel | Hopeful for surf‑and‑turf |
Kindle Paperwhite | Sub 8 oz. kills the boredom |
Montana Decoy Co. & Ultimate Predator caribou decoys | Sometimes a bull needs visual courage |
Foil & Spices | Cook fish for the guys |
Item | Travel Duffle |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Bomb‑proof, keeps gear dry |
Item | Bow Case |
Model | Hard sided bow case of your choice |
Rationale | TSA & airline requirement ready |
Item | Backpack |
Model | Kifaru Hoodlum |
Rationale | Spotter & tent ride balanced in side pockets |
Item | Trekking poles |
Model | |
Rationale | Third point of contact on sponge‑bogs; tarp support |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Travel Duffle | Bomb‑proof, keeps gear dry | |
Bow Case | Hard sided bow case of your choice | TSA & airline requirement ready |
Backpack | Kifaru Hoodlum | Spotter & tent ride balanced in side pockets |
Trekking poles | Third point of contact on sponge‑bogs; tarp support |
Item | Game Bags |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Seam-free bottom, grab handles for hanging |
Item | Knives |
Model | Outdoor Edge SwingBlade & Havalon Piranta Bolt |
Rationale | Both sharp & versatile |
Item | Zip lock bags |
Model | Your choice |
Rationale | For select cuts & scent control |
Item | Gloves |
Model | |
Rationale | Keep you clean & covered |
Item | Garbage Bags |
Model | Your choice |
Rationale | Must have for multiple uses |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Game Bags | Seam-free bottom, grab handles for hanging | |
Knives | Outdoor Edge SwingBlade & Havalon Piranta Bolt | Both sharp & versatile |
Zip lock bags | Your choice | For select cuts & scent control |
Gloves | Keep you clean & covered | |
Garbage Bags | Your choice | Must have for multiple uses |
Item | Bow |
|---|---|
Model | Mathews Lift X |
Rationale | New for 2025, excited for first blood |
Item | Sight |
Model | |
Rationale | Locks solid with Dual sight tapes |
Item | Release |
Model | |
Rationale | Bomb‑proof wrist strap, trusted for a decade |
Item | Quiver |
Model | Mathews Low‑Pro 5‑Arrow |
Rationale | Tight to riser, enhanced balance |
Item | Arrows |
Model | |
Rationale | Micro‑diameter shafts, buck wind |
Item | Broadheads |
Model | |
Rationale | Field‑point flight; 2 inch cut |
Item | Bear Defense |
Model | Glock 20 + 200gr HSM Bear Load |
Rationale | Slower than Omar, provides bedside comfort |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Bow | Mathews Lift X | New for 2025, excited for first blood |
Sight | Locks solid with Dual sight tapes | |
Release | Bomb‑proof wrist strap, trusted for a decade | |
Quiver | Mathews Low‑Pro 5‑Arrow | Tight to riser, enhanced balance |
Arrows | Micro‑diameter shafts, buck wind | |
Broadheads | Field‑point flight; 2 inch cut | |
Bear Defense | Glock 20 + 200gr HSM Bear Load | Slower than Omar, provides bedside comfort |
Item | Base |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Comfortable, odor‑resistant & dries fasts |
Item | Active Mid Layer |
Model | |
Rationale | Wear all day active insulation |
Item | Pants |
Model | GOHUNT Lightweight Pant (prototype) |
Rationale | Side zip, tapered, reinforced knees, seat & cuff |
Item | Puffy |
Model | GOHUNT Down Jacket & Pant (prototype) |
Rationale | Loft for glassing or static sits; field‑testing final tweaks |
Item | Rain Gear |
Model | GOHUNT Rain Jacket & Pant (prototype) |
Rationale | Packs to softball size; full‑length zips & pitts, at the ready when weather turns |
Item | Underwear |
Model | UA Synthetic Boxer‑Briefs |
Rationale | Don't change a good thing |
Item | Gloves |
Model | GOHUNT Gloves (prototype) |
Rationale | Mid‑weight leather gloves |
Item | Beanie |
Model | |
Rationale | For chilly mornings |
Item | Bug Net |
Model | Sea to Summit Head Net |
Rationale | Cheap insurance for Alaska mosquitoes |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Base | Comfortable, odor‑resistant & dries fasts | |
Active Mid Layer | Wear all day active insulation | |
Pants | GOHUNT Lightweight Pant (prototype) | Side zip, tapered, reinforced knees, seat & cuff |
Puffy | GOHUNT Down Jacket & Pant (prototype) | Loft for glassing or static sits; field‑testing final tweaks |
Rain Gear | GOHUNT Rain Jacket & Pant (prototype) | Packs to softball size; full‑length zips & pitts, at the ready when weather turns |
Underwear | UA Synthetic Boxer‑Briefs | Don't change a good thing |
Gloves | GOHUNT Gloves (prototype) | Mid‑weight leather gloves |
Beanie | For chilly mornings | |
Bug Net | Sea to Summit Head Net | Cheap insurance for Alaska mosquitoes |
Item | Tent |
|---|---|
Model | Big Agnes Rattlesnake 2P |
Rationale | 2‑person roominess, with vestibule |
Item | Tarp |
Model | |
Rationale | Storm block, shade, or meat tarp, rides flat in load shelf |
Item | Sleeping Bag |
Model | |
Rationale | Fluffy warmth, light, sleeps well |
Item | Sleeping Pad |
Model | Big Agnes AXL Air |
Rationale | Packs small, weighs very little |
Item | Pillow |
Model | |
Rationale | Sleep good with very little penalty |
Item | |
Model | |
Rationale |
Item | Headlamp |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Dual‑beam, crazy runtime, rechargeable |
Item | Satellite Messenger |
Model | |
Rationale | SOS & two‑way text |
Item | Solar Panel |
Model | |
Rationale | 20‑hour daylight = endless re‑charges |
Item | Power Banks |
Model | |
Rationale | In the pack and more at the truck |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Headlamp | Dual‑beam, crazy runtime, rechargeable | |
Satellite Messenger | SOS & two‑way text | |
Solar Panel | 20‑hour daylight = endless re‑charges | |
Power Banks | In the pack and more at the truck |
Item | Boots |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Only pair that never blistered Lane |
Item | Socks |
Model | |
Rationale | Keep feet dry & happy |
Item | Gaiters |
Model | GOHUNT (prototype) |
Rationale | Keep bog slop out |
Item | Camp Shoes |
Model | Lacrosse Alpha Deck Boots |
Rationale | Waterproof loafers for town & truck |
Item | Boot Dryer |
Model | |
Rationale | Battery‑powered hope to dry liners |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Boots | Only pair that never blistered Lane | |
Socks | Keep feet dry & happy | |
Gaiters | GOHUNT (prototype) | Keep bog slop out |
Camp Shoes | Lacrosse Alpha Deck Boots | Waterproof loafers for town & truck |
Boot Dryer | Battery‑powered hope to dry liners |
Item | Gear Bag |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Great for easy organization |
Item | Medical Kit |
Model | First aid kit, Leukotape, Tylenol PM |
Rationale | Better have it when you need it, long way from help |
Item | Repair Kit |
Model | |
Rationale | Instant fix for down, pad, tarp, rain gear |
Item | Cordage |
Model | |
Rationale | Meat-pole, ridge line, ect |
Item | Earplugs |
Model | |
Rationale | Combat Omar's snoring |
Item | Pyro Putty rechargeable lighter |
Model | |
Rationale | Arc spark in any weather |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Gear Bag | Great for easy organization | |
Medical Kit | First aid kit, Leukotape, Tylenol PM | Better have it when you need it, long way from help |
Repair Kit | Instant fix for down, pad, tarp, rain gear | |
Cordage | Meat-pole, ridge line, ect | |
Earplugs | Combat Omar's snoring | |
Pyro Putty rechargeable lighter | Arc spark in any weather |
Item | Filter |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | Faster flow, threads to dirty bladder |
Item | Reservoirs |
Model | (2) GOHUNT Nalgene Bottle + (2) Platypus SoftBottle 1L |
Rationale | Prefer hard bottles, packable reservoirs for when needed |
Item | Stove |
Model | |
Rationale | Best boil‑time‑to‑weight we’ve tested |
Item | Fuel |
Model | 100 g Iso‑butane canisters (buy in AK) |
Rationale | Not TSA approved on flights |
Item | Utensil |
Model | |
Rationale | One‑tool‑does‑all |
Item | Food |
Model | Peak Refuel Meals, Mountain House, instant coffee, MTN OPS Hydrate |
Rationale | 2,500–3,000 cal per day: light, fast, no dishes |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Filter | Faster flow, threads to dirty bladder | |
Reservoirs | (2) GOHUNT Nalgene Bottle + (2) Platypus SoftBottle 1L | Prefer hard bottles, packable reservoirs for when needed |
Stove | Best boil‑time‑to‑weight we’ve tested | |
Fuel | 100 g Iso‑butane canisters (buy in AK) | Not TSA approved on flights |
Utensil | One‑tool‑does‑all | |
Food | Peak Refuel Meals, Mountain House, instant coffee, MTN OPS Hydrate | 2,500–3,000 cal per day: light, fast, no dishes |
Item | Bino Harness |
|---|---|
Model | |
Rationale | One‑hand access to rangefinder for archery shots |
Item | Spotter |
Model | |
Rationale | Wide FOV for big country |
Item | Binoculars |
Model | |
Rationale | unbeatable image‑stabilization |
Item | Rangefinder |
Model | |
Rationale | trusted & relaible |
Item | Tripod |
Model | |
Rationale | Light & tall enough to stand |
Item | Digiscoping |
Model | |
Rationale | Quick & easy photo capture |
Item | Glassing Pad |
Model | |
Rationale | Keep the backside happy |
Item | Stool |
Model | |
Rationale | Sub 1 lb perch for long glassing sits |
Item | Window Mount |
Model | |
Rationale | Not too proud to class from the warm truck |
Item | Model | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
Bino Harness | One‑hand access to rangefinder for archery shots | |
Spotter | Wide FOV for big country | |
Binoculars | unbeatable image‑stabilization | |
Rangefinder | trusted & relaible | |
Tripod | Light & tall enough to stand | |
Digiscoping | Quick & easy photo capture | |
Glassing Pad | Keep the backside happy | |
Stool | Sub 1 lb perch for long glassing sits | |
Window Mount | Not too proud to class from the warm truck |
