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Alaska Black Bear Hunt Pack List

What to pack once you draw an Alaska black bear tag. Black bear hunting means spring glassing on coastal and river hillsides and bait sits that run late into the evening. Glass first, and store camp food in a hard canister.

Photo: Charles J. Sharp via Wikimedia Commons, cc by-sa 4.0. Credits

Not drawn yet? Start with the Alaska black bear draw odds and the Alaska before-you-apply guide.

Must-bring, in order

  1. 110x42 binoculars

    Glassing hillsides, beaches and bait sites is how you find and judge a bear. A Diamondback HD 10x42 is the tool you use most.

    Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 binoculars at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Vortex Viper HD 10x42 binoculars (upgrade) at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  2. 2Bear Keg (food-storage canister)

    A hard-sided food canister for bait camps and overnight food caches. It keeps food and scent locked away from bears.

    Bear Keg (food-storage canister) at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  3. Bear spray / deterrent. Separate from the Bear Keg: most black bear country overlaps brown bears, so carry a chest-mounted deterrent. No product pick yet.
  4. 4Headlamp and spare batteries

    Bait and beach sits run late into the evening, and recovery and the walk out are often in the dark.

    Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Petzl Actik Core headlamp at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  5. Gore-Tex rain shell and pants. Coastal rain runs for days. A real waterproof shell and pants keep you sitting and glassing.
  6. Waterproof boots. Spring mud, beach landings and creek crossings. Wet feet end hunts.
  7. 50 to 70 liter pack. Carries camp in and a hide, skull and meat out.
  8. 8Game bags and knife

    Bags for hide and meat plus a sharp knife for skinning and caping. Check ADF&G salvage and sealing rules.

    Havalon Piranta-Edge folding knife at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Gerber Vital Big Game Folder knife at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  9. Tent and sleeping bag. A storm-rated tent and a synthetic bag that still insulates when damp.
  10. Merino or synthetic base layers. No cotton. Pack more than one set so you always have something dry to sleep in.
  11. Satellite messenger. An inReach-class two-way satellite messenger. Most Alaska hunting country has no cell signal, so carry a way to call for help and check weather.
  12. First aid kit with blister care. A compact kit plus blister care and trauma shears. Help can be a day or more away.
  13. 13Glacier glasses, brim hat and SPF 50

    Spring snow and coastal water glare are hard on the eyes.

    Julbo Explorer 2.0 glacier glasses at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

Nice to have

  1. 14Spotting scope and tripod

    Optional. A spotter on a tripod helps you judge size and spot rubbed hides from a distance before a stalk.

    Vortex Crossfire HD 20-60x80 spotting scope at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Vortex Summit SS tripod kit at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  2. 15Trekking poles

    Poles help on wet slopes, beaches and with a loaded pack.

    Black Diamond Trail trekking poles at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  3. 16Caping knife and packable saw

    Piranta-Edge for caping; Flip N' Zip is optional.

    Havalon Piranta-Edge folding knife at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Outdoor Edge Flip N' Zip Saw 4.5in at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  4. Insulated parka. A warm puffy for long glassing sits in the wind and cold camp evenings.
  5. Water filter. Refill from creeks instead of hauling water. Treat everything; giardia is common.
  6. Laser rangefinder. Distances fool you in open Alaska country. Range before every shot.
  7. Repair kit and duct tape. Seam sealer, a needle, cord and tape fix packs, tents and boots far from town.
  8. Extra food day. Weather pins hunters in. Pack at least one spare day of food for every fly-out.

Black bear vs brown bear

Black bear hunts are lighter than a brown bear trip: a smaller hide and skull, more glassing from beaches and hillsides, and more evening sits at bait. But brown bears live across most black bear country, so store camp food in a hard-sided Bear Keg canister and carry a separate bear deterrent on your chest. U.S. nonresidents can hunt black bear without a guide. Check current ADF&G rules on baiting, sealing and salvage for your unit. Drew brown bear instead? See the brown bear pack list.

Buttons go to product pages we checked on Oct 29, 2026. Items without a button are gear categories we have not matched to a store yet, so pick the brand you trust.

Before you go

  • Print your harvest ticket or permit and carry it with your license.
  • Download offline maps for your hunt area.
  • Read the current ADF&G regulations for your hunt number, including meat salvage and sealing rules: ADF&G hunting regulations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important gear for an Alaska black bear hunt?

Boots you trust, good binoculars, a pack that can carry meat, real rain gear and bear spray. The ordered list on this page puts the must-haves first.

Do I need a satellite messenger?

Most Alaska hunting country has no cell signal. An inReach-class two-way satellite messenger lets you call for help and get weather.

When do I apply for an Alaska black bear draw?

The Alaska draw application period runs Nov 1, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026, online with ADF&G.

More: Alaska black bear odds · Alaska draw hub · all pack lists.

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