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Bear 747, a huge adult male brown bear (boar), standing in the rushing Brooks River, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Alaska Brown Bear Hunt Pack List

What to pack once you draw an Alaska brown bear tag. Bears are found by glassing first, food and camp storage matter, and coastal weather runs wet for days.

Photo: National Park Service (KatmaiNPS) via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Credits

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

Boat or skiff hunt? Many coastal hunts on Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula start from a boat. Pack electronics, clothes and your sleeping bag in dry bags.

Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

Must-bring, in order

  1. 110x42 binoculars

    Bears are found by glassing alder edges and open slopes. A good 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. 2Spotting scope and tripod

    A spotter helps you judge hide condition and size before a long stalk.

    Vortex Crossfire HD 20-60x80 spotting scope at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65 spotting scope at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Vortex Summit SS tripod kit at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  3. Waterproof ankle boots. Coastal country is wet brush, tide flats and creeks. Many guides prefer knee boots or waterproof ankle boots over stiff mountain boots.
  4. Gore-Tex rain shell and pants. Alaska weather turns fast. A real waterproof shell and pants keep you hunting through days of rain and wind.
  5. 50 to 70 liter pack. Lighter than a sheep pack, but strong enough for a heavy hide and skull.
  6. Cape and meat bags plus a heavy knife. Heavy bags rated for a big load of hide and meat (near 600 pounds combined) and a stout knife for skinning.
  7. Shelter and sleeping bag. A storm-rated tent and a synthetic bag that still insulates when damp.
  8. 8Bear Keg (food-storage canister)

    A hard-sided food canister for coastal and spike camps. Food and scent stay locked away from bears overnight.

    Bear Keg (food-storage canister) at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  9. Bear spray / deterrent. Separate from the Bear Keg: carry a deterrent on your chest in camp and on the stalk. No product pick yet.
  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. 13Headlamp and spare batteries

    Long days at both ends of the season mean walking and packing meat in the dark.

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

  14. 14Glacier glasses, brim hat and SPF 50

    Snow, ice and water glare are hard on the eyes. Bring a hat and strong sunscreen too.

    Julbo Explorer 2.0 glacier glasses at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

Nice to have

  1. Insulated parka. A warm puffy for long glassing sits in the wind and cold camp evenings.
  2. 16Trekking poles

    Poles help on wet slopes and with a heavy hide on your back.

    Black Diamond Trail trekking poles at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

  3. 17Caping knife, processing kit and bone saw

    Piranta-Edge for caping, Game-Pro for processing, Flip N' Zip for bone. Required on a brown bear pack-out.

    Havalon Piranta-Edge folding knife at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Gerber Vital Big Game Folder knife at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Outdoor Edge Game-Pro GP-11 processing kit at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link Outdoor Edge Flip N' Zip Saw 4.5in at OpticsPlanetAffiliate link

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

Coastal vs interior

Coastal hunts (Kodiak DB1xx and DB2xx, Peninsula skiff hunts) mean rain, wet brush and boats: waterproof ankle boots, good rain gear and dry bags. Interior hunts lean on a 50 to 70 liter pack and poles for more walking. Either way, a big bear hide and skull plus meat can run near 600 pounds, so plan the pack-out. Nonresidents need a guide or a qualified resident relative for brown bear.

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 brown 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 brown bear draw?

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

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

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Photo: National Park Service (Neal Herbert) via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Credits

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