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Bull caribou on open tundra with snowy Denali rising behind it, Alaska

Alaska Caribou Hunt Pack List

What to pack once you draw an Alaska caribou tag. Many caribou hunts are DIY, so plan for open tundra, wet camps and a lot of meat to care for.

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

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

Must-bring, in order

  1. Waterproof stiff-sole boots, broken in. Tundra is tussocks, bog and creek crossings. Wet feet end hunts, so bring waterproof boots you trust.
  2. 210x42 binoculars

    Caribou are found by glassing open tundra. A good 10x42 picks out bulls miles away, so you walk less and choose better.

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

  3. 3Spotting scope and tripod

    A spotter on a tripod helps you judge a bull before a long walk across the tundra. It saves miles and bad shots.

    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

  4. 60 to 80 liter pack with a hip belt. Carries camp in and quarters out. Plan on several trips for one caribou.
  5. Game bags, rope and knife. Breathable bags to keep quarters clean and cool, rope to hang them, and a sharp knife. Wanton waste rules require you to salvage the meat.
  6. Tent, sleeping bag and pad, season-rated. A storm-worthy tent and a warm bag and pad for wind and rain on open tundra.
  7. 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.
  8. Merino or synthetic base layers. No cotton. Pack more than one set so you always have something dry to sleep in.
  9. Bear spray / deterrent. Grizzlies live across caribou country and can find a kill fast. Carry spray where you can reach it.
  10. 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.
  11. First aid kit with blister care. A compact kit plus blister care and trauma shears. Help can be a day or more away.
  12. 12Headlamp 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

  13. 13Glacier 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. Trekking poles. Poles help with balance on tussocks and with heavy pack-outs.
  3. 16Caping knife, processing kit and bone saw

    Piranta-Edge, Gerber Vital, Game-Pro and Flip N' Zip for a DIY caribou 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.

Caribou vs sheep and goat

U.S. nonresidents can hunt caribou without a guide, so more hunters go DIY. That means you own the meat care and the camp. Game bags, rope and a good knife move to the must list, and so does a season-rated tent, bag and pad for tundra spike camps.

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 caribou 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 caribou draw?

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

More: Alaska caribou odds · Alaska draw hub · all pack lists.

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