Clothing & Personal Items

Here are some lists of items we recommend you bring for a hunting trip.

Clothing

  • Socks (1pair for every 2-4 days)
  • Long Underwear (top & bottoms, light for Aug, mid for Sept, heavy for Oct)
  • Underwear (1 pair for every 2-4 days)
  • 2 Pair Pants (quick dry synthetic fabric)
  • 2 Long Sleeve Shirts
  • Gloves (light for early hunts and heavier on late hunts)
  • Good Raingear (light weight & packable, KUIU and Sitka are good choices)
  • Jacket (med weight wool or fleece)
  • Insulated Jacket (down or synthetic fill for Sept/Oct)
  • Camp Shoes (something light to wear at night, crocks work well)
  • Travel Clothes (wear to and from hotel, can leave in hard case at hotel)
  • Gaiters (waterproof, excellent for crossing creeks and wet grass in mornings)

 

Personal

  • Tooth Brush
  • Lip Balm (should be at least #10 SPF)
  • Sun Block (should be at least #30 SPF)
  • Shampoo & Liquid Soap (small 2oz bottle)
  • Small Towel or Washcloth
  • Deodorant
  • Baby Wipes (travel pack of 15 to wash up or instead of TP)
  • Prescription Medication
  • Advil or Aspirin (anti-inflammatory)
  • Bandages and Medicated Ointment
  • Blister Kit or Mole Skin
  • Insect Repellant (types that contain deet work best)

 

Miscellaneous

  • Airline Tickets
  • Passport/I.D (you must now have a passport to travel to Canada)
  • Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (RCMP 5589 / CAFC 909 form signed at customs)
  • Cashier’s Checks and USD Cash (used to pay trophy fees, gratuities)
  • Smart phone/digital camera
  • InReach satellite text device
  • 1 or 2 fully charged power banks to recharge electronics
  • Headlamp or Flashlight (bring extra batteries)
  • Water Bottle (1 liter, hard)
  • Lighter and Waterproof Matches
  • Compass
  • Sunglasses
  • Small Paperback Book
  • Hunting Licenses and Tags (these will be given to you in Whitehorse or camp)

 

Optional Personal Items

  • Satellite Phone (bring extra batteries)
  • Water Filter (clean water sources are generally available)
  • Small Notepad and Pencil
  • Any Specialty Foods (jerky, gum, mints, snacks, or anything for a special diet)
  • Two logs of chewing tobacco (for yourself and to share with your guide who will no doubt be in need of some)

Note: Total weight of the gear you bring on the bush plane should be limited to about 60-65 lbs. for sheep hunts and 70-75 lbs. for later season mixed bag hunts

Equipment

Here is a list of general items we recommend you bring for a hunting trip.

Equipment

  • Sleeping Bag (evening temps-Aug 60° F to 20° F; Sep & Oct 30° F to 0° F)
  • Sleeping Pad (full length is warmer bring repair kit)
  • Boots-Sheep (waterproof, stiff sole with extra laces, should be treated on outside)
  • Boots-Moose/Caribou (insulated hiking boot and/or lug sole pack boot/Muck boot)
  • Binoculars (good to have a lens cloth that clips to strap)
  • Hunting Knife & Sharpener (a small folding knife should do the trick)
  • Daypack (for horseback or riverboat hunts, 2000-3000 cu in)
  • Backpack (for backpack hunts, 6000+ cu in internal or external frame-with extra 2" buckle, and rain cover)

 

The following are recommended items depending upon the type of hunting you intend:

Rifle hunters

  • Rifle with Scope (257 caliber legal minimum; 300 caliber recommended)
  • 2 Boxes of Cartridges (in original packaging or hard box for travel)
  • Belt Loop Cartridge Holder (nylon or leather for 8-10 shell)
  • Rifle Sling and Scope Covers
  • Compact Cleaning Kit
  • Hard Case (required for airport travel, case will be left at hotel)
  • Soft Case (for travel in bush plane)
  • Leather Scabbard (for horseback hunts if rifle or scope is larger than standard)
  • Electrical Tape (for barrel muzzle)

 

Bow hunters

  • Bow (record brace height, knocking point, axle to axle length)
  • Extra String and Cable
  • Extra Rest and Site Pins
  • Extra Release
  • Bow Sling
  • Armguard
  • Arrows (1-2 dozen)
  • Field Points
  • Broad Heads (1 dozen)
  • String Wax
  • Allen Wrenches (plus any other necessary tools)
  • Hard Case (required for airport travel, case will be left at hotel)
  • Scabbard Case (nylon or leather for horseback hunts)
  • Arrow Tube

 

The following are optional items you may wish to consider

Optional Equipment

  • Spotting Scope (your guide will have a good quality scope)
  • Tripod (lightweight and compact)
  • Video Camera
  • GPS
  • Range Finder
  • Trekking Poles (can be helpful for steep climbs above timberline)

 

Note: Total weight of the gear you bring on the bush plane should be limited to about 60-65 lbs. for sheep hunts and about 70-75 lbs. for later season mixed bag hunts

Fitness

The Importance of Physical Preparation on Your Hunt

Hunting areas, outfitters, and guides are often judged by high success rates and superior trophy quality…make no mistake, Yukon Stone & Moose Creek Outfitters has both. To maintain these standards, it is well understood that clients must be proficient shooters and have the right equipment. However, what is often overlooked is the importance and impact of the clients’ physical preparation and general fitness on success rates and trophy quality. Being physically fit prior to your hunt is one of the most critical things you will do to improve your chances of success in the field as well as simply enjoying the experience of an extreme mountain hunt, while having the ability to stick it out for the duration of your trip. Whether you are hunting Sheep, Moose, Grizzly, or Caribou physical preparation matters to your success and our success.

We are often asked about physical preparation for horseback hunting versus backpack hunting and the answer is always the same… train for both the same way because you never know what you might encounter in the field. Our guides are professionals who will work within your capabilities, but understand that they come prepared for your hunt and so should you. If you have the opportunity to ride horses at home for a couple weeks prior to your hunt, it will get your butt, knees, and balance ready. Keep in mind, that even riding a horse for several hours will take a toll on you and horses won’t get you to the ridge tops to glass or to make a stalk. They will only get you so far and the rest is up to you with your own foot power. On horseback hunts, you should expect to carry a 35 lb pack for 5-6 miles a day up and down hill. While backpacking, expect 55 lbs for up to 10 miles in a day. Remember, that expensive gun or long range scope doesn't get you to your animal...you do.

This brand of hunting may be new to you or you may wish to learn more on how to prepare yourself and maximize your time and the results you achieve since everyone has busy lives. Here are a few suggestions and different levels that you can choose to prepare for your hunt without spending multiple hours every day in the gym.

  1. Buy some general workout videos that get your heart rate up and work on your entire body and core. Good examples include:
  2. Join a more specialized hunting fitness program such as Power Hunter. Developed by Greg and Denise McHale, this program will get you on track with physical training, mental strength, and a meal plan that will get you prepared for whatever type of hunt you plan or encounter.  Learn more or to join the program here: Power Hunter Program by Greg and Denise McHale

  3. Engage a personal trainer. Having a customized program as well as people who will check in on you and hold you accountable for sticking to the program can work wonders. They will coach you on specific exercises that will maximize your results for the time spent and they are masters of nutrition and can help get you ready for any goal. They work with a variety of people ranging from professional athletes to people who have suffered strokes and injuries (not to mention people who are just looking to have a great hunt) in order to customize a program to achieve particular goals.

  4. Begin a regular exercise regimen which should include:
    • Walk with a weighted pack on your back at home for 30-60 minutes 4-5 times a week. Challenge yourself as it gets easier and put more weight in

    • As your hunt approaches, find a place to walk uphill, downhill, and sidehill with your weighted pack and try to do this for at least 60 minutes per session

    • Treadmills, Elliptical, Stair climbers. 20-40 min a day. Increase this to 60 minutes during the final three weeks prior to you hunt to help accelerate your readiness

None of us are as young as we used to be so please don't let the thought of all this scare you away from going mountain hunting. Embrace it and look forward to feeling great, looking great, and getting your trophy!