Ketchikan resident Ryan John and I go through our gear for Southeast Alaska blacktail, most of which we will be using on our caribou trip next week. We talk bows, optics, trekking pole, the whole works. Most of the popular brands are quality so decisions like packs are completely personal. Just because I use Stone Glacier or replaced my Sitka rain pants with Black Diamond, doesn't mean that is the way to go. If you're in the market for gear, try on what you can, ask around, read and listen to people who use certain items. Unless you are sponsored, it might take a few years to put together your set up through trial and error or just thanks to sheer expense. My sleeping bag is 17 years old and my cold, wet weather rut hunting gear is Cabela's circa 2008.

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