Seems like the place to ask, so here goes. I have a grizzly hunt booked for the middle of June. A baited hunt near Cantwell. First question, I fly into Anchorage the day before I'm picked up and will be staying overnight. Where is the best place to get a room somewhere near the airport? Do not need anything fancy, probably just a meal and a bed. Next question, is there anything for this hunt and time of year that is a necessity that myself or the outfitter may not think of? I live in Wyoming and am an outfitter here so I'm pretty well versed and set up for equipment. Just seems like every hunt I've been on there is one simple item where a guys thinks he wished he'd have brought. Thanks in advance. The hunt is lodge based, so no need for camping equipment and that sort.

Sent a pm.

Headnet.

There are a number of hotels near the airport with shuttle service. Research it, take your pick, and reserve a room., the earlier the better. It's tourist season, so it won't be cheap. Be sure to specify non-smoking, if you are not a smoker yourself.

I'm curious (but none of my business!) - I don't hunt bears for sport, so my ignorance may show, but why mid-June?. That seems a bit late for good, unrubbed hide? They should be coming out long before then.

I think. April? early May?

Thermacell and a headnet

Head net and 150% Deet. 😀

I had my thermacell going full tilt and I have pictures of the state birds copulating on my thermacell…it seemed to attract them rather than discourage them.

We had $10,000 worth of gear and equipment but we did not bring $1.50 head nets….I’ll never make that mistake again.

Have fun and I hope you share your story after you get back.

PM sent

I cannot remember the last time wore a headnet... avoid bananas and beer...

Might as well quit living!

I hate them, but have been handy more than a couple times.

They are absolutely one of those things … when ya need em, ya REALLY need em!

He ain't hunting from a boat....

I have sat on many a bear bait over the years and have never used a headnet on a bait site.

Ok, you'll want to have one of these with you at all times, I carry one in my gear, ALWAYS.....
Lj

Seems like pelts would be ugly thin by then..

Beer and bananas are the only two things I have read that attract bugs. I stop drinking beer for the summer (accept the gin and tonic bill) and especially drop bananas. I find most around me are swatting and slapping while DEET keeps me mostly bug free. I have very little response to bites and they generally are gone within an hour or so.

They often have most of the shedding done and the tannery comb out leaves a thin but uniform hide. It is not the gorgeous thick and full hide, but not ugly.

Insert (nice even rub) here.

Laughing! The rub is gone after the comb out.

I inferred about the b&b-did not know about the comb out.

Hey, do they work on live, shedding dogs?

Now *that* was a classic thread!

Yup... dog might not enjoy it though.

I was going to suggest The Lakefront Hotel on Spenard. They have some nice taxidermy hung in common areas. It also has a nice deck to sit and watch float planes take and land on Lake Hood. That was until I looked up summer rates. $130+ in winter, $430+ in June!!! There are a lot of decent hotels around. I would use one of the various hotel related search engines and compare rates and reviews. Just avoid the super cheap roach motels.

As far as overlooked gear, maybe a small closed cell foam pad. If sitting long durations a warm and dry seat can make a world of difference in comfort level.

Maybe bring a small packable rod and reel. If time allows you could possibly fish for grayling.

Puffin Inn on Spenard. Minutes from the airport. Free shuttle.

you're coming to Alaska in June, you don't need a hotel, you need to get outta town STAT

rent a car, get a $40 tent and hit the road, lot's of places to camp for free on the road

On your way to Cantwell up the Parks Hwy, approx 2 hrs North of skAnkorage .... you have Willow Creek, Sheep Creek, Montana Creek & few others ...

In mid June you can fish for king salmon, rainbow trout, dolly varden, grayling, whitefish & camp out near the river, Willow & Montana Creek are pay sites but Sheep Creek campground is free

It's all catch n release & a hell of a time playing 30-50 lb kings with a $50 Ugly Stick rod/reel combo

You can buy your licenses and tag(s) ahead of time and have them mailed to the guide.

Great information Gents, and much appreciated.

Best of luck, and am looking forward to your hunt report!

Regards, Guy

I’ve only used a headnet a few times in the 33 years I’ve been here. But those few times I was glad I had one. The other thing I was glad I had was gloves to keep the white Sox off me.

Like SD mosquitoes don’t really bother me until they are so thick it’s hard to breath. Better have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. White Sox will literally drive you nuts.

Good luck on your hunt.

What do you have against a nice bear grease patina about the head and neck? Sheesh, some people!

Shhhhh! That is the only way I can get the dog to play with me!

Yeah, I bet. IIRC, your wife once informed the 'fire she found you sound asleep on the bed, with both Labs rolling on you.

Cannot argue with you...

THERMACELL.

Hmm. I don't eat bananas and doubt I drink a case of beer a year. I still have the things all over me.

Bug suit top or simms treated shirt. But if it were a once kind of thing that I didn't want wrong a bug suit top and I can unzip the hood as I want or zip up tight.

No way I would travel without one.

Fairly sure it was closed to king last year until June 13? Whatever that date is. FYI. There really were no salmon last year to speak off. And the rest of what you mention where hit so hard since there were no salmon they became hard to catch. At least thats what we saw in Talkeetna and it was a rare day in the 90 or so that I wasn't on the rivers somewhere most of the day if not all of the day.

Hopefully better this year but I seriously doubt it.

That said don't hesitate to have a rod and stop where and when you have time. You simply never know. oh yeah. 50 pound kings are not around every corner. Have caught a few each year except zero last year. 30 pounds are decent fish anymore. Biggest I've ever taped was 62 and it wasn't small but very uncommon.