Alaska Mountain Goat Hunt with Alaska Trophy Outfitters // September 2022 // Photos by Brady Harang
While this is written from a woman’s perspective, any person can follow this gear list and substitute the appropriate items. I’ve intentionally made this very specific because I noticed that most lists out there are pretty vague, and gear can really help or hurt your experience. Do not mistake that for “gear will be the reason you’re successful or unsuccessful.” I can’t stand when people blame their gear for everything. Without proper preparation, including your physical ability and a positive mindset, it doesn’t matter what’s included in this list.
I also want to be sensitive to the fact that most people don’t have the money to go out and buy all of this for a single adventure. I have been collecting quality outdoor gear for years! This is such a big part of my life that I can justify it. If you find that you need to cut some corners, I’d suggest that you do not do so when it comes to your hiking boots, tent, backpack, and a quality layering system for your body. There are times that it’s straight survival mode in Alaska and you need to be prepared!
Clothing for a Mountain Goat Hunt
Base, Mid, & Outer Layers
KUIU Super Down Ultra Pant - I had to order men’s because they don’t offer it for women.
Gloves, Neck Gaiters & Other Accessories
KUIU Super Down PRO Glassing GloMitt - life saver for my poor circulation in my hands. These are amazing for glassing!
Women’s Merino Boxer Shorts - it may seem odd that I’m sharing my underwear with the world, but it took me a long time to find the perfect ones to hunt in. Just trust me on this one!
Footwear // *Use code FOLLOWHERARROW at checkout.
*Kenetrek Women’s Mountain Extreme 400 Hiking Boots - be sure to break these in before going hunting! I’m talking 50-75 miles (preferably not on a perfect hiking trail) to get them where they need to be before you pack for your hunt.
*Sheep Feet Orthotics - this may not be a must for everyone, but I can’t go without them now. They’re custom to my feet, and they make a difference for me. For what it’s worth, I also have their half size option in my gym shoes, but I wear the full length for all hiking boots. I’m just making a point that I don’t only wear them on the mountain.
Crampons - I didn’t end up using these but I’m glad I had them just in case.
Wiggy’s Waders - I ordered one size up from what’s recommended on the website so that they’re easier to get on and off, especially when they’re wet. This was recommended by my guide.
Crocs - it’s nice to have a light pair of camp shoes, especially on days that you’re fogged in like we were.
Notes Post Hunt: I was cold the entire hunt because it’s nearly impossible to stay dry and I needed more insulation layers. I also have Raynaud’s disease, so that certainly doesn’t help anything. If I could go back, I’d invest in the KUIU Men’s Super Down PRO jacket and pants rather than taking the Super Down Ultra Jacket & Pant. I ordered the PRO jacket after my September mountain goat trip and before my Kodiak Island blacktail hunt 2 months later in November. I cannot believe how much warmer I was on the blacktail hunt! Also, I ordered it in this color and it’s officially my favorite jacket that I own.
Backpack for a Mountain Goat Hunt
Exo Mtn Gear K4 Pack System - 5,000ci + the lid has an additional 350ci. I do not recommend taking less than a 5,000ci pack for this type of hunt. Also, I cannot stand when people say “this is the best fill-in-the-blank out there!” but y’all, it really is my favorite pack I’ve ever tried. I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s important to mention that boots and packs do tend to pick the hunter, so it may not be your match, but it’s 10000% mine.
Dry bags - put EVERYTHING in dry bags. Trust me on this.
Electronics for a Mountain Goat Hunt
*Garmin inReach Mini 2 - I don’t go on any hunt without this, period.
Headlamp
Batteries - for headlamps, rangefinder, etc.
ANKER External Battery/Power Bank + charging cords
onX Maps - the benefits that come with the Elite Membership are worth it, but the Premium Membership would work just fine too. Don’t forget to download your maps for offline use before your hunt!
Kill Kit for a mountain goat hunt
Replaceable Blade Knife + extra blades
Heavy duty trash bag
Tent + Accessories for a Mountain Goat Hunt
KUIU Mountain Star 2 Person Tent - this is a great tent, but with the extreme wind and rain, I would’ve rather had the KUIU Storm Star 2 Person Tent instead for better insulation. It’s a heavier setup, but it’s a 4 season tent. If you struggle to stay warm, it’s worth the extra weight!
KUIU Super Down Sleeping Bag 0 Degree - Please note that I did NOT use this sleeping bag, the one I used is discontinued, but this would be equivalent to what I had on my trip and honestly it has way better reviews than mine!
Food + Hydration for a Mountain Goat Hunt
*Use code FOLLOWHERARROW at checkout.
*Water filter - my guide had a large filter at base camp that we filled our bladders with each night, so I didn’t bring my own.
32oz Nalgene - I always have a nalgene with me to mix any kind of energy or recovery products into, rather than mixing that into my water bladder. I like to have plain water most of the time and it can be hard to get the flavor out of a bladder after you mix stuff in it. Also, my nalgene came in handy when I needed something to hold boiling water in an effort to keep me warm. I would keep a nalgene full of hot water by my feet at night to go to sleep, otherwise I was too cold. That warmth would last for hours by my feet and it was so comforting!
*Peak Refuel Meals - High calorie, freeze-dried meals. I’ve been eating these for years!
Heather’s Choice Packaroons - Blueberry almond and snickerdoodle are my favorites.
*Honey Stinger - both their energy chews and waffles are amazing for quick energy.
Pre-made bagels with cream cheese and jelly. I ate these almost every morning before we began hiking.
*Wilderness Athlete - packout bars, energy & focus, and hydrate & recoveer.
Optics + Accessories for a mountain goat hunt
Vortex Razor UHD 12x50 Binos - The perfect magnification for a goat hunt. I can’t imagine going higher or lower with the magnification, especially if you have a spotter too.
Outdoorsmans Binocular Adapter - One of my favorite products that I use on every hunt. It makes glassing so much nicer and the convenience of being able to quickly release your binos is awesome. There are some other products that accomplish the same thing for much cheaper, such as the *Aziak bino clamps, but the Outdoorsmans is my favorite of them.
Vortex Razor HD 22-48x65 Spotting Scope - I left this behind because my guide had a spotter and I would much rather glass from my binos on a tripod. However, if someone in your group doesn’t have one, I’d suggest bringing one!
Rangefinder
Marsupial Gear Bino Harness + Rangefinder Pouch - Protect your optics!
Toiletries for a Mountain Goat Hunt
Wet Wipes - put your preferred number of wipes per “session” in a snack size ziploc bag. Makes it easier to grab and go!
Pee Funnel - for my ladies, especially if you hunt with guys a lot like I do! I highly recommend you practice before you take this in the field!
Coin Tissues - one of the most underrated items on a hunt. I’ve used them to wipe down, clean dishes, blow my nose, clean my hands after cleaning an animal, etc. I tell everyone about these! Just add a touch of water and they expand.
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Medications
Other Items for a Mountain Goat Hunt
*Use code FOLLOWHERARROW at checkout.
Weapon of choice & necessary accessories
*LEKI Carbon Trekking Poles - I will never go without trekking poles again, and these will spoil you with how lightweight and compact they are!
Dyneema Tarp
Poncho - our cameraman was the only person that had one and we were all jealous. That extra layer of waterproof material worked well for him.
First Aid Kit - my guide had this covered, but I still carried moleskin for blisters, Ibuprofen, and an EpiPen in my own pack.
Sunglasses
Hunting License
Locking tag