The State of Alaska offers more bear hunting opportunities than any other destination available, and the hunting is superb. Hundreds of hunters take to the backcountry every spring and fall in pursuit of North America’s largest carnivores, and unfortunately many of them are misguided as to how to properly bring down their quarry. There are many important things to consider when planning a bear hunt in The Last Frontier, but in my opinion, there is none more important than shot placement.

One of the most widely disputed gear topics amongst hunters today is rain gear. Having a rain shell to protect your insulation layers from precipitation is not only important for comfort and staying dry, but essential for survival in the backcountry. Even with the dozens of different options in our modern gear technology, rain gear remains a choice between only two options. Rubber and breathable rain gear.

Whether it’s time to layer up against dropping temperatures, or time to tuck into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day in the woods, insulation in the backcountry is of paramount importance. Protection from the elements is one of the most vital factors when considering gear for a backcountry hunt, because without it, you likely won’t be able to endure the elements that you’ll encounter in the field. In the market for hunting apparel, “puffy gear” has become very popular both for its high warmth-to-wight ratio and also its packability. There are two main types of insulation when it comes to sleeping bags and puffy gear, whether it’s pants or jacket: down and synthetic insulation.