SuMMER IS PREP TIME

     Skinner and I are prepping for another Alaskan adventure. The blacktail in the picture was the first time we went to Alaska. We said we'd be back, and this time we'll be hunting caribou on the North Slope in two months. 
     We've been dreaming and planning for this for more than a year. But, it is now crunch time. We are gathering our gear and asking ourselves questions about what to bring. Limited space and weight limits won't let us take the kitchen sink. Gear goes onto the pile, and gear gets taken out as we ask ourselves some questions. Comfort, survival, glassing, shooting, and more reasons stalk us.

• Do I really need this?
• What is the worst thing that can happen if I don't have this?
• Do I have something else that I can use instead of this?
• Is there a lighter version?

     Besides survival, we think one of the most important questions we can ask is whether a particular piece of gear will be the difference between a successful shot and harvest. If it came down to a decision between success and comfort, we'll just have to suffer. 

We have learned that suffering and challenges are part of the adventure. They will always be there. And, once we put in all the time and money to get there, and then the suffering and work to hunt, we want to make the shot count. We won't regret it if we suffer a little, but we will regret it if we miss the shot because we left out a critical piece of gear that made the difference in success.