Alaskan Tent

[freddogs]

What's a good tent for an Alaskan hunting trip? What features do you need? What features are handy but not neccesary? Thanks :drink4:

[Daveinthebush]

Alaska has three major weather considerations that tents need to face.
1.  Winds to 50-60 mph.
2.  Rain, rain, rain.
3.  Cold.

It has to be strong, wind proof and waterproof.  

Other factors depend on the situation: backpacking, float hunt or plane.  Any of these will determine the weight that you can afford to take. Obviously with a backpack or plane you are limited.  I remember flying out in a Super Cub for a four day hunt and only taking one change of clothes to save weight. Sitting in front of 10 gallons of gas in plastic gas cans just so we could get back.

Anywhere in the South Central, South East, Kodiak or Aleutians you have to expect the possibility of high winds and rain.  Go with aluminum poles that have greater strength to withstand the winds.  Many people carry an extra tarp to place over the tent to assit in keeping the water out.  A vestiblue helps to keep the gear dry.  The tent should also have adequate vetilation to remove moisture.  A ground cloth under the tent for sure.  It is almost impossible in Prince William Sound to find a dry spot in the spring and fall. Extra rope and tiedowns if you can afford the weight.

Quality is a must!  On other sites there is always the debate on the best tent to buy.  Buy the best that you can afford, don't skimp.  Your tent may save your life!   Is a Cabela's Alaskan Guide tent better than a Eureka USMC tent?  Better than a Sierra Designs? Hard to tell.  I do think that a dome will offer the best wind resistance.  Surf the net and you will find all kinds of tent reviews from professionals and the average person.

My own choice right now that I use are two different Eureka tents, one is an older Timberline made before they shifted the manufacture overseas. The other is a smaller Eureka that I bought for a specific purpose that would set up within a boat while traveling down the Yukon.

[Dand]

buy quality.  Go for a 3 or 4 season tent with NOSEEUM netting and lots of tie downs. Throw out cheap aluminum wire stakes and get a bunch of the 12 inch nylon/plastic ones - take extras.  Take pole repair supplies and a bunch of white 1/8 nylon cord - and duct tape or tent repair patches. Blue tarps are good for ground cloth and auxiliary flies.

I like domes for space.  Cabela Alaska guide domes are pretty good but I don't like the new dark green ones - too dark inside and too hard to find in the dark or spot from a distance.  NorthFace makes good tents.  I use an old REI Mountain hut but don't like the gray color- spent 2-3 days in it during a bad rain storm - very dreary especially with a blue tarp on top to slow the rain.  Now have a bright yellow REI Geodome that is pretty good but not as tough as the best NorthFace etc. I sure like the bright yellow for finding at night and for keeping track from a distance. Easy to light with a small lantern too. Vestibules are VERY nice to have for wet gear.

[freddogs]

Thanks for the replies.I've always thought that camo was stupid for something you want to find. Your tent or your flashlight come to mind. I asked advice here because hunters have different opinions on gear from campers. :lol: Hope you guys are having a nice winter.

[Thebear_78]

first things first what do you intend to do with it?  there is a big difference between a early fall tent for a mobile hunt, raft or atv.  versus a "base camp" style tent where the extra size isn't a big deal.  Most importantly is quality, and something with great ventilation.

I have one of the cabelas outfitter tents and really like it except for one thing, it is super heavy.  Great for a hunt where you will go set up one main base camp and stay put but not great for mobile hunting.   The weight, mine weighs 48lbs really hurts you in a plain based hunt also.   I have a buddy who has one of the cabelas outback lodge, kind of an a frame style tent, that weighs about 15 pounds and works pretty good too.  I don't think it would be as good in really bad weather as my outfitter but its served us pretty well the last few years.   The next bigger tent I get will definately have a spot for a stove,  I did some winter camping in a alaska tent & tarp "arctic oven"   with the small stove we were sitting comfortably in shorts and tshirt with outside temps at -35.   Also heavy but worth it.     

[williamlayton]

I am assuming, from the reads, that Canvas is no longer a thing used. What are the materials and, do they come in different weights, used in these tents.
The normal, well, for the Gulf Coast, rip-stop nylons don't seem to be a choice.
Another question, What is the criteria for a base camp tent? How long would one expect it too be set up?
Blessings

[BBF]

Canvas is still in for base camps.

[Sourdough]

Depends on the time of the season, terrain, and mode of transportation used to get into and out of the area. 

When we go in for Moose camp, and drive the track rigs, or use a big boat, we use a big heavy canvas wall tent. 

If I float in, or go in by ATV, I use a light weight backpacking tent. 

If it is winter time, and we go in by snowmachine, we use an Arctic Oven.  Yea, it's heavy, but it's warm.  A double mantle Coleman lantern is all the heat you need down to 20 below.

Also depends on how many people are going.

[BBF]

Also depends on how many people are going.

and Gender and how friendly they want to get.