At Becharof Lodge, we specialize in offering big game hunters some of the best brown bear hunting and moose hunting in not only Alaska, but in the world. We hunt moose each fall, while our brown bear hunts rotate between spring and fall seasons.

The areas in which we hunt both brown bear and moose near  Egegik Alaska, is not easy to negotiate. Though the habitat in this part of Alaska looks flat, it’s tidally influenced, meaning water, mud, bogs and endless small streams can make hunts very challenging.

While mental preparation is a critical, never-ending process when it comes to big game hunting in Alaska, getting physically fit should top the priority list of every big game hunter. Establishing and sticking to a workout routine is key to efficiently filling a big game tag. Just because you’re hunting in Alaska, don’t expect there to be animals around every corner, or for things to come easy. Hunting in Alaska is very physically demanding. Develop a varied exercise plan that incorporates cardio, core work and muscle strengthening, and stay with it until the time of your hunt.

Don’t feel like you have to spend four hours a day in the gym, run marathons and bulk-up in order to experience a successful big game hunt in Alaska. The reality is 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week, along with a sound diet and adequate sleep will allow you to get in the shape you need to be in to tackle most big game hunts in Alaska.

Of course, the more physically demanding the hunt, the better shape you’ll want to be in. Being able to scale mountains, endure long hikes and push through miles of devil’s club, shale or soggy tundra, can be a normal part of the hunt in Alaska.

For the most extreme hunts, two months prior to the hunt, step-up your workout routine to one hour a day, maybe 90 minutes on cardio days. Now it’s crunch time, so continue eating well, shedding pounds and getting those legs in shape.

As the hunt approaches, a great way to get in shape is to strap on all your hunting gear and go for hikes in challenging terrain. This will allow you to know exactly how boots fit, if certain socks rub, how forgiving pants and base layers are, and how functional your pack is. Start light and add more weight as you progress and continue venturing into more challenging terrain. Two weeks prior to the hunt, add up to 20 pounds beyond what you think your max pack load will be, and go hiking with that on. Hike both up and downhill, and on sidehills. Pay attention to boots and clothing to see how they respond when you’re loaded down.

Leading up to the season, be certain to shoot your rifle or bow, regularly. While not being in shape is the number one mistake we see being made by clients who hunt with us at Becharof Lodge, not shooting accurately is a close second. Make sure you’re sighted in with the proper loads or arrows, know your effective range and be able to shoot with confidence from ever

y conceivable position you may find yourself in. Practice shooting from prone, kneeling, standing positions and more. Shoot while on hikes, if you can, working on stability and shooting while winded. Shoot with your gear on, including a pack and binoculars. If bringing a tripod shooting sticks or a gun-mounted bipod, practice shooting with them. You want to be prepared for any possible shooting situation on your hunt.

Make sure your hydration system is efficient and accessible. Have a pouch with a drinking straw that hangs by your mouth, rather than a water bottle stuffed away in your pack; you’ll be amazed how much more water you’ll drink and how much better you’ll feel, both mentally and physically.

While there is a lot more we could go into when it comes to preparing for a big game hunt with us at Becharof Lodge in Egegik, Alaska, what we’ve touched on are among the most important topics based on what we’ve experienced with clients over the decades. When booking a guided big game hunt with us at Becharof Lodge, we’ll take care of many details like survival gear, food, and more. All we want you to concentrate on is being in shape, shooting accurately and getting ready to have the time of your life, after all, we can never lose sight of the reasons we hunt.