East to West Hunting Podcast Episode 8 – Kodiak Island Spring Bear Hunt with Jamie Frasier

This week, we’re talking with Adirondack guide Jamie Frasier who just returned home from a Kodiak Island, AK spring bear hunting trip. Jamie was a packer and camp chef on this trip for his long time friend and highly respected Alaskan guide George Wescott of Wasilla, AK and Pottersville, NY. This is a great story. We talk about getting to and from Kodiak, bear country safety precautions, glassing up bears, close encounters of the Ursa-kind, and more. Even if you never plan to hunt Kodiak for bears, you’ll enjoy this one and learn a bunch. Here are four good pieces of advice from Jamie for DIY hunters that are applicable in many general backcountry situations:

1. Pay attention to your scent – don’t go stinking a place up.

2. Be mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of a DIY trip

3. Follow good backcountry camping rules in bear country – don’t cook in the tent you’re using for sleep, use containers, keep your camp and dishes clean, and use a bear fence.

4. Satellite phone – bring one if you’re in a remote place, you’ll be glad you did.