We could have kept things simple and just gone backpacking in the Alaska Range. It's beautiful and the hiking is easy. Plenty of wood for the wood stove. As hunters we were loaded down with extra gear. That rifle alone adds an extra 9 pounds! Why not just go light and enjoy hiking in the sunshine? BUT, I'd argue that because we were hunting we were far, far more keyed in on what was going on around us.
Hunting makes it real and since I am looking for animals to hunt I am much more in tune with what is going on around me. I have my binoculars around my neck and I am constantly looking about and painstakingly glassing the slopes all around. If I was just out for a hike I'd be soaking it all in, but not really examining anything too closely. If we were just out for a hike I doubt we would have even seen the sheep.
When hunting I think about which slopes sheep might like. Hunt related thoughts crowd my head. What are the animals eating? Where are the cliffs they might want for cover? What plant is that - what animal eats it? Are those marmot whistles alerting sheep that we are here? I'd argue that hunting is active while hiking is passive - seeking out vs soaking in.
Hunting is a totally different experience from just hiking and well worth the extra weight!
Patrick
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