Customer Reviews

Hunting Hard: In Alaska! Prepare Yourself To Hunt "The Last Frontier"

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I gave up reading all hunting magazines and books many years ago because of all the "my outdoors" style of writing which provided more ego than info. Have been to Alaska several times in the past working/fishing and after moving here 3 years ago and spending all my free time building a log home, I have had very little time to hunt. My wife knows I do not read many outdoors books because most of them pretty much say alot about the writers ego and little else.

She bought me a copy of this book for our recent anniversary and in less than a month it looks like its been read many, many times. (in fact when I met Marc here in Anchorage it was in my day pack- he insisted on signing a fresh, new copy which he gave to me!) Marc has a style of writing that does not tell you he knows everything, he simply tells you what he has experienced during Alaska hunts and what clothing and gear have worked well for him and what have'nt. I am currently in the process of testing some of the clothing and equipment that he recommends and so far, I have to say, he is right on the money. At 45 years old and raised on cotton hunting gear...well lets just say, those days are over. I tried out some new micro fleece shirts and pants on a hot and steep hike the other day in the rain and I was perfectly warm (though sweating up a storm) and even the mosquitos didn't seem to know what to make of it. If you live in or are visiting Alaska, you must try to stop in and see him down off the Old Seward Highway near Diamond Blvd. Then see if you can leave the store (Wiggy's Alaska) without buying at least a few of the tested and true products he offers there. You won't make it if you truly like to hunt hard.

You're planning a trip to Alaska to hunt one of the "big 5" and you run into a guy who's willing to be your personal hunting advisor. Whether you're after caribou, moose, Dall sheep, mountain goat or brown bear, this guy knows his stuff. He can tell you what to expect and will help you plan for every contingency. He's Marc Taylor, and through his book he can be your Alaska hunting consultant. A former Marine Corps sniper instructor, this author has put the teacher side of him into this book as well as the hunter side. From experience, he knows exactly what it takes to plan and execute a successful hunt, and as a teacher he guides you in planning it as well as anyone can.

You may have seen several books on hunting Alaska, but Hunt Hard...In Alaska might be the one most worth reading. Why? Because the author is totally honest about the challenge in hunting Alaska - it is hard, and fulfilling. The extensive planning, the variety of conditions the hunter needs to be ready for, the distances he needs to be prepared to go, and the inherent dangers of hunting in truly remote areas are not taken lightly. But they're the reasons Alaska beckons many from the lower 48 to make the 49th state the place where they achieve their dreams. Although it takes all the sheer physical effort some hunters can muster, above all Taylor's guidebook makes the challenge achievable.

By that standard, this is a first rate "how-to" book, but that description sells it short. It's also a "why-to" book. In the opening chapters that describe some of Taylor's own hunts, the reader quickly recognizes what hard hunting is - and why it's so fulfilling. Taylor is philosophical and spiritual about his hunting, exhibiting a respect for the land and its animals that you find in the best hunting books. But he's practical, too. His attention to detail is exceptional, worth more than the modest price of this book, with countless valuable tips tucked into the pages. Taylor is willing, able, and thoughtful enough to share what many writers simply don't.

I can vouch for his accuracy, his thoroughness, and his wisdom. While reading the book, I thought about my own successful moose adventure and wondered if he'd really cover everything. He did.

Short chapters that are well organized, a handy appendix, and a thorough index make Hunting Hard... In Alaska a valuable reference. In fact, as your first step to a successful hunt in Alaska, this book is a must - and you'll return to it again and again for advice and inspiration. It won't disappoint you. If you're heading to Alaska for the dream hunt of a lifetime, self-guided or with a guide, or if you're making a repeat trip to "the great land," it will tell you what every hunter needs to know to turn the dream into reality.

By far this is the best resource I have found for information on hunting in Alaska. It gives very detailed information on what types of equipment to bring, how to meet your carry weight limitations and even how to pack for the airlines. All this info is supplemented by great stories and detailed experiences. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to hunt in Alaska.

If you are thinking of hunting in Alaska, this book gives you the motivation to stop thinking and start planning. And, even better, Marc Taylor will take your calls and speak to you anytime about hunting in Alaska.

The book Hunting Hard in Alaska has enabled my transition from "wishing" to "planning" my first Alaska hunting trip.

Marc's book is conversational reading that is packed with practical pertinent information covering the overall hunting trip from start to finish.

When a Marine Scout Sniper instructor offers advice on hunting I listen.

I advise the reading of this book to those hunters
living in the lower fourty-eight and Cheechako's with the desire to hunt Alaska.

While the author makes an honest effort to explain certain aspects of hunting in Alaska, he also includes several chapters/stories about his personal hunts. While they are interesting, they do little to prepare you for the hunt. I was looking more for specific information about where to hunt the different species and specific clothing and equipment guides. I had recently purchased Hunting Sheep in Alaska by Tony Russ. His book goes into much greater detail about dall sheep and helps to explain the different geographical areas of Alaska, what to expect for terrain, trophy size, weather, etc. I strongly recommend Tony's book over this one.

Marc Taylor was kind enough to put his Alaskan hunting experience on paper for all of us to read. As hunters of the last frontier, we owe it to our quarry to read this book! Marc touches on subjects often skipped by other authors. I can honestly say this book allowed me to harvest a trophy class caribou this past August.
This book is a must read for those of us serious about being successful in Alaska. I highly recommend this book.

Really enjoyed this book and I know it will be indespensible for my sheep hunting trip!. Recieved the book in no time and got excellent customer service. Will definitely order from this website again.

This book is more of an ego strokin' former marine scout sniper, particularly when he goes into detail 'bout his poweress of bein' able to shoot, (Ooohhh ahhh...that's the sound of some pimply faced teen that wants to be a marine, who just had a mental orgasim readin' that passage, dreamin' he's gunna be a scout sniper in the marines, no thanks to the egotistical author!) than it is 'bout huntin' & preparing to hunt hard in Alaska...lots of detail's left outta this book & as one other reviewer said, other books are FAR & ABOVE better than this one. I'd suggest the timeless classic "Hunting in Alaska, A Comprehensive Guide" by Chris Batan...he fills his book with more prose & actual game density (which fluctuates, however, can be looked up, online at www.adfg.alaska.gov) in certain game management units, rather than strokin' his ego...as well, you get some EXCELLENT stories, written by Batan, in the end...There's a HUGE chasm of difference between the two authors, so much so, that I regret the fact that I even wasted my time with Taylor's book. I'm not even going to bother with readin' his second book.

It was a good book with plenty of info. The only problem I have with it is the author says he is not out to sell you on a brand but to give you what you should look for in a product, than tells you, brand X is the absolute best and is available at my retail store. Which is fine and dandy but if he was going to do so, he should not have said he was not. This installment is by the way, 200,000% better than #2. #2, if you are an evolved hunter (past your shoot everything that moves and only trophies will do for me phases) is a complete waist of time. Having said that, if he had a book #3, I would flip threw it to see if he put the sort of information I was hoping for in book 2 down in it. Book 1 (this book) is about how to go to Alaska and hunt, book to is sort of short stories with tidbits of info here and there.