King of the Wilderness-Chapter 145 - 126: The Hunting Season Begins

This forearm is also extraordinary; it integrates a rail underneath, already fitted with a tactical flashlight and a vertical foregrip.

Finally, Dave pointed to an inconspicuous accessory on the side of the receiver, neatly holding six blue shotgun shells.

"A side saddle shell holder, allowing you to reload as quickly as possible after emptying the magazine. Six spare rounds, right within your reach."

Lin Yu'an caressed the cold metal of the gun, having already made a decision in his heart.

Every detail of this gun seemed to speak of "getting it right in one go."

"This is the one."

"A wise choice."

The next step was to proceed with legal procedures.

Lin Yu'an presented his green card and Alaska temporary driver's license, meticulously filling out the Federal ATF Form 4473.

Dave entered his information into the computer, running a background check through the NICS system.

During the few minutes of waiting, Lin Yu'an also selected enough #7.5 birdshot and powerful 1-ounce slugs.

"Alright, background check cleared!"

Dave smiled as he printed the receipt: "This beast is now yours."

After paying 860 US Dollars, Lin Yu'an legally owned his first long gun in Alaska.

It was a heavily modified Mossberg 590A1; despite the high price, Lin Yu'an felt that the investment was well worth it.

Returning to the Wood Forest Land, a professional alpine hunting plan was already in its final preparation stages.

David and Mike were carefully inspecting and packing their photography equipment, with a hint of undisguised disappointment on their faces.

"Lin, are you really sure you don't want us to come along?"

David, carrying his heavy Sony camera, made a final attempt.

"This is a Dall sheep hunt! Just think of the scenes—snow mountains, cliffs, white elves... This is top-grade material that would drive viewers crazy!"

Lin Yu'an was stuffing a pack of high-calorie beef jerky into his massive mountaineering backpack and shook his head with a smile upon hearing this.

"David, I understand your feelings, but this time is different; where we're going, there are no roads, it's all on foot, and it will take several days."

"Every bit of gear and supplies is weighed by the gram, and too many people could alert those cunning Dall sheep, so the fewer, the better."

He stopped what he was doing and picked up a small, black, metallic box the size of a matchbox from the side table and tossed it in his hand.

"But rest assured, I won't miss any of the material."

He clicked the small box with a "snap" and attached it to a magnetic mount on his chest.

"What's that? A new GoPro?" Mike curiously leaned forward.

"No, it's a DJI Action 2 I picked up when I bought the gun in Fairbanks."

Lin Yu'an showed it to them: "I think it's much better than a GoPro. Look, magnetic design, can switch between chest and gun barrel in a second."

"And its stabilization... how should I say, its horizon steady function is very powerful, no matter how I move, the footage always remains level."

He patted David on the shoulder and said seriously, "This hunt means a lot to George, we can't afford any slip-ups."

"So, consider this a short vacation, take a good rest at the campsite, or explore the surroundings."

"If we return with trophies, I promise to bring you the most exciting footage."

Seeing Lin Yu'an's firm attitude and confident promise, David and Mike, though regretful, could only nod in agreement.

After bidding farewell to the two photographers, the cabin fell into complete silence.

When it was time to depart, Lin Yu'an went to Old George's cabin living room, which had now become a temporary command post.

An enormous map of the Brooks Range was spread out on a makeshift wooden table, densely marked with contour lines, rivers, and ridges.

Old George, Stan, and Lin Yu'an, like a military special operations team about to set out, gathered around the map, meticulously planning every detail.

"Our entry point is here."

Old George pointed with his calloused finger to a place on the map called "Weeping Valley."

"Entering from here, on the first day, we need to hike at least fifteen kilometers, cross this saddle, and camp below 'Wind Shear Pass'."

"The view there is wide open, the best spot to observe the sheep herds on the opposite slope."

Looking at the vast map on the table, Lin Yu'an couldn't help but ask, "George, aren't we using ATVs to get in? I see a lot of people use them in Alaska."

Stan laughed and shook his head: "Kid, where we're going is God's domain, there are no trails."

"More importantly, in those areas designated as wilderness reserves, anything with wheels is legally prohibited."

"The white ghosts we're seeking live in such treacherous places."

"You know, kid, Old George's stubborn persistence, he applies for this zone's Dall sheep draw unfailingly every year, for a full ten years!"

"In those ten years, he's drawn the Dall sheep tag 4 times, but each time returned empty-handed."

"Luckily, Old George won again this year, and we hope that with your involvement, this old guy can have more luck."

"This might be one of the few chances in his lifetime, we must help him fulfill this dream!"

Stan then took a pen and drew an alternative route on the map.