It has been a lifelong dream of mine to go to Alaska to hunt Moose, and other game if possible. I am now in my early 50s and ready to make it happen. I have read a few books on DIY AK Moose hunts and have always felt DIY would be the way I go. As I have gotten more serious about making this a reality I am now struggling with DIY or guided. The biggest deterrent for me to a DIY hunt is not having a person to go with that can afford it, is capable and can handle what AK can dish out. Additionally, while the cost of a guided AK Moose hunt can range from $10K to $20K, many of the outfits that provide the equipment and fly you in are in the $5k range. Then you have to figure out where to go that has good and quality moose population. I have gone hunting in northern BC guided and taken a moose and have done DYI elk the last three years so I am not worried my ability to hunt Moose or on my own. I am confident I could do a DIY if I can find a good hunting partner along with a good area in AK. For those of you who have done DIY and Guided will you please share with me your advice and experiences. Feel free to PM me if you prefer.
I would contact Mike Mitten on this. If anyone knows DIY, it's him. In the mean time, save your money. Figure out what regular non essential expense you can eliminate. It'll add up.
Kevin Dill and Bryan Burkhardt have done a few successful DIY moose hunts. Perhaps they could help.
You might consider the in between option, an outfitted hunt. I believe Ernie Holland still provides this kind of hunt on the "Moose John River in Alaska. He flies you in, supplies the equipment and food and sends you on down the river. You're on your own for the hunt. Flies you out at the end. Less expensive than a guided hunt.
By the time you assemble/rent/buy your own equipment (tents and rafts, food, for example) and arrange for air service to fly you and your gear in and out, the cost will be close to the same. Of course some air services supply tents and rafts, but usually not complete outfitting, i.e.,food/predetermined destinations. The issue there, as you're aware, is locating a good hunt area.
I've done the Moose John twice, once with Jay Massey and later with Ernie. This is exactly the kind of hunt I like. The outfitter takes care of the logistics, and I hunt and do everything else on my own.
Though some folks do the wilderness float trip on their own, I highly recommend a hunting partner you can depend on.
Go to the Kzoo Expo in January. Monty Browning will be doing a seminar on DIY Alaska hunting (I think it is about moose too). Check the Great Northern site to get the advertisement, and I also believe it is in Sticktalk and TBM as well.
Your two toughest challenges:
1) Finding a qualified hunting partner.
2) Deciding which air service or outfitter to use.
Since each depends (to a degree) on the other, you probably need to work on both simultaneously. Getting in for 2013 will be questionable, but you've got time to make '14 a reality.
I have the same dream. I haven't hunted moose at all but have been studying Alberta (Shiras).
I did stalk within 12 yards of a bull Shiras about 200 yards off the highway along the top of the Bighorns in Wyoming on a Tuesday afternoon (day before season opened) in 1985. I tossed a mud-tipped stick (from beaver dam) at him.
The warden who I told the tale to came to my DIY elk camp the next day said he bull had been killed by a bowhunter from Sheridan . This bull stood as the world record Shiras bow kill for a few years.
Areas of Alaska have been closing to non-residence for moose, while other areas are draw. So even though I may have hunted there for a half dozen times, its always a challenge up front if I don't go in back to back years. You can become quickly out of thouch in other words. If you like to do a semi guided deal, then Yote Roberson may be your guy. He is Dick's son and has a website. I beleive he may hunt a draw unit as well via river float.
If you float down the Aniak River, could you bring my bow back? It's on the bottom about 14 miles down from the lake!!!!!!!!! It should still shoot, I finished it in marine epoxy!
Go for it. Nothing like DIY float trip in the big country
Because of the remoteness and means of travel, weather plays such a huge role in Alaskan hunt success; you have to be ready to accept the hand you are delt. Is it worth it? Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/moose2.jpg)
The "species", moose, are not hard to hunt...I mean, if you can hunt elk, you can hunt moose. Also, having some experience with elk gives you at least an "idea" of dealing with such a big animal once one's on the ground.
As has been said, finding the right partner is the toughest thing. Most (if no all) of the guys mentioned are PBS members. To plug that fine organization a bit, this is one of the big advantages to being a PBS'er....that of fellowship, and sharing experiences and dreams with like minded, serious folks. If you have'nt joined PBS, this is one case where your dues can be put to good use...and you could likely find that partner you are looking forward to as well.
Things change year to year...I did my trip in '99, so any info I'd have would be a bit dated. My partner Walt, though, went back this past fall, and killed a fine bull. I think his thread on his trip was titled "Pigger went North" or something like that....if you have'nt read it, do so!
Exactly what Mike and Mark said.
Alaska laws and regulations are extremely fluid, and you cannot count on anything remaining exactly the same in a year or two. Do your homework regarding Game Management Units and tags.
My membership in the Professional Bowhunters Society is probably the main reason I've been on so many fine hunting trips, including 7 far north adventures for moose. Information is a precious commodity, and PBS members tend to share information with their brethren. In many cases, membership in PBS leads directly to invitations and opportunities to go on hunts you might only ever dream about. Certainly, it puts a guy in contact with some of the THE most traveled and experienced bowhunters on this planet.
I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska (20+ years), and while I wish I were still there for the hunting, I am not personally interested in hunting moose. The other species available there interest me more.
That being said, I have a friend from the lower '48 that wants to shoot an Alaskan moose with trad gear, and we are planning a future DIY hunt there. (I would almost prefer to save money on moose tags and just tag along for the ride, perhaps as the dedicated videographer. I'd rather save the money on out-of-state moose tags and just shoot small game along the way.)
I have family that are still residents of AK, some very active and successful hunters. One of these family members in particular is one of the most successful hunters I know, and has taken several moose over the past few years. He has also helped several AK-resident friends of his to locate moose and take them with firearms. He will be a big part of our DIY hunt in a year or two, and says that it will be tough to go DIY and get into a high-percentage situation without flying in somewhere. This is from a guy that owns multiple snowmachines and four-wheelers, and a riverboat, with several years experience as a river-rafting guide in the interior. There is a lot of hunting pressure in areas that the average Joe has access to.
Unless you can get help from someone who knows how to hunt Alaska, and who knows of accessible areas where the hunting pressure is light, I would recommend paying a guide. If you are just looking for an Alaska-hunting experience, and would be content looking for moose (but probably not taking one), shooting small game along the way, DIY would work... because that is likely what would result.
Steve is a good shot on chipmunks :thumbsup:
I have been having the same thought and starting to explore for a moose hunt in AK but it will be a few years off since I have a new baby in the house. Oh to dream.
You might want to look into using a hunt planner. Here are links to some hunt planners in AK. I have never used any of these and have no connection to any of them. I have seen good reviews on each of them but I am not making any recommendations.
http://www.pristineventures.com/adventure-services/un-guided-hunt-planner.html
http://www.alaskahuntplanning.com/Lost_Creek_Company/Home.html
http://www.northwestalaska.net/-hunt-planning-service.html
I may only know a thing or two about a thing or two, but in my six years here I have been fortunate enough to have taken four moose. Fed my family moose and king crab lastnite!
Just going to point out something obvious and bow out of this thread.
Look at a map of Alaska and find yourself a river that is interesected by roads in two or more places. Figure out what game management unit (GMU) it's within. Call that GMU's district F&G office and ask questions about densities and regulations specifically for non-residents. See where I'm going? Drop your buddy off at the begining point of trip with gear(raft) and you drive to take out spot. Go to the nearest town and find someone that will drive you back to your buddy for cash, and go get a moose. This is not hard to do folks.
Do your research. The worst thing that I know of happening beyond accidents and all the hazards we have is taking a moose to early on and it spoiling before you get to the destination spot. Of course weather plays a huge factor. Meat management is also a significant. The further north you go the earlier the rut begins. Understand also that if you lose all your meat to spoilage you may also be cited for "Want and Waste" a serious citation that could go well into the thousands depending on negligence. Very doable for the right team...
Best of luck,
CB
Steve you have received some good advise from some excellent bow/moose hunters, you may want to re-read it a few times. As Mark said, he and I went on a float trip and he took a nice moose. He started his writing career recounting our adventure, there its some good advise in that TBM article, which is in his new book too. Kevin Dill and Bryan Burkheart, with there enthusiastic reliving of their hunts on the PBS site, were directly responsible for rekindling my interest in a another moose hunt. Thanks again Kevin! Visit the PBS site and read their accounts, there is a lot of good advise. Mikes book has a lot of good advise too. The account of my hunt this past fall can be found either here at the PBS site, just run a search for "Pigger went North".
I want to thank everyone for the time taken to post; you are giving me exactly what I was hoping to get and I am digging deeper based on your advice and input. Keep it coming please.
For those of you who have done a DIY Moose hunt in recent years, what do you figure it cost you? And, if it is not too time consuming for you, how do those cost break down? Maybe this info will be in some of the reading I'll be doing based on advice given here. I checked on flights from MI to Anchorage, AK and it is $880...so there is my first $1k spent.
I am thinking 2014 is the earliest I could swing this from a planning prospective unless I bump into someone that has already done their homework and just needs someone to make their hunt come true.
Lot of moose that you can hunt within an hour of anchorage, but there are more people too. Not as many bow hunt though. General non res tag is 400 plus 85 for license, and maybe you want to fish while your here. I think you can do a moose hunt here for under 3000 fairly easily; biggest cost being plane tickets and the cost of getting meat home. If you are looking for a trophy, you may be better off spending alot of money for a guided fly in hunt. If a legal bull and some time kicking around the brush in Alaska, it really isn't that much.
I'm mid process at this time in formulating a float hunt for myself and son in law. We will go in 2013. Should be plenty of time to get planned and booked if you start now and work diligently.
I think you should have a partner as well, but would not be afraid to do it on my own if it meant that much (it does! :D ). I will PM you with info I've gathered so far and maybe that would help.
Alaska is beautiful and wonderful! But it can also be very unforgiving. I would recommend going with a partner or two. Getting stuck somewhere or having to pull the back half of a moose out of a river would be nearly impossible without help.
Are you going to Kalamazoo in Jan 2013? I'll bet you could converse with some other interested trad hunters there, and may find some hunting companions.
Hello I have been to Alaska 12 times hunting various area -- first trip 1990 --after that trip I said I am going back every year -- well made it back as much as I can - taken 3 moose, with the bow -- Jack HOward 58 #) one caribou
missed others-- and one sheep--
If this is a pne time trip -- find a good outfitter -- if this is jujst about killing a moose -- spend the money -- if it is about the adventure -- do a drop hunt -- there are a number of drop off outfitter out thee- so some research -- what ever you do -- especailly if you do a float -- when you find a good spot - get up high and glass -- don't be afraid to call-you have to have patience - expecet not to go and come as you will- weather dictates everything-- I have never come home on the day I had scheduled -- don't bring to much gear .
Do research -- I know Yote - talk to him
The Wood River areea can be good -- you m ight be able to find some experienced bowhuinted in Fairbanks to go with you -- I don't recomend going alone on your first trip -- get up high
get a good spotting scope -- relax glass -- camp up high -- so you can see- keep your drop off point in mind before you shoot .I will post some photo's later -- the Wood River in not far from Fairbanks-- Wrights Air Service will drop you off -- Remember there is no cheap way to alaska 5 K is minimum-- Wrights has a Hellio plane that can fly you and a moose in one trip -- and you and an other guy - to save money -- figure about $700.00 to go in same to fly out -- extra trips cost --
Remember Glassing takes time ! you can spot moose from 5 miles away -- getting him is another thing ---
Good luck Rob T Classic Bowman
Another popular DIY hunt is to get flown up to the headweaters of a choosen stream/river and drop your vehicle at the end or terminal destination. Cost is only one way and no airfare for "meat only" trips, which can really add cost. These trips are really geared for residents as you can hunt several biospheres. Sheep, caribou, bear and moose are all on the menu. However, you could of course get a drop lower in any system for a moose only hunt.
Increasingly popular are the inflatable canoes. Very wide,very stable and right around 2K. Each person has their own and gear is divided until an animal is down. Then one becomes a meat hauler and the other is for gear. Here is the link to a very popular model, but there are others even up to 20ft.
http://soar1.com/soar_pro.htm
Hi Steve,
I have a air taxi service here in Alaska. I transport big game hunters into the brooks range for sheep, caribou, grizzly and moose.
If you are interested you can check out my website. www.bushwackerair.com (http://www.bushwackerair.com) or give me a call 907-458-8518
thanks
Jeff Kruse
Thanks everyone for the input! I am making progress to making this a reality and I believe it will happen in 2014 but maybe next year. Have a possibility for something in 2013 solo but joining a group being put together by a traditional archery guide out there...but will not know if I fit in for a few months and it will also depend on cost. 2014 will likely be a go if what I outlined does not work out. I am digging into the details of making this happen in 2014 now. If it is 2014 I am looking at somewhere in the Brooks Range. Anyone hunted there?
I did a Google search on Ernie Holland today and low and behold my post on an AK Moose hunt from 2012 showed up. It was neat to read everything written again. The info shared really helped me focus and decide what direction to go. Plain and simple, if you want to do a very remote hunt in Alaska, there is no inexpensive way to do it...that I could figure out and on top of the money you are putting a lot in the hands of people you do not know. As someone green to this stuff, it was stressful. I eliminated a float hunt rather quickly as the known accessible rivers, from what I read, can be over populated with hunters. Where I got stuck is who to use to get me into the bush and exactly where to hunt. good and fair priced bush pilots are a prized secret as are the good hunting locations! I found pilots that would take me deep into the bush but none that I really felt good enough about after talking to them to literally put myself and my dream hunt into their hands. Alaska, even once you pick the GMU area you want to hunt, is so vast with countless places to hunt you literally get overwhelmed. So, you have to rely on the bush pilot and praying they have your best interest at hand. For a first time hunt and the money I would have invested that was a tough pill to swallow!
In 2012 during my planning process, my wife had basically ended my dream to hunt in 2014 informing me 2104 is our 25th Anniversary year and I needed to take her to Tuscany, Italy before I went to AK Moose hunting. I learned that day we both had dreams but hers did not parallel mine so I backed off and Italy became our dream trip. While I would rather hunt Moose in AK, Italy would be a great time too.
About 2 weeks ago, out of the blue my wife tells me I should do the Moose hunt this year while I am still in good health and shape. I literally thought I was dreaming. I stayed very calm, cool and collected, not wanting to show my excitement or getting my hopes up too high, and just said... we'll see. I pretty much figured everything would be booked up or too expensive. I did a little checking and it just so happened I made the right call at right time and everything that needed to happen did to make a hunt a reality. If there is such a thing as divine intervention, I believe I experienced it!
This Fall, September 10 - 20, I am pleased to report I will be hunting Moose in Alaska. I have firmed up plans to hunt the Moose John Jay Massy made famous in his writings. In fact, it was reading his book on this exact river many many years ago that spawned my dream to one day hunt Moose in Alaska. So, it is fitting that when the sun, moon and stars finally aligned for my Alaska Moose hunt it will be where it all started for me.
A good hunt friend and I will be in the competent hand of Yote Robertson living out my dream. hunt.
Congratulations!!! Wish you the best of luck.
Alaska is a trip you will never forget and you will always want to go back.
Take care
Gilbert
Congrats. It's an excellent hunt. As I said up top, I've done it twice. Hope to do it once more. Don't forget a fishing rod. Fly fishing for Grayling is outstanding, and there are usually some spawning salmon. Good luck.
Good luck Steve. It's been a lot of fun talking to you about this. I can feel your excitement.
Good luck Steve! It will be a trip like none other!
I hope you post your impressions, experiences, and results from your Alaskan adventure.
I too have wanted to hunt moose in Alaska but as yet I have not made it happen. In 1999 my brothers and I did a DIY fly-in drop camp for Caribou, on the upper Alaskan peninsula, north by northwest of King Salmon. We were in the field for 8 days. The first 2 days were perfect then it rained continuously for the next 6. We saw lots of game but only came home with one animal. We still talk fondly of our trip and hope to do another someday. Maybe our someday will come together sooner than later like yours has.
Enjoy the ride!
I hope you have a great trip!! Please let us know how it goes!
Congrats and good luck on you hunt.
Steve, you and I have communicated a time or two on this...and I'm glad to see you go hunt moose.
Ridiculous as it may sound, sometimes the best way to get started moose hunting is to go hunt moose. You make your best call and of course you hope it ends with a huge animal. The main thing is to be sure you create a huge adventure and memory, because those will ultimately be more valuable than the meat and antlers. You know you're going into a beautiful area, and you'll see big bulls. You get to walk in Alaska with your stickbow, and that's a lot of reward right there. A close encounter and near-kill is a success in itself. If your dreams come true and you close the deal on a monster, you will take home the ultimate reward. Good luck and enjoy the wilderness!
I look forward to hearing about your successful hunt and great adventure.
There is nothing more important to me on a hunt than to take home a great experience. A kill that comes without a great experience is meaningless.
Good hunting Steve! For the rest- For what it is worth: I did a DIY KS to Anchorage last fall on a tight budget. Fly-in. Moose and bear. $2.5 K. Did not include gear a guy may need for this (already had most). Did not include flying meat, etc. out of bush and home (would add $1200 if harvested). And did not include possible conflicts with weather and extra nights in hotel or air fare changes as necessary (we did not have). I figured if a guy sticks to black bear he could drop the $1200 down to $100-200. Perhaps that is helpful to some.
There is something special about September in Alaska and I am addicted ! Will be a great experience. Choose your gear wisely and for sure get some good rain gear. You might consider picking Kevin D's brain a little. He has several years under his belt and has well planned combinations of gear. Is always neat knowing several of us from tradgang will be planning, leaving and hunting the great Alaska this September.
I know where I want to hunt moose in Alaska just not sure whether to have a guide or try a DIY :)
Mr Chappell, what's the name of the book by Mr Massey? I think I ought to read it. Thanks
What a great turn of events.......for you. Congrat! What bow/ broad head ombination will you be using? I booked a drop camp for moose but have to wait til next year.
Good luck and keep us posted
mh...The Jay Massey book is Bowhunting Alaska's Wild Rivers. It is tough to get your hands on a copy these days.
KSdan...I spent a lot of time planning a DIY in area 26 for 2014 until I was shot down by the Mrs. I wanted to get back in deep 1.5 hr flight (so you pay 3 hr flight time each trip) and I believe I was at about $7K and as I recall that may have included getting a moose out of the bush only. What drives the cost up is flight time. I would love to find a way to make Alaska affordable so I can hunt there every 2 or 3 years. This will be an educational trip as I will be getting a feel for a lot of things I am 100% green on today. I got my CO Elk hunting from $4K guided down to $1,200 a year going DIY and half the cost is the Elk Lic. I have hunted Elk every year since. i have no doubt I can do Moose DIY it's just all the unknowns about Alaska I hope to get educated on this year. There are definitely pros to using a guide and for my first AK Moose I cannot even express how grateful I am that things have panned out like they have. I will call it divine hunting intervention and a great wife as this thing was not supposed to happen!
Will try and find a copy thank you ;)
Congrats again Steve. I was just posting FYI for those who may be thinking about this type of thing. My trip last fall was equally a blessing as a friend needed a partner and actually paid my way. I could have never done it otherwise. We drove 2 hrs to our port and flew in less than 20 miles. In 7 days of hunting we saw 11 grizz, 6 blacks (some CLOSE encounters!), 2 wolves, sheep, 15+ moose, and more adventure than I could have asked for. If a guy kept this same hunt to just blackies and native brook trout you could have done this for $2K.
A few guys on this site GREATLY helped me with questions. If I can help, feel free to ask.
Dan in KS