Hey guys my self and my hunting buddies have been talking about doing an Alaska trip a DIY type gig for anything we can get tags for I am not very well versed on the process for getting tags in Alaska as some of it seems pretty complicated, any info would be put towards a trip done in honor of the guys who paved the way for us
For caribou, moose, deer, black bear you can buy over the counter tags plus the hunting license at any time, even after season opens.
The catch is that not all units are open to non-residents and some are draw only which is over for 2013 hunts.
Download the regulations to check unit by unit. While the new regs come out July 1, the old ones should be very close.
Nothing is really "cheap" in AK...however, you can really save plenty by chatting with locals, plan to camp versus hotels and if extended trips, I rented an RV.
Like LKH mentioned, on the tags, and also if the rules have not changed, you can buy one tag and and be able to use for lower ranking game, i.e., I bought a Bou tag, still use for a black bear if I did not kill a Bou.
Also, there are limited outfitter deals such as hiring a pilot/outfitter to drop/pkup your group for a tundra caribou hunt or a river hunt, etc.
My 2 centavos,
JL :archer2:
The biggest cost all deal with transportation.
Very little easy to get to hunting. Even though it is a lot farther the cheapest might be the Dalton Highway.
Having been up 9 times and going on my 10th trip this year for caribou, I have to agree with Macbow. Transportation is the biggest expense. I had a crusty old AK big game guide tell me long ago that the harder it is to get to a location and the harder it is to say the name of the place the better the hunting. It is very true! The lower 48 perception is that Alaska is over run with game and you can step off the airplane and kill a moose. In reality, AK is huge and only a relatively small portion of it holds huntable game populations. It's all about the research and that is VERY dependent on species. You can do a POW road hunt for Sitka deer or black bear relatively cheap or you can spend a bit more for an air taxi and get into caribou or moose. Once you drill down to your desired species let me know and I might be able to help.
My plan this year is to stow away in Terry's baggage. I will let you know how that goes.
Hey Charlie, I thought about that too, but Terry would notice the extra fee for an over weight bag!!!
Not so sure about that Sean, we would leave his Doritos and Mt Dew at the dock. :rolleyes:
Alaska and cheap aren't often used in the same sentence, but you can sure do a DIY hunt with a little help. You can get over the counter tags for almost anything except for a few guide required animal species.
Homework as to flying services and units/ species you might want to hunt for etc all require your attention, and in a state this large getting on the good side of a local is always a good thing. One thing that hasn't been mentioned about the haul road hunt is that you have to be IBEP or equivalent certified. The cert is also required for any bowhunt specific areas you might go for. You can use your bow anywhere you want to hunt but you are in the mix with everybody else as far as weaponry. If you decide to try for the haul road DIY and not do a fly in I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I spend 3 to 4 weeks there every year, filling the freezer. You can PM me for my email if you wish,,,,,,,Bill
I have went on DIY hunts in AK three times, moose, brown bear (have a brother who lives in Juneau), and moose. The first in 1999 I spent just over $2,200 for everything from Montana and back. Last fall the cost was right at $5,000, of which $4,400 was for air travel and processing/transporting meat. Could have saved $700, or spent an additional $700, if I had donated the meat or hadn't had a hunting partner who wanted half of the meat and split the cost getting it home. Regardless, every trip was worth it. The three keys I have found for any extended distance hunt are:
1. The DECISION to go on the hunt, choosing your hunting partner, and determining the date.
2. RESEARCH for where, for species, game density, management areas, and flight services.
3. Most important COMMITMENT! Unwavering Commitment to make it happen, regardless. Excuses for canceling and/or postponing always arise. It never fails, it a has happened on every one of my trips. There are always. numerous, legitimate, reasons for the hunt not to happen, you just have have to want it...... enough.
Thank you for all the responses so far fellas! Look forward to hearing from me because I will be wanting to pick your brains I think we have it narrowed down to moose or bou, or both if we could swing tags for both in such an area that would allow it plan on taking 4 guys that way we could team up thanks again! Drew
Was doing a little research And came across a thread on another site regarding the impact of hunters on aATVs, how big of a problem is this becoming across the state and if it is what are some of the areas where a guy can go 2 weeks without seeing someone else besides his hunting buddies, I have to deal with slob hunters here at home last thing I want to do is travel 2 days to "the last frontier" ad run into that crap
That COMMITMENT comment is so true, Walt. Especially as the departure date looms. So many reasons not to go at the last minute.
Travelling any distance to hunt should be seen as doing it for a reasonable cost, not cheap. Knowing what to pay for and what to skimp on would be critical, especially in a truly wild place.
Drew,
Any reputable air taxi operator will not drop you in a spot that's accessible via ATV's in my opinion. Remote is the key word to get what you are seeking. If you don't want to see anybody else besides your hunting buddies during your trip you have to get remote. That means logistics will be a large part of your planning.
First decide on your intended game (sounds like you have - caribou and moose). Then decide where in the state you'd like to hunt. The ADF&G has data that indicates where populations are good and healthy. You may have to fly to Anchorage, then fly commercially to another town in Alaska, and then fly out of there with an air taxi. You can have the type of hunt you wish for (to see no one else besides your buddies) but you have to work the problem.
I have been flying out with 40-Mile Air (out of Tok) since the mid-70's (sheep, bear, caribou, and moose). If you opt for one of their Super Cub hunts they WILL NOT take you anywhere where you will run into someone else. There may well be other air taxi operators that are as good but if there are I haven't found them. Other folks may chime in with their recommendations.
Here's the 40MA website: http://fortymileair.com
Thank you guys ! This is why this site is the best ! Everyone so willing to help one another.
Just out of curiosity how many have made the drive from the lower 48 I'm considering this due to the huge costs of flying meat home if successful was this cheaper than flying? Thanks guys
-drew
Drew, I've driven the alcan 26 times now and if you are just doing it to save freight on meat it is a losing deal. Last trip out in june, diesel was almost 7 buck a gallon so we could have flown to the lower 48 cheaper than driving. We always drive because of the dogs going with us and I tend to like to have lots of my own gear with me. If you do drive it, use the trip to see and visit Canada. It is really cool and mirrors the rich pioneer spirit that you encounter up here. Canadian people are some of the friendliest people you will ever encounter. The other big plus is once you get up here and don't have to deal with rental places for your sightseeing.
As for the condition of the road,,,,,,well you will encounter some construction but it is nowhere as bad as it was a few years back. It is almost all paved now so it won't beat you to death like so many people seem to think. It takes me 3 days travel to get off the alcan, and a fourth day to get to the northwest from Anchorage, but I am a retired truck driver and think nothing of driving 15 hours a day. If you are a 9 to 5 driver plan on doubling the 4 day travel time. Feel free to give me a shout if you have any other questions about your trip. Bill Duckbill@alaska.com
There's a guy known on other sites as Blacktail Bob ... He rents cabins up there and could give you a lot of advice re hunting Alaska. Very, very experienced Alaskan bowhunter.
http://www.blacktailbobsbasecamps.com/
26 times Bill, might be an award for that.
Nothing cheap about driving the Alcan. Roads very good. Many of the gas station are no longer on the Alcan, Guy has to watch his gage more now then years ago. Was wondering about hauling meat across canada? Trying to send a bear hide to Bill. lets say its interesting???????? Gun laws have changed in canada again, Hope its easier to bring a rifle now.
As Bill says, were a friendly bunch, If your going to drive, Let me know, lots of good fishing in my area
Not saying it cannot be done but not seeing any one else in a 10 day hunt is getting harder and harder every year. This state is huge area wise but is very small when it comes to where the game is. Everybody wants what you want and they all seek out the very most remote places. I paid an air charter thousands of dollars trying to get away from everyone a couple of years ago. I was pretty much on the Yukon Territory boarder and thought I went further than everyone else but I didn't and I saw about 10 other hunting parties. None of them where dropped by the air charter I used but, by private planes and other charters. You just have to shrug your shoulders because everyone is trying to do the same as you.
I would suggest trying for Caribou for your first trip. It should be cheaper than Moose and more manageable for a first time Alaska hunt.
Make sure you check the regs for bowhunter education requirements. I believe it is required regardless of age.
If you are driving , you are welcome to our place for a quick stop of a few days.... We are on the way!
Cheers
David
Just to give you an idea, Great Falls, MT to Wasilla, AK is about 45 hours behind the wheel and thats keeping to the limits or just above maybe 5mph.
Bowhunter ed is required only for archery only hunts such as the Haul Road or other special archery seasons.
For getting meat and antlers back to the L48 all you need to do is become a Certified Shipper with Alaska Airlines. Go to their Air Cargo page and follow the instructions. Gear, racks, meat etc. to the L48 for about $1 per pound. For meat you have to build enough time into your hunt to take the meat to some meat locker like 10th and M in Anchorage, buy enough heavy waxed fish boxes to hold your meat, have 10th & M freeze it (a day at least) and then take the frozen meat to the air cargo terminal, put it on a pallet, and then pick it up less than 24 hours later at the final destination. That's the only reasonably cost-effective way I know of for getting meat and other stuff back home.
John is right on about getting your meat home, freeze it and fly it!! I went on a fly-in drop camp about 22 yers ago, my advice would be to go for caribou. You won't see many moose in a drop camp. The air taxis are't going to put you in a hot area that their buddy's are guiding moose in. Not saying you won't get one but going against long odds. Caribou are their bread and butter. the herds come out of the mountains and the air taxis drop camps in front of the moving herds. If your timing is right you can see hundreds of bou for many days. We spent 17 days on the tundra, only saw moose from the air, none spotted on the ground. We moved camp after 10 days to the front of a migrating bou herd and saw hundreds and hundreds of bou. 4 of us shot 8 bou that second week. Good times!!
To get caribou size loads home, mail all your gear home from AK. It's not that expensive and then use your airline baggage limits to pack a couple of coolers with meat. You can get roughly 40 pounds of meat in a 52 qt. cooler and still be under the 50 pound limit.
Antlers are a different matter if you won't split them.
For you guys that have been there and done that in AK...
Would you recommend doing your own research and setting up your own trip, or would you recommend going with a package type deal where you trust a charter service, or an outfitter to put you in the right area?
If you are going to do your own research who/what are some good reliable contacts?
Thanks.
Kevin
QuoteOriginally posted by Stixbowdrew:
Just out of curiosity how many have made the drive from the lower 48 I'm considering this due to the huge costs of flying meat home if successful was this cheaper than flying? Thanks guys
-drew
I've driven back or forth 9 times in the last 5 years, which I thought was pretty good til I saw Bill's post!
With my 4 cyl toyota pickup, it costs $500-600 in gas and I do it in 3.5 days (b/t Valdez and central WA).
Unless you are looking to do the drive anyway, I agree with John, AK air shipping seems like a good way to go if you live near an AK air hub.
Otherwise, you could consider taking two full coolers on the plane with you (there is a freezer service right in the ANC airport) and donating the rest to a charitable cause.
QuoteOriginally posted by LKH:
To get caribou size loads home, mail all your gear home from AK. It's not that expensive and then use your airline baggage limits to pack a couple of coolers with meat. You can get roughly 40 pounds of meat in a 52 qt. cooler and still be under the 50 pound limit.
Antlers are a different matter if you won't split them.
x2 on shipping gear home. You can mail a rubbermaid tote for about $25 (parcel post and insured, depending on weight and value) and an Action Packer for about $50. It takes 4-6 weeks for the parcel post stuff to arrive, so you probably don't want to do it on the front end of your trip. If you can, get someone to band the totes shut for you, otherwise, duct tape works of course.
You know you are on your way to being a rural Alaskan when you forgo bags altogether and use totes/action packers/coolers exclusively as luggage.
The post office by the ANC airport is the best one to go to for this. If you have half a dozen boxes or more, go right around to the back door where the world's best post office employee will take care of you in about 5 minutes... she doesn't measure a thing, she just eye balls it and prints the postage and you are on your way.
Sorry for the multiple posts, I keep thinking of things...
October is the best month of the year to buy all your Alaska Air tickets for the next 12 months. Google the "Alaska Air PFD sale" during that month and you can get some pretty good deals to and from Alaska.
Within AK, you can check two to three bags free of charge (on AK Air and Era anyway, not sure about PenAir or Grant or any other small carriers).
Wow thanks you guys I obviously underestimated the undertaking that is Alaska glad I got time to plan wish the logistics weren't such a hassle! Oh well it will be well spent no doubt. Thanks again guys once again this website just continues to amaze me nothing like it!
I have been doing a good deal of research to do a DIY drop hunt for Moose in 2014, including costs, and cheap is not a word that I can incorporate in conjunction with an AK hunt. Some are less then others but none seem cheap to me. So when I saw this thread...it got my interest. From my research, which includes advice from some of the posters on this thread...it depends on what kind of experience and way you want to hunt that will dictate how expensive it is. There is some good info on this thread that may help me minimize my costs but it is still not cheap. One thing I uncovered is a trucker that will take your meat, cape and rack for a very reasonable price ($700 area) and he goes across the US stopping and meeting people to get them there meat. He stopped at a truck stop in Battle Creek, MI in 2011 which is an hour from my home. Whether he is still in business when I go, I just do not know so I must have a backup plan..the the Alaska airlines option is going into my notes for sure.
Just take flights for an example, and these on 2012 costs...2104 prices will likely be more. It is $900 to fly to one of the two main city airports in AK from MI. If you have to get to a remote airfield, which is likely the case, it's in the area of $500. Then, if you plan to hunt in the bush away from people it's in the area of $600 an hour flight time...so if you go in 1.25 hours you pay for 2.5 hours of flight time or $1,350 each flight. which is 2 round trips for sure (unless you float to a road) and a 3rd if you get a Moose. So, if two people go and share flight costs that is ($900 + $500 + $2,025 = $3,425 pp) just for flights. If you are looking for a truly remote experience with OK odds of taking a Moose, this is likely your cost for flights. Then your cost just keep climbing if you need to rent rafts, rent camping gear, buy food, etc. If you are fortunate to get a Moose (or other game animal), once you get your meat out, the cost keep climbing. I am guessing it will cost me $7K plus to do the DIY float hunt 1.25 hours into the bush and get some meat along with cape and rack home. I am still looking for ways to cut costs and making some progress...but if I am fortunate enough to pull off an AK DIY hunt, I want it to meet what I have dreamed of doing since I was a kid...and I am no kid anymore at 53. Yes, it can be done for less but you will have to cut corners and that is an individual choice.
Finding a good hunting partner you can count on and enjoy being with on a tough hunt, who is physically and mentally fit along with being able afford the time away from family and work and costs is, in my opinion, critically important. I have taken several people to CO DIY Elk hunting in the mountains and I can tell you...you do not know a person until you have hunted with them on a very physically and mentally demanding hunt.
I am focused on not letting anything get in the way of making my dream hunt a reality and still working to find some new tid bit to help me keep costs down and make it a realty. I have communicated with so many people I have lost count and I have so many more to talk to before my date in 2014 comes.