Outfitted or DIY? Thoughts?
I'd say the team from Dryad would have some suggestions.
I have been thinking about the samething. I have just started researching a DIY Alaskan caribou hunt.
Toby
Plenty of air transporters to get the diy hunter into caribou country. If you have basic woodsmanship skills you can handle diy caribou in Alaska. TG even has a transporter who is a sponsor in Bushwacker Air / Jeff Kruse. There is absolutely no way I'd pay an outfitter or guide to hunt caribou in Alaska. I actually think it cheapens the value of the adventure and reduces one's overall satisfaction when looking back at it.
QuoteOriginally posted by Kevin Dill:
. There is absolutely no way I'd pay an outfitter or guide to hunt caribou in Alaska. I actually think it cheapens the value of the adventure and reduces one's overall satisfaction when looking back at it.
I like your thoughts on this kevin
I did a DIY a 8 years ago... but I had a friend in Ak so that made a big difference...
I given it lots of thought and I think it is do able.
Fly to Fairbanks...
Rent a truck...
go to the Super Walmart for food, gas cans (lots of gas cans), tarps, coolers, ice, h2o,
foam pads
you know... stuff you need but did not want to fly with....
Then drive up the Dalton High way, past Coldfoot, Wiseman and over Adican (sp) pass to the bow only area.
We saw literally thousands of Caribou in 5 days.
We also saw Brown bears, moose, wolves, and even a group of muskox.
It would take some careful planning as once you leave Fairbanks there are NO STORES, only a couple of gas stations, no repair shop.... lonely.
I grew up in Fairbanks and hunted the Dalton Hwy twice for caribou and hiked into the Brooks Range near Atigun Pass for sheep with my dad.
There is a lot of hunting pressure within the archery only area (5 miles corridor on both sides of the road).
I think the road is paved all the way to Coldfoot now and have been told that there is a huge increase in traffic, tours, and hunting pressure since I was there.
It is doable, and I'd love to do it again. We saw caribou every time, but not heaps of them. Sometimes they are there by the thousand, and sometimes there aren't any as far as you can see, and farther. The terrain is very flat and mostly featureless making stalking very difficult.
Beautiful country. Nothing tastes quite as good as a burger and fries in Coldfoot heading home after a hunt up north.
If you've got the money to go outfitted, I would hire an air transporter to get you away from other hunters and into the backcountry. It will cost you in excess of 2G to hire a pilot and Super Cub. You won't need to rent a truck...drive hundreds of miles...hike miles...see a hundred other guys...haul extra fuel, etc. Plus, you'll get to see Alaska from inside a bush plane which is almost worth the cost by itself.
To me, it's more about how to craft an amazing Alaska adventure, vs simply a hunt for caribou. I guess it really depends on you and what you want from your hunt.
Hi Jim,
We transport caribou hunters up to the brooks Range. Porcupine and central arctic herds, if that helps any.
thanks
Jeff
Joe Ashton - Where exactly does the bow only area begin and end headed north up the Haul Road? ... Thanx
Bow only areas also require a bow hunters education cert. I'm pretty much set on a air transporter to get away from the crowds. Thanks for the input guys. Please add any comments that you can think of that will help.
When we lived in AK I hunted the Haul Road for a week one year. Well, me and a friend from Montana did... He didn't have the proper Bowhunter Education so he was using a rifle which made us get 5 miles off the road so he could actually hunt. The problem is getting 5 miles off that road! You need to walk about 10 - 15 miles to get 5 off the road... Always running into impassable water, at least in Sept. I suppose if you go later it would have been easier.
But, if you have the proper Bowhunter Education it is a lot of fun! I pretty much hunted from the time I got out of the truck, while he just walked. Ground hogs, Silver Fox, Ptarmigan, Spruce grouse, Musk Ox, Bears (Black and Griz), and or course Caribou. Get yourself a good set of glass if you go into that area... Very flat, and they will be worth their weight in gold!
We ended up with two Caribou, young/middle aged Bulls that I shot... We were actually outside of the the 5 mile corridor, but my friend set up and let me put a stalk on them bedded. Shot the first when he was still bedded, and the second when he got up and started feeding... Definitely not like your woodlot Whitetail!
But, I would really recommend not dropping two Caribou over 5 miles across the tundra from your ride! Bought killed us getting them out of there!
oh it has been to long to remember. But I think it is from the top of Atigun pass. but honestly I don't know.
Oh, and if you go into my profile you can see a pic of those two Caribou. Also you can see how flat the area is... That little knoll to my right in the pic is the highest point for miles and miles around. I spotted their horns from about a mile and a half away just on the other side of it... Wind was crossing and we were able to simply walk most of it in the wide open as they were bedded there. I made my final approach kneeling while I walked and belly crawled the last 150 yards or so to that knoll. They were bedded just on the other side of it... Simply raised up on one knee and like I said, shot the one in his bed... never got up... and the other just got up and started feeding... nocked another arrow and shot him too... he went about 35 yards... My friend watched the whole thing through the scope of his rifle from 150 yards away. I can remember it like it was yesterday!
I just read Wingnuts posts about his 2010 Moose hunt. He used 40 mile air. Heard nothing but good things about them. I don't think there are any bow only areas that they service.
Jim,
Mike might come back here and comment or he may not. I've been using 40MA since the mid-70's. As a resident I used them primarily for Dall sheep, but since becoming a non-resident I've used them exclusively for moose. Their Super Cub caribou hunts and their Super Cub moose hunts are as good as it gets. Logistically a bit difficult since you have to get to Tok. But once there you will have an excellent experience as long as you are well prepared. We had a wonderful moose hunt with them again last year.
Having hunted caribou on the North Slope, the South Slope (of the Brooks Range), in the Alaska Range, in the Wrangells, and down on the Peninsula I'd always give the nod to a mountain hunt versus a low-land hunt where you have to live in waders.
Excellent info John, thanks! I PM'd Mike also.
I agree with John Havard's post about hunting mountains. Four went on a hunt (rifle) this last fall (somewhere between Tok and Fairbanks...shhhh!) and we had a blast. The toughest part may be finding a transporter who isn't already booked out two-three years...but that'll mean more time to plan. We did a DIY hunt, researched our equipment quite a bit, tested it, asked a lot of questions, asked more questions and saved our $$. One thing about the mountain hunt is that we needed excellent wind resistant gear...and we were happy not to have to hunt in waders. Temps late August/early Sept. ranged from 25 to 50's...bulky clothes weren't needed but good merino underwear was. Everyone we met along the way - transporter, AK G&F, meat processor, TSA (Denver and Anchorage), Frontier Airlines employees...they all treated us great!
I wanted to go on this hunt since I was a kid. At the end I came away with the sense that the experience was 10-times better than the anticipation. Proper planning and realistic expectations made it all the better.
Good luck!
Thank you geezer! Yes, my chance of being able to book for 2015 may be limited.
I have had the opportunity to hunt caribou several times in Alaska. I would have to say that it was one of the worst/best addictions I have ever lived through. I simply could not stop going back time and time again.
So what are your thoughts on Aug. vs Sept? I have a military obligation in Oct and training dates leading up to it can be un predictable. Earlier might be better in that respect.
Open Tundra vs more wooded terrain? Meat care on the tundra with no way to hang it up out of reach of bears?
http://www.brooksflyer.com/home/
I grew up with this guy and his son.
I have hunted with them for many species.
Im sure he could help with ideas and timing.
What Kevin said! I've been up on DIY hunts in Alaska at least 8 times. Went up for caribou last year. Had a great hunt. I've always determined that I can go to Alaska two or three times as DIY / Outfitted for the cost of a guided hunt. That's a no brainer! :)
You would be lucky to find a pilot to fly you into caribou country in October. Weather is way to iffy. Last week of Aug and 1st two weeks of Sept have been great for me.
QuoteOriginally posted by Kevin Dill:
Plenty of air transporters to get the diy hunter into caribou country. If you have basic woodsmanship skills you can handle diy caribou in Alaska. ......There is absolutely no way I'd pay an outfitter or guide to hunt caribou in Alaska. I actually think it cheapens the value of the adventure and reduces one's overall satisfaction when looking back at it.
well said Kevin.
One thing you need to know about caribou is they are nomadic. The Flight services know where these herds are and which way they are moving and usually its a matter of being dropped off and then its non stop hunting for a few days- then it drops off drastically.
Some areas there are resident herds, and there are mtn caribou which don't move like the barren grounds and you hunt those as you would deer- spot and stalk.
The other thing about Barrens is they will mostly follow in the path of the group in front of them. So if you see a group of 4-5 bou pass a small clump, you have a pretty good chance at a close shot from that clump a little later in the day if there is a herd moving through.
Probably the softest animal i've hunted- they go down easy.
A fly in hunt will be exponentially better than hunting from the road. Do your homework and find a good flying service and hunt in August. A DIY hunt is the way to go, twords the end of
August the meat is excellent and the antlers are in velvet but the velvet can be striped off and you'll have a nice trophy. Bring a good gun for bear protection ( VERY unlikely you'll need it )
You will be more than glad if you use a flying service, you'll get away from the crowds ( plenty of that on the road ) and see some of the most magical country on this planet.
Any of the services mentioned here are good ones. Another,that I have worked with ( guiding ) is Ovis Outfitters and Guiding
( Matt Thoft ) and I have praise for his area, ethics, flying skills , success ratio and for him personally.
Book early, they all fill up fast for the coming year(s)
Good luck!
Jim, If you start thinking about a fly in DIY hunt for aug 2016 and need a partner let me know. That is a hunt I would really like to do.
26 herds so lots of ?s are not equal they cover islands mt areas and plains or all of the above.
Slope aug is pretty nice though you'll likely see snow it's gone quick. Mt hunts same but I'd expect snow (bring gators). Animals are still 99.9-100% in velvet.
Sept were changing fast. Ie loosing light. Bulls will be stripping generally around the 2nd week or end of first. Some areas sooner by the end of sept they're stripped.
I mention velvet vs non because if you bust a bull in velvet it is something you need to consider and deal with appropriately. Or you'll loose the velvet or blood stain the antlers trying to get it off.
Bears on the tundra..... Bear fence. In aug there's enough light that all night vigils in pitch black darkness is more rare than not. Try reeking llike fish. It's a load of fun. Read Monty's stories. Than move here and live them on a yearly basis! Buddy was on one on his trapline a few weeks ago. Unarmed and unsuspecting The joys of living here.
Stalking on wide open tundra is about what you'd expect. Caribou have a safe zone. Stay outside of it and they take little notice.
Hunting in trees you loose the visibility aspect. Though stalks are much easier! Almost too easy! (I'm going to eat those words next fall lol) an area with a view is something I'd find!
I've been here 20 years. I would advise against the haul road trip. It's not cheap or as was posted what you'd expect. It can be fun but I bet some knob will put a cyst in your hunt! If you know someone the hr hunts are cheap. If not the logistics puts a road hunt into a lower end fly out price range wise (not nessicarily low quality)
For those interested in the hr hunt the bow only area starts on the north bank of the Yukon and goes to a point just outside deadhorse. It's over 2000 sq mi of bow only fun. In some of the hungriest land (low game numbers) you'll ever experience.
Pilots I've used. As small of a town this is I have yet to meet Jeff.
We've also flown with 40 mile top notch!
Brooks range aviation bettles
Shadow aviation fairbanks
Quick silver fairbanks (do not deal with mrs she flies the 206)
Wright air fairbanks owners related to Ted fry raptor archer
I've flown around with two other private guys. One as an asst guide years back and would recommend him as a drop. (Or guided moose check out Larry Jones and Mr James hunt. It's top notch. I don't guide or run with the group. Only offering first hand experience fwiw).
Stan parkerson Denali hunts. Fairbanks (Bow only ).
If you can't tell I live in the fairbanks area lol.
Good luck post pics. I'm on leave most of aug 2015 if you fly in the area holler. My schedules going to be pretty loose.
Another bou thought.
If you're not mobile. Ie. sat phone able to be moved ( highly recommend) Consider floating! I've done both. Over paid camping trips are to say a slight bit no fun an understatement when it's once in a lifetime. Not a big deal when you can hunt bou 12 months a year if you so desire.
John
Have you ever considered renting a uhaul truck and leaving it in tok while you're out. I think they advertise 29 a day will have to double check. That's out of banks not anch.
Jr,
Just noticed that is Curt at brooks fliers. He's the man! Was a great wildlife trooper up north as well and my understanding one of Deltana hunts cub pilots! Always enjoyable to be around in the hanger or his place up north or when he'd fly into sheep camp! I haven't seen him in years.
I met another guy from Kenai up north as well. Great guys! Both drew the moose tags in the corridor. The one was shooting a robertson with footed nocked and footed shafts. If you know him holler I'd like to get in touch with him again. I had to pull out early for a few days. When I returned they were gone. The other fella was a pastor he was hunting with.
Sounds like you are pretty set on Alaska, but you might want to check out BC as well. I flew to Juno, then Atlin BC. Float plane to camp. We hunted on horse back and could cover a lot more area in a day than on foot. Saw a lot of caribou (Mountain Caribou) everyday. Actually you could be a little choosy on what you wanted to stalk. They were not bothered by the horses. Actually they came up pretty close, as I had my bow over my head to act as antlers.
I found that the hunting and licenses were cheaper in BC than Alaska.
Hmmm that is interesting. What outfitter did you use in BC?
what was the price of the guide vs a DIY hunt? trumps lisc fees I'd think?
I remember seeing bou for the first time in 10th grade...a guy had just done a ungava hunt. He was offloading his mounts when I went for a walk after school killing time waiting for my brothers and sisters. I've been hooked ever since. That one moment is why I moved to AK! Two big velvet covered white maned bulls, has left a picture that haunts me every fall!
back than a Canadian hunt was 3k or so way too much! Now outfitted are running 5k? or more or so it seems going up for guides?