I Recently got back from a DIY hunt in AK for Caribou and Blacktail Deer. It's hard to put into words how satisfying the whole experience was. My hunting buddy and I spent countless hours researching, dreaming, and scheming of a way to hunt AK. The thrill of what AK stood for in our minds was what kept pulling us there. Trying to hunt deer just ended up being a good excuse to go. We had a blast despite difficult weather (we only got in 4 out of 11 days of hunting), exhaustion (did the 1AM meat haul back to camp in the dark), and lots of smiles . We planned this entire hunt from scratch, and even had a garage sale to save money for the trip and gear. What a special place... what a hunt...

The Airline flight there...

   

   

Float Plane Ride in...

   

   

   

We spotted a caribou herd on the way in. We set base camp, and then spike camped 4 hours into the tundra chasing this herd for three days until we ran out of food... We closed the distance to sixty yards three times, but getting closer proved difficult in the tundra.

 

 

Base Camp...
 

 

 

Spike Camp...
 

SWEET!

After three days of rain while chasing caribou we switched tactics, and headed for the mountains to hunt blacktails. We were told they were easy quarry, not being used to seeing people. Nothing was further from the truth. Think more like hunting weary whitetails in the mountains. The deer were always on high alert, and getting to 20 yards seemed impossible.

My buddy on the left stalking this buck... the gig is up.
   

The only other hunters we saw...

   

 

Although the hunting was hard and exhausting work, our spirits were lifted at every mountain peak. The views from the mountain tops captured everything we came for...

   

   

   

   

   

On day seven we caught an afternoon without rain. We went straight to the top of the nearest mountain and started trying to stalk deer. I found a buck in a chute and was able to get within 70 yards using a boulder for cover. After that it was nothing but 2'' tall grass to hide behind. I settled down, said a prayer, and began waiting. After a half hour of the buck feeding away, he turned, and began getting closer. Thump..Thud.Thump, went my heart rate faster and faster.

At thirty yards I started planning for the worst. I was out in the open and thought the buck would likely see me before a good shot presented itself. Then I lost the buck for a second, only to realize he had bedded down thirty yards from me. I studied his antlers and ears to determine which direction he faced. When he faced away the second time it started a chain reaction. Rise to a knee, pick a spot, arrow on its way, shot sails home, and the buck expires quickly. I can still see the fletching find it's mark frame by frame in my mind. I say another prayer, this one to say thanks.

     

     

It took us about two and a half hours to process the buck. Another couple to hike back to camp. I have to give my buddy all the credit though, he really knew his way around processing that deer. We got about 65lbs of meat.

Awesome!

The ride back home...

That is a awesome hunt. Alaska is a dream of mine. Good buck too. Congrats.

absolutely incredible photos! thanks so much for sharing!

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing your story. Its on my bucket list for sure!

John

Congratulations on your success and planning.

Great pictures to!!

That is amazing and also a dream for me.  Congrats on an epic journey.

Congratulations on your success and planning.

Great pictures to!!

Great stuff. Thanks for the pics!!  Congrats on a great trip.

   

Outstanding pics! Well done guys...!


ak.

Thank you for sharing the adventure and the awesome pics.  Congrats on the buck, too.

Congratulations on a hunt of a lifetime! thanks for sharing.