DIY Alaskan Caribou. Who's done it?

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for the shipping/flying information guys! I figure that it won't be cheap one way or another, but I'll definitely look into rates and call the airlines ahead of time to see what they have to say. Things could be completely different in 2028 than they are now so I suppose thats all up in the air still...no pun intended!

Those are some nice bulls stringwacker! I would be happy with either one of those!

This is all getting me in the mood to go try and shovel out my target and start shooting some arrows!

[Biathlonman]

I've never done it myself but going for Moose this fall and was once a combo hunt for caribou too.  Keep in mind a lot of places are quota hunts now so you might have to go early to not miss out, you may not have a choice of velvet or hard horned if you want in on the action.  I know where we we are going the quota was filled by early Sept the last few years...

[Trenton G.]

That is good to know, I guess with this hunt getting more and more popular and caribou numbers continuing to trend downward, that quota could get filled quicker and quicker every year. See discussed trying to do a combo hunt for moose but that would be very dependent on the dates we go on and the area we hunt.

[LookMomNoSights]

I've made three DIY Caribou air taxi trips. Unfortunately, the trips occured in the 90's and were all for the Mulchatna Herd...which isn't even hunted anymore. Big numbers made great trips back then; but nothing much that I can add to help you today.

I will say to check your flight services very, very carefully. On my first trip, the bush taxi service got so mad at us they came by the hotel room and threw back all the cash for the hunt on the floor...and walked out. The replacement service did a good job but we hadn't taken camping gear as the other service was to have provided that. The hodgepodge collection of (Walmart type) camping gear secured by the replacement service barely held together in the worst storm in decades with 70 mph winds We ran out of food for three days before the plane could fly back in the weather. We ate blueberries on all fours. At least they brought a 6 pack of beer for us to drink on the way back:) McDonalds hit the motherlode in sales later that day.

The second trip, the charter taxi service never picked us up at the airport in Soldotna/Kenai. They had crashed two days earlier killing the pilot and everyone on board. A replacement service was found on the spot and and did a great job. We brought our own gear this time.

The third trip...went like a charm. Good weather and the caribou did their part to make it a great trip.

Choose your flight service carefully...I think I said that earlier but it bears repeating.

   

[Doug S]

 Did the haul road a couple times. Everyone had a couple shot opportunity's at some point in the 4-5 days. Rented a truck in Fairbanks and headed north. Camped along the road. It was alot like hunting antelope. Not a ton of Caribou either time. Great place to see other wildlife. Bears Sheep Muskox lynx. Some guys float across the River where there is less pressure. Walking on Muskeg is an experience you won't ever forget.

[Trenton G.]

Seeing those other species would be really cool, and part of the reason that I'd like to go! I have heard about the river that runs along the highway, and figured that if we did a trip on the haul road, an inflatable pack raft would be a good idea for getting away from people a bit.

[Doug S]

 Make sure it is a good raft. That river runs fast. Im sure some guys on here or else where have done it and could tell you where and how.

[smoke]

My son and I did it 2 years ago out of Kotzebue.  We did our own equipment and food. The country is tough that far north for a bowhunter.  I was tucked in a draw with the only cover around for miles and had a bull coming my way at about 75 yards when a couple of hunters from Idaho blew it for me (they apologized). That was my only opportunity.  My son shot a nice bull with a rifle but that was the only other bull we got remotely close to.  There were fair numbers there and with more time, I think we both would have filled our tags - I might have had to resort to a rifle. Our limitation was the weather which was terrible - had winds like I've never experienced for a day and a half - tore our tents to shreds. We cobbled together what was left for a lean-to for the rest of our trip!  Had a grizzly charge that ended after 4 shots in the air with a .10mm and saw numerous other grizzlies.  All in all, a great trip . . . but I'd hunt farther south where there is more cover if I ever did it again.

[Trenton G.]

That sounds like a fun trip, regardless of tags being filled or not! My buddy will be hunting with a rifle, so I might end up resorting to that at some point as well. We'll see what the terrain and number of opportunities dictates. The bear encounter sounds pretty exciting! Maybe it's an odd desire, but I'd really like to have a good grizzly story someday. As long as its one I get to walk away from though!