DIY Alaskan Caribou. Who's done it?

[Trenton G.]

As the title says, who here has done a DIY caribou hunt in Alaska? A buddy and I are trying to make this trip in the fall of 2028, and after looking around and seeing how fast flights and such get booked up, we want to get planning as far in advance as possible. While we are not looking to do a guided hunt, we have been looking into outfitters that offer DIY services such as flying you in and renting equipment if necessary. If anyone has done this in the past, do you have any recommendations as far as outfitters to go with?
We've also looked at just hiring a bush plane to fly us out somewhere, but it appears to be extremely difficult to get on a flying list if you don't already know someone or aren't a repeat customer.
We considered doing a hunt off the haul road as well, and haven't completely ruled it out, but would prefer more of a backcountry type of adventure.

I would appreciate any help or advice that is out there, and am excited to continue planning for this trip! With caribou populations on the decline, we want to try and get this hunt in at least once before things potentially change.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Flew twice to the North Slope with Brooks Range Aviation. You have to either drive part way up the haul road and park at a pump station or fly commercial from FBK to Bettles. First trip was good, second time the outfit was for sale and pretty disorganized. Also a couple dude hunters that were obviously well heeled showed up, had a powwow with the owner's wife in the office and we got bumped to a later ride (had to spend the night in the hangar waiting). Maybe $$ changed hands. I heard it sold and maybe that stuff settled down. If it has settled it could be a decent option. I also have heard decent things about Coyote for north slope trips. Rokslide is a good place to mine for info.  The North Slope is an adventure in itself and worth the trip. You'll see grizzlies for sure 

You are right about transporters, smaller/less known outfits are very hard to get in with. Good outfits can take years to get a ride with. The pilot I fly with for moose is like 90% repeat year after year. If you get a seat with an outfit like that you can't give it up, and guys that have favorite transporters don't share info.

R

[Stringwacker]

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.