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.