Alaska Drop Camp hunt recommendations...

[GoldTip]

Anyone use any drop camp services up in AK?  Am looking to set a trip for 2010 with three buddies and wanting to keep it a little cheaper than my recent Canada Moose hunt if possible.  We will be bowhunting and are looking for Caribou with possibility of getting into a Moose/black bear always a plus, but Caribou being the focus.  Just wondering if any of the Hunt-Wa folks here have used anyone's services for this type of hunt.  Would look at everything from us providing all equipment and simply a charter service to the bush all the way up to a fully outfitted but unguided type of hunt.  Look forward to anyone's recommendations.

[MuleySniper]

I can tell you who NOT to use. Northern Glacier Adventures. Shady bunch.
MS

[GoldTip]

Muleysniper, that is very helpful info, thank you.

[cohoho]

Posted before somewhere, but if you want to do a drop, make certain you go through a good outfitter, Larry Bartlett from Pristine Adventures is great guy, he'll set up everything for you, pricey but you'll be in some of the best remote areas without three hundred friends from Anchorage and Fairbanks landing in the same spots.. Avoid the big drop guys from Anchorage, they can only go so far and they drop folks on top of you all during your trip, not bad for Caribou but really sucks for a Moose hunt.  Check out services from the other side of the inlet, you'll get a good deal from folks that live in these areas. Get on a couple web sites and start asking questions up there, warning though alot of guys think the animals are theirs on these sites and can be real dicks over the web to non-residents...

If you want a good DYI, the haul road is also a good way to arrange a quality Caribou hunt for Archery especially.  It would only cost you fuel up there versus charters and aircraft. 

As for Moose, do your homework and it can pay off, but typically your not going to go to a quality Bou area and have a good Moose area at the same time.  Pick one and concentrate your efforts, unless your willing to spend big dollars to be moved after one species and fly to the other areas...  Black bear, anywhere along the road system is a very high likely hood you'd connect pretty easily.  Especially from Anchorage south to Seward, anywhere you find hike over a ridge and you'll find blackies...  PM me and I can give you a couple ideas depending on what your thinking...

[huntnphool]

The Sturgeonator, that is awsome.

[Intruder]

Give me call... I can fill you in on a pretty good 1.

[300wsm]

P.M. sent

[high country]

you prolly know this, but ak requires a proof of bowhunter education.

larry is a good resource for sure.

[cohoho]

Proof is only for designated as archery only hunts..... Which are very few.... The qualification is extremely easy for anyone that can shoot half way decent.  If you hunt any general season hunt you choose weapon, only a couple hunt that have specifics on weapons.  The area I told you about along the haul road yes is a designated archery only, but for the first five miles, after that what you shoot with is your concern only.  There are numerous draws, mainly the military bases which are premium for good Moose, some archery, some Muzzy.  Hard draws but great hunts..  Go to the AK fish and Game web site and check out permit supplement it will answer most of your questions where specific areas are designated.  Call Anchorage dept and ask for Mike Harrington 907-267-2167, he is a good friend of mine and he is the Wildlife tech for information in Anchorage.  He will have more specific answers for any questions you might have before investing money, just to talk to Larry.. Again don't get me wrong Larry is an awesome guy from what I have experience and heard, but pricey, my ideal of pricey might be different, because I lived there for the past ten years...   Mike will also be able to point you to the coordinator for hunter education (i.e. Bow hunter ed)...  I already started planning next year trip since I couldn't go this year...  Good luck

[lhrbull]

mike mccary with alaska bush sports is a great guy and is excellant for drop camps

[AKBowman]

Theres some really good moose/black bear hunting not far from Anchorage if you do just a bit of homework. A few of the areas are archery only as well which has made the hutning damn good. Guaranteed to see animals and really easy to get away from most people. Heading there in October...DS140 I can feel it babey!!!

[nwhunter]

So the Haul Road caribou hunt, what is that like? Can a guy drive up there and expect to get into them fairly easy or do you have to hike a ways. Would love to bowhunt caribou just don't like the idea of flying up and spending the $$ to get meat and horns home so a road trip sounds better if a guy could find them. nwhunter

[cohoho]

I can tell you it is a great -no Excellent hunt, your on top of the world, 100+ miles north of the Arctic Circle.  I think it is one of the prettiest places in the world.  I have done the hunt eight times, except from Anchorage.  I could have gone numerous other places but some reason that place always drew me back year after year and liked the price (food and gas only).  80% of time, tagged out on two each if we choose to get two, most are respectable bulls, but a few whoppers here and there, but most in this area are not B & C caliber animals if that is what your after.  It by any means is NOT an easy hunt, first if you rifle hunt you must hike off the road 5 miles and better have ensured via GPS to several points along the road.  AST flies it on regular basis and will land right out on you and check.  No trees at all so your pretty easy to spot from any elevation. Secondly, if your archery hunting there are a lot of guys that will spoil your stalk by actually running towards the caribou your after, they are the "serious" road hunter cruising the road, stopping everytime someone is on a bou and trying to cut it off right from underneath you...  I recommend getting off the road 1/2 to mile and you'll never see another hunt most of the time, increase it the 5 and I have never ever seen anyone else out there when I went.  I like to spike camp out at the corridor and main camp along the road, then come back every other day with meat load.  A completely boned out Caribou normally runs about 90-120lbs...  But your walking on terrain that is like walking on a soft water bed with off sized bowling balls thrown everywhere to keep you off balanced... Another way is to go up to place X and look for where they are crossing and put out a lawn chair behind some cover and wait them out, where one has been others will follow....  If you decide to go PM me, I have maps to several areas that I can let you look at and/or copy.  You can walk out with min effort versus 99% of the areas that will beat you to death.  It isn't like given out a Elk or Moose honey hole they are Caribou, they might be there, they might not, but wait a bit and they'll probably show up or not.  It is a dirt road, with isolated areas of pavement (chip and tar)..  Sometimes the road is in good shape and sometimes it is so crappy you wonder why am I doing this.  The road is actually the Dalton Hwy, made for the pipeline and maintained by both DOT and Pipeline crews.  Gas is available in three areas on it ONLY. One right across the bridge of the Yukon river, maybe open, maybe not, next one Coldfoot a 24 hr. trucker stop (but the best burgers anywhere, but not your typical rest stop) and lastly at Prudoe Bay itself.  There are pullouts throughout the road system to park or camp, don't block gates to pipeline...  Atigun Pass, just before the open tundra "North Slope" is probably the most dangerous pass anywhere in the world, guard rail mostly are gone, 1000 foot drop offs and most of the time has snow in Aug on it..  But it is gorgeous for sure...  You'll see Dall Sheep, Griz, Black Bear, (and my favorite --Muskoxen), Moose, every form of varmints and maybe a wolf or two along the drive up the Dalton..  You can literally shoot 50 Ptarmigan a day, if you get into them , but again it is a firearm, even shotgun 5 miles off the road system.  Looking to run up this year also, from here expect three days (40 hours of behind wheel time) of hard driving to Fairbanks then 6-8 from there to happy hunting grounds.  The nice part it is only gas, yea it might be alot of that but you don't have flights, you don't have guide fees, you don't have transportation cost of your meat, hotels, etc....  Nonresidents tags are $85 for general license, $225-250 for Caribou tag, if you go after Sept (remember this time of year, weather can get nasty anytime in Sept from 70 one day to 10 or below the next, but no BUGS) you can try and get a Moose $325 prior to the Yukon or after if drawn in selective hunt along the road (archery), but must have certification and tag for Moose, I think $50 for wolf.  On some AK hunting forums you'll get mixed reviews of the hunt just like anywhere else, some hated it, some love it.  Don't do what some do and where rubber boots thinking to help against the swampy ground, your feet will be toast (learned the hard way), I use mountain type boots and bring a spare pair they will get wet period.. Game carts don't work, ground is too unstable and soft, if it is snowing a sled works, the long pull behind type, plus you an ride with your Caribou on the down hills...    back pac is the best way and be ready for a a good load and alot of fun.. Cursing all the way back but next morning up and ready to hit for another one...  I guess I better stop there...  Can't tell I like that hunt or what? 

[Bearhunter]

Man, thanks for the write up and info.  I have been contimplating the Haul Road for bou's a couple years now, I just need to go do it, sounds like a blast.  Got any pictures of your hard earned trophys?

[nwhunter]

Wow that is some good info. Thanks for taking the time to share. Sounds like a road trip for 3-4 guys to share the cost and drive time and go have a good time. I know the one time I would plan this trip I would draw a good archery elk tag and be messed up. THanks again and I know who to get a hold of if I decide to go. nwhunter