2013 Alaska Moose/Caribou float trip report

[actionshooter]

 The next morning we were up and off hunting, Conan went east to climb a mountain that was calling his name, Kyle and I went to a knoll where we had see moose the 1st night. We glassed for about an hour when I finally spotted 3 caribou waaaay out, but they were somewhat angling toward us and moving fast.
 We moved to a position where I thought we would see them, and we did, at like 50 yards. 2 bulls and 1 cow. Kyle was slightly in front and he saw the bigger of the bulls, he put that one down and then I saw the smaller bull, one shot at 75 yds and he was down.
 We quartered them out and started for the airstrip. We figured it was 1.8 miles one way which could have been worse, but walking that ground is never fun.
 2 trips, meat cared for and protected at the airstrip, backstrap and idahoans and we were done. Whiskey and out. 

 The next day was a camp and fishing day. If you go, 3" Rainbow Rapala = grayling magnet. 

[actionshooter]

Our meat pick up came and we were excited to hit the river, not a lot happened that day. Caught some grayling and watched the prettiest country I have ever seen just float by. 
 The one picture is permafrost that was undermined by the river and falling in, it was really cool.
 There was one issue that I didn't take into consideration, that was the current speed. We never did over 20 miles a day and a lot were 15 miles. Divided by 130 miles and we didn't have the amount of "out of the raft hunting" that I had hoped. There were also days when the wind would blow and with the slow current, rowing downstream was mandatory. 1st day was 18 miles on the river.

[Jason]

Looks like a great trip so far

[Skyvalhunter]

Great Pics, Boat rental from Larry Bartlett?

[actionshooter]

The next day was a camp and fishing day. If you go, 3" Rainbow Rapala = grayling magnet. 

So do Pixies, and for char

That's cool, I tried and tried spinners and spoons, never caught a thing until I put that Rapala on.
We didn't catch any char either, the pilot told us they were only in the rivers that were direct into the ocean.

[actionshooter]

Great Pics, Boat rental from Larry Bartlett?

No, but I bought it from him. 

[X-Force]

keep it coming! its a blast following your adventure.

[Maverick]

Great story and beautiful pics!

[actionshooter]

 The next day we started off as would be the norm for the rest of the trip. We would get up, do some calling and a little glassing, break the camp down and get on the river. It was extremely cold this morning also.
   We  were on the river for about an hour when we came around a bend and there were 30+ caribou coming off a bank and crossing the river a 100 yds in front of us. I made a speed boat paddle to the bank and Conan took the 1st shot since he hadn't killed an animal yet, after a small barrage the biggest bull was down and I focused on a smaller bull (only 2 bulls). After the big guy went down, the rest seemed confused and were just milling around. I took a solid rest, shot was perfect, broke right behind his shoulder. He didn't go down, but after the shot the herd took off and went into the brush. I was sure he would be just inside the brush.
 
 Meanwhile Kyle was downstream about 300 yards and the caribou went right past him. I heard a single shot. Well, somehow I missed the 2nd bull and he got it. There was only a single bullet in the critter. I was really perplexed on what could have happened. Anyhow we had 2 caribou to take care of. The pack was easy and running water was nice.    The fresh backstrap was welcome also.
 With everything loaded we were getting ready to go, I was taking a little ribbing about my miss and realized the turret on my Leupold CDS was turned 3/4 revolution,  and there was no way to determine which way. 
  My CDS is now duct taped.......

[carpsniperg2]

Looks like a great trip!

[Hawgdawg]

The next day was a camp and fishing day. If you go, 3" Rainbow Rapala = grayling magnet. 

So do Pixies, and for char

Pixies are the state bate.  That is a dandy you got there. State record not much bigger!!!!

[Machias]

Now THIS is a float trip!!!!!!  Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing.

[shootem]

Looks like an incredible hunt.

[bigdave]

Tag! great story......thanks for sharing.....can't wait for more

[boneaddict]

Enjoying your write up.  I had the priviledge of doing that drive for my moose a couple years ago with Idabooner.  I know where I would like to spend every September for the rest of my life.