AK Caribou Hunt

[fishngamereaper]

As we looked them over our bulls seemingly where genetically related. Similar tops, good bez, double shovels, beautiful animals. Exactly what we wanted….

[fishngamereaper]

Reality check number two. Two bulls, two dudes, two miles from camp…..ummmm…ok, good problem to have. Spend some time taking pics, get them gutted and drug next to each other for more pics.

[fishngamereaper]

Then the work begins. Each man for themselves we decided. Capped, quartered and meat shuttled a few hundred yards to a high spot we could see from camp, but still a mile and half away. Then the work began. Over the next 8 hours we would pack. Luckily at midnight its still kind of light. Unforntuanly at midnight the wind and snow started up. We packed until 3 am in 40-50 mph winds and blizzard conditions. Two steps forward one step back. Neither of us wanted to leave meat or cape/ head in the field overnight, so we dug deep and got it done.

Back at camp meat got tarped and covered with rocks, heads where set inside my Luxe Tepee we were using as shelter/cook tent.  The wind howled all night. Reaching gusts of 60 easy.  I knew I should of dropped my Tepee but I didn’t, I was tired. Unfortunately, the next morning the wind had taken its toll and spilt a seem on the luxe. Ugh, oh well. Its Alaska you can’t argue with her. She’s always right. Our sleep tents held up fine, so no worries.

We spent the day building willow beds for the meat and trimming it, a coat of citric acid and lots of air flow and we had a good crust in two days. We also spent the day caping our heads and fleshing the capes. Again, off the ground, lots of air flow and we had the capes drying nicely.

[fishngamereaper]

The following day I sent the In reach message looking for early pick up. We will try was the response. Be ready at any time. After 5 when no one showed we re set up camp and went for a hike to find my brass. 6.5 PRC isn’t something you leave laying around, I couldn’t find it in the snow on the day of harvest.

After we hiked back to the kill site and collected my brass the wind and rain came up with a vengeance. The hike back to camp was miserable and pushed our rain gear just a little past its limits. I guess I would equate it standing in front a pressure washer for an hour. Lucky we where still 95 percent dry so no worries.

We did come to realize that there was a line of rocks near the north end of the lake. We passed by it a couple times and pondered its meaning. Very much like the tepee ring it was obvious it had been part of the landscape for decades. We decided amongst ourselves that that rock line had some influential spiritual power associated with crossing it. Every time we crossed it something good or really bad happened. One could wonder if we weren’t rewarded with Caribou harvest after crossing the line, but then at the same time punished for it. But I would have to suspect that mother nature, Alaska, and whatever other powers where at work where simply welcoming us. We had clean kills, well cleaned carcasses, well cared for meat, and felt honored and blessed at the opportunities we where provided. Ya, I think it was just a welcome to the club, remember who’s in charge type of thing.

For two days we broke camp, cared for meat and hides, and fished while waiting for a ride. Finally cooking some lake trout which was awesome.

[fishngamereaper]

On the evening of the day we were originally  scheduled to get out of the field the weather had calmed. Temps rose (got us anxious about the meat and hides) and we where treated to a rainbow over our lake. Another sign maybe.

As we hiked above camp to the tepee circle to sit and ponder I realized we where blessed. Everything on the trip happened for a reason. The delays, the weather, everything worked out for us. We hadn’t seen but a few caribou in the last couple days. The initial push south had stopped with the warmup. We couldn’t have timed it better.

[fishngamereaper]

You often wonder if you are living life to the fullest. As days turn to weeks, to months into years you realize it really is short. You realize you need to start living because we are all, in a way slowly dying. In that moment, far away from civilization, in a place that would happily end your life, I was at piece. My body was broke, but my soul was alive and my spirit was high. I didn’t want to be any place else, hot meal, hot shower, warm bed mattered not….I was happy sitting right there on the tundra…living a dream….

And with that…as my In reach went off “planes have left be ready for pick up”…..yep, rainbow was a sign.....we once again had to snap back to reality, break camp, haul meat and be ready for pick up. As the planes landed it was surreal, was it really over... Besides some flying, meat care in Bettles, travel logistics etc……Yes, My Alaska dream hunt was over…….Child hood dream, box checked……

[WALLEYEGUY]

  Thanks for sharing, awesome

[ganghis]

Awesome story and pics - thanks for the ride!

[fishngamereaper]

I'll add some pics as I come to em.

[fishngamereaper]

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[fishngamereaper]

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[shootem]

Great bulls, story, and pics! Congrats.

[Fishmaker57]

Awesome writeup...thanks for sharing! Did something similar last year, a definite bucket list trip. There is just something about being that far north, and the feeling you get when the plane takes off and there is this silence that is deafening! I think about it almost every day......

[full choke]

Way Cool! 

Thanks for sharing the story!

[KNOPHISH]

Great Alaskan adventure right there. Killer bulls!! Way to git r done.