alaska moose 2011

[tonymoe]

I have had plans for a DIY moose hunt for my 35th birthday for quite some time now. I have done minor research for the last couple years, but am now diving into it pretty deep. I have gone over the different scenarios such as driving me and my own gear and not worrying about shipping anything, to flying and doing a unguided type hunt.
Crap, its 50 hours just to anchorage, then drive more into the wilderness to find a spot that hopefully isn't flooded with locals,  (honestly, I don't know what to expect on that). If I were to fly, I would have to worry about weight, and then the $$'s to ship successful meat home? (hopefully). I would probably donate most the meat just to justify shipping dollars?
I know some of you boys have lived up there or have hunted up there. Just looking for some insight on what to expect. Or feel free to slap me if I am dreaming too much
thanks guys, I appreciate any info

[cohoho]

If you totally for a DYI, I would put in for the draws (Archery) along the haul road in area 24 and 25.  Good odds of drawing and decent odds at taken nice bulls.  Got to wait till next year as the draws are already submitted for this up coming season, ends in Dec.   Extremely long drive, but if you flew, you would have to take out a car loan to ship all that meat back.  If you got time drive, it's beautiful and quite the experience, then take a puddle jumper out to the bush from Fairbanks.  Off the road system, there are some really good secluded areas where the locals don't go, if your willing to hike a bit (Most locals aren't).  Stay away from anywhere near the ATV trails along the Richardson hwy or the Denail Hwy, it will resemble a ATV rally.  Check out some of the transporters/outfitters off the various web sites and see what the costs are now for drop off camps.  If you have access to take a small jet boat this opens up alot more opportunities but ensure you know how to fix everything on that boat before going solo, bad stuff happens out in the middle of nowhere.  Areas near Delta Junction to Tok is pretty good also, but again you to get away from the locals near the roads...  As they have their honey holes and have been hunting them for years... The Kenai Pennisula also has some good areas that you can get to without too much worry from ATV's and boats, but again it is foot and Moose are huge requiring numerous trips if packing out solo.  Odds are low but it can be done without outside help, but going with a drop off style camps you'll increase your odds drastically.  Might want to check out Larry Bartlett from Pristine Adventures, he has great info, but you'll pay for it, but he will get you where the animals are for sure.....  He isn't an outfitter, only provides information and how and where to stuff, mostly on float trips... great guy also...

[BLKBEARKLR]

 

Well I tried to find a slap one but could not, so you get this instead.....

But on a serious note, cohoho, gave you some very good information. I myself would drive back up there if it was me. Do you plan on archery or rifle hunting? If rifle hunting then you have to plan ahead to be able to take guns though Canada. Or you can find a dealer up there and ship them. I will get back on later and share some more advice, but have to run right now

[Skyvalhunter]

If you need a any info let me know I have done a few Alaskan DIY moose hunts. The special moose permits are due in Dec so if you are planning on going in 2011 don't forget that date if it is a permit area. Alot of the state isn't depending on where you go. If you want to do a float hunt which is my choice there are avenues out there for raft rentals. The Wood River area south of Fairbanks has the largest population of moose in the state. The Yukon is popular and there are transporters out there that will take you in and drop you off with a boat and your supplies. Good contact person is Larry Bartlett(Prestine Ventures). There is alot of info to convey so pm if u like

[Axle]

Loooooong drive!
I've hunted moose in Alaska three times. The last time was '91. I enjoyed it each time but it wasn't an easy hunt. Tundra is hard to walk in.
I hunted units 17 and 19. Times and rules change but if I was to do it again, I would do it the same - fly to Anchorage, get on a puddle jumper, then fly into a remote lake. You can even drive to a different place away from Anchorage to get a float plane and then go in.
One thing I found was that not all areas get hunted. There were many lakes that nobody set down on. We found one lake that looked like nobody had ever been there. Lots of bears though.
Some areas in Alaska get much more rain than other areas. For mental preparation, redefine what you think 'dry' actually means before you go.
You might get fogged in if you fly in to a remote area. Not uncommon to get fogged in for a week.
Take lots of pics and video if you go.
Watch your back for Griz pilgrim!

[klickman]

Alaska hunting is not a cheap no matter what you do.  You can drive up but it takes three long days of driving, to get to Anchorage or Fairbanks.  If you aren't too concerned on the quality of the bull then the road system is fine.  There are lots of places to hunt on foot.  Keep in mind though, a moose is about the size of a horse.  It can take days to pack them out if you are very far from the road.  If you want a true quality hunt you need some sort of transportation other than a hwy vehicle.  Flights are definately the way to go but look at spending $1500 minimum to do a decent hunt.  One thing I have found living up here is, there is no such thing as a cheap hunt.  If this is gonna be a hunt of a lifetime for you I would suggest dropping a little coin and go with a float hunt or a hunt out of dillingham, kotzebue or Fairbanks.  Good Luck

KLICKMAN

[shoot-em-dead]

I thought a non resident couldn't hunt in Alaska without a resident or a guide.

[tonymoe]

My backcountry partner just told me he won't be able to go with me, so it's a solo job unless someone ponies up. Thanks for the info so far fellas. I got alot of work to do.
Shootemdead... Your thinking of Canada a'. In Alaska you only need guides for goats, sheep and brown bear

[Vek]

Plan on 42-46 hours of driving time from Bellingham to Anch or Fairbanks, if you go pretty hard. 

Lots of good advice.  Without going too deep into things, the advice to work with Bartlett is sound.  Lots of satisfied customers there.  Do a little research before hiring the likes of him, though.  Float hunting books by Strahan and Bartlett are good places to start.  Get familiar with what's where, regarding roads, game units, hub towns off the roads, and air cargo coordination.  Call some of the companies involved to familiarize yourself with logistics.  There are a million options to consider, and lots of ways to get the job done.  Probably the most important thing you can do is look at moose pictures and guess antler spread using the moose's physical features such as eyeball spacing and ear span. 

If I were coming up from down south, I'd get logistics sorted out and fly myself out west with a raft.  This means a commercial flight to a bush hub town and a bush flight into the sticks.  USPS is your friend for shipping gear and not paying through the teeth...   

[Skywagon_185]

I thought a non resident couldn't hunt in Alaska without a resident or a guide.

    Guide not required for moose.  Sheep, Griz etc. requires a guide.
Mike

[tonymoe]

Blackbrklr-
I had plans to archery hunt while my partner carried a rifle, but with no partner, I should probably stick to the rifle?

[carpsniperg2]

good luck to you. its allot of work by the sounds of it.

[Navyhunter]

That'd be an awesome hunt!  If it was me, I'd drive.  I've thought about it several times but have never had the time off or $$$$ to get it done.  Have to wait until I retire.

[tonymoe]

Navy,
I used to think the same way until I went on my first Out of state DIY hunt. I found out that they aren't OIL hunts. I now go on 1 out of state hunt each year. You would be surprised that it isn't all that expensive. Shoot, I bet I'll have more money in trying to draw moose in WA!   

[Grizzlykiller]

I'd suggest the first stop would be over at the Alaska Outdoors Directory site.

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/

 There are dozens of inquiries similar to yours from guys around the country and some valuable info can be gleaned from them.
 It's an adventure putting together an annual moose hunt as a resident of Alaska. Being from Outside your going to need all the help you can get. That said there's many ways to go about it.
 Look over the threads at the site mentioned above.
 If you'd like send me a note. I'll be away from a computer for a couple weeks but would be happy to help you anyway I can. Good luck.