Author Topic: Hunting Moose in Alaska (Read 17505 times)

jstone · « **on:** January 30, 2011, 09:25:11 AM »

OK i got an offer for me and a buddy to go up to Alaska for a Moose Hunt. I will be going in 2012. I am going to start to get all of my info. Talk to the guy who is offering the area up. I am taking-my bow, once in a life time experience. For those of you who have done it any advice would be greatly appreciated. O ya the place is 150 miles North of Anchorage.

Bean Counter · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2011, 10:45:20 AM »

Are you paying big $$$? How do you know this will be a trip of a lifetime? Has your buddy hunted with him before? Have you checked references?

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2011, 11:35:27 AM »

Float hunt, pack in hunt, flyin hunt? So you are going with a guide or a transporter(diy)?

klickman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2011, 02:34:55 PM »

Quote from: Bean Counter on January 30, 2011, 10:45:20 AM

Are you paying big $$$? How do you know this will be a trip of a lifetime? Has your buddy hunted with him before? Have you checked references?

150 miles isn't a long ways to go to get away from crowds. Be careful there are guys that will advertise to outsiders who don't know Alaska and burn them once they get up there. What area is being made available there isn't a lot of private ground 150 miles north of Anchorage?

KLICKMAN

300wsm · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:01:15 PM »

Unless it's private, I would say it would get quite a bit of pressure from locals. It\f it's a once in a lifetime trip for you then I would suggest going more remote on a float or drop camp. P.M. if you want more specifics. I've gone three times and would offer any help I could. Cohoho seems to be very knowledgeable about Alaska. I'm sure there are others with great info as well. Just don't jump at a chance to go to Alaska and expect it to be a successful trip unless your resources are very trust worthy.

upwind · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2011, 05:46:46 PM »

I don't know what these other guys are talk en about crowds ,people hunt like they hunt around here road hunters just get off the trails and you will get away from the people not much private land.I lived in Wasilla and never had that problem getting a moose just get away from the roads and four wheeler trails .A Argo helped get back in the swamps :chuckle:maybe that's the secret :rolleyes:Delta junction has a high population of moose you can get permission to hunt on the military base.but the key is to get away from the people find aplace where you can see along ways off and be patient.

AKBowman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2011, 05:31:56 PM »

Moose hunting really is not all that hard, lots of work but you dont have to be an expert. I would forego the guide and save your $ maybe use it to get dropped off or packed in somewhere.

Timing is everything for moose hunting, you can kill them anytime from Aug 10 - Sept 20 but if you are going archery like you say then do not go in Augus or even the first two weeks of Sept. Get in there as late as you can.

Pretty much every major creek drainage will have moose in Sept, there are lots of good places to go in the Chugach within 50 miles of Anchorage. I hunted different drainages from 97'-2002 and got packed in on horse back, it was about $150/horse one way so about $600 round trip. Not saying you dont need a guide but seriously get up into the major creek/river drainages between 2500 and 4000' in mid-late sept and you will be in moose.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2011, 06:07:32 PM »

Is that 150 miles on the Parks highway or the Richardson Hwy??

For the Richardson I would do this:
Get some rafts, drop in at Paxon lake and float down the Gulkana to Sourdough (40 river miles). There is a taxi service available that takes your rig to a secure lot and then drops it on the pre-determined day at the take out.
You will have the time of your life. Takes from 4days to a week depending on how many nights/days you stay camped. Try to get a bear tag. also there are Caribou in that area as well...Kill 'em all! The lake is 6 miles long so bring a small outboard.

For the Parks: Cancel and do the above!

jstone · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2011, 08:41:28 AM »

Well the area that i was going to go into is supposedly not open to out of state hunters? or they decided not to want me and my buddy around. So i think i will look into the float hunting trip? Thanks for the advice. I will discuss this with my hunting partner. I want to go but i don't have the big money for a guide. I know it will take a few thousand and i expect that but don't want to break the bank. I am looking to bag a good moose. Thanks All

Bearhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:42:44 PM »

It will take more than a few thousand for a float hunt/bush flight trip, probably a minimum of $4000 before you leave your house.

AKBowman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2011, 07:20:52 PM »

Quote from: jstone on February 14, 2011, 08:41:28 AM

Well the area that i was going to go into is supposedly not open to out of state hunters? or they decided not to want me and my buddy around. So i think i will look into the float hunting trip? Thanks for the advice. I will discuss this with my hunting partner. I want to go but i don't have the big money for a guide. I know it will take a few thousand and i expect that but don't want to break the bank. I am looking to bag a good moose. Thanks All

If you're are looking at doing the Gulkana that someone mentioned in this thread then you will need to know a few things;
As mentioned the lake crossing is about three miles long, Paxson is a long skinny lake and if the wind is blowing in your face you will absolutely need a small kicker of some sort.

On about hour 30 until about hour 40 of the float there is a 5-8 miles section of river (just before the west for of the gulkana joins the main fork) that has no current, you will want a kicker here as well.

The river can be REALLY low in Sept. some years so you might end up doing a lot of pushing/pulling the raft through the shallow spots.

The area is not really a great spot for moose. Not to say there arent moose in the area it just takes a lot of work to get on them and there arent that many. A legal bull will be larger than 50" or three or more brow tines on one side. First legal bull you see you should shoot.

I've done the float 6 times all in August or early sept. Its world class grayling fishing and good rainbow fishing the whole way down to Sourdough.

We've always driven o the lake dropped everything off drove the car back down to Sourdough and hitchhiked back up to the lake. This way the car is there when you get down to Sourdough. No one messes wiith your car/stuff up in AK do that $hit up there and you can get shot so you should be fine leaving it there for 8-11 days.

PM me and I can give ytou more info

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:10:54 PM »

I did that same float in June 4 separate years over fathers day and there is always a few moose then. There is also a portage around some small waterfall, rough section about 1/2 way through the trip, so be prepared.
We also saw Griz and boo.
Best fishing ever as Akbowman said, too.
I miss Alaska!

littlemac · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2011, 02:21:31 PM »

Quote from: Bearhunter on February 15, 2011, 02:42:44 PM

It will take more than a few thousand for a float hunt/bush flight trip, probably a minimum of $4000 before you leave your house.

You got that right. $$$ in most cases.

But definitely worth the trip and adventure.

jstone · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2011, 08:31:40 AM »

So would caribou be cheaper?? And maybe could be more successful??

engelwood · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:42:56 PM »

From what I hear the only places you could save by doing caribou would be a hundred on the tag, and might cut one flight out of the bush off the total cost. At a minimum, depending on total flight miles/hours, like said above, you will be in $4k before you leave your door, best thing is to do moose and shoot a bou while up there. Just my

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2011, 05:30:37 AM »

You can get into a DIY hunt for alot less than $4k as I have been there done that.

cohoho · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:01:34 AM »

Quote from: Skyvalhunter on March 01, 2011, 05:30:37 AM

You can get into a DIY hunt for alot less than $4k as I have been there done that.

Absolutely..... If you do your homework you can keep your cost down for sure...

engelwood · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2011, 08:27:10 AM »

I guess it all depends on how far you are flying in and out. Bush plane costs are the most expensive part of the trip. If you go more than 100 miles from airport and are only splitting between 2 guys, as well as costs of ticket up to AK and back, you are over $4k right there. Unless the info I have heard is completely false?

Bearhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2011, 09:43:10 AM »

Definetly not under 4k unless your not using a bush plane to get in and out. My bush flight this september is $3300 a piece for round trip flight, that is flying out of Fairbanks. If its just a short flight you might get in a bit cheaper but from the research I have done, flights have almost doubled in the last 5-7 years...

engelwood · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2011, 10:32:13 AM »

Yeah, that's more like what I was told. Plus, the flight to Anchorage or Fairbanks will run you close to $1k. Right there you are over $4k in flights alone.

Stickerbush · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2011, 10:41:43 AM »

I didnt draw anything for next season up there, but I am planning to go up anyway and do a general season if my buddy can help me out (he has a plane). Dont know what I'll go for maybe bear, deer on the islands, moose or caribou. good luck to you

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2011, 11:51:47 AM »

Well I suppose if you want to hunt by yourself and pack the moose out alone(like thats going to happen) then you can get over $4k as you eat the cost yorself. But if you go with a couple guys the costs are split but when you run into multiple trips is where you get the cost up. Some of the pilots will bring in their larger planes to haul the meat out if they can land them at the strip or they taxi it to another strip. I flew in and out of Fairbanks for under $2k then I rented the raft so with the flight up to Fairbanks that was well under $4k.

Bearhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2011, 12:31:33 PM »

Ok I quess we have a pissing match here...... I will not be alone, there are two of us going, even though I do have the mental/physical power to pack a moose out load by load it can be done, but not that stupid..... Our flights from fairbanks to one of the forks of the Chandalar is $3300 a piece, gear and meat/horns. Price is fixed wether we are successful or not. Raft rental threw Larry Bartlett is $1450, or $775 per person. $485 for moose tag and hunting license. $3300 + $775 + $485 = $4560 before getting there. I fiqured at 6000 miles round trip at $5.00 a/gallon for diesel being conservative with the camper on the truck getting 12mpg, the cost in fuel would be $2500 total in fuel (hopefully diesel will not be that high but who knows?) I will be hunting the haul/pipeline road for caribou before we fly out for moose.... Not saying is cant be done for $4000 or less but you would need to take a significantly shorter flight or do a road to road style float or a base camp style hunt. A couple guys from here did a float hunt last season and there flights ended up being $3800 a piece after they got moose and caribou out. I am debating on buying my own raft for future trip and get ride of the rental fees. Also fiqure if you fly up on a commercial flight and are successful, you will have a pretty significant cost in getting your meat and SPLIT horns back. If there are ways to shave some cost I would love to know, as we will probably go in 2012 as well....

Vek · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2011, 01:17:04 PM »

Get your own raft. Most versatile is probably a 13' or 14' round boat, bailing or non. Simple frame with three or four cross-bars. Cooler for a seat. A 14' NRS Otter will do two guys, two moose, and a very spartan backpack-like camp. I know this from experience. With some careful craigslisting, I think you could get a suitable boat for ~$1500.

Minimum two boats on a trip, if the water is skinny. Bartlett will have a handle on that. His Pro Pioneer is a good complementary boat, but the Aire Traveler might be better.

If a tributary of your river has enough water to float your small boat, consider lining up it and hunting off the main river. Same for big oxbow ponds and such off the main river. Especially if you're not alone on the river.

Driving or flying commercial to a hub village airstrip to catch your bush flight may be cheaper overall than taking bush flight from a major place. I.E. get yourself to Bettles, Coldfoot, Galbraith, Happy Valley, Arctic Village, or Fort Yukon for your bush flight instead of flying from FBX.

Memorize Wayne Kubat's Love Thunder and Bull volumes I and II. This is mandatory. Wayne's popular fiberglass call is not - better tone to be had from good white birchbark cone. Sneak off the road a bit on the way up and getcha some. Wood canoe paddles are good for thrashing brush, as are big snags and logs.

I hunted the same general area for quite a bit less in 2009. It would have been a bit more $ had we gone 4/4 (opportunity was there) instead of 2/4.

Solo moose is a ton of fun, almost literally!

Bearhunter, say hi to your dad for me...

Bearhunter · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2011, 02:36:37 PM »

Great info VEK I think that rite there is what everyone was looking for. I asked Larry about flying out of Coldfoot instead of Fairbanks as I will be going north of Fairbanks for Caribou anyways, he made it sound like its harder to get a firm fly out date from those guys. I was told though that the flight would be a bit less from there.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #25 on:** March 01, 2011, 02:42:10 PM »

Bearhunter, best thing to do like said is get your own boat. I have a 14 foot zodiac, I have had one moose and two caribou in it with all gear and the wife and I an not had an issue with a 20 hp jet on it.

If you do the trip a lot it is worth it to get one. I still have mine and have not been to Alaska in 6 years, once you get one you won't get rid of it. More than welcome to drop down and check mine out.

Joe

engelwood · « **Reply #26 on:** March 01, 2011, 08:21:43 PM »

Quote from: Skyvalhunter on March 01, 2011, 11:51:47 AM

Well I suppose if you want to hunt by yourself and pack the moose out alone(like thats going to happen) then you can get over $4k as you eat the cost yorself. But if you go with a couple guys the costs are split but when you run into multiple trips is where you get the cost up. Some of the pilots will bring in their larger planes to haul the meat out if they can land them at the strip or they taxi it to another strip. I flew in and out of Fairbanks for under $2k then I rented the raft so with the flight up to Fairbanks that was well under $4k.

What did you do with your meat? I know that Alaska Airlines charges upwards of $2 a pound to get back to Northwest area, so if you were well under $4k, did you not bring your meat home or did you drive all the way to Fairbanks and base everything from there? Just curious.

RightPlace-RightTime · « **Reply #27 on:** March 02, 2011, 12:10:23 AM »

Spend the time and do your research. You wont spend 4000. That number is high.

boneaddict · « **Reply #28 on:** March 02, 2011, 04:57:52 AM »

You're fuel costs might even be higher now Bear unless you have an aux tank in the truck. It might be worth customizing one in if you don't. Fuel in the interior is AWEFUL. I realize you averaged in high and low, but its probably going to be scary high.

As for meat. If you want it unless you have deep pockets, you need to drive up. You'll have to do paperwork at the borders, but thats no big deal. Quite frankly the drive should be done in everyones lifetime anyway. Its well worth it.

I did it DIY for a little over 3 grand I guess. About $2200-2500 in fuel, tags license and some different food items a guy wouldn't normally buy. That obviously isn't including any gear which I either had or I'm not including becasue I use it elsewhere.

Bean Counter · « **Reply #29 on:** March 02, 2011, 05:26:49 AM »

Quote from: boneaddict on March 02, 2011, 04:57:52 AM

You're fuel costs might even be higher now Bear unless you have an aux tank in the truck. It might be worth customizing one in if you don't. Fuel in the interior is AWEFUL. I realize you averaged in high and low, but its probably going to be scary high.

As for meat. If you want it unless you have deep pockets, you need to drive up. You'll have to do paperwork at the borders, but thats no big deal. Quite frankly the drive should be done in everyones lifetime anyway. Its well worth it.

I did it DIY for a little over 3 grand I guess. About $2200-2500 in fuel, tags license and some different food items a guy wouldn't normally buy. That obviously isn't including any gear which I either had or I'm not including becasue I use it elsewhere.

Yeah, LOL, like another $5,000 in camera lenses

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #30 on:** March 02, 2011, 05:58:24 AM »

Yea driving up there is a blast. Last time I drove straight thru 43 hours from Everett to Fairbanks. If you plan to bring the meat down with you then prepare to keep it cool and it will take up alot of room. If processed up there we had an issue with all the processors being full up and not taking any more moose in. They asked us if we had reservations. Luckily at the last minute one of them took the moose in. If you hunt the interior be prepared for real high fuel costs. Last year my friend went out of Galena and fuel was double. With the krap going on over in the Middle East sand dunes expect even higher. I don't know if you plan on driving up of flying but be aware that if you by your tickets now at say $400 and you get your moose early and want to come back early you will pay the difference of the price of that ticket on the day you want to leave and the price you paid. Believe me the days of paying $100 for a flight change are gone for now. I experienced this last fall and just stayed longer rather than pay the extra $300 to change flights.

Bearhunter · « **Reply #31 on:** March 02, 2011, 09:47:15 AM »

Great info guys, Bone I only have a 30 gallon diesel tank on the truck I have been considering upgrading and going bigger, also looking for an aux tank fornin the enclosed trailer I'll be towing up! Buy fuel now as well... If I only had a place to store it...

boneaddict · « **Reply #32 on:** March 02, 2011, 10:07:07 AM »

Indeed! Prices will blow your socks off when you go to travel through the interior, or Canada. It was 2 something a gallon here and 7 up there. Anything North of Smithers and even there it was insane until you hit Tok and then it starts to come back to reallity.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #33 on:** March 02, 2011, 12:02:56 PM »

Yea then you get to deal with liters. Then they come out and pump the gas for you because they like to look you in the face as they are screwing you!!

mack2255 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 02, 2011, 02:31:37 PM »

I would go if I got the chance to.....

6x6in6 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 02, 2011, 02:50:57 PM »

Quote from: Bearhunter on March 02, 2011, 09:47:15 AM

Great info guys, Bone I only have a 30 gallon diesel tank on the truck I have been considering upgrading and going bigger, also looking for an aux tank fornin the enclosed trailer I'll be towing up! Buy fuel now as well... If I only had a place to store it...

Both upgrading your existing tank to bigger and in-bed models that can be plumbed into your tank.
http://www.transferflow.com/

cohoho · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2011, 06:20:18 PM »

Drove the Alcan three times both ways, absolutely a perfect driving road.

The road has it's moments but mostly paved now days- except of course - summits... As stated before depending upon your timing stuff starts closing down after labor day. Buy the "Milepost" it will give you detailed information on what is open and what times they are open. Yea, fuel is quite a bit more in BC interior than anywhere else... Even the haulroad isn't that expensive in comparison. But when you add it to the trip, it makes one hell of a good time... And be honest if any of us did this purely for meat alone, we'd save ogles at Safeway.... 2 or 3 -15 gallon fuel containers will work fine. Just have a shaker type siphon and your good to go... Take alot of pictures for sure... Also if your towing a enclosed trailer, throw an add up on craigslist or one of the hunting web site there for bringing goods up to folks there to help and assist cutting fuel costs. Buddy did that several times for a small engine shop that needed specific motors...

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Author Topic: Hunting Moose in Alaska (Read 17505 times)

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