Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:43:06 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:44:10 AM
The original plan was for us to leave southeast Washington on August 8th and drive 40 hours north to Tok. That plan was going great until I went to get my oil changed on August 1st and they found oil in my radiator. That necessitated a scramble to buy plane tickets to Anchorage, rent a vehicle and figure out all of the other logistics now that I wouldn’t have my own truck up there with me. I actually started a topic on Hunt-WA asking about how to get meat and antlers home and of course a bunch of members chimed in and gave me accurate advice (which I am glad that I followed).
So, after the flight, rental van and shipping increasing the cost of the trip (that I was in trouble with Mrs.Pathfinder for to begin with..), we loaded our carefully packed gear at the Walla Walla airport and flew to Anchorage on August 10th.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:45:14 AM
We landed in Anchorage just a little before midnight and caught a cab to the rental car company. We rented a huge creeper-van from A-1 Rental. He knocked a few bucks off for paying cash, and pulled all the back seats out so we could sleep and store gear in it. It killed me to know that we were paying $100 a day for a rental that was going to spend most of the week sitting on the airfield in Tok, but I couldn’t think of a way around it. We drove to Cabelas, rolled out the airpads and sleeping bags in the back and slept until morning.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:46:16 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:47:22 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:48:26 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:49:28 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 27, 2016, 07:50:00 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:50:41 AM
Post by: actionshooter on August 27, 2016, 07:51:40 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:51:59 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:53:12 AM
I say “airstrip”, like it was a thing. It was really an uneven patch of gravel on a saddle between two hills on a ridge, and honestly it took skill to land on it. I am retired from the Army (21 years) and spent the first half of my career as an Infantryman, Paratrooper and Ranger, so I can appreciate good flying when I see it. These guys can fly.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:54:24 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on August 27, 2016, 07:55:09 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:56:13 AM
PathfinderJR got tired of holding up the gravity fed system with his arms (no trees around), so he improvised.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:56:53 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:58:26 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 07:59:43 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:00:54 AM
To our shock and surprise, when we woke up at 5 am (full daylight), I put the spotter on the finger he had been on the night before, and there he was, bedded with the other bull in the open. The finger they occupied was fairly covered with spruce trees and tall brush (much less open than the rest of our surrounding territory). We quickly threw some oatmeal down our gullets and grabbed our gear to make a long, looping stalk.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:01:53 AM
Finally we crept up on the draw we had seen the bull feed into. Nothing. We stopped and started glassing and finally spotted a bull bedded down next to 3 large fir trees, but couldn’t tell if it was him, so we crawled closer. A clearer look proved that this was the other mature bull we had spotted with the big bull from camp. So we waited. And waited. And glassed. And waited.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:02:56 AM
Disappointed, we made our way back to camp. It was afternoon now, and activity had slowed down. We saw a few cows and smaller bulls on the hike back, but that was it. Made it back to the tent just in time to get out of a storm.
After the rain slowed down, we cooked up some mountain house and recharged for the evening. Shooting light where we were lasts until about 11pm, so there was still a lot of hunt left in the day. We climbed the ridge behind our camp and settled down to glass.
Around 4pm we spotted a good bull in the large bowl close to where we had filtered our water the day before. He fed out into the bowl, then seemed to settle down and stop moving. At a mile-plus he looked good, so we climbed down off the ridge to get a better look. After setting up again and looking him over, PathfinderJR decided this was the bull he wanted to take. He was in a very stalkable position, and didn’t appear to be in a hurry to go anywhere, so we began our stalk.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:04:22 AM
All this time I had his iphone out and was filming. I filmed him, I filmed the bull feeding, I filmed him again. He took aim, and fired.
An instant later, I caught movement to my left. A fox ran out of the brush right in front of me. As I swung the iphone over at it, a wolverine ran out right behind the fox!
I don’t know what the deal was with them. The fox didn’t appear to be alarmed or being chased. The wolverine wasn’t acting particularly aggressive. They just trotted out in front of us at less than 20 yards and stood there for a second.
I said something to the affect of “Oh my God! There’s a wolverine!” and PathfinderJR swung the rifle around and pointed it at them. “Can I shoot?” he asked.
Wolverine season doesn’t open until September 1st and we didn’t have a tag for one at any rate, so I told him no. The caribou wasn’t acting hit (actually, the first hit was a little far back in the ribs), so I said he better pay attention to his bull. He anchored him with two more shots behind the shoulder and the bull finally dropped. It was right at that point that I looked at the screen on the iphone. The timer read 00:00…
….I had not filmed a single ^%%$#ing thing the entire time. I had missed the stalk, the shot, the fox, the wolverine, and the kill shot. I feel like a *censored*, but PathfinderJR was so happy with his bull that he didn’t get upset at all. I fired myself as camera operator though. PathfinderJR doesn’t get to drive rental cars. I don’t get to film hunts. Period.
For those who haven’t hunted them (I never had), a caribou is about a 400 lb animal. Between the size of a big mule deer and an elk. Once we had taken pictures, we started cutting up the bull to haul the 1 1/2 miles back to camp.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:06:08 AM
The bull was down by 5pm. By 8 pm, PathfinderJR still wasn’t back yet. I knew something must have gone wrong. I put the backstraps and a hindquarter in my pack and started back towards camp. The 1 ½ mile trek back to camp was not a stroll. The bowl we killed his bull in was marshy and full of tussocks, some of them waist high. It was like picking through a maze, trying to keep traveling in generally the right direction, sometimes the brush was taller than your head. And all the while walking on thick, wet sponge. 50 minutes later I made it to the airstrip and dropped off my load. I heard a voice yell at me from down in a draw.
PathfinderJR had gotten turned around and walked into a completely different drainage. When he hit a river (realizing that he had not been near a river the whole time we had been there) he knew he was lost. So he picked out the highest point he could see and climbed it and from there spotted a jagged, sawtooth mountain that we could see from camp. That gave him sufficient bearing to get him back to the bowl. He had logged nearly 3 hours and an additional 6 miles on his little detour, and I have never seen him so relieved as when he walked up to the airstrip. It took us until midnight to finish hauling the rest of his bull back to camp. We collapsed into bed and slept in until 8am the next morning.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:08:27 AM
The weather was worse that day, so we alternated between working on the head, glassing from the tent, and trying to stay dry. In early afternoon the weather broke and we saw a Supercub fly over to check on some sheep hunters. He circled and landed (in the stiff crosswind he actually had to try three times before he was able to land) and picked up the meat (we were still working on the head, so he left that) to take back to the cooler at the airfield in Tok.
After the work was done, we made dinner and climbed the ridge again behind camp to do some glassing. We saw some scattered bulls, but nothing I wanted to hang a tag on yet.
The next day was rainy again. We replenished our water, hiked a little (I did see a good bull in the morning, but he was moving too fast and I couldn’t get in front of him) and glassed when the fog lifted. After dinner we set up on the ridge again and started glassing as animals started moving again around 5pm. Soon, we spotted a good bull down in the bottom of a canyon. He was feeding, and soon began working his way up a draw. He came to a point where if he went left, he would be in an un-stalkable position, but if he went right, would be in a perfect spot. He seemed to hang up here for about an hour. Meandering back and forth feeding and not committing. Finally, a small herd of cows with a small bull fed out above him, moving to the right. He joined up with them and we realized they were headed for a saddle where I would be able to get a shot.
Post by: h20hunter on August 27, 2016, 08:08:51 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:10:20 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:11:36 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:13:36 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:15:47 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:20:54 AM
PathfinderJR uncased his 7mm and got prone and for a while there it looked like we were going to get lucky. Unfortunately, when the wolf stopped (looking in our direction-probably at us exposed on the airstrip), I couldn’t get a reading with my rangefinder. I guessed that he was around 550 yards, but since I couldn’t get a reading, I was hoping he would come closer and I could get a correct range for the shot, so I had JR hold off. There was also a very stiff (over 15 mph) crosswind quartering from our rear that would have complicated the shot quite a bit, even if I would have had an exact range. The wolf dropped off the backside of the ridge, and we never saw him again. JR jumped up and took off after him, hoping to get another glimpse and a shot, but never got another look. When he got back, he guessed that the ridge that the wolf had been standing on was about 650 yards, so my guess would probably have been off by 100, and if I had let him shoot, we would have been way low. Still, it was pretty cool to see. And of course, it never occurred to me to try to get a picture until after he was gone. Again, I resign in disgrace as a cameraman.
At around 11:30 am 3 yellow Supercubs landed on our ridge and we started loading meat and antlers. On the hour-plus flight back to Tok we did spot a large bull moose from the air. Didn’t occur to me to get a picture of that either, even though I had a camera sitting in my lap the whole time…
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:22:05 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:22:50 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:23:28 AM
Post by: Jason on August 27, 2016, 08:33:25 AM
Post by: MADMAX on August 27, 2016, 08:44:20 AM
someday I hope to do that
Post by: Timberstalker on August 27, 2016, 08:57:14 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 10:13:29 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on August 27, 2016, 10:23:04 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 27, 2016, 10:54:13 AM
Post by: Bob33 on August 27, 2016, 11:08:22 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on August 27, 2016, 11:22:48 AM
That narrative and the photos are better than most I've ever read in hunting magazines.
For sure. I'd try to submit that to a couple and see if they like it. Might get some interest.
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on August 27, 2016, 11:26:00 AM
Post by: Branden on August 27, 2016, 11:34:25 AM
Regards, Branden
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 27, 2016, 11:46:19 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 11:58:40 AM
:tup:
Post by: Watimberghost on August 27, 2016, 12:06:27 PM
Post by: The100Road on August 27, 2016, 12:34:16 PM
Post by: cedarriver on August 27, 2016, 12:40:53 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on August 27, 2016, 01:04:34 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 27, 2016, 01:24:54 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 01:51:04 PM
Post by: jmscon on August 27, 2016, 03:07:36 PM
I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the whole thing cost? Shoot me a pm if you don't want to make it public.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 03:34:33 PM
What a great story and write up, thanks for sharing it! Congrats to the both of you!
I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the whole thing cost? Shoot me a pm if you don't want to make it public.
40 Mile Air: $2300 fly in plus $800 to fly the caribou out ($3,100 total, each hunter)
Rental Van: $900 for 9 days
Shipping meat and antlers (airline baggage fees) $325
Alaska Airlines Tickets to Anchoarge: $500 each
Sat phone rental (Surveyor's Exchange) $80
I think that about covers it...
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 27, 2016, 04:27:14 PM
Post by: wadu1 on August 27, 2016, 05:14:30 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 06:10:00 PM
Bad azz write up....my wife hates you cause I just told her what I was spending 4k on... :chuckle: thnx for sharing...
Yeah, I feel you brother. I've been sleeping on the couch since July... :chuckle:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 06:10:35 PM
Great story and write up, thanks for sharing it!
Semper Primus!
Post by: huntnphool on August 27, 2016, 06:29:34 PM
Post by: BGLEMIN on August 27, 2016, 06:56:26 PM
Post by: shanevg on August 27, 2016, 07:18:52 PM
Post by: JLS on August 27, 2016, 07:35:40 PM
Post by: pd on August 27, 2016, 08:12:41 PM
Post by: Dan-o on August 27, 2016, 08:12:59 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 27, 2016, 08:29:30 PM
Congratulations. It looks like you did a very good job in raising a fine young man.
Thanks. He's a great kid.
Post by: Widgeondeke on August 28, 2016, 06:33:05 AM
Congrats and awesome writing :tup:
Post by: meatwhack on August 28, 2016, 06:46:03 AM
Post by: TVHunts on August 28, 2016, 07:12:34 AM
Post by: DaleVR on August 28, 2016, 07:37:12 AM
Post by: saylean on August 28, 2016, 08:34:13 AM
Post by: quadrafire on August 28, 2016, 09:00:48 AM
My son just graduated and I feel like such a turd now as all I did was take him to a few COPA America games in Seattle.
Thanks for making me feel bad :bash:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 28, 2016, 11:40:43 AM
I want a slice of that steak :drool:Not gonna lie... that was some of the best tasting meat either of us have ever eaten. (nothing to do with the fact that we had been eating mountainhouse for 4 days straight I am sure). The powdered mountainhouse as a rub turned out way better than I thought it would... :tup:
Congrats and awesome writing :tup:
For those of you who haven't had caribou, in my opinion it tastes exactly like mule deer. Wife and kids all agree.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 28, 2016, 12:00:13 PM
Great story and pics pathfinder. Some dandy bulls and wonderful memories there. I know what you mean about trying to walk in that junk, feels like you have to hi step constantly. Thanks for posting, other than a hiccup here or there it looked like a perfect trip. Congratulations
Yes, other than a couple of hiccups it was a perfect trip. In our world "perfect" means lots of sweat and hard work, challenges to overcome, early mornings and late nights and plenty of unexpected surprises. Aint hunters weird...? :chuckle:
Luckily, we didn't have to spend a lot of time hiking tussocks (spongy grassland). 40 Mile Air dropped us off on a rocky ridge and we were able to spend much of the time walking ridgelines. The country looked more like what you would expect for sheep hunting than for caribou. In fact, we did see 4 dall sheep (too far distant for pictures though).
From what I could tell, we were in a saddle that was the choke point for caribou moving from one river drainage to another, and I think that's why we got so much action while we were there. I would guess we saw over 100 caribou a day, including about 20 bulls. All scattered in groups of 2 or 3 to as many as a dozen. No big herds. We were told this when we were dropped off, that they are still scattered in mid August. I did notice that when we were flown in and out of our area, that we didn't spot many caribou anymore just a few minutes out from our ridge, that's what leads me to believe that we were in a choke point.
We did see the guys from California back at the airfield. All 3 tagged out with their bows too, and I know they were in a different area (one with more cover for close stalks). That is what you pay the carrier for. They know where to put you, and they've been doing it for over 50 years with a very good reputation.
You can see the terrain from the pictures. In the pic of me with the bull on my back, I killed him in the saddle that the bill of my hat is pointing towards. Like I said, looked and felt more like sheep country than caribou country.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 28, 2016, 08:29:17 PM
Looks awesome!!! Definitely hoping to do something like this in next couple of years. Congrats on some great caribou!!
If you decide to go with 40 Mile Air keep in mind that they book up FAST. You can't call to book until December 15th at 8:00am. I was teaching a class at 8:00 am and couldn't call until 8:25. By that time they were nearly booked up. It was pure luck for me that the date I needed (August 12th) was available. Returning customers (regulars) get to book on December 1st, so a lot of the slots are filled up on the first.
Post by: bowhunterforever on August 28, 2016, 08:44:00 PM
Post by: bearpaw on August 28, 2016, 09:28:19 PM
Post by: 7mmstalker on August 28, 2016, 09:48:23 PM
You guys did it right, other than the necessity of the rental car, it doesn't get any better!
Very cool solution for shipping your antlers back, adapt and overcome, right?
My teenager and I flew out for a moose hunt last year and didn't score like you two did, very good planning and execution.
Congrats on a great graduation gift for the kiddo, having a son to hunt with truly is a gift to be cherished.
:tup:
Post by: denali on August 28, 2016, 11:04:22 PM
Post by: mfswallace on August 28, 2016, 11:05:35 PM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on August 29, 2016, 10:24:51 AM
IMO, you were both very lucky to have the companions you did.
Post by: RatRodMike on August 29, 2016, 11:07:47 AM
Great write-up by the way.
Post by: full choke on August 29, 2016, 04:42:50 PM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on August 29, 2016, 08:30:39 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on August 30, 2016, 06:38:43 AM
Post by: Special T on August 30, 2016, 07:29:53 AM
Post by: TrailTreker85 on August 30, 2016, 07:54:12 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on August 30, 2016, 08:01:57 AM
Thanks for posting with such detail.
Congrats to you and your son.
Post by: jackelope on August 30, 2016, 08:17:15 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 30, 2016, 09:13:08 AM
What kind of plane is the top photo taken out of? The look like metal wings, I thought Super Cubs were fabric. The bottom look like Super Cub cockpits
We took two different planes to get to our area. The first 60 minutes we did in a Cessna 206 (the white airplane) that seated 4 of us (3+ the pilot and our gear). That flight landed on a semi-improved airstrip on the 40 Mile River. There we unloaded gear and waited for the Supercubs (the yellow planes) to show up and ferry us, one at a time to our hunting areas. The Cessnas were too large to land on the ridge that we were dropped on.
Post by: Timberstalker on August 30, 2016, 09:22:51 AM
The Cessnas were too large to land on the ridge that we were dropped on.
I've seen packs of gum bigger than what you described! :chuckle:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 30, 2016, 09:39:21 AM
The Cessnas were too large to land on the ridge that we were dropped on.
I've seen packs of gum bigger than what you described! :chuckle:
I have a video of PathfinderJR being brought in on the Supercub and landing on the ridge, but I can't get it from my phone to my computer. I'll try to remember to do it when I get home so I can post it.
I wish I had been filming when the pilot had to take 3 tries to land the day he picked up the meat from JR's caribou. He had to try 3 different angles before he could catch enough headwind to stop. Actually made contact with the ground the first two times and just bounced over the edge of the ridge and had to start flying again. When he finally landed, he wasn't even able to use the long axis of the airstrip/ridge, he landed diagonally. And we had a windflag set up.
Post by: 206 on August 30, 2016, 09:39:59 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 30, 2016, 10:20:11 AM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on August 30, 2016, 10:27:04 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on August 30, 2016, 11:39:33 AM
Post by: lokidog on August 30, 2016, 12:46:07 PM
Having done a trip similar to this years ago (23), and looking at your cost list, a person can save some bucks by driving. It looks like your fly-in cost was only double what ours was, surprising. Of course gas and food costs need to be figured in but the drive is part of the enjoyment if you have the time. We froze the meat in quarters and processed when we got home. We bought U-haul boxes and lined them with foam to use as coolers, still had to wait a few days to thaw enough to butcher after the two-day drive back from Anchorage. We also did a halibut trip and brought home a bunch of fish as well.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 30, 2016, 12:54:00 PM
Awesome write up!This is correct. We could have saved a LOT by driving, which is what we originally intended (until I found out that I had a blown head gasket).
Having done a trip similar to this years ago (23), and looking at your cost list, a person can save some bucks by driving. It looks like your fly-in cost was only double what ours was, surprising. Of course gas and food costs need to be figured in but the drive is part of the enjoyment if you have the time. We froze the meat in quarters and processed when we got home. We bought U-haul boxes and lined them with foam to use as coolers, still had to wait a few days to thaw enough to butcher after the two-day drive back from Anchorage. We also did a halibut trip and brought home a bunch of fish as well.
When I priced carriers, it seemed everyone was in the same price range (between $2,000 and $2,500 per person, plus an extra flight to get the meat out $800). Prices went up this year. When I first started pricing I figured I was going to pay about $2,100. When I called to book on 15 December I found that it was $2295.
Most of the companies that hunt the Brooks Range were in the same price range, but the drive up to Prudhoe Bay would have been a lot longer and costlier.
Post by: X-Force on August 30, 2016, 01:58:16 PM
Post by: MooseZ25 on August 30, 2016, 02:43:52 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 30, 2016, 03:01:00 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 30, 2016, 03:52:18 PM
Post by: lokidog on August 30, 2016, 10:28:10 PM
Awesome write up!This is correct. We could have saved a LOT by driving, which is what we originally intended (until I found out that I had a blown head gasket).
Having done a trip similar to this years ago (23), and looking at your cost list, a person can save some bucks by driving. It looks like your fly-in cost was only double what ours was, surprising. Of course gas and food costs need to be figured in but the drive is part of the enjoyment if you have the time. We froze the meat in quarters and processed when we got home. We bought U-haul boxes and lined them with foam to use as coolers, still had to wait a few days to thaw enough to butcher after the two-day drive back from Anchorage. We also did a halibut trip and brought home a bunch of fish as well.
When I priced carriers, it seemed everyone was in the same price range (between $2,000 and $2,500 per person, plus an extra flight to get the meat out $800). Prices went up this year. When I first started pricing I figured I was going to pay about $2,100. When I called to book on 15 December I found that it was $2295.
Most of the companies that hunt the Brooks Range were in the same price range, but the drive up to Prudhoe Bay would have been a lot longer and costlier.
Car issues definitely suck! Back in the day, hauling the meat out was just part of the fly in/out cost, kind of like charging for a suitcase these days I guess. Although, we flew in in a float plane so only one trip, maybe that is the difference in meat transport cost. This kind of hunt is something I've been wanting to do again with my wife since she can't take time off during the school year either. Unfortunately, she says she doesn't like caribou, though the only one she has tried was one from Newfoundland.
We lucked out, they had lost their velvet by the time of my hunt in early September.
Post by: csaaphill on August 31, 2016, 04:33:01 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 31, 2016, 08:49:38 AM
Awesome write up!This is correct. We could have saved a LOT by driving, which is what we originally intended (until I found out that I had a blown head gasket).
Having done a trip similar to this years ago (23), and looking at your cost list, a person can save some bucks by driving. It looks like your fly-in cost was only double what ours was, surprising. Of course gas and food costs need to be figured in but the drive is part of the enjoyment if you have the time. We froze the meat in quarters and processed when we got home. We bought U-haul boxes and lined them with foam to use as coolers, still had to wait a few days to thaw enough to butcher after the two-day drive back from Anchorage. We also did a halibut trip and brought home a bunch of fish as well.
When I priced carriers, it seemed everyone was in the same price range (between $2,000 and $2,500 per person, plus an extra flight to get the meat out $800). Prices went up this year. When I first started pricing I figured I was going to pay about $2,100. When I called to book on 15 December I found that it was $2295.
Most of the companies that hunt the Brooks Range were in the same price range, but the drive up to Prudhoe Bay would have been a lot longer and costlier.
Car issues definitely suck! Back in the day, hauling the meat out was just part of the fly in/out cost, kind of like charging for a suitcase these days I guess. Although, we flew in in a float plane so only one trip, maybe that is the difference in meat transport cost. This kind of hunt is something I've been wanting to do again with my wife since she can't take time off during the school year either. Unfortunately, she says she doesn't like caribou, though the only one she has tried was one from Newfoundland.
We lucked out, they had lost their velvet by the time of my hunt in early September.
A Supercub can't haul you, your gear, your rifle and the meat in one trip. Each downed caribou necessitates an extra trip, hence the extra cost. A Cessna 206 would have been big enough to haul everything, but they can't get those bigger planes into the hunting spots.
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on August 31, 2016, 09:18:37 AM
Post by: cbond3318 on August 31, 2016, 09:44:00 AM
Great work on raising an outstanding young man as well, hats off to you and Mrs. Pathfinder!
Post by: gunnarnewt on August 31, 2016, 10:36:02 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 31, 2016, 12:51:06 PM
Pathfinder, awesome stuff man! Thank you for sharing such an awesome life event with us. As a father to 2 young boys myself, you have planted a seed with me that will be hard to ignore! :tup:
Great work on raising an outstanding young man as well, hats off to you and Mrs. Pathfinder!
Two of the guys that were there hunting decided after talking to us that when their sons graduated they were going to do the same thing. One guy called up his 12 year old and told him while we were standing there.
Post by: Elkpiss on August 31, 2016, 01:51:57 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 31, 2016, 02:43:20 PM
Great read.. My dad took my brother and I on a moose hunt similar to that and I will tell you I will never forget that trip.. Im sure your boy wont either... That's why we do what we do as hunters!... :tup:
There was a group of 4 guys there the same time we were. A father in his late 70s and his 3 sons, all looked to be in their 40s. The Dad had drawn a Dall Sheep Tag for the Tok management area (less than 1% draw odds). The dad had taken all 3 of his boys on a fly in moose hunt when they were teens, and one of them (the oldest son) had shot a 78" moose that is in the B&C All-Time Book. Listened to them reminisce for about an hour. They were all there from different states, on their own dime and time helping Dad get his sheep. Might be Dad's last big hurrah.
That kind of thing puts a lump in your throat as a father.
Post by: Timberstalker on August 31, 2016, 03:13:47 PM
Great read.. My dad took my brother and I on a moose hunt similar to that and I will tell you I will never forget that trip.. Im sure your boy wont either... That's why we do what we do as hunters!... :tup:
There was a group of 4 guys there the same time we were. A father in his late 70s and his 3 sons, all looked to be in their 40s. The Dad had drawn a Dall Sheep Tag for the Tok management area (less than 1% draw odds). The dad had taken all 3 of his boys on a fly in moose hunt when they were teens, and one of them (the oldest son) had shot a 78" moose that is in the B&C All-Time Book. Listened to them reminisce for about an hour. They were all there from different states, on their own dime and time helping Dad get his sheep. Might be Dad's last big hurrah.
That kind of thing puts a lump in your throat as a father.
Just got some dust in my eyes.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on August 31, 2016, 07:02:00 PM
What a great story and write up, thanks for sharing it! Congrats to the both of you!
I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the whole thing cost? Shoot me a pm if you don't want to make it public.
40 Mile Air: $2300 fly in plus $800 to fly the caribou out ($3,100 total, each hunter)
Rental Van: $900 for 9 days
Shipping meat and antlers (airline baggage fees) $325
Alaska Airlines Tickets to Anchoarge: $500 each
Sat phone rental (Surveyor's Exchange) $80
I think that about covers it...
Oh, I forgot... and about $400 each for license and tag (funny how getting that credit card bill refreshes your memory.. :chuckle: )
Post by: Muleyslyr on August 31, 2016, 08:36:06 PM
Post by: csaaphill on August 31, 2016, 11:38:02 PM
Post by: Carl on September 01, 2016, 10:06:07 AM
I bet he will qualify as a "previous customer" when he takes his kids on the same hunt! :tup:
Carl
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 02, 2016, 11:48:58 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 03, 2016, 12:03:21 AM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on September 03, 2016, 03:38:17 PM
Post by: actionshooter on September 03, 2016, 05:17:30 PM
Thought it was kinda funny
Post by: BIGMIKE on September 07, 2016, 09:57:56 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on September 07, 2016, 10:08:04 PM
Post by: sumpnz on September 07, 2016, 11:22:46 PM
Hell, for $4k I might offer that up as a grad gift to the kiddos. Though that's 6 years out for the oldest.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2016, 10:19:25 AM
My buddy wants to do an AK trip for his 50th birthday. That's in 4 years. For $4k that should be easy enough to make happen. $50 a paycheck will more than cover that cost. Sent him a link to 40 Mile Air.
Hell, for $4k I might offer that up as a grad gift to the kiddos. Though that's 6 years out for the oldest.
That's what I did. PathfinderJR and I have been talking about doing a hunt like this since he was 10. It's been a good motivation for him throughout high school.
When I started planning it, I was figuring a cost of $2K for the flight in and $500 to fly the meat out. It just happened to go up this year ($2295 for the flight and $800 for the meat). My point is; expect a price increase every few years.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2016, 10:21:26 AM
Post by: lokidog on September 08, 2016, 10:24:43 AM
Post by: sumpnz on September 08, 2016, 02:09:15 PM
My buddy wants to do an AK trip for his 50th birthday. That's in 4 years. For $4k that should be easy enough to make happen. $50 a paycheck will more than cover that cost. Sent him a link to 40 Mile Air.
Hell, for $4k I might offer that up as a grad gift to the kiddos. Though that's 6 years out for the oldest.
That's what I did. PathfinderJR and I have been talking about doing a hunt like this since he was 10. It's been a good motivation for him throughout high school.
When I started planning it, I was figuring a cost of $2K for the flight in and $500 to fly the meat out. It just happened to go up this year ($2295 for the flight and $800 for the meat). My point is; expect a price increase every few years.
Sounds like there might be group wanting to go. 3-5 of us depending on availability. We'd probably also do a fishing trip out of Cordova or similar location. 2 of them are pilots so we'd get up to Tok via Cessna 195 and Beech Bonanza. Budget of $6-8k should cover all that.
Post by: LittleJohn on September 08, 2016, 02:45:04 PM
My son is 10 now. I told the wife years ago that I was planning something like this for a graduation trip.
Thanks for the motivation !!!!!
Thanks again :tup: :tup:
Good job dad
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2016, 05:00:54 PM
Find some willows and rake those puppies until they are shiny, should color them up naturally.... :chuckle: JK, sort of.
Sounds a bit like a "snipe hunt"... :rolleyes:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 08, 2016, 05:08:39 PM
A vert sincere Thank you for sharing this story. Freaking Awesome !!!
My son is 10 now. I told the wife years ago that I was planning something like this for a graduation trip.
Thanks for the motivation !!!!!
Thanks again :tup: :tup:
Good job dad
Thanks Littlejohn. It's good motivation to keep those grades up when he gets into that difficult junior year. As a high school teacher, I can tell you that for most kids their junior year is the hardest academically. If they are academic "meat eaters" that's the year they start taking Advanced Placement classes. PathfinderJR started doing Running Start his junior year (taking college classes in place of his high school classes so he can earn his AA at the same time as his high school diploma). College Stats kicked his butt.... :chuckle:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 12, 2016, 03:23:01 PM
They will be just antlers for a while until I can afford the taxidermy bill for head mounts....
Post by: RatRodMike on September 12, 2016, 04:47:23 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 13, 2016, 09:36:24 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on September 13, 2016, 09:51:23 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 13, 2016, 12:41:59 PM
You need a good barnwood plaque for those babies! The red felt Cabelas one just doesn't do them justice. If you ever make it to the Puget Sound area, I'll put one together for you.
Thanks man.
You are right, that Allen plaque is ridiculous. It comes with this mounting "system" that includes a pair of metal straps that you are supposed to strap the skull plate down to the board with. I would LOVE to see the adorable little Chinese deer that those straps would fit. :tung:
Post by: 7mmfan on September 13, 2016, 09:43:19 PM
You need a good barnwood plaque for those babies! The red felt Cabelas one just doesn't do them justice. If you ever make it to the Puget Sound area, I'll put one together for you.
Thanks man.
You are right, that Allen plaque is ridiculous. It comes with this mounting "system" that includes a pair of metal straps that you are supposed to strap the skull plate down to the board with. I would LOVE to see the adorable little Chinese deer that those straps would fit. :tung:
They really are a joke. I gave up on them a long time ago. Hated how small I had to cut the skull plate down to fit, etc...
Post by: Pathfinder101 on September 14, 2016, 12:10:57 PM
You need a good barnwood plaque for those babies! The red felt Cabelas one just doesn't do them justice. If you ever make it to the Puget Sound area, I'll put one together for you.
Thanks man.
You are right, that Allen plaque is ridiculous. It comes with this mounting "system" that includes a pair of metal straps that you are supposed to strap the skull plate down to the board with. I would LOVE to see the adorable little Chinese deer that those straps would fit. :tung:
They really are a joke. I gave up on them a long time ago. Hated how small I had to cut the skull plate down to fit, etc...
I think they are designed for yearling Jackalopes... :P
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 06, 2017, 06:05:01 AM
t=39s
I have also (as several of you suggested) written a version and submitted it to a magazine. Much shorter version than is printed here though ;)
Don't know if it will get printed or not, but I'll keep y'all updated when I hear something.
Post by: Woodchuck on January 06, 2017, 06:51:09 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on January 06, 2017, 03:34:01 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on January 06, 2017, 04:41:31 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 07, 2017, 06:37:43 PM
Very cool, looks like it was an awesome time. That was a mix of Go Pro's and IPhone filming right?
Yes, lots of gopro. PathfinderJR's iphone is a lot better than mine, so if the quality is any good, it's probably his phone... :chuckle:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on April 24, 2017, 11:48:38 AM
Post by: Bob33 on April 24, 2017, 12:08:18 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on April 24, 2017, 12:08:30 PM
Post by: Skillet on April 24, 2017, 12:20:57 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on April 24, 2017, 12:26:15 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on April 24, 2017, 12:47:01 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on April 24, 2017, 12:51:49 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on April 24, 2017, 03:19:51 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on April 24, 2017, 06:38:57 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on April 25, 2017, 04:33:19 PM
Post by: Muleyslyr on April 25, 2017, 06:27:29 PM
Post by: Machias on April 27, 2017, 02:50:55 PM
Post by: BIGMIKE on May 13, 2017, 06:34:48 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 31, 2017, 10:06:36 AM
Post by: go4steelhd on May 31, 2017, 07:32:32 PM
Thanks for sharing :tup: