Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 15, 2011, 09:17:10 AM
While I am excited about my new prospective career, I also realize that this is going to limit my time off in the fall for big game hunting. Particularly my out of state opportunities.
So... I was looking at some options that I had not seriously considered before.
I was wondering who here knows anything about caribou hunting in Alaska in August. As a retired Army guy, I can catch a free flight up to Elmendorf Air Force Base, so I would be starting in the Anchorage area. I would want to do the hunt DIY, and I would have to be done and home by the end of August.
Thanks for any advice.
Post by: benhuntin on January 15, 2011, 09:29:10 AM
we went completely blind and all got our caribou. We are going moose or caribou this year hopefully moose.
good luck I have to go but ill send some more info later
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 15, 2011, 09:35:49 AM
OK, if I understand correctly, you saw caribou from the highway, but you have to get 5 miles off the road before you can hunt them with a rifle? Archery only within 5 miles of the road?
Post by: gramps on January 15, 2011, 04:30:40 PM
Post by: upwind on January 15, 2011, 04:43:30 PM
Post by: bow-n-head on January 15, 2011, 05:00:31 PM
Post by: cohoho on January 16, 2011, 03:43:38 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 16, 2011, 07:54:27 PM
Post by: cohoho on January 16, 2011, 08:57:02 PM
Post by: Hangfire on January 17, 2011, 06:47:40 AM
I would go to the sportsman shows and contact one of the many outfitters that will do drop camp hunts. The animals are in big numbers when you find them but lots of country, and they can move many miles in one day. You can not hunt the same day you were flying. Be prepared to spend money, every thing very expensive. Watch out for bears.
August hunt gives animals with most still in velvet, Shedding gets going around 15th-20th. Very good eating at this time.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on January 17, 2011, 07:37:24 PM
What is a good bug spray? :chuckle:
Post by: cohoho on January 17, 2011, 09:38:07 PM
That is awesome advice Coho. I never thought of renting a Uhaul! Cheaper than renting a truck and you can camp in the back!
What is a good bug spray? :chuckle:
I honestly don't think they make a bug spray that works up there!!!!! :yike: But will admit the Therma Cell worked really well, had a swarm circling for my blood but the Therma Cell did it's job really well..
Post by: AKBowman on February 12, 2011, 06:44:44 PM
thanks guys. Don't know if I am able to go this year, but I think I will start planning a trip for 2012. Coho, this sounds like exactly the hunt I am looking for. I appreciate the advice.
I've got dropped off on the Ivashak then floated down the river and hunted along the way. IMO this is the way to do it. Advantages of this is you can be mobile which is necessary when hunting a migrating animal and its easy to move your base camp so you can be nice and comfy and eat good too! Caribou move a lot so you need to be able to move easily, raft allows you to accomplish this.
Good luck
Post by: Pathfinder101 on February 12, 2011, 07:11:00 PM
thanks guys. Don't know if I am able to go this year, but I think I will start planning a trip for 2012. Coho, this sounds like exactly the hunt I am looking for. I appreciate the advice.
I've got dropped off on the Ivashak then floated down the river and hunted along the way. IMO this is the way to do it. Advantages of this is you can be mobile which is necessary when hunting a migrating animal and its easy to move your base camp so you can be nice and comfy and eat good too! Caribou move a lot so you need to be able to move easily, raft allows you to accomplish this.
Good luck
Sounds great AK, but how do I get the boat, and how do I get "dropped off"?
Post by: upwind on February 12, 2011, 07:15:57 PM
Post by: AKBowman on February 13, 2011, 05:25:16 PM
thanks guys. Don't know if I am able to go this year, but I think I will start planning a trip for 2012. Coho, this sounds like exactly the hunt I am looking for. I appreciate the advice.
I've got dropped off on the Ivashak then floated down the river and hunted along the way. IMO this is the way to do it. Advantages of this is you can be mobile which is necessary when hunting a migrating animal and its easy to move your base camp so you can be nice and comfy and eat good too! Caribou move a lot so you need to be able to move easily, raft allows you to accomplish this.
Good luck
Sounds great AK, but how do I get the boat, and how do I get "dropped off"?
You canr ent a nice 4 man raft plus gear in Anchorage at a number of different places. U haul would work great to carry everything in on the way up there. rent a pickup in Anchorage so you can carry 10 gallons or so of gas and all your gear, there are places to purchase gas up there so its really not as big a deal as most people make it sound. You can fill up in Coldfoot before heading up over the pass and still have more than enough gas to get to the river and back. You'll have to do a little research to find the guy who will take you in and "drop you off" up river. Its a one way charge since you will float back down to your truck. Rough costs for a 7 day hunt would be:
$500 airfare to Anchorage
$400 Food
$700 NR caribou tag ($350 ea.I think that is what it is but need to double check)
$700 Raft rental
$600 Truck rental
$200 UHaul rental
$500 Airboat ride
$250 airlines charge to get trophy/meat back to Seattle
$500 Gas round trip from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay
There will be other costs as well but it is safe to say you could do a week long hunt up there for less than $6K. Remember it is 850 miles from Anchorage to Prudhoe ONE WAY so plan on spending 2 days driving each direction so four days driving to and from.
Post by: Pathfinder101 on February 25, 2011, 07:14:24 AM
Post by: engelwood on February 28, 2011, 10:20:25 PM