[Jaywalker]

I have a deal with my wife to skip our standard Winter vacation in early '04 and instead do a Fall '04 vacation to Alaska. We'll sight-see half time and hunt half time. (She'll be there, but I'll be the only shooter.)

What's a good time to go and a high-percentage guided hunt for such a short time, a two or three day hunt?

What will such a thing cost?

Jaywalker

[Biff]

Cost and success depend on location and species hunted. Moose, for example, have been in decline statewide over the last 8 years from 250,000 to a current population of about 175,000, with about 6,000 harvested by hunters last year. We had 8 years with a democrat governor who, in keeping with a liberal environmentalist agenda, would not allow the Department of Fish and Game to develop a sound predator control program. As a result, in many areas, moose have been supplanted by greatly increased bear and wolf populations. If you want to hunt moose, best bet will be by flying out to a remote area and planning to spend at least a week. Even with lower populations, a new world record moose was just taken this year in the Lake Iliamna area - 82 inch rack IIRC!

Easier hunts may be: Sitka deer on Kodiak
Black or grizzly bear in South Central
Sheep in South Central (lot of work)

In general, you may want to buget $4000-7000

Here are a few sites you may want to look at for more information:

http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/

http://www.alaskahuntingontheweb.com/

http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/hunting.htm

http://growmoremoose.com/


Hope this helps!

[Wildalaska]

Heres the deal....

Late August, early september caribou is the best and cheapest hunt for an outsider. You can run right out of Anchorage on a three-4 dayer with many guides and get yourself a nice trophy at a reasonable price.

By the way, in the spring, I can put together some brochure packets for you and anyone else interested in hunting or fishing Alaska for a nominal charge.

WildsteakonthehoofAlaska

[Biff]

Who do you book your hunts with? What's a 4 day flyout cost? (Resident, no guide)

[Wildalaska]

Hi Biff we have our own camp out in the Mulchatna area there and enough planes to haul our sorry butts out there....

WildmeatmanAlaska

[Jaywalker]

Thanks for the info.

Caribou does sound good. Trophy, edible, meat small enough to go back in the airliner's baggage hold. How do I get the rack back?

I've just been off chasing Virginia Whitetails, and have learned that I need to be in much, much better condition than I am now for a $4k - $7k hunt! I need to be either smarter or stronger. Stronger is evident, smarter means I wouldn't be hunting in mountains in the shape I was/am. This Alaska thing may give me the incentive that just "being healthier" has not.

Jaywalker

[Jaywalker]

Biff,

Thanks for the links! They do give me a flavor of what to expect.

I have lots of questions, but most of them will keep for awhile, but I am curious about transporting from the killsite to camp. There were several references to multiple backpacking trips, and I understand the need, but can't you use wheels? Is there a limitation on where you can take the little four-wheelers, or even the little manual deer carts we see down here?

Jaywalker

[Biff]

>>I have lots of questions, but most of them will keep for awhile, but I am curious about transporting from the killsite to camp. There were several references to multiple backpacking trips, and I understand the need, but can't you use wheels? Is there a limitation on where you can take the little four-wheelers, or even the little manual deer carts we see down here?<<

A lot of this would depend on the area you plan to hunt or the outfitter/guide you will be hunting with. Some remote lodges use horses. Some may have 4-wheelers available. If its just you and your guide in a Super Cub, you can plan on doing some walking. There are a few areas that limit motorized access, but these are usually state parks and refuges. Chrck out the hunting regs online. Those little deer carts would be great for caribou, provided you are on solid, dry ground. they would be next to useless on wet tundra. Alaska is BIG! Think about Texas and multiply it by 2.5 times. It has a large variety of terrain and climate, so one answer will not suffice for the whole state. If you are planning to hunt next fall, start checking out guides/lodges/outfitters NOW. They can answer questions about their specific areas. Don't go with the first one you contact. Check references! Wildalaska may be able to give you a few names of people he knows personally.

[Jaywalker]

Good idea - I'll keep in mind the need to reserve early. I did like the place that had cabins, with foot hunting locally to them.

Jaywalker

[Wildalaska]

Jay, in about 90% of the caribou ares its no motorized use...no 4 wheeelers etc..

One of those little carts will be useless in most caribou areas IMHO..

Get used to puttin it on your back. It sucks. Really. 60-80 pounds of bloody meat on your back, walking on tundra, bugs in your face. :barf:

Now me, altho I didnt shoot this year, I had 5 caribou 50 yards from me, and I was 100 yards from camp. Thats Alaska hunting :)

Now for moose its the "60" rule. Never shoot a moose farther than 60 yards from a boat, plane or motorized vehicle.:D

Ill post in a few months for guyts that want brochure packets, I will have some good info there....

WildtourguideAlaska

[Jaywalker]

WildAlaska,

The only moose rule I'd heard before was "Never shoot a moose in a pond."

Jaywalker