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Ok guys, I am getting ready for my first Alaska hunt. My brother and I will be hunting the North Slope on a caribou drop hunt August 12-22. My question is for those who have been there and done that. Honestly, how bad are the bugs during this time. I have heard horror stories and want some honest answers. Figured I would come to the place where people have treated me good in the past. Any insight would help.
Posts: 37 | From: Idaho | Registered: Dec 2010
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A friend and I shot a moose near Denali. We packed it out in three trips each. We did not plan on the little black flies and their aggressive demeanor of getting blood from you. I guess the blood from gutting the moose attracted even more. We were dotted with bite marks for months afterwards.
However bad you hear it is, prepare for worse. We were not on the north slope but several hundred miles to the south. Roughly half way between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The tundra is beautiful but unforgiving.
Wear long sleeves no matter how hot you may get from walking. We rolled up our sleeves for the gutting and that's where we were the most eaten up.
-------------------- "You can learn more about deer hunting with a bow and arrow in a week, than a gun hunter might learn all his life." ----- Fred Bear Posts: 3865 | From: Zoo City, NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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Bud B,do you think a couple Therma Cells would have helped at the carcass site?
Posts: 3026 | From: Montana | Registered: Aug 2008
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I have heard the same horror stories that's why I'm going the later part of sept. hey man get you some bug gear and have fun. I talked with a guy who went to Alaska a few years back and he was there for a month the 1st 15 days it rained buckets non stop he said he felt like he was in jail sitting in that tent and couldn't hunt. The only time he got out of the tent for 15 days was to take a ...... U know. And trying to wipe your back end in the pouring down rain is impossible! The weather cleared up and he filled his tag! Man try not to think about the bad stuff but prepare for them! Have fun bring some bug gear! A good head net and go kill a big one
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I didn't get to hunt, but the wife and I spent 65 days camping in Alaska last summer. We were prepared for hordes of mosquitos, but we only saw really bad bugs a couple of times. Since it poured rain for most of our trip, we guessed that all the bugs drowned. We only got as far north as Fairbanks, so the north slope might be a different story, but our worst bugs were in Denali, and for a couple of days there it was headnets, long sleeves, and Therma Cell, which made it somewhat bearable. We saw frost in central Alaska in late July and early August, so by the time you are going, the bugs may be down. An Alaska hunt is most definitely on my bucket list; you will see some awesome country. Be prepared that hiking the muskeg and alder country is grueling, even on fairly flat ground. If you are successful in getting a caribou, know that it will probably be hard earned. Alaska is truly the Great Land; enjoy it in all its' glory.
-------------------- People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf Posts: 2534 | From: WY - East face of the Bighorns | Registered: Oct 2007
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If you are going to be hunting on the north slope of the Brooks Range the answer depends partially on what elevation you will be hunting and where along the range. The range runs almost 700 miles east-west and is anywhere from sea level to over 6300'. Will you be flying out of Kaktovik/Barter Island or Prudhoe or?? If flying out of Arctic Village or FBKS you'll probably be hunting on the south slope of the Brooks and the bugs will be different.
In mid August in the higher elevations you can have blizzards. In mid August along the river bottoms you can have mosquitos so bad you literally cannot believe it.
I have hunted the north slope, the south slope, and anywhere else in Alaska you can name since 1975. I worked on the North Slope for many years (oil fields). The two worst bug/gnat/white sock/mosquito experiences I have ever had were on the Alaska Peninsula during a lull in the wind (rare but it does occur) and along the Sagavanirktok River (north slope) in mid-August. The mosquitos along the Sag were THE WORST I have ever seen anywhere at any time. 100% coverage including a head net is absolutely necessary if caught in a situation like that. Otherwise you'd be tempted to kill yourself. It can be that bad. A headnet weighs practically nothing and is a must.
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I never go North without a headnet, biteproof gloves and duct tape to tape my pants and shirt cuffs. Put the deet on your clothes not your skin and cover your precious skin with clothes.
I talked to an "old feller" who has worked all over the world in the outdoors and I asked "what's the worst place in the world for bugs" and he said Northern Canada without a doubt. I'd think alaska must be equally as bad. I always bring a spare headnet when I go hunting with buddies and you'd be surprised how much beer you can trade one for!
Posts: 821 | From: canada | Registered: May 2007
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quote:Originally posted by JimB: Bud B,do you think a couple Therma Cells would have helped at the carcass site?
That was 1986...not sure if Thermacells were around then. But I do not think it would have helped, but I can't be positive on that. They were terrible, flying around and landing in our eyes, flying into our mouths, crawling into our ears, IT WAS BAD!
Not sure what those little flies are really called, but they are persistent little devils.
-------------------- "You can learn more about deer hunting with a bow and arrow in a week, than a gun hunter might learn all his life." ----- Fred Bear Posts: 3865 | From: Zoo City, NC | Registered: Aug 2010
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I have a bit of experience with being on the North slope in Alaska, having lived in AK from 1979 to 2000. Be prepared for the worst. I would recommend some nets among other things. Remember, the bugs literally drive caribou crazy up there. You may have seen videos of how they run and take to water, like they are out of their mind, to get away from bugs.
I don't remember ever feeling hopeless against the bugs, or even overwhelmed... but good bug dope is a life-saver, and headnets really help to keep from breathing them in, getting them in your ears, etc.
-------------------- "The problem with quotes and other information obtained on the internet is that it is difficult to determine whether that information is genuine." - Abraham Lincoln
66" Black Widow PLX 48# @ 31" 64" Black Widow PMA3 49# & 69# @ 31" Posts: 1075 | From: Illinois | Registered: Oct 2007
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Calgarychef and Archie have it down, combine their advice and you'll be fine. I've hunted there many times over the years but only went once early in Aug. the bugs were so bad I never went back again until the last week of Aug. 1st. week of Sept. when the bugs are nearly all gone. Good Hunting Ben
Posts: 82 | From: Alaska | Registered: Nov 2010
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Butchering animals for packing out is always a bug magnet up here. The only thing additional that I would add from my personal experience is to take two headnets per person. Buddy lost his in the field last year and kinda went nuts on me...I ended up doing extra trips for his lack of having a headnet. Cheap and weigh nothing.
~CB
-------------------- "We are all born ignorant, but one must work very hard to remain stupid."
--Ben Franklin Posts: 558 | From: Alaska | Registered: Feb 2011
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You are getting all good advice here. I also take two headnets everywhere I go. A thermacell is a good idea and WILL have a positive effect (within reason.
Posts: 197 | From: Fairbanks Alaska | Registered: Nov 2008
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I have never hunted Alaska. However, I've dealt with Black Flies in Ontario twice. They are DEMONS!
One year we had two teenagers with us. One of the teens insisted on neglecting his headnet from time to time when he left the camper. When we arrived home to Indiana from that trip the young man had to go to the emergency room because he had been bitten so much.
Make sure you show no bare skin and all seams are thoroughly taped; ankles, waist, neck, wrists, and of course the headnet must be complete. If you leave in a gap in your armor these beasties will find it and they'll get inside your clothes and bite, and bite, and bite.
I found the black flies bother you while it is daylight. As soon as the sun goes down (Ontario) the blackflies go somewhere (to ground, leaves?) and the mosquitoes take over. The mosquito won't find the seams but if the clothing is too thin or the headnet touches the face they will of course get you.
I wouldn't have any problem hunting in black fly country again I'd just be sure to cover up.
-------------------- If the mind wanders, so too will the arrow.
Member of various archery organizations. Posts: 3884 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Jan 2004
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I'll add that black flies/no-seeums are so small you almost can't see them but they have jaws like a pirannah and I react quite badly to the bites. They leave me looking like a piece of hamburger for weeks afterwards.
Posts: 821 | From: canada | Registered: May 2007
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