Caribou Hunting in Alaska or Canada?

[David Perrin]

Hello to all the Traditional Bow Hunters,  

Have you or a relative/friend went caribou hunting in Canada or Alaska?   If so, I would like any information, contacts, and/or wisdom you may have regarding the hunt.

My father-in-law and I are interested in bow hunting for large herding animals but do not want to go through the hassle of hunting in Africa or Asia.  This is why we would like to go caribou hunting.  We are looking to go in 2008 and understand that we need to plan for this trip about 1 yr a head of time.  

Any recomendations of outfitters to USE or NOT TO USE?

I can be reached by: phone at 231-755-1703 or cell 231-557-7336 and by e-mailing me at [email protected].

Any and all help is appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Dave Perrin

[Roger Moerke]

I went in 05 and had one the best experiences of hunting thus far. Me and a good friend went to Quebec we used Norpac Adventures and it all went very well.
There are lots of outfitters one well known is Jack Hume, I have never heard or read a negative thing about his outfit. No matter who you use you will be jumping off at Shefferville. Just do some home work and it will happen. All the best!

[Ray Hammond]

Roger, actually, that's not exactly right...I mean, the part about Schefferville. Some outfitters operate in the NorthWest Territories, some out of Radisson, and some in Newfoundland.

You are right about the time of your life, though, that's for sure!

Chuck Pearson and I have sent you some stuff to read through, Dave.

[Kevin Bahr]

Ray, some Quebec outfits operate out of Kuujuuaq (sp?)also called Fort Chimo as well.  I went out of there once.  Would not go back, nuff said.
Alaska is far and away the best place to go.
'Course I'm leaving for Newfoundland in 8 days...but for meese.

[Ray Hammond]

and you can also hunt in Manitoba as well...the jumping off point for that? I don't know. But I probably know someone in that place, whatever it is. Just ask Rick McGowan.

[Horne Shooter]

I've been twice with Norpac as well and had good luck both times.  
 http://www.bowhunts.com/free_stuff/clips.html
This is an old clip of my hunt (Paul Liberato) but you might get a kick out of it.

[Bushman]

I was on a trip with Safari Nordik in August/September. They operate from Kuujjuaq. Very well organized I would say. There wasnt too much caribou and in the end we learned that moving to another camp wasnt as easy as the ads says. Anyhow we had enough animals that the rifle hunters all tagged out in a day or two. We bowhunters had to work harder, but all got their animals. 3 of us took 6 caribou, 1 black bear and 15 ptarmigan.
I think finding the big herds is a lottery no matter who you go with - the bou roam a huge territory.

[Dirty Bill]

If I never go to quebec again it will be too soon. Alaska is a trip of a lifetime.  

[AkDan]

are you looking for guides or outfitters?  Have you thought of doing it yourself and booking a charter drop?  Not sure what you have for gear or experience, wants needs or desires......

[David Perrin]

I thank all of  you for your info, feedback, and advice.  Due to financial difficulties I will not be able to go on a caribou hunting trip  :(   I will keep all of the info I have learned in mine when and if I plan another hunting trip.

Dave Perrin

[Dirty Bill]

You can use an air service to drop you off somewhere in alaska to hunt.I think there are 3 main herds in alaska.One of them is the mulchatna herd.You fly out of Kenai for them,if i remember right. Start planning and saving for it. Better yet,get a loan,and do it while you are still able.it's only money.  

[AkDan]

There are 26 herds in Alaska give or take a few  

[Dirty Bill]

Originally posted by AkDan:
There are 26 herds in Alaska give or take a few    

Ok,I believe that. But are they off shoots of the main herds,or 26 big herds? And should I come up and shoot another one? it's been a great long while since I've hunted on a large trip..  

[Mohawkbows]

AKDan,

Do you have a recommendation for a moose drop hunt? Have you ever heard of "Papa bear adventures". Any help or advise would be appreciated.
Thanks Vince

[Steve H.]

Of those 2-dozen herds they range in size from a hundred or so individuals to close to 1,000,000 in the Western Arctic Herd.

[sparrow]

Papa bear adventures and Ptarmigan Air are first rate.( different parts of same outfit) I would recommend them for caribou or moose. We used Ptarmigan Air to drop us in for diy caribou and have sent others thru them as well. Top notch. Tell them the guys from North Dakota sent you. David, a do it yourself (diy) caribou hunt in Alaska is MUCH cheaper than Canada and a longer hunt if you choose too. We (four of us) went for ten days in 2002 all our own gear door to door round trip for about $2200 each. We even shot a bull apiece. It was a fantastic adventure.Dirty Bill is right borrow if you have to. Call Ptarmigan and see if they have openings. You won't regret it. Any questions call me at 701 232 7772. Paul

[acolobowhunter]

I went to BC Canada twice.  I was hunting in the northern border ( Atlin ) right on the Yukon border.  They have the mountain caribou there.  The herds do not migrate, so it is like hunting elk.  Don't have to worry about hitting the migration time.  Lots of animals.  We hunted off of horse back for 10 days with Indian Rivers Outfitters.  They have a LOT of area and about 10-12 camps through out their area.  You will be flown into the nearest lake via float plane.  Some camps have more moose, some more caribou - depends what you want to hunt.  The owner is Jamie Schumaker out of Atlin.  You can find them online via their website.  Try Indian River Guides and Outfitters, or something similar.  I got a "book" caribou the first trip, also got a grizzly.  The second trip I got a moose.

[shootssmallbulls]

In alaska you can go caribou hunting on the haul road up by prudhoe. you do not need a guide.but it is a long drive. Contact alaska fish and game for further info.

[shootssmallbulls]

oh and i think there was an article on the haul road in traditional bowhunter last year i think

[One eye]

David, I too am from Muskegon.  Small world isn't it?

My hunting partner and I are working on a caribou trip for 2009.  After researching Canada, we have found that the prices have escalated so far now that we can go to Alaska for the same or less money.  My dream is Alaska anyway, so that is where we are headed in 2009.  We haven't decided yet if we are going guided or drop camp though.

Thanks to everyone for the information on this thread.
Dan