Caribou and Moose in Alaska

[Nakohe]

Well I have been checking prices and all and I am fixing to book a combo hunt for 2009. That way I have plenty of time to save up and pay for it. I am sure looking forward to it even now. It has been a dream of mine to hunt moose with stick and string and I have hunted caribou last year in Quebec. Even though we missed th migration, still had a great time.

I was gonna try and go back to Quebec this year, but it did not pan out. I figure if I do not do it now I will never get to. I am hoping my brother Danny can swing it to. That would really be cool.

Any advice from anyone that has been on one of theese hunts would be appreciated.

Donnie

[John/Alaska]

Where abouts in Alaska are you looking at?? Are you going guided or DIY?? Looking at drop or float??

Combo hunts can be tough due to the differences in the two animals but are doable. I'd concentrate on one critter (moose) with the second (caribou) as a bonus. That way if the caribou act like caribou you atleast have a good chance at a moose.

[Izzy]

I hate to crash your party Donnie, but if you are doing a DIY hunt and would be interested in having a tag along or two keep me posted please.
                           Izzy

[alaskabowhunter]

you want to check on the laws for non-resident DIY hunts in Alaska, some species require a licensed guide. If you have immediate family up here, they are allowed to guide you for some species as well. Sorry I don't know the exact  specifics off the top of my head. There are different equipment requirements (i.e. legal broadheads) for different species as well. Try the Alaska Fish and Game website.  Good luck.

[Mike Bolin]

I just pm'ed you a couple of links that you might find helpful! Mike

[snag]

That is one of the dream hunts for me too Don. Which bow are you taking...what am I asking, that's still a year away! lol
A friend of mine lived on the Kenai for 18yrs. He had a good friend that was a game warden. I will do some asking maybe I can come up with some valuable info.
That is the way I am starting to think too. Do it now while I can. Must be that mid-life thing.

[John/Alaska]

alaskabowhunter - In a Alaska a guide is not required for a non resident hunter for moose, caribou or black bear as well as several other species. But a guide is required for nonresidents to hunt grizz/brown bear, sheep & goat.

Bow poundage - a minimum of 40# for caribou and black bear & 50# for moose

[Adirondackman]

Herkimerhunter sent PM

[Toklat1]

Do your homework and then some more before you go.  Much of the prime areas are permit only. There are good areas to go but you will have to be flown in or do a float trip.  Your best bet is to know someone who lives there and schedule a trip with them. DIY can be done but like I said, find out as much info as you can before hand.  The weather/terrain can be brutal so insure you have very good equipment that can take the extremes.  I lived and hunted there for 7 years.  Awesome place!

[knife river]

A couple years ago I went with two great guys on a drop-camp hunt for caribou out of Kotzebue (NW AK above the Arctic Circle).  We were in the Squirrel River area.  Saw decent numbers of caribou even though the migration was a bit late.  There were moose in and around our camp -- one was way over 60".  The pilot who picked us up (experienced guide and probably a good judge) said one bull was easily 70" with wide palms and lots of tines...   I'd go back in a heartbeat for moose or caribou, or better yet, both.    

[AkDan]

well there is a new book on the market that might be worth reading to you soon to be's or dreams of Alaska.  

Book is by Mike Strahan, Title is....Float hunting ALaskas wild rivers.

The name should ring a bell as it's very close to one of Jays books.  Mike also has some old pics I've never seen of Jay in there.   The two were friends and it sounded like after talking to Mike about Jay in particular he may have done someguiding for him.

Either way there is a ton of info in it.  Good stuff as a pre planner!

So much "stuff" you should, could or just need to know.  Kinda hard to say anything without any more information.

[Nakohe]

I am planning on a guided hunt right now as I know nothing of where to hunt or the lay of the land. It may be a bit more expensive, but probably more rewarding for my first hunt there.

Donnie

[Nakohe]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Snag you can bet the new Blacktail will be going and probably my Shawnee.

Woody, I am going to contact you about something. I will pm you.

Herkimerhunter, sorry no DIY this time, but I am sure I will be going back.

[alaskabowhunter]

John, I am a resident, so I didn't know the specifics for non-resident hunters off the cuff, as I said. Considering the way Fish and Game changes regulations almost daily in AK, I don't quote specifics anymore. Just trying to help someone else.Thanks.

[John/Alaska]

alaskabowhunter - I hear ya! Try the regs for a Fed hunt. They deal in basically zip codes for qualification and for bow hunting in cast and minimum arrow weight!

[Nakohe]

up

[varmint]

There's some great videos that another member recommended awhile back,can't remember who.But the videos are mainly of DIY hunts.......I have the Moose and the caribou series.Alot of info and not just shoot em up videos,these are of the entire hunts and alot of the issues you would likely encounter....

 http://www.bowhuntingvideos.net/

[AkDan]

guided......I'd try Denali hunts for moose.

Stan is a bow only guide in some of the better moose country of the state.

Deltana for sheep and caribou.  These guys and sheep just get it done.   They do very very very well.   I've met both owners and a couple guides, very nice people.  Have considered guiding for them at one point.  Dont like the thought of not being able to sheep hunt though is my reason for not doing it.