Uncharted Alaska: Solo. Updated 1-18

[jcar315]

Well done Sir!

Congratulations all around. Thank you for sharing.

[hybridbow hunter]

Fantastic!

[Walt Francis]

Jeff,
I am fairly sure Kevin, Bryan, and Monte, all have the pilot booked until they are too old to hunt.  While talking to Monte on the air strip on the way out he said he is 68 and will be back next year.  I am booked with the same pilot for the next two years and have the option to keep extending as I want.  The pilot is in high demand, I let my place lapse after my hunt in 2012 and it took 2 ½ years to get Hunters and my hunt this year.

[Kevin Dill]

Walt is right. Getting into good moose areas is every bit as hard as finding some place to reliably hunt giant whitetails or elk with no competition. These moose see few or no humans in a year and they act like normal moose...not that there was ever a 'normal' moose in that sense. Once you get into a spot you either keep going back or it's one-and-done. I left my previous spot (Bryan and I hunted there) and had no option for moose in 2015. I 'settled' for caribou. I was extremely fortunate that my pilot decided to find me a new area and go to the trouble of opening a new airstrip there. Trust me...that just doesn't happen in your lifetime. That's a big part of what made my solo hunt and success very special. I'm still pinching myself.

[wingnut]

Yep once you find the "spot" you lock it up for a generation.  John and I had the same thing this year.  Pilot opened a new spot for moose that had never been hunted.  We are going back for many years to come.

Mike

[Whip]

Originally posted by Kevin Dill:
JT and others...you know better than to gulp the good stuff. Sip and savor....

I am just back from a hunt myself and this is the first hunt report I am reading and the one I have been most anticipating.  

I just turned to page 2, and see I have 16 pages yet to read.  I know it should be sipped, but I can't help myself - I'm going to gulp this one down as fast as I can!!

[Whip]

You know you have read a well told story when you can feel chills run down your spine and tears of joy fill your eyes as you finish.  This one  brought those feeling and more for me.  

Last week during my own moose hunt I was telling my partner about what you were up to this year.  I am forwarding this to him so he can see how it all turned out.
 
Congratulations my friend!  Not just on a fine bull, but on the detailed planning, facing the challenges, and conquering fears, physical and mental hurdles every step of the way.  Well done!  I am just so darn proud and happy for you!

[Kevin Dill]

Thanks a bunch Joe! I know there was some luck in there and I'm okay with that. I think I might need to shorten my draw length and arrows for those close-in shots....don't you?

And I am happy tonight. Nearly 400 pounds of superb moose meat is waiting at the airport for me.

[deerfly]

epic adventure, excellent photos, all brought back to life through your words. That is what its all about. Enormous achievment and life experience. Congrats are an understatement.

[collofthewild]

Wow....... truly a fantastic adventure and narration. A sincere congratulations, Kevin.

[Horne Shooter]

Kevin.  Beautifully written story.  Excellent photos.  Great skill shown in the field.  You have much to be proud of.  Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

[ozy clint]

Originally posted by Kevin Dill:
I hope some of you are motivated by this story and kickstart your own Alaska dream-come-true.

DIY Alaska would be a dream come true for sure. Though as a non resident alien it's never going to happen for me unfortunately. People like me see this story and dream while living the experience through wonderful threads like this. Thank you.

Everyone has their own unique opportunities, grab them while you can, I have.

[stujay]

Have spent the last 3 months moving to northern Idaho and finally got my computer set up and back on line. Kevin's story was the second one I read and wow how I've missed Trad Gang. Kevin you made my day with your pictures and story, what an great experience. God bless you!

[Russ Clagett]

I'm not even sure what I want to say here..except thank you for writing that in such a way that it felt like I did it, and not you....

I totally agree that is likely the best hunting story I have ever read here.

[northener]

Originally posted by Russ Clagett:
I'm not even sure what I want to say here..except thank you for writing that in such a way that it felt like I did it, and not you....

I totally agree that is likely the best hunting story I have ever read here.

I can not say it any better than that.

[HARL]

Great Stuff !!

[KyRidgeRunner]

Wow!!!! What an experience!  I felt like I was there with you a few times.  A crazy busy work schedule has kept me away from tradgang for a while.  I had the opportunity to set down and read your whole experience at one time.  Well done sir!  Congrats on a huge accomplishment!

[Deno]

Great story Kevin.  You did a heck of a job all around.
Deno

[LJOHNS]

Simply outstanding!  I have dreamed of a hunt like this most of my life.  Thanks for sharing!

[speedbump]

Wow...awesome thanks for sharing...now I wanna go!