I have been moose hunting in the Yukon and have a few observations.
1. It is a beautiful place to hunt, but August is well before the rut and you would be very unlikely to get a moose that would be close enough for a shot.
2. The accommodations in most of the Yukon hunting camps are fairly spartan and may not be what MY wife would prefer for an anniversary trip, even though she is a hunter too.
3. The hunting conditions can be very challenging with the rivers, lakes, mountains, rocks, willows, bogs, etc. I tore the medial meniscus in my knee on willows while riding horses on a moose hunt in the Yukon last year, and it cost me more than the hunt for the subsequent surgery. Besides, my knee will never be what it was before the hunt.
4. There is not much game on an area basis in the Yukon, so animal sightings are not usually very frequent. You will spend lots of time working hard for each animal you see.
5. You should probably forget about bringing home the meat. It is generally either not allowed or too much trouble and expense to be worthwhile.
6. The travel time to get to and from the Yukon actually took longer than traveling to and from the outbacks of Africa or Australia.
7. Good luck finding any wolves or wolverines to shoot. I never saw any up there. I could have shot a grizzly bear, but we were far away from camp on the horses and would have needed to pack the bear back before we could go again to look for moose, which would have meant I would not have enough time to hunt a moose.
8. On a per animal basis, an outfitted and guided moose hunt in the Yukon is about the most expensive hunt you will ever go on -- at least that has been the experience of the people I know who went -- and most of them failed to get any animal whatsoever.
I think Mike Westvang has a good idea. He has hunted moose too, and he accurately suggests that an African safari is the better way to go for the adventure you are seeking. Here are my reasons:
1. The game density is excellent.
2. There are many species of game and non-game animals.
3. The living conditions are outstanding, and you will be very comfortable in your accommodations and eat great food.
4. Every day is an exciting adventure where you always have the potential for getting a shot at another animal and seeing others that you may never have imagined to exist.
5. The cost on a per animal basis will be one of the least expensive outfitted and guided hunts you could ever do, and the total cost will be as low or lower than the moose hunt.
6. You will be practically assured of shooting multiple animals.
7. The travel will be relatively easy and comfortable, whether by vehicle or on foot after exiting the vehicle.
8. You will have experienced professional hunters and trackers who are absolutely amazing to see in action and who will take care of you and your kills.
9. You will have an experience of a lifetime that is like no other any place in the world, and it is disappearing at an alarming rate because of population growth and the political environment in most countries in the African continent.
The Yukon is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and a moose hunt there is a wonderful experience if it is on your "must do" list. But an African safari is an incomparable hunting experience if you have never been, and it also is not nearly as physically challenging as the Yukon and generally much more fun for those of us who are near the half century mark, as your anniversary count would suggest.
Besides the Yukon and Africa, have you considered Australia as a hunting destination? I really enjoyed my time there for a fraction of the cost of a moose hunt. I am glad I went on a Yukon moose hunt, but I have some doubts as to whether I will be eager to go again. I have been to Africa 6 times and to Australia once and can hardly wait to go back to both places! Moose are VERY difficult to get close enough to shoot with a traditional archery setup, although it definitely can be done under nearly perfect conditions. The rut is one of those conditions, and it does not start in the Yukon until nearly the middle of September. August is definitely NOT the month to go. I guess that would save you $8,000 when you didn't get any moose, if you consider paying less and coming home with nothing a good outcome!
I am not trying to discourage you, just being realistic. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a wonderful time on your 25th!
Allan
Topic: Yukon Moose Hunt (Read 517 times)
