Group of 3 hunters starting long-range planning for a DIY drop camp moose hunt in AK, likely 3-5 years out depending on how far air taxis/transporters are booked. Just got back from a DIY caribou float hunt and want to start laying groundwork for moose while it's fresh.
Not fishing for specific outfitter/pilot names as I know good contacts are hard-earned and guys don't want to blast that on a public forum. More interested in the process and resources so we can do our own homework:
Not fishing for specific outfitter/pilot names as I know good contacts are hard-earned and guys don't want to blast that on a public forum. More interested in the process and resources so we can do our own homework:
- Best resources for researching air taxi operators vs. transporters (directories, associations, ADF&G lists, etc.) and understanding the practical differences between the two for a drop camp setup
- How far out do people typically need to book for a decent air taxi slot, and does that vary much by region/unit?
- General guidance or opinions on moose population/density trends across GMUs — where to find harvest data, ADF&G reports, or other public data to help narrow down units worth targeting
- Any planning pitfalls specific to moose vs. other DIY AK hunts (meat care/pack-out logistics seem like the big one, but curious what else catches people off guard)
