Dalton/Haul Rd Caribou...affordable & easy??

[cgasner1]

I am sure it is at their discretion depending upon capacity, might work might not.
If not you would want to follow @cgasner1 advice above and get established as a known shipper.

I was thinking today I need to renew that for reasons

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Definitely highly recommending the previous comment on bringing a physical compass. I got turned around for a couple miles while less than 1 mile from camp, hunting from the banks of the Echooka. Everything is flat, everything looks the same, OnX was flakey.

Same thing happened to us hunting off the Echooka last year. I had marked our camp on OnX and made some mental notes of prominent landmarks and the Brooks Range in the distance for navigation back to camp. Rain and fog rolled in and visibility dropped to maybe 200 yards. We were going in circles for a bit until I just started navigating west back towards the river.

 

[Montsota]

Unless you found something special, I believe you're greatly underestimating the rental vehicle cost. The number of companies allowing Dalton Highway usage are dwindling and they're charging a premium to do it.

Take bows too. It'd be a shame to death march through the corridor while passing caribou within a mile of the road.

I'm 95% sure we are locked in for a rental vehicle (that is legal to drive the dalton with) at that price. On the off 5% chance, we'll just buy a truck off marketplace and sell it for a $1000 loss when we get back to town.

The bows will be packed. Would be awesome to get an opportunity at one close(ish) to the road.

 

[Montsota]

With only 6-7 days, I'd skip the bow. You're overestimating your mental fortitude and underestimating the constant drag of terrain and weather. I've seen so many people sitting by a vehicle parked off the haul road who couldn't handle it mentally or physically, and their buddies left them there and went hunting. Cost-wise, you're going to be closer to $2500 on a shoestring budget. Alaskan incidentals and luggage fees are more than lower 48 prices by a lot. Have fun, though. Going back for my 3rd trip this fall.

Looking forward to the challenge. Pretty split advise on this thread on bringing the bow vs skipping it. Won't hurt to have in the truck incase we stumble into some dumb luck and can put a stalk on by the road (along with the 12 other trucks that will pull over to do the same).

 

[Montsota]

You ever hear ounces make pounds? Same concept of hunting Alaska the nickels and dimes add up in a hurry. Eventually I’ll find a cheap enough way to hunt caribou but I don’t think I’ll ever do the haul road. I’d plan on double the budget just in case. Also I’d start working on becoming a known shipper now for incase you guys are successful.

Great tip on the shipping. We have a UPS account through work as well where we get 75% UPS ground shipments. Was thinking of shipping crates of antlers back if we were succesful.

3 free checked bags through Delta should be enough to get meat home.

 

[Montsota]

As mentioned already - logistics that far up north are a bear. If you can find a way to get your meat frozen, 'fish boxes' are pretty common and easy to fly with. The antlers are another story..

Definitely highly recommending the previous comment on bringing a physical compass. I got turned around for a couple miles while less than 1 mile from camp, hunting from the banks of the Echooka. Everything is flat, everything looks the same, OnX was flakey.

Very helpful, Toast. The fish boxes are a great call, hadn't heard of those. My original plan was walmart coolers. Our airbnb on the back end of the trip has two freezers, we'll have plenty of time to get everything solid before packing in the fish boxes.

 

[Montsota]

Same thing happened to us hunting off the Echooka last year. I had marked our camp on OnX and made some mental notes of prominent landmarks and the Brooks Range in the distance for navigation back to camp. Rain and fog rolled in and visibility dropped to maybe 200 yards. We were going in circles for a bit until I just started navigating west back towards the river.

I'll be sure to have a compass, surprised to hear Onx gave a few people on here issues up there.

 

[cgasner1]

Great tip on the shipping. We have a UPS account through work as well where we get 75% UPS ground shipments. Was thinking of shipping crates of antlers back if we were succesful.

3 free checked bags through Delta should be enough to get meat home.

Guarantee that won’t pencil out to Alaska air cargo. It’s like 60-70s a pound and kept frozen I can land a moose back in my town for around 800 bucks. That’s using 2 cargo services and paying a 3rd to move it over to Alaska and they load it in my truck when I get home

 

[deer_shooter]

A lot of good discussion so far. I will reiterate to not underestimate how unpleasant hiking the tundra can be. I’d happily hike five miles on normal terrain than 1 mile of tundra. It seems obvious but the caribou will be where they are, you can hike all over the place and see nothing and there could be hundreds a few miles away. Weather can be an adventure for sure. Best of luck.

 

[Nuts]

A lot of good discussion so far. I will reiterate to not underestimate how unpleasant hiking the tundra can be. I’d happily hike five miles on normal terrain than 1 mile of tundra. It seems obvious but the caribou will be where they are, you can hike all over the place and see nothing and there could be hundreds a few miles away. Weather can be an adventure for sure. Best of luck.

second that. 90% mental IMO. I have seen solid in shape guys fold after talking a lot of crap. I have seen out of shape guys and gals push through it. It helps to be in shape for sure. But mental is a huge part. If you can get on 1 of the million caribou trails and walk it that helps. Your boots and gators will be all kinds of hogged up but the walking is easier. Got to watch the holes on the trails though.

 

[Toast]

Same thing happened to us hunting off the Echooka last year. I had marked our camp on OnX and made some mental notes of prominent landmarks and the Brooks Range in the distance for navigation back to camp. Rain and fog rolled in and visibility dropped to maybe 200 yards. We were going in circles for a bit until I just started navigating west back towards the river.

We were there for opening day and got absolutely mauled by mosquitos and high-80s / low-90s temps. Montsota - don't forget your DEET and bug nets!