DIY Caribou Options

[redwoood]

Looking for opinions from fellas who have done a diy caribou hunt. I am looking at haul road type hunts and would like to do the hunt for under $3000. Also any information on distance from road restrictions and such would be very useful. Camp or rent a room would be helpful as well.

Thanks
Nate

 

[F250]

I have been to Kiskimaastakin Outfitters in James Bay Quebec twice (not a spelling error - really spelled Kiskimaastakin). About 1500 miles north of the Vermont border. Good roads maintained by Hydro Quebec. The last 500 miles or so is gravel/ice. Land is owned by the Cree. You buy your tags from the outfitter, they provide lodging and meals only. You are self guided. They will rent you a snowmobile if you need one.

 

[Bambistew]

The only "Haul Road" type hunt in the state is the Haul Road hunt, or the Taylor Highway hunt. The Taylor is on a quota, and many times closes in a few days. Its a friggn circus...

No rooms to rent, and limited camping spots on the HR. There are basically zero services outside of a couple truck stops between Fairbanks and Deadhorse (500 miles).

Suggest you get a copy of the hunting regs and read up on requirements. You can either hunt with a bow off the highway or walk in 5 miles and hunt with a rifle. Bring bug dope and a bug suit if you go early... The whitesox (black flies) and mosquitos will pack you off.

The majority of caribou on the HR hunt are on the north slope in August. Bring waders or hip boots to cross streams/rivers and get away from those that don't have them. If you don't know what a tussock is, I recommend you figure it out before you plan on walking 5 miles though them. My ankles start hurting at the mere mention of them.

Finding a rental car could be problematic, but many manage. Most companies don't allow you take their cars up the Haul Road, you might have to get creative, maybe a moving truck? Reserve one early as in at least a month ahead...rentals are a hot commodity in the summer months, expect to pay $120-150 a day.

It could be warm 70-80degrees if you go early, keeping meat could be an issue, you can't run to the local gas n go and pick up ice, many people bring a generator and a small freezer.

Trees are non-existent so bring firewood if you need/want a fire.

Bring some sort of shelter for your meat to keep it dry...remember, no trees to string up tarps.

Good game bags and citric acid are a must for early hunts. The flies will cover your meat in very short time unless you keep it covered/treated. The cheap cheese cloth type bags will let you down. To with TAG bags or Caribou type bags.

Good luck on your trip. Many people do this trip every year, actually one of the most popular hunts in the state. Some logistics to work out, but nothing impossible.

 

[dustinf]

Here's a riddle: where can you kill a caribou on an island with a bear knicknamed after it? That's where I'd go...

 

[mixedbag]

spend some $$$ and have a GREAT trip with 40 mile air

 

[brownbear932008]

Go with Mixedbag or hit the haul road fly out with a flight service for a drop off in the herd. DO NOT walk in the 5 mile to rifle hunt off the haul road BAD IDEA. It can be done but trust me you will only do it once if you suceed that time. Spend the extra dough fly with Seventy North in Happy Valley. No room service up there. Only fuel serivce in 500 miles of road is Fairbanks-Coldfoot-Deadhorse all several hours from each other. I would say bowhunt from the road but you gotta have your safety coarse or whatever up there which is a challenge to get I think. I went up 2 years ago look up the post. Had a great hunt with Seventy North. I think for 3,000 you will stuggle to put a hunt together if you are a non resident of AK. It will get you 2/3rds of the way though start to finish.

 

[dihardhunter]

'dustinf' - shhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's a secret, don't be spilling them beans.

 

[Bambistew]

Here's a better riddle... what animal is like a caribou, has much smaller antlers, is raised for meat?

Hint: they live on islands...

 

[Foxtrot1]

F250 do you have any photos from your trips to Quebec?

 

[dustinf]

Here's a better riddle... what animal is like a caribou, has much smaller antlers, is raised for meat?

Hint: they live on islands...

That's why you're the King of Narnia, and I'm just an eastern tenderfoot.

 

[jbm]

i have done this hunt a few times and always done well up there. your 3k budget is well with in reach if you do your homework . we drive with our own jet boat from western montana and can do this hunt for under that 3k mark . there is always 4 of us so we are splitting the cost of fuel 4 ways . we lodge in our slip in camper and also tents. there was an outfitter that had a main camp/tent set up just past pump station 2 where most ppl put in to run the river . not sure if he is there every yr but every time i have hunted up there he was. he will drive you up river in his airboat for a fee of ? not sure as i never had him do this but did hear he does this .
he can drop you off past that 5 mile mark which is more like 9 miles up river with all its curves
then pick you up after your hunt and bring you out with your camp gear and game. we have hunted in this area off the haul rd anywhere from the 2nd week in aug to the 1st week of sept
this time of yr you can see from mid 70 temps to well below freezing . only 1 time that i have hunted there that the bugs were out so do have gear to deal with this as they really do suck lol

good luck on your hunt and hope this helps you some

 

[F250]

Foxtrot1 - I'll PM

 

[glass eye]

I just got back from a DIY duck hunt on Adak and I plan on going back for caribou. I fly AK airlines to Hawaii every year, sometimes more than once. Get an AK air Visa Signature card and build up free air miles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi7bFhIXNKk&list=UUFmCX5e8nFBCiqGhewo4lpg&feature=c4-overview