Upcoming AK Caribou hunt

[coleslaw]

here were my ramblings about that hunt last year.

Alaska Caribou adventure 8/24

Here's my day by day adventure of a trip we booked with Arrowhead Outfitters. Sorry if it's wordy, had quite a bit of time up there to write down daily thoughts. Recap of the lead-in to the start, we landed in Fairbanks, picked up a Turo Truck, grabbed our rental camp gear (tents, cots...

www.hunttalk.com

How did your friend keep the velvet preserved for a week?

 

[PRO MO]

How did your friend keep the velvet preserved for a week?

we did tiny razor slits at the tips of the antlers, and kept them tips down the whole time, and covered with a tarp. We heard it was good to cut slits to let any fluid drain out. seemed to work.

 

[Steiny77]

With that, this will also be my first time on the north slope and am wondering how the bugs will be in early to mid-august. Should I invest in a floor for my floorless Seek tipi?

Should I invest in snow stakes for my tent while on the tundra (to help anchor it in the spongy soil/biomass)

What should I expect for rain and temperature?

Is fire doable, or should I leave the tent stove at home?

For those of you with tundra hunting/camping experience, what are some items you feel are a must have for camp comfort and that can also be put in a bush plane without too much weight addition?

How should I keep meat separated from my camp area, or do I keep it inside the e-wire area? I am just now putting together an awesome lightweight bear- fence brought forward in a post made by @Poke 'Em a few years back.

TIA- Can't believe this hunt is only four weeks away after booking it over two years ago.

I've done three AK caribou hunts.
* I'd want a tent with a floor due to bugs and wet ground. A cot to get up off the ground too.
* Plan on bad bugs and bring a head net and good bug dope.
* You'll need good tent stakes, may have to use some rocks too.
* Plan on rain 50% of the time. Temps shouldn't bee too cold, but the occasional surprise summer snow storm does happen, be prepared.
* I would not count on camp fires or a wood stove.
* Bring something to read, not unusual to get stuck in a tent due to rain for a full day or more.
* Soon as you get a dry spell, get your sleeping bag and clothing hung on a rope outdoors to dry out. Things will get stinky.
* Just put meat in game bags elevated on limbs, somewhere in the shade, a fair distance from your tent. If any trees you could hang from, better yet.
* Bring a pair of hip boots or slip over Wiggys
* Camp chair is a great idea. Also the wolf tag, I got a wolf on a caribou hunt.

 

[glass eye]

I haven’t been on the North Slope in early August because I don’t want to deal with the bugs. I plan on going back next year but again in late August into September.

Bring tarps and means of propping them up.

If prefer hiking in non-insulated breathable waders with a zippered front. Don’t have to worry about drying out wet boots and socks.
They are expensive but worth it.

 

[coleslaw]

For those of you that use the Wiggys slip over waders, how would you rate the durability? I've heard mixed reviews for the price.

 

[Mule Kick]

For those of you that use the Wiggys slip over waders, how would you rate the durability? I've heard mixed reviews for the price.

I’ve been pretty impressed with mine honestly. Besides Alaska I’ve used mine a fair bit here at home in rocky river and creek crossings and no holes yet. Like you I saw the bad reviews but they must be doing something different than me!.. So far so good.

 

[seeth07]

For a quick creek crossing, am I the only one that goes the cheap route and just takes off my boats and socks, runs across quick and put them back on after using my extra tee in my pack to dry them off?

 

[Bluffgruff]

Crocks and cheap stocking foot waders are all you need. You don't really want something nice for the tundra.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

For those of you that use the Wiggys slip over waders, how would you rate the durability? I've heard mixed reviews for the price.

Mine worked but not for long. These are better if you go this route.

Chota Tundra Hippies – Barneys Sports Chalet

barneyssports.com

 

[Alpine01]

Crocks and cheap stocking foot waders are all you need. You don't really want something nice for the tundra.

Crocs and waterproof socks are my go to.

 

[jdf]

Velvalok for the velvet. Works perfectly

 

[Bluffgruff]

Caribou have a lot of antler. You'd save money and have similar results with a bottle of velvet tan and a paint brush. Paint it on daily and keep it out of the rain. If you want, you can also inject it into the veins at the base of the antler and prick each tip of antler and hang it upside down. If the antlers are hard underneath, the injecting is less important.

 

[coleslaw]

Velvalok for the velvet. Works perfectly

I was probably going to ask my taxidermist about that product or a similar one.

 

[glass eye]

You have to drain the blood or it will spoil fast.

 

[Bluffgruff]

18ga needle and a luer lock syringe between 10ml and 30ml is my preferred delivery method. Wear sunglasses or safety goggles. Often sprays out at high pressure

 

[BearFoot]

I've done three AK caribou hunts.
* I'd want a tent with a floor due to bugs and wet ground. A cot to get up off the ground too.
* Plan on bad bugs and bring a head net and good bug dope.
* You'll need good tent stakes, may have to use some rocks too.
* Plan on rain 50% of the time. Temps shouldn't bee too cold, but the occasional surprise summer snow storm does happen, be prepared.
* I would not count on camp fires or a wood stove.
* Bring something to read, not unusual to get stuck in a tent due to rain for a full day or more.
* Soon as you get a dry spell, get your sleeping bag and clothing hung on a rope outdoors to dry out. Things will get stinky.
* Just put meat in game bags elevated on limbs, somewhere in the shade, a fair distance from your tent. If any trees you could hang from, better yet.
* Bring a pair of hip boots or slip over Wiggys
* Camp chair is a great idea. Also the wolf tag, I got a wolf on a caribou hunt.

This!

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Great post. I’m using it to fine tune my gear list for my trip as well. I’m sure it varies based on weather from year to year, but are mosquitoes still a problem after the first week of September (southern Brooks Range)?

 

[Bluffgruff]

Great post. I’m using it to fine tune my gear list for my trip as well. I’m sure it varies based on weather from year to year, but are mosquitoes still a problem after the first week of September (southern Brooks Range)?

Mostly various types of biting flies. Mosquitoes are earlier in the year. Headnet and cover all of your skin is my preferred method.

 

[Poke 'Em]

I put the fence around my food/meat, with my tent outside the perimeter.

 

[coleslaw]

Is a spotting scope recommended? Most of my hunts I can get away with just my 12x Binos. My scope and tripod setup are 7.5 lbs so not terrible. I still have 30 lbs to play with on my weight allotment.
My other thoughts are, if I need to see something with my spotting scope, is it really worth walking that distance in the tundra?