Well another successful Moose season has come and gone. As you are aware hunting in Alaska always has it's challenges and setbacks, it is how we deal with them that makes what we do here at NWA Outfitters successful.
Weather, Weather, Weather was the prominent issue this season. With Mild temperatures and 11 straight days of Alaska's liquid sunshine werent enough cloudy skies at night kept things from even the hint of any type of frost or freeze. These conditions pose many problems as you all are aware but slowing the effects of the rut and getting the bulls to react to any type of calling is a tough task. It seemed the immature bulls would react to the calling and seemed to be looking for their place in the pecking order, but the good bulls we are so renowned for harvesting were being seen from a distance, but not heard from. They were like giant ghosts still in their early fall dispositions not wanting to be challenged for territory and establish any dominance.
So on with the report.
Day 1 Brings 50* temps and cloudy skies. Out of three hunters in camp all have small immature bull encounters the first day. Looks like things are going to be good. One of our hunters this season was a parapalegic confined to a wheel chair ( Hunter 1) and drift hunting and calling from the boat. Another of our hunters is in spike camp ( hunter 2 ), and the third hunter ( Hunter 3 ) would be hunting from Marabou. The other three hunters are expected in camp late due to last minute business obligations, two on the 8th to start their hunts on the 9th, and one the the 10th to start his on the 11th.
Day 2 Brings all day rain 50+ degrees, Our boat hunter has another encounter with a couple immature bulls but no shooters. Our spike camp hunter has no encounters, and our Base camp hunter has no encounters. Everybody has high hopes the weather will improve but day 2 ends with only two encounters by hunter #1.
Day 3 Brings some sun for the first couple of hours and 45*. Our hunter 3 based at Marabou scores with a bull at 8:45 am with a beauitful 60+" bull that wanted to play the I hear you calling and I know you hear me game but i'm just not ready too fight you. So the guide and hunter closed the distance by keeping his passive calling going and sliding into close range on him. Hunter 1 drifting and calling has a number of encounters with cows and calf but no bull sightings today. Hunter 2 in spike has two encounters with two immature bulls but nothing to shoot at. Still hoping for some weather but making the best of a wet situation.
Days 4-5 Rain, Rain, and More rain 50-55* is the norm. Hunters 1 and 2 are hanging tough. These days provided very few if any encounters. We are all hunting hard but they just do not want to play. Two of our 3 late arrivals have arrived and after seeing the 60" er in camp and eating a delicious moose rib dinner prepared by the camp chef they are off to spike camp up river. We are still hopng for some kind of weather change. Whatever it may be something has got to get them going. Lets hope it happens soon as we have one bull on the ground, and we are 5 days into an eleven day season. Somethings got to give.
Day 6, Weather is getting worse. Warmer temps and more rain. Everyone is hunting from daylight til dark but sightings are minimal. Cows and calfs and only 1 small bull spotted by hunter 1 drifting. Our new hunters 4 & 5 have high hopes and we know there are bulls in the areas we are hunting in but weather is now the gloom of doom. Still hopng for weather anything other than what we got.
Day 7, Unchanged weather still. Mid 50's and rain. I mean sheets of it. The river has come up a foot in a couple days. Bulls are unresponsive still. Hunter 1 drifting has an encounter at last light with a marginal 50 ish bull. Hunter 2 has come to back to base camp this afternoon to dry out, take a shower and sauna and get revitalized. He will be heading back to spike in the morning. Hunters 4 & 5 are hunting hard along with their guides but have had no encounters. Hunter 6 arrives in camp and will be hunting from Marabou. With only 1 bull on the ground and 7 days into an 11 day season we really need that weather change. Something, anything different than what we have now would be a god send. Oh saw the moon tonight ( for a second ) not only do we have weather, but we are dealing with a full moon. If things couldnt be worse.
Day 8 Rain and 50+* again.Hunter 1 has encounter with 2 bulls 1 legal low 50's and 1 sublegal. Tough for the guide to make the call on this bull. Said it was low 50" but did not want to call it. Hunter also said he was looking for larger, Our average runs around 60" and he was looking for something closer to that. Hunter 2 is back in spike camp today also has encounter with a bull right at 50 but to close to call. No word from hunters 4 & 5, and our new arrival hunter 6 has no encounters. Coming down river late in the afternoon the wind started to pick up and so did the rain. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Day 9 Well it brought it. Winds are 30-40 mph and gusting more than that temps have cooled to the low 40's and the rain is coming hard. This really started last night at dark and we are all hoping this change will help the hunting for the final 2 days of season.Hunter 1 no sightings today. Hunter 2 stuck in tent in spike. Hunters 4 & 5 hunt for half the day but weather puts them in early. Hunter 6 elects to hike out of Marabou to look for Bears. That was a great move and even though he did not kill just looking at the Bears we saw lifted spirits. Hopefully this weather change makes a difference in the moose hunting. He saw 1 big sow with three cubs that were all about ready to leave her. What a great encounter.
Day 10 Low 40's and misty rain. Looks like the weather finally brought a change. Hopes are high as we all head out for the days hunting. It blew like crazy and rained sheets the day before and it just seemed like it should be a day for things to get going. Hunter 6 and guide heading up river spot a bull on the opposite shoreline 8:40 am. Pulling to shore the assess the bull to be legal and prepare for the shot. 1 well placed shot from the 375 Ultra mag at 150 yds puts bull # 2 on the ground. Getting back in the boat they get to the bull. It is a beauitful 67" Non typical. Truly a once in a liftime bull. Hunter 4 and guide in spike camp spot a bull while running up river, from the shore they assess that bull to be legal and 1 shot from the 338 magnum puts another beauitful 54" bull on the ground at 11:30 am. Here's the funny part, Hunter 2 in spike camp at 2:45pm puts another great 55" bull on the ground. 3 bulls 1 day. I guess the weather got em going. Someone flipped the switch and it was on. 1 day left in the season two bulls left to go. Hunter 1 no sightings today, Hunter 5 1 small bull and 1 cow and twins. High hopes for tomorrow after the 3 bulls today.
Day 11 Rain and 45*. Hunter 1 leaves base camp drifting as they have for the previous 10 days. Except today would be different and quickly I might add. Floating out of camp at 7:15 am they float downriver. They go approx 2.5 miles and spot the paddle of a bull in a calm slew jetting out from the river. Sliding the boat into position along the bank they make a few calls. The cow steps out and right behind her steps out a beauitful 65" bull. The first shot from the 378 finds the heart and a follow up shot breaks the bull down in its tracks. This was a magnificent bull with full palms a true trophy for anyone, ecpecially a man confined to a wheel chair. What a great situation for NWA to be involved to help achieve. Hunter 5 in our other spike camp was unsuccessful in his quest this time around but vows to come back next year for the full 11 days to get a shot at his Trophy Alaska Moose.

Will post pictures as soon as i figure out how to do it

Pictures for report
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<a href="http://s491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/marabouslasher/?action=view¤t=nickandjeff.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr272/marabouslasher/nickandjeff.jpg" border="0" alt="hunter 1"></a>

Wow that was difficult. I will have the other 2 hunter in the field photos soon.
Thanks for the patience

Here is hunter 4

Sounds just like the weather for my unit 17 hunt in 2005. Thanks for the report. Where is your basecamp?

Our base is located 250 miles S-SW of Anchorage.

Check out our website and pictures @ www.nwaoutfitters.com

Whats the story behind the person/hunter in the wheelchair, if you think its appropriate to speak of it? Has he always hunted this way or is this a first time for him? I think the effort to go the extra mile for this gentleman speaks volumes of this outfitter, and when I do book some hunts I will certainly place them very near or at the top of the list. Very good report and client support.

The story behind the wheel chair hunter is quite acceptional. Jeff was in a car accident on or around 1989 losing all mobility in his legs. He has deer hunted for most of his life from ground blinds in texas and always wanted to kill a moose but the obvious logistics in this posed a problem for not only him but for many of the outfitters ( including us )he had been talking too. I met him though a family member of his who i have hunted with before and he introduced us. Knowing his ability and determination and the way he suprisingly got around via his chair I thought with the ammenities at our Base camp we could get him into the position to possibly take his trophy. I will say this we knew that it would take extra effort. we prepared for it. His hunt actually would entale 2 guides and himself. I will give credit to the young man who is training to be an asst guide for us in the future. His willingness to get this done was remarkable, He lifted him in and out of the boat, carried him on his back to get hm in position on bulls that we were calling too. The guys really made this a hunt. Not only drifting but sometimes carrying him a couple hunndred yards at a time while we were calling and hunting.
Also I can not say enough about the hunter Jeff. Absolutly great attitude, willing to the best of his ability to help in any way. Huunted everyday Rain Rain Rain and no sun. 11 days. Never complaining or getting discouraged. Shot his bull the final morning of an 11 day hunt. You know it never ceases to amaze me about some peoples determination to get things done. It was a true inspiration to have him in camp. It was our pleasure to try in helping succeed and through the determination of the hunter and the help and work ethic of the whole crew @ NWA Outfitters it was a success and very much our pleasure.

Nice moose! Er, I mean mooses....er, I mean meese. That is on my "to do" list. Sounds like you had a tough group of hunters and some great guides as well. Way to tough it out! I'm especially proud of the guy confined to the wheelchair. What a champion!

My hat's off to you, all of the crew and the hunter. I can see you folks have an exceptional operation. Good for you. The hunter really deserves a pat on the back too for his determination & grit.
Hope you guys are even more succesful in the future - you represent what guiding in Alaska should be about.
Bear in Fairbanks