Looking for a Yukon moose hunt in the next year to two years. I had originally been investigating outfitters and then stumbled across the idea of doing self guided. Finding a lot of mixed information regarding transport services, areas, and possibility of success. As well I seem to be reading lots of writings about a moose population that according to locals is getting thinner and thinner, all while seeing lots of pictures of monster moose. Just hoping someone with boots on the ground knowledge and experience can point me in the right direction, or at least give me a few kernels of knowledge to get started on. TIA, Jeff

I've been doing the same thing. I've been on two unsuccessful moose hunts without a guide and I'm planning trip number three for 2016 with my wife. Reason my first two trips failed where mostly luck. Fist time I hunted along the Mulchatna River and got a great caribou, but wasn't able to get in range of any of the big moose I saw. Second time I went to Aniak and never saw a big bull. Just lots of cows and small bulls. The two areas that seem to offer the best bets for getting a big bull are in the Tok area and out of Bethel. Because my wife wants a black bear, we are leaning towards Bethel right now. On my two previous hunts, I hunted close to the water and I really don't want to do that again. Pure misery dealing with beaver dams, willows, swamps and super thick cover. This time I'm going to be on a ridge and hunt from above. So far, I've found something negative on every single outfitter that I've come across, so it's really coming down to who has the fewest negative stories about them, and how they handle things.

Hunted unguided many years ago with my brother up in the Koyukuk Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge. At that time, it had one of the highest densities of moose in the world...... I've heard that over the years, the predators have reduced the numbers so i'm not sure how it is now. Quick call and you could find out the numbers.
Had a great hunt. We both took bulls...mine was just at 60" and my brothers around 55-56". I would bet that we saw around 20 moose during the hunt. Best area we found was around the three day slough area. We purchased very detailed topo maps and they proved invaluable during the hunt.
We hired a local transporter out of Galena that provided a 16 ft. boat, motor, canoe, wall tent and some other basic supplies. We had to purchase the gas which at the time was $5.00 gallon.....went through about 100 gallons!
Flying in is not an option as the whole refuge is basically a no fly zone for hunting, and that includes transporting hunters and/or equipment.
Meat on the front/back hind quarters and ribs must stay on the bone until transported out of the area. The transporter we used is long gone, but i think there are still others in the area (Charlie Green?).
Also, I think now it is a draw hunt for non-residents......wasn't at the time we went.
Probably one of the most rewarding, memorable hunts I have ever been on!

I think you guys may be able to do well out of Dillingham. Bay Air and Tikchik Air are both very competent air taxi's and could accommodate you quite well.

My recommendation is to hunt near water in low lying places, use a canoe or raft to get around and call late in the season. If you're seeing moose, just no big ones I'd think they are there, just not showing themselves quite yet. Calling during the rut, or leading up to the rut can get them out where you can see them. I NEVER hunt opening day, I always wait for the last week of the season.

No black bears here. Bring a light tackle fishing rod, catch lots of fish, call moose, enjoy the fall colors.

Get hold of Greg Brownlee on here. He reps an outfit out of Galena, and did the hunt a couple of years ago. There have been a few on here that did the hunt through Greg as well.

I am working with him to do unguided caribou next year.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
I think you guys may be able to do well out of Dillingham. Bay Air and Tikchik Air are both very competent air taxi's and could accommodate you quite well.

My recommendation is to hunt near water in low lying places, use a canoe or raft to get around and call late in the season. If you're seeing moose, just no big ones I'd think they are there, just not showing themselves quite yet. Calling during the rut, or leading up to the rut can get them out where you can see them. I NEVER hunt opening day, I always wait for the last week of the season.

No black bears here. Bring a light tackle fishing rod, catch lots of fish, call moose, enjoy the fall colors.

jcarr,

Scott King is a very experienced and successful resident moose hunter and has told you exactly what I would tell you about a DIY moose hunt. Personally I think if you want to kill a good bull on your first attempt you should enlist a guide. One of the transporters that Scott mentioned told me that on average his drop camp moose hunters where about 10%-15% successful. That's pretty miserable. Successful moose hunting takes some different techniques than you'd use for elk or deer and if you don't know them you might be sitting in moose heaven and not even see a bull.

Good luck!

Mark

quote:

moose hunting takes some different techniques than you'd use for elk or deer and if you don't know them you might be sitting in moose heaven and not even see a bull.

Be smart - listen to this!

Did a DIY hunt and was successful. Read my post Selawik moose hunt revised. Greg Brownlee also has a good hunt report. We hunted the same area. Be happy to answer any questions you have.

The other thing you need to be able to do is estimate antler widths since bulls have to be 50 inches. I have done both a DIY and one with a guide. With the meat on the bone rules now, I would hire a guide.

Thanks for the great advice guys, still up in the air on this one. The idea of a self guided float or camp trip in the wilderness of AK is like a dream to me, however a guided hunt with the right outfit would certainly offer up a better chance of success. And while the hunt is the important part, not the kill, I don't know anyone who signs up to go on expensive guaranteed no success hunts.

I did the same self guided hunt as Twilli (it was his hunt report that got me interested in going), and it was probably the most enjoyable hunt I have ever done, but it is a lot of work. Here is a link to a picture of my moose: http://forums.accuratereloadin...1821043/m/3921048502

Lhook7, did you put out a hunt report? Beautiful moose BTW. Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
Looking for a Yukon moose hunt in the next year to two years. I had originally been investigating outfitters and then stumbled across the idea of doing self guided. Finding a lot of mixed information regarding transport services, areas, and possibility of success. As well I seem to be reading lots of writings about a moose population that according to locals is getting thinner and thinner, all while seeing lots of pictures of monster moose. Just hoping someone with boots on the ground knowledge and experience can point me in the right direction, or at least give me a few kernels of knowledge to get started on. TIA, Jeff

You might try talking to Mike Strahan. He's a hunt planner for DIY hunts in AK. He's also too an Alaskan.

Here's a link for you to go to to contact him:

http://forums.outdoorsdirector.../201-Michael-Strahan

I haven't used his service, but I have talked to him. Good luck on your hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
Lhook7, did you put out a hunt report? Beautiful moose BTW. Jeff

Not much of one. I intended to do a full write up, but was just too busy. Here is the link with nothing more than a couple of more pictures. The self guided guys who went with Joe that year were 100% on moose. http://forums.accuratereloadin...891086291#6891086291

I too have returned with intent to do a full write up, and then life happens. Amazing moose though, and sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing, Jeff

Totally agree with Scott and what he said about where to concentrate and calling. We hunted towards the end of the rut and the only time we had any bulls come out, was by calling. One thing on calling......be patient.

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
I too have returned with intent to do a full write up, and then life happens. Amazing moose though, and sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing, Jeff

If you'd like all the details on the hunt (they're all good) feel free to send me a pm me and I'll give you my phone number.

I don't want to clean a moose by myself.

And you definitely don't want to pack one out by yourself.

Well both cleaning and packing a moose solo is a bit of a feat. I've done both some and may well again, but it is enough to give a sportsman pause.

In order to properly disassemble, I use a rope around legs and pulled tight to nearby trees to get the parts separated at shoulder blades and hip ball sockets. Ribs are removed a slab at a time and the neck in one piece.

Getting back to camp with a leg on your back is easiest done by others, meaning you shoot it, some Young Buck packs it. If not possible, getting the leg up on a stump or rock around chest high, securing the leg to the pack board and then hanging the pack board on your back at that elevation is best. I have gotten flat on the ground with the pack before, tied it to myself, rolled the pack over on top of me with myself face down in the weeds and then pushed to my feet,....... but didn't enjoy it. Moose for me are 7 trips from the site of its expiration to camp/ boat. Unfortunately fine spirits seem to hurt me too badly the next day and beer is too heavy to bring in the boat in adequate quantities so after its all done for the day river water has to do. After all that I'd of thought some rye would be nice.

So,.... you know,.... point being, it is possible, heck if I can, anyone can, but it is different than elk or deer.

There have been several years now of some serious predator control around the state and while I couldn't speak to its effectiveness, it couldn't of hurt moose numbers so this year may well be a good one to go.

Not real excited about the concept of packing it very far myself, makes me lean towards going guided if I think on it too hard. However it seems like the pricing on Yukon Moose hunts has gone through the roof in the last few years.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I don't want to clean a moose by myself.

Take Biebs with you



Mike

Packing a moose is a bitch.

Leaving meat behind I think is a felony in Alaska.

Mike

I talked to most of the Alaskan Outfitters that where at the DSC show last week and was impressed by how much information they shared even though I was looking for a drop camp and they only did fully guided hunts. If you want a guided moose hunt, prices seem to range from $18,000 to $24,000 and they are booked up two years in advance. Drop camps range from a couple grand to $8,000. Top prices where in the best areas, like Galena, which is a draw area with the application due in December. Of the outfitters that I was considering, the only one that got a universal positive response to is 40 mile air. Not one person had anything negative to say about them. Unfortunately for me, they don't have black bear in their moose hunting areas. If I go with them, then I need to also find a black blear hunt for my wife, which isn't that big of a deal, seems like black bear are pretty easy to get for a fair price in a lot of different areas. I just want to combine the two on one hunt that we can do together. The other option is out of Wiseman with Bushwhack Alaska. The use jet boats to get you to camp, which eliminates the weight limit issue from flying into camp. This might be a huge plus for my wife, who will want to have several changes of clothing and a really big, heavy sleeping bag. No limit on how long we stay in camp, or dates to be there. Cost for that is $4,500 each.

Eddie

Eddie,

I wish I knew the appropriate way to emphasize to you that gear amount or weight is always an issue. It is! It really is no matter what form of transportation you use.

My friend, pack small, pack light, pack smart. There's got to be plenty of gear lists published in a variety of magazines by now detailing what to bring. Read six or eight of them and summarize.

I pack under the assumption I may be a little cold or wet, I may be occasionally uncomfortable, but I'll be fine and only out there for a week or so anyway. Bringing to much gear is a bad idea for me and I use a boat.

My friends that moose hunt with me are restricted to one large size float bag and one firearm. Food, tent, game bags are community property and so don't count against their allowance.

Myself and two friends have an unguided DIY Yukon moose hunt Sept 15-30th 2016. We booked with Renfro's Alaskan Adventure by way of Outdoors International. Everything has gone fairly smooth so far, Russ and Renfro's have been great to deal with while getting the hunt setup.

Renfro's is one of the outfitters on my list that I'm trying to keep track of before booking the hunt. Please post how it goes and what you would recommend for the hunt.

Eddie

Being a resident we used Renfro's for a drop off Brown/Grizz&Caribou hunt back in '09. Great guys to work with and would not hesitate to use them again.

quote:

Originally posted by EddieWalker:
Renfro's is one of the outfitters on my list that I'm trying to keep track of before booking the hunt. Please post how it goes and what you would recommend for the hunt.

Eddie

Will do Eddie, the hunt is still a ways out but I'll share details on the trip once we return.

P.S. I forgot to mention that these guys are booking about 2 years out if that makes a difference to anyone.

Moose hunts are very difficult with a guide deep in the bush let alone trying to do it by yourself.
In Alaska if you hire a transporter all they can do is supply you with the gear and food and transportation to a pre determined location that the hunter must give him.
He cannot take you to a place of his choosing you must dictate where he is to take you.
Also he can't even legally handle any of the gear you must load and unload it. He can't handle the game either the only way is to hire a licensed guiding outfit if you need help.
I have hunted both ways not as successful with out a guide but thankful when I harvested my moose I had one.
Good luck on your moose hunting
What ever you do be careful Alaska is for the brave at heart.
Larry
7x Alaska hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by elk88101:
Moose hunts are very difficult with a guide deep in the bush let alone trying to do it by yourself.
In Alaska if you hire a transporter all they can do is supply you with the gear and food and transportation to a pre determined location that the hunter must give him.
He cannot take you to a place of his choosing you must dictate where he is to take you.
Also he can't even legally handle any of the gear you must load and unload it. He can't handle the game either the only way is to hire a licensed guiding outfit if you need help.
I have hunted both ways not as successful with out a guide but thankful when I harvested my moose I had one.
Good luck on your moose hunting
What ever you do be careful Alaska is for the brave at heart.
Larry
7x Alaska hunter.

Tell it like it is. Good to see for a change.

Seems like I always take either too much or not enough. After all these years I should have it dialed in. I'm close but not there yet. . 2 things for me are a must. #1 , a gore Tex bivy sack for my sleeping bag to be in and a 13" Arborist hand saw. I use the Samurai Ichiban or Heavy Duty. .
The 3rd thing is a really warm parka. Not an arctic parka. But one that is warm enough so I won't be shivering when I'm glassing or around camp. Something like the old gore Tex thinsulate mountain parkas. But a non shell parka under a camo shell works great also. . If you can keep your trunk warm then the rest of your body will be also. Some people never seem to get cold so that's an item they may choose to leave off the list. . Some of the new synthetics are more compactable than thinsulate so they would be better. . I love goose down. But NOT FOR MOOSE HUNTING during the regular season. Too wet much of the time.
But. That's just me.
I've had or used about every hand saw known to man and a 13" Samurai or Silky are the hands down winners. They aren't too heavy and do a ton of work in a short time.

quick? Why must the meat not be boned out?

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny reb:
quick? Why must the meat not be boned out?

Because nonresidents and some guides were showing up in civilization with a 65' rack and a ridiculously miniscule amount of moose meat,, something like a couple of coolers full!



Most of us residents hunt for the meat and don't waste an ounce!

If Iam not mistaken most areas are bone in but there are a few areas the bone may be removed.
Also they are referring to the 4 quarter bones.
The ribs, backbone and neck must be stripped Clean. If you can make a few hamburgers from what is left on the carcass there is problems.
Also in your camp you must make provisions to preserve the meat, when warm keeping insects off.
Last the rack must stay with the carcass till all the meat is in the camp.
I think for a one man deal you may have 8 trips at least before the rack goes out.
Plus you must make arrangements before hand to remove the meat from the field, which could be 2 additional flights depending on the plane you hire, remember the pilot can not take any of the meat out of the field or help you. He can only arrange it on the plane for proper load balance.
Well good luck (GEE and outfitter is looking better with every post).
Have fun
Larry

After you kill a couple of DIY moose you learn a thing or two. Most importantly call the moose to you, DO NOT go smashing around in the bush looking for one. I packed one about a mile once but generally I was able to call the moose to within a few hundred yards of the lake we were camped on and on a couple of occasions killed one on the beach or close to it. This makes the daunting task of taking care of a moose a lot easier.

Mark

I used PaPa Bear for my caribou hunt. I've heard good things about Renfro's and of course 40-Mile Air. For moose, you are paying for time and gas to fly the meat and trophy out - and, despite the legalities, to put you in a good area.