quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
To see all of Alaska, I would suggest two hunts. It's a big state and one hunt won't really show you all of it.

Caribou as suggested by Scott, and I would also suggest a coastal or island black bear and/or deer hunt.

Both can be done for a reasonable price DIY or aren't really spendy as guided hunts either.

Moose would be the last of the non-guided options, but you really need a herd of buddies to make that one enjoyable if you are successful.

Another good way to see and experience the state is fishing. There is a lot of fishing there both coastal and remote interior.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
I'd recommend a fly out DIY for caribou.
Generally, caribou are very Alaskan, in big herds and not particularly tough to hunt. Caribou are a manageable to pack, don't take an extraordinary firearm to kill and don't require a guide, pack string of horses or Sherpas. While caribou hunting you may well be able to do some excellent fishing, see bears and moose, possibly some migrating waterfowl and who knows, maybe some Dall sheep.

Fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks then out to a rural town or village. Meet your rural air carrier there and fly into the hunting grounds. When the hunt is over, allow a day or so back at the rural town or village to process your game and get it started shipping home and then head home yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
I'd recommend a fly out DIY for caribou.
Generally, caribou are very Alaskan, in big herds and not particularly tough to hunt. Caribou are a manageable to pack, don't take an extraordinary firearm to kill and don't require a guide, pack string of horses or Sherpas. While caribou hunting you may well be able to do some excellent fishing, see bears and moose, possibly some migrating waterfowl and who knows, maybe some Dall sheep.

Fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks then out to a rural town or village. Meet your rural air carrier there and fly into the hunting grounds. When the hunt is over, allow a day or so back at the rural town or village to process your game and get it started shipping home and then head home yourself.

Anchorage or Fairbanks ? which would you prefer?I am thinking of maybe taking a few nights off & fly to either city as a sightseer with my girlfriend & do some exploration at the same time?
The rural towns or villages,are they within driving distance? & a flight from there to the hunting grounds or you have to fly right from the bigger city?
Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by A7Dave:
What do you want to hunt? Caribou, moose, black bears, birds?

Hunting off the road system for caribou or moose is a low success proposition - including the Haul Road (Dalton Highway). Like Brett said, it is relatively expensive compared to most Lower 48 hunts.

My two recommendations for caribou/moose or deer would be a fly in drop off hunt for the 40 Mile caribou herd or a moose with one of the outfitters out of Tok (40 Mile or Tok Air Service). They'll drop you into a good spot to take an animal.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/ind...ls&huntfile_id=22229

The other high success option would be one of the boat services out of Kodiak for Sitka deer. Yah, it's only deer, but Kodiak is spectacular. Kodiak Combos is a well known outfitter.

All options cost money. BUT, don't waste your time and $$$ flying all the way to Anchorage or Fairbanks for a low success hunt off the road system.

If you like bird hunting, book with Alpine Creek Lodge off the "Denali Highway" (hint, it's a 125 mile dirt road). They can hook you up with good hunting for ptarmigan, and great folks.

quote:

If you like bird hunting, book with Alpine Creek Lodge off the "Denali Highway" (hint, it's a 125 mile dirt road). They can hook you up with good hunting for ptarmigan, and great folks.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:

quote:

Originally posted by Scott King:
I'd recommend a fly out DIY for caribou.
Generally, caribou are very Alaskan, in big herds and not particularly tough to hunt. Caribou are a manageable to pack, don't take an extraordinary firearm to kill and don't require a guide, pack string of horses or Sherpas. While caribou hunting you may well be able to do some excellent fishing, see bears and moose, possibly some migrating waterfowl and who knows, maybe some Dall sheep.

Fly to Anchorage or Fairbanks then out to a rural town or village. Meet your rural air carrier there and fly into the hunting grounds. When the hunt is over, allow a day or so back at the rural town or village to process your game and get it started shipping home and then head home yourself.

Anchorage or Fairbanks ? which would you prefer?I am thinking of maybe taking a few nights off & fly to either city as a sightseer with my girlfriend & do some exploration at the same time?
The rural towns or villages,are they within driving distance? & a flight from there to the hunting grounds or you have to fly right from the bigger city?
Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:
This has been pretty informative & helpful to me,thanks to all,lots of food for thought

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams1:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:
This has been pretty informative & helpful to me,thanks to all,lots of food for thought

I've been following Alaska, because I plan to go back there when this is all over, hopefully. They seem to have a real covid problem to deal with. They seem to have a real covid problem to deal with.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Many can't or don't want all the meat--moose especially. The option is to donate it to the local village or the cargo planes will fly it to Anchorage for no charge if the meat is donated to the homeless shelters.

For what meat you do want to take home. The airlines will fly insulated boxes as your checked baggage and UPS has the same insulated and leak proof boxes for their shipping. The meat can be turned into sausage or stick or burger and the processor will mail it to you when completed.

I live 100 miles north of Anchorage. If I can assist PM me. If you rent a car to travel you can save hotel costs by staying at my place if you wish.
Cal

PS. Alpine lodge is a great place. Average food and rooms but probably the best remote location on the road system. They can take you for moose, black bear, caribou, wolf on their ATVs, hunt the days and take a bed at their lodge. Fishing is good in the area and the scenery spectacular. You can rent a car and it's 5 1/2 to 6 hours from Anchorage. I could also drive you there. If you hunt from their lodge you can avoid lugging all of your camp gear with you. It's also nice to have a hot shower at the end of the day.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Many can't or don't want all the meat--moose especially. The option is to donate it to the local village or the cargo planes will fly it to Anchorage for no charge if the meat is donated to the homeless shelters.

For what meat you do want to take home. The airlines will fly insulated boxes as your checked baggage and UPS has the same insulated and leak proof boxes for their shipping. The meat can be turned into sausage or stick or burger and the processor will mail it to you when completed.

I live 100 miles north of Anchorage. If I can assist PM me. If you rent a car to travel you can save hotel costs by staying at my place if you wish.
Cal

PS. Alpine lodge is a great place. Average food and rooms but probably the best remote location on the road system. They can take you for moose, black bear, caribou, wolf on their ATVs, hunt the days and take a bed at their lodge. Fishing is good in the area and the scenery spectacular. You can rent a car and it's 5 1/2 to 6 hours from Anchorage. I could also drive you there. If you hunt from their lodge you can avoid lugging all of your camp gear with you. It's also nice to have a hot shower at the end of the day.

quote:

You forgot the pies.....excellent pies. We'll be in the area next week accompanying a young couple newly resident to Alaska who have never hunted Caribou. Looking forward to stopping in for pie.