[TwoSnakes]

Does anyone know of any or have experience with any reputable outfitters in Alaska that accomodate hunters for a "do it youself" drop camp hunt for either moose or caribou?

 

[thecatskinner]

Contact Lake Clark Air--Glenn Alsworth.

Either at Port Alsworth (Lake Clark) or at their base at Merrill Field in Anchorage.

You might find this of interest.


They can set you up with tent, and supplies plus fly you in and out.

 

[springfreak]

If anyone here would know the answer to that, it would be thecatskinner!!

 

[murdock84]

I thought you had to have a guide in Alaska?

 

[thecatskinner]

I thought you had to have a guide in Alaska?

Species dependent.

There are also some areas that do not require a fly in. If you are bow hunting the pipeline corridor is an option since rifle hunting is not allowed.

Unless you have particularly good knowledge of an area you might want to give some thought to a guided moose hunt simply because of antler restrictions.

A detail to discuss with anyone up front is moving you after a few days if you are not on the game--not all of them will do that.

I would suggest you study the herds to determine the best target area before you make any final selection on services. The Mulchutna herd is significantly down from its highs.

The biggest herd currently is the Western Arctic Herd---but that does not mean that hunting any other is not going to be successful.

Here is another outfitter that works the Western Arctic Herd.

 

[Blowchowski]

Have a look at: http://www.fortymileair.com/

I work with one of their former pilots. If you're serious about a moose hunt, they're fun as [censored] until you put one on the ground. Something to think about... Also look at Unit 17a and b and the tikchick river area for both species. Unit 18 isn't open to non-residents.

I did mine in Unit 6a and got a 53" bull. Awesome experience..

 

[tundragriz]

Guide only needed for brown bear, goat, and sheep.

I hunt Ak DIY every year, sometimes spring and fall, black bear mostly but also caribou and sitka blacktail. I do it 100% ENTIRELY on my own. I've considered moose but it is too big for 1 person to handle. Certainly have seen some world class moose. I go by myself taking all my equipment from home. I study the maps, choose a spot, send a pic to one of the air taxis I use to see if it is landable (always is as I know their needs), and off I go. I actually do a presentation on how to arrange a trip like this.

These are some I recommend that specialize in any level of DIY support. Mike Strahan is the owner of Lost Creek. His main specialty would be moose on a float hunt but he is not limited to that. He is a well known Alaska author and presenter. He also owns the most popular Ak forum site.

Lost Creek site:
http://web.me.com/strahanak/Site/Services.html

forum:
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/index.php


Larry Bartlett is the owner of Pristine Ventures providing exactly the same thing as Strahan (competitors), author and presenter, he is very competent and also has his own forum site. He makes a good game bag.

Pristine Ventures:
http://www.pristineventures.com/

Forum:
http://www.pristineventures.com/cgi/messageboard/board.pl?

Either of the above guys will do you well.

Bay Air owned by Tom Schlagel is an excellent air taxi/outfitter out of Dillingham for moose. Him and Janet will do you VERY well for a moose air drop. Their mulchatna caribou hunt is now closed to non-residents.

http://www.bayair-alaska.com/



Out of Anchorage I would recommend Rust's. He is mainly an air taxi with you providing the gear. But he will put you in a good spot.

http://www.flyrusts.com/alaska-hunting.html

If you go totally DIY with a couple guys, ship the heavy equipment up in advance. I just carry mine on the plane but I only have 80 pounds. Figure air taxi rates from $450-$750 per hour depending on plane, thats flight time out and back, out and back again, and potentially out and back again for moose meat hauling. Lower end of cost is for like a 182 with 750 pound load up to a beaver with about 1200 pound. Can run into a few thousand for the air taxi. Probably on average 1/2 hour for each leg.

 

[Blowchowski]

Hey tundragrz, have you done a DIY PWS boat based black bear/ blacktail hunt?

 

[tundragriz]

No, boats and me don't along very well. As a scuba diver its a real problem. I mostly hunt bear on Prince of Wales in spring, blacktails there in the fall, and blacktail on kodiak. Always take my dramamine on the air taxis but that's only 20-30 minutes.

Considered a goat hunt by boat but opted for kodiak instead.

 

[tundragriz]

Just uploaded a couple short vid clips that may wet your whistle.

Moose:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v67/tundragriz/misc/?action=view&current=Akrangemoose.flv

Caribou:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v67/tundragriz/misc/?action=view&current=Akrangecaribou.flv

 

[springfreak]

cool vids, thanks!

 

[Blowchowski]

Very cool
Gotta figure out how to upload my moose vids...

 

[thecatskinner]

Hey tundragrz, have you done a DIY PWS boat based black bear/ blacktail hunt?

I haven't done that--but it intrigues me

My buddy just hunted Esther Island WNW of Whitter on a drop hunt. It rained all but one day, he was the only one to score on a black bear. They never saw a deer.

He said it was the roughest hunt he has ever done. Even finding a spot to pitch a tent was difficult. Two of the guys never even made it over the first climb up.

Makes the thought of hunting from a boat seem like a real good alternative

 

[thecatskinner]

Great videos!!!!

Tremendous animals---I've never tried the video route but that makes me think about it

Where were you at on those hunts?

 

[*Moose]

Man Tundra, that moose footage was awesome. It really got the blood pumpin' and I wasn't even the one there.

 

[Jayden41]

This same trip is one I'm seriously considering.If your looking for a partner, send me a pm.I've been in touch with a few outfitters out there for moose drop camps, and they're affordable.Probably going to do this trip in 2011.

 

[HuntingSoldier]

I'd highly recommend Prince of Wales in SE AK. I've been there for both Black Bear and Sitka Blacktail on DIY.

Successful both times, including a recent trip this past Aug for Blacktail.