USA: Alaska Multi Species Hunt

[Philip Glass]

I really like that moose. Nice caribou as well. It's a darn good thing that you booked that many days. A 7 or 10 day hunt would of meant missing out on one of the hilights of the trip. Congrats. Thanks for writing it up.
Bruce

I knew patience would be required due to weather etc. It is hard to go 12 days without getting something however!

 

[Philip Glass]

That is an old Bull moose

I was very fortunate to get him. Lots of character.

 

[deewayne2003]

That is one stud of a moose and the Caribou pic is stunning.

 

[R eight]

I booked this hunt with Robert Fithian and his son Cody of Alaskan Mountain Safaris at SCI three years ago. I was planning to hunt with my good friend Gary but sadly he had a knee injury about six weeks from our departure date. I flew on a scheduled charter to the tiny village of McGrath and stayed at the hotel there to await my flight to camp. It is a comfortable hotel but there are few services there. The only store in town was next door and was my only option for food. I spent one night in McGrath and Cody picked me up the next day in his Piper Cub. The weather was great and we saw moose from the air as we made the 40 minute trek to camp. As soon as I arrived at the main camp (GMU 19C) I was amazed at how hunt able this area was. There were great landmarks and I could have easily made my way back to camp if I had to.

Weather varied from nice cool days to cold, rainy, and very windy on the mountains. By the end of the hunt we got snow and freezing weather. With all of the forethought and planning I still needed some better clothes for this Alaskan weather. Sitting and glassing all day on a hilltop with strong winds chilled me daily. There are some things to rethink before next time.

We spotted moose, grizzly, caribou, black bear, and Dall Sheep on this trip along with all kinds of birds and small animals. I took a shot at a black bear at 320 yards on day three and missed. What a disappointment after climbing all the way up a mountain. It was eating blue berries. A grizzly sow with a cub was headed our way and we had to scare them off! What a sight it was to see them run.

The fog and rain has made glassing difficult and we lost many days to the weather. Sitting in a warm cabin was welcomed but also compounded the frustration of missing a bear. My time was running out and that inevitable sense of urgency came over me.

September 17, day 12 of the hunt. I went outside in the night to answer natures call. Bleary eyed I looked up at the sky to see the northern lights for the very first time! They were white and moving to and fro. I took this as a sign of good luck and hoped for a good day. I hunted with Cody and went for a moose across the river that we had spotted along with some others. It was a far trek and the wind was changing on us. We got to the valley where the moose were and immediately a cow was spotted. Unfortunately she had spotted us as well. I prepared for a shot off my knee and waited for the bull. Cody grunted and raked the tree to get his attention. He came out facing us or so I thought. He was actually slightly quartering to our left. I was expecting him to move to my right but he moved left just a bit giving me the broadside shot I was hoping for. At 270 yards it was a bit of a poke but a large target on the other end. I shot and immediately reloaded for a follow up. He disappeared for a minute then we saw him go down. He had not made it 5 yards. The .300 Winchester shooting 180g Barnes TTSX did the job quickly. Upon inspection the bullet must have hit a small tree limb that was not clearly visible as the bullet entry was quite large and the result of a bullet tumbling. A good reason to use a large caliber was once again demonstrated to me.

Sept. 20 Last day of the season

With freezing temperatures I found myself on the last day of the 15 day hunt. All bundled up we headed out for caribou. I shot a wolf at 420 yards and even with a good shot we lost him in the willows. We searched for an hour but had to continue our caribou hunt.

At 2:00 on the last day I finally got a caribou! There were so many moving that day. We stalked them for 1.5 miles and were only able to get to 360 yards. It was quite windy. I was able to range and dial and think about the wind for a minute before taking the shot. Finally I have my second trophy of this hunt. We loaded the whole caribou and all our gear on the ATV and headed back. Of course since my gun was strapped down on the bottom underneath all kinds of gear and meat we see a wolverine in the wide open hunting ground squirrels. As hunters we all know that if we don't have a gun we will see some incredible game!

This was an exhausting and very long hunt but an incredible experience. I hope to return to Alaska someday.

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I enjoyed reading this….Alaska is something pretty special. I made the mistake of heading to Alaska before Africa. Chose Alaska first because I figured it’s easier climbing hills when you’re younger. But, once was never going to be enough….and I still haven’t got to Africa.

Like you my first two trips were full bag affairs. First was 16 days and second was 14 days plus fly in and out days. Got a monster BG caribou on the first trip and a decent Ram on the second….and a heap of unused tags as expensive souvenirs.

Third trip was just for 10 days hunting, just one tag,Brown Bear….got my bear.

There’s not a day that goes by without me thinking of Alaska.

All of those hunts were adventures.

I hope you go back again soon.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Looks like an awesome trip. Bucket List hunt for me. Hoping to make that dream come true in the near future once I draw the tag I want.

 

[Philip Glass]

I enjoyed reading this….Alaska is something pretty special. I made the mistake of heading to Alaska before Africa. Chose Alaska first because I figured it’s easier climbing hills when you’re younger. But, once was never going to be enough….and I still haven’t got to Africa.

Like you my first two trips were full bag affairs. First was 16 days and second was 14 days plus fly in and out days. Got a monster BG caribou on the first trip and a decent Ram on the second….and a heap of unused tags as expensive souvenirs.

Third trip was just for 10 days hunting, just one tag,Brown Bear….got my bear.

There’s not a day that goes by without me thinking of Alaska.

All of those hunts were adventures.

I hope you go back again soon.

Thanks and I hope you can make it to Africa soon! I'll be jealous to hear of your first safari when it happens.

 

[Philip Glass]

Looks like an awesome trip. Bucket List hunt for me. Hoping to make that dream come true in the near future once I draw the tag I want.

I can't wait to draw tags anymore. I gave up.

 

[Philip Glass]

That is one stud of a moose and the Caribou pic is stunning.

Thanks!

 

[DLSJR]

Congratulations on a successful hunt and grand adventure! That moose is fantastic! Alaska is a harsh place to hunt but provides some great experiences and lifelong memories. I’m glad you hope to back some day. It’s been too long since I hunted up there, I miss it.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I can't wait to draw tags anymore. I gave up.

Being in my mid to late 30’s and having played the points game in several states since I was 18-21 I’ll keep trying.

In AK the areas I want to hunt are unfortunately draws for non residents. I may decide to pull the trigger on a hunt like yours one day.

 

[Philip Glass]

I enjoyed reading this….Alaska is something pretty special. I made the mistake of heading to Alaska before Africa. Chose Alaska first because I figured it’s easier climbing hills when you’re younger. But, once was never going to be enough….and I still haven’t got to Africa.

Like you my first two trips were full bag affairs. First was 16 days and second was 14 days plus fly in and out days. Got a monster BG caribou on the first trip and a decent Ram on the second….and a heap of unused tags as expensive souvenirs.

Third trip was just for 10 days hunting, just one tag,Brown Bear….got my bear.

There’s not a day that goes by without me thinking of Alaska.

All of those hunts were adventures.

I hope you go back again soon.

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No one told me about the extension tags. I am glad my guide had one. Moose are big!

 

[Pablo]

I want to be like @Philip Glass when I grow up. Great animals!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Mtn Infantry, there are quality areas that do not require a draw. Unit 18 and 19 have good bulls and also have drop camps. Even drop camps are getting pricey. But 1/3 the cost of guided. You most often are dropped in the same general areas the guides hunt. Moose are easy to hunt. And if you can pack one your self, a guide isn’t needed.


I’ve done two successful drop camp moose hunts. It’s a special feeling to be dropped with a hunting partner for weeks.

Endure miserable conditions and retreat to a cozy tent at night. Then put on the same wet or frozen boots and clothes and do it over.

You have to pick your hunting partner well. Most quit after 5-7 days

My last hunt my partner and I both killed large mature bulls

 

[Ragman]

Now that’s a moose!!! Congrats! Love the caribou…a bull caribou and elk are still on my wish list.

 

[R eight]

Mtn Infantry, there are quality areas that do not require a draw. Unit 18 and 19 have good bulls and also have drop camps. Even drop camps are getting pricey. But 1/3 the cost of guided. You most often are dropped in the same general areas the guides hunt. Moose are easy to hunt. And if you can pack one your self, a guide isn’t needed.


I’ve done two successful drop camp moose hunts. It’s a special feeling to be dropped with a hunting partner for weeks.

Endure miserable conditions and retreat to a cozy tent at night. Then put on the same wet or frozen boots and clothes and do it over.

You have to pick your hunting partner well. Most quit after 5-7 days

My last hunt my partner and I both killed large mature bulls

I use to dream of being able to hunt on my own in Alaska…and I guess I still do. But being a non resident alien that ain’t ever going to happen in my lifetime. ( unless I want to hunt small game)

On my first Alaskan hunt I came to realise that Alaska is BIG and that the game numbers can be rather thin on the ground. Especially at certain times of the year and in various places. It was pretty easy to avoid tripping over animals while out strolling.

I soon appreciated that I was on a guided hunt. Judging full curls, ageing rams on the hoof, sexing bears and judging 50 inches of antler was certainly new and confusing to an Aussie. I doubt my hunt would not have been successful without my guide. I reckon that the old saying “ be careful what you wish you “ is very true.

Even if I had US citizenship I would be wary of trying to plan the logistics of an Alaskan self guided hunt from afar.

However, if I lived in Alaska……I would be out bush as often and for as long as the Weather allowed.

From my experience in Alaska everything, without exception, is weather dependent. And weather forecasts for a year in advance are beyond the capability of the best crystal balls.

I’ve been lucky and privileged to have hunted Alaska and I dream of there daily.

 

[Sarg]

Some neat scenery and I got to see the seasons change while I was there.

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Excellent thank you for posting, great looking animals but love those brow palms & points on the Moose !

I spent a few months in Alaska & hunting is HARD there & expensive with a lot of air travel, then you can’t hunt for a bit !

I dreamed of a Wolverine myself, found one dead on the Beach & saw a huge one from the plane the size of a small Black Bear !!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Mtn Infantry, there are quality areas that do not require a draw. Unit 18 and 19 have good bulls and also have drop camps. Even drop camps are getting pricey. But 1/3 the cost of guided. You most often are dropped in the same general areas the guides hunt. Moose are easy to hunt. And if you can pack one your self, a guide isn’t needed.


I’ve done two successful drop camp moose hunts. It’s a special feeling to be dropped with a hunting partner for weeks.

Endure miserable conditions and retreat to a cozy tent at night. Then put on the same wet or frozen boots and clothes and do it over.

You have to pick your hunting partner well. Most quit after 5-7 days

My last hunt my partner and I both killed large mature bulls

I’m aware and have looked into it. I might pull the trigger on a diy drop camp if I don’t draw in the next year or two. Unfortunately supply and demand has really spiked the prices on drop camp hunts. Many now, are going to run you more than 10-12 day PG hunt in RSA, or even a buffalo hunt in Zim.

There are other reasons for me wanting to draw the unit I’m trying to draw. At this point I’ve actually applied more times than statistically required given the draw odds. It’s kind of become a running joke. I won’t draw that tag but at the same time I’ll draw a literal Once in a Lifetime tag with sub 1% draw odds or a sub .01% Elk tag on the random draw.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Yes the unit 18 drop camps from Papa Bear or Renfros has gotten pricey. I think my first one was $3000 second $5500 for 15 days including camp gear and food. and now it’s $10k

Short season. People on a wait list for openings and moose over carrying capacity. The one thing that would bring prices down is a huge die off.

I think it’s worth $10k all day long. They guess my buddies bull at 15 years old. Just rounded paddles very few points, the mass was crazy. skull calcium growth through the forehead skin. He was ancient. Similar to a worn past prime Buffalo bull. My buddy preferred my younger aged in his prime bull. And I preferred his past prime bull. But he got the first shot opportunity

And we had to pack him 1.5 miles

 

[Oldwavy]

Beautiful location for a fantastic hunt. Living up there is something I miss.

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes the unit 18 drop camps from Papa Bear or Renfros has gotten pricey. I think my first one was $3000 second $5500 for 15 days including camp gear and food. and now it’s $10k

Short season. People on a wait list for openings and moose over carrying capacity. The one thing that would bring prices down is a huge die off.

I think it’s worth $10k all day long. They guess my buddies bull at 15 years old. Just rounded paddles very few points, the mass was crazy. skull calcium growth through the forehead skin. He was ancient. Similar to a worn past prime Buffalo bull. My buddy preferred my younger aged in his prime bull. And I preferred his past prime bull. But he got the first shot opportunity

And we had to pack him 1.5 miles
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We did the drop camp hunt a few years ago. We never saw a moose in 10 days with three of us Hunting separately and with boats. Most we spoke to who were successful had been 3+ times. Do the math and you can do an outfitted/guided hunt. Plus my back will not allow me to put a moose hindquarter on it!
I admire those who will go on this hunt however. It is tough.