DIY Hunting Alaska
Self-guided Hunting Alaska is a topic near and dear to our heart as this type of hunting was the beginning and deep inspiration of Caribou Gear and Koyukon product development. Don’t get me wrong the Rocky Mountains that I call home were just as inspirational, Alaska was an eye-opening experience. The Rocky Mountains honed my outdoor way of life for 14 years. I simply took it for granted. Many of you will know this if you ever meet me at one of the annual trades shows or attend one of the Self-guided Hunting Alaska seminars. I may have excitedly inundated you with more information than you could handle.
As I cover some of the topics of self-guided hunting Alaska, the following is a short version of the more detailed future blogs. Blogs that will cover more in-depth specifics of each subject.
Allow me the time to offer you the basics of how to successfully plan for such an Adventure!
Alaska is a vast and rugged wilderness, offering some of the best hunting opportunities in the world. For those looking to challenge themselves and truly immerse themselves in the wild, hunting without a guide can be a rewarding experience. Here are some expert tips on how to hunt Alaska without a guide. The following are some of the most asked questions. This first question is, can I do this, if you have spent time camping and successfully hunting the lower forty-eight the answer is yes! If you have successfully self-guided a hunt in the western US for deer and elk the answer is yes! If your outdoor adventures have found you on the wild rivers rafting the answer is, yes? Good news! The door is wide open for the ultimate Alaskan hunting experience.
Do I need a guide to hunt Alaska?
Answer - yes and no. If you’re looking to hunt moose, caribou, black bear and wolf, you can do this on your own. You do however need a guide to hunt grizzly, brown bear, sheep and goats. This is most obvious for your safety. Knowing where, what and how to hunt are the main 3 factors.
Planning your Hunt
If you’re ready to plan your future hunt there are a few things to consider. What, Where, and How? Decide what you’re going to hunt, as this will determine the habitat and terrain, where you’re going to hunt, and how you’re going to gain access to this location. Once you have answered these three key questions, your unit research begins.
Be sure to refer to the Alaska Hunt Regulations, it will have all you’ll need to know about a given hunt unit. The Alaska fish and game website will also have information about harvest success for any given unit along with helpful information regarding access.
Keep in mind if you pick a draw unit, the application date begins November 1st and ends December 15th.
Drop Hunt or Raft
A Bush Plane will help you with your drop hunt, they will drop you directly on the tundra, lake or river. This type of hunt is limited to hiking mobility, distance is a key consideration, when hunting moose carrying one of these beasts can be literally tons of work, at least it will seem that way. So hopefully you pick an active game area that doesn’t require you to hike miles in search of the species you will be hunting.
Raft hunting, you will literally be seeing a new area around every bend offering you the most likely opportunity to see game. The problem with this hunt is locating a bush plane pilot that rents rafts for this adventure on the river. Don’t get me wrong there are many that do, as well as raft rental companies located in Anchorage or Fairbanks. Did we mention the work that’s involved in a raft hunt? Here are a few things to ponder, one is the daily load and unload, camp setup and tear down, hanging food, setting up a camp kitchen (eating area). You may be able to stay a day or two pending the length of your hunt and your destination to preplanned bush plane pickup. FYI: My personal favorite is a float hunt for all the positive reasons mentioned above. Yes, it is a lot of work, but well worth the effort, just be physically and mentally prepared.
Research the Area
Before embarking on your Alaskan hunting expedition, it is important to conduct thorough research on the area you will be exploring. By understanding the terrain, wildlife patterns, and regulations that may be in place, you can significantly increase your chances of a successful hunt. Here are some key factors to consider when researching the area:
What is the Terrain Like?
Alaska is known for its diverse and challenging terrain, ranging from dense forests, rugged mountains & marshy tundra. This type of habitat is usually where moose, bear and wolf call home. Understanding the topography of the area you will be hunting in is crucial for planning your approach. If you’re on a raft hunt it’s likely that you’ll be drifting through forested areas, grass parks and open tundra. So, carrying all four tags is a great way of leveraging the odds of success.
Are There Any Regulations to Be Aware Of?
Before heading out into the wilderness, it is essential to familiarize yourself with any hunting regulations that may apply in the hunt unit. This includes any specific restrictions that may be in place. By following the rules and regulations, you can ensure a safe and legal hunting experience.
Why is Researching the Area Important?
Researching the area before your hunting trip is not just about increasing your chances of success—it is also about safety. By understanding the terrain, wildlife patterns, and regulations, you can better prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead. Being well-informed will give you a strategic advantage and help you make the most of your hunting adventure.
As always and everywhere you hunt, be sure to study and clearly understand the Hunting Regulations. Keep in mind many Alaska hunting units offer over the counter tags, and many do not. Another important note many units require that nonresident hunters leave meat on bone in the field. For caribou some units require that you hunt a certain distance from the river. Point being is it’s better to know so you're assured not to have to pay for a costly mistake. FYI: We have had fish and game officers check tags in some extremely remote areas using boats, bush planes, helicopters and during some of the worst weather conditions. Suddenly they're just there!
How Do I Get My Gear to Alaska
This is a long-detailed question to answer, here is a condensed version. The first question is how you plan to hunt. Rafting will require more gear then if you were on a drop hunt.
The next consideration is the plane that’s taking you to your hunt area. For example, we generally charter a de Havilland beaver float plane. As a rule, we book a plane for every two people, raft, and gear. Check with your bush pilot for exact weight requirements, cargo weight for most is 1200 pounds including the weight of the pilot.
So how do you get your gear to Alaska? This is from the lower 48. We mail it to our bush pilot, where he’ll store it for a week or so until you arrive. (Watch for the upcoming blog that will cover this topic in detail) Again on an average raft hunt we will mail three well marked and taped boxes. Usually, the boxes will be a 24”x24” in size. You’ll place a heavy duty 55-gal plastic trash bag liner where you’ll stuff your non flight clothing and gear this will include everything from ammo, food, sleeping bag and small camp chair etc. what we don’t suggest sending via mail, would be your cameras, rifle, handgun overnight street clothing, this will also include a set of camo or hunting clothes. As you leave the hotel the day of your bush flight, you’ll be sporting your hunting gear. Waders or waxed leather boots will depend on your departure location and dock accessible float plane. Often you’ll likely need to wade through water while boarding the bush plane and most definitely when you land at the hunt location.
Be Prepared
Alaska's weather is known for being unpredictable and harsh, especially during hunting season. Nonresident moose hunters are likely to have tags for the month of September. September throughout Alaska can be very wet and up North you can experience moderate snowfall. But on the average, you can expect temperatures to cover around 50-degree highs, with nighttime temperatures around 35 degrees. To ensure your safety and comfort, it is crucial to be well-prepared with the right gear. Here are some important items you should have:
Quality Clothing
Invest in high-quality, synthetic clothing, poncho and waterproof jackets. If on or near water, hip boots are good to have. If on tundra or seemingly open areas, it would also be good to invest in a good pair of gaiters. Layering is key to regulating your body temperature and staying comfortable throughout the day. Make sure to pack thermal underwear.
Camping Equipment
Having the right camping equipment is essential for a successful hunting trip in Alaska. Make sure to bring a sturdy waterproof tent that can withstand strong winds and heavy rain. A high-quality synthetic sleeping bag that can wick away moisture is also a must-have. Keep in mind that down and cotton fabric will wick and hold moisture, making you wet and cold, not to mention mold can start to develop.
Additionally, your food list should primarily consist of freeze-dried foods, freeze dried fruits, jerky, energy bars/drinks and recovery drinks. A good reliable (jet boil) camping stove for cooking hot meals and coffee. We know this is the short version of a food list, this is to give you an idea of food items to pack. It should be noted that a high-volume water filtration system is extremely important. It's also important that each person bring their own filtration system. FYI: we use katadyn Pocket Microfilter. Most rivers, creeks and sloughs will have silt of various types including a milky looking glacier silt. All of which will clog your pump filters quickly. So, we also suggest using a water “settling" bucket to pump your water from.
“Giardia” Be careful not to cross contaminate your filtration pump with untreated water. This can happen when using your pump and more likely when you’re repacking your pump and hoses back into its storage bag. FYI: Three of us acquired Giardia, after 28-day hunt, at our stop in a local village on our way home)
Gear and Communication
When hunting in Alaska, it's important to have the right equipment for the job. Make sure to bring a good rifle with a synthetic stock or bow with suitable draw weight for hunting Alaska game. FYI: we use a 300 magnum for all four species and a bow with a 65-pound draw weight. Pack at least 1 box of ammunition. A reliable Garmin GPS device for safe accurate navigation. (we use Garmin 67i, and in Reach) (Watch for the upcoming blog that will cover this topic in detail)
SAT Phone
In days of old we had no sat phone or any way of communicating with the bush pilot much less home. Things have changed. There are many ways of communicating as mentioned above. At least one SAT phone is a must have. On our last Alaska hunt my hunting buddy developed a protruding hernia within the hour of our Bush Plane dropping us off at our hunt location. It was apparent that he required medical attention. This life and death emergency required the use of a SAT phone. We learned the next day that if he had not received medical attention, he would not have survived the night.
Game Bags and ID Tags
Of course, we strongly recommend Caribou Gear game bags for each species. It is a requirement to bring out all meat on bone and what better way to keep your hard-earned harvest clean than in our Breathable game bags. Don’t forget Caribou Gear game bag spray (Citric Acid), for more information on why, read page 23, in the Alaska Hunting Regulations. The Caribou Gear Game Bags are species specific bag systems, designed and made for your Alaska hunt, particularly for moose, and caribou.
ID Tags - Big Game Identification Tags are extremely instrumental. Imagine now, if you have all the parts and pieces of your moose bagged and hanging. Some of your meat will be donated and some will fly home with you, these are great for identifying what is to be donated and which bags you will be taking home. You are also well prepared with marked bags for fish and game and while your bags are hanging in the meat locker with the other hunter’s harvest.!
Physically Fit
By being well-prepared with the right gear, clothing, camping equipment, and hunting tools, you can ensure a safe and successful hunt. Don't underestimate the importance of preparation; this also means being physically fit for the job at hand. Simply getting there is exhausting, now you must set up camp, hang food bags, set up a rain shelter/cook station and when you tag a moose, you’ll surely understand what we mean!
Stay Safe
When hunting in Alaska without a guide, safety should be your top priority. At all times carry a satellite phone, first aid, fire starter and rain gear and your trusty sidearm, and most of all be sure that everyone in your hunt party has set waypoints, mainly referring to camp location. Just in case a person gets turned around or there's a change of plans in your hunt direction. Another good habit is to set your breadcrumbs marking your hiking path, sometimes it’s imperative that you come out the same way you went in, bushwhacking can be a losing battle. Don’t just go rushing off into the underbrush or even the seemingly open tundra, make a game plan and trust your instincts.
Bear
Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. After 24 years hunting Alaska, we have been fortunate to have only been charged by a bear once. We had been out moose calling, when we heard a loud rushing sound of water, we saw the black bear barreling down towards us. We continued to yell “BEAR, BEAR” at the top of our lungs. When at the ten-yard mark or so the bear abruptly stopped and turned and ran off the other way. In all I believe this happened due to mistaken identity. Being alert and proactive can help you avoid potential dangers while hunting in Alaska.
We have had bears make claim to our moose carcass remains a couple of times. Fortunately, we had moved the bagged game meat 100 yards from the harvest site before we started packing out what we could carry. Upon our return for the last and final load a big brown bear was noticed laying on top of the carcass. Being retroactive saved us from losing our hard-earned meat to the bear.
Camp Life
A couple of tips on camp care and general camp life. First rule DO NOT be complacent! During your week or near month long hunt never sway from good clean habits. Always hang your food out of reach of bear, keep a clean camp, burn all empty freeze-dried food bags along with other food packaging. Just because nothing has happened doesn’t mean it won’t.
The tools and tactics are available on Caribou Gear and the tool we never leave home without is The Hanger. Simply put it's a small heavy duty throw bag. Packed with 65 feet of fine but extremely strong cord. Look at it as a Needle and thread, a device that allows you to reach the upper branch of any tree. Read more.
A few more helpful tips. Spit your toothpaste in the fire or down a flowing stream, never directly spit on the ground. If you chew spit into a container, fire or into flowing water. Water current will dilute the smell and carry it away from your location.
Never eat in camp, pick a spot at least 50 yards from your tent. This will be the gathering place to eat, strategize the day's hunt, and tell tales of hunts of the past. Be sure to have a look at the hunters tarps The Montana one of these for a party of two will give you a great mobile shelter out of the direct sun and rain.
By following these expert tips, you can have a successful and fulfilling hunting experience in Alaska without the need for a guide. Remember to always prioritize safety, respect the wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.
