There is no trophy fee or additional charge to transport wolf hides from the field. This will often cause them to leave or you can yell to scare them off. There is nothing worse than planning an early August trip and getting caught off guard with winter weather. Our only source of communication is INREACH. Typically the caribou begin to shed their velvet the last week of August, with the larger bulls shedding their velvet first. Keep your tent closed while away from camp. Staging and loading can be hectic at times and with multiple people trying to help they can grab the wrong stuff. But you can get in front of them so just because you see caribou miles out does not mean they cannot be harvested. The taxidermists we recommend are Caribou Ridge Taxidermy (907-687-7417), located in North Pole, AK. LUGGAGE INFORMATION: Please remember that hunters luggage and rifle cases typically look alike. Caribou have been using many of these migration routes for hundreds of years. Take multiple shots in several different poses. Instead, the organizations petition cites climate change as a significant factor affecting the animals behavior. And please know we will be reaching out to you as your trip gets closer to ensure you are prepared and answer any questions. You are in a remote area and weather issues can be life-threatening. Per Alaska state law, you CANNOT remove antlers from the kill site until ALL salvageable meat has been removed. Your email address will not be published. ", Thank you for a great hunt, words can not do justice to the awesome country and your professionalism. We also recommend splitting the skullcaps on all caribou. Our experience in providing quality and high success caribou hunts in northwest Alaska is unmatched. Per the Alaska regulations published 1 July 2019, you can harvest 20 per day with no more than 40 in possession. Watch for them.
The meat will stay in the field with you unless arrangements are made between you and the boat crew for an earlier removal. Due to past issues with clients and unrealistic camp move requests we can no longer offer this. It is your responsibility to read and understand the regulations. This location has produced many record book caribou for us over the years as well as many grizzly bear and wolf. All staff members have had many years working with us in this area and are very professional and excellent hunters as well as outdoorsmen.
The hunting area is primarily open tundra with rolling hills. Prudhoe Bay is REMOTE and primarily made up of oil workers and construction crews, and as such does not have many of the everyday conveniences, we commonly take for granted. Hunters are then flown out to the field with all necessary camping equipment and food to a location we feel will be the best for success.
A few days of moisture buildup may make your bag lose a significant amount of insulation ability. Starting a physical regiment 4 to 6 months before your trip will have you better prepared for the Alaskan tundra. Doing it this way you must have all hide and meat off the skull prior to shipping. Mentally, we want you to be prepared for bad weather.
Required paperwork will be completed at the launch and MUST be kept while you are in the field. All equipment is cleaned and checked prior to your hunt to ensure that it is in proper working order. Caribou move casually on Tundra at around 10-15MPH you will move at a slow steady pace at around 1 MPH. However, you will need to document the location and happenings (i.e., GPS coordinates, photos). It is your responsibility to examine your supplied and non-supplied items including food, camping equipment, etc. Upon arrival, hunters will be picked up at the Kotzebue airport and taken to our operations base. Our pilots are among the best bush pilots in Alaska, and we have a Zero Accident Safety Record. At camp, keep your meat out of the direct sun and a short distance away from your camp. If you wish to have alcohol, you will need to pack it from home or purchase in Anchorage (state law allows only personal consumption amounts in original containers being transported in, and luggage must be labeled to indicate it contains alcohol and all alcohol contents must be declared). At camp, keep your meat out of the direct sun and a short distance away from your camp. We have multiple groups of hunters on the ground and if all are messaging it gets confusing and some messages will get missed. . We do not recommend traveling with or shipping green capes to the lower 48, as it is risky and very expensive. Caribou meat is very delicious; however getting it back to the lower 48 takes some effort and expense. After the brief and the equipment is inventoried, DHO will stage equipment and supplies on the boat for the trip. On these early caribou hunts, caribou have a tendency to be in the mountains, coming down to the lower elevations to feed, then returning back to the mountains in late morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures. We also recommend splitting the skullcaps on all caribou. To qualify as a rural Alaskan and to be eligible for subsistence hunting, individuals must permanently reside in one of the communities deemed rural by the Federal Subsistence Board. Dry wet or damp clothing in the sun or next to a small fire. RELATED: Barren Ground Film Backcountry Caribou Hunt in Alaska. Our success is unmatched. for GMU 26B. If you want to cook fish or anything else, you will need to bring oils and seasonings. You are welcome to bring your own gear or rent from another company. Over time, we have found these supplies to be sufficient enough for the duration of your hunt. You will find our Hunters Information Packet covers a wide variety of topics to answer many common questions, and assist you both in preparing for the hunt, and while in the field. Alaska Airlines allows wet lockboxes to be checked as luggage or shipping can be through Alaska Air Cargo. When planning your travel for this hunt, you should plan on traveling to Anchorage and spending the night at the hotel of your choice.
As stated previously the new regulations come out July 1st of every year. Our packing videos are available on our website, Youtube, and Facebook please watch them. Deboning meat is not permitted by airport regulation at the airport facility. In an April memorandum declaring its opposition to WSA21-01, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said not only does the science not support the councils claims, but the Special Action its requesting would cause an economic ripple effect throughout the state with lost revenue from hunters, guides, and transporters. Home to the largest herd in the state, these public lands hold an estimated 244,000 caribou (as of 2019). Challenges such as equipment maintenance or repair also add to the adventure; these types of situations distinguish fair chase hunting from controlled shooting experiences. If you are buying an INREACH for this trip when setting your name up, please make it recognizable. (please watch our packing videos those will tell you exactly what you need) Review your commercial airline's restrictions on the weight/size of baggage items. Select an area away from your camp for your privy, and cover your waste prior to leaving. For those wishing to donate meat, you must complete a transfer of possession form (we have them). Northwest Alaska has fantastic char and grayling fishing. Always keep your head on a swivel there are many low-lying areas that from afar you cant see into. Do not wait until you are thirsty, as you will quickly become dehydrated. If you encounter a grizzly, make noise YELL continuously. Set the meat so it can cool and allow air to circulate around it. Please be patient if we are not there at the exact time coordinated; many variables play a part in getting up and down the river. Plan to walk around 5-15 miles per day. Cooler fall temperatures will trigger the start of the migration forcing caribou to group up and move out of the Brooks Range into the winter range of the Kotzebue Sound. Char can grow to over 20 pounds in this region. I know I am not alone when I say that hunting Alaskan Brown Bear has been a life-long dream. In Anchorage you can either continue on your travels via a red-eye flight, or spend the night and continue your travels the next day. Should such a delay happen, our experienced staff will do all they can to assist you while staying in town, or out in the field. 40lb minimum draw weight for caribou, black bear, Dall sheep, wolf, and wolverine, 50lb minimum draw weight for mountain goat, moose, brown bear/grizzly, No mechanical broadheads for species requiring the 50lb minimum bow weight. If you are interested in fishing, you should bring light, packable spinning gear (8-10lb line) and a few small spoons and spinners (Pixies, Mepps, or similar). All Rights Reserved. Your adventure requires nerve, skill, and even some guidance. There are plenty of Ptarmigan to harvest up in the area you will be hunting. I was comforted however, knowing that I had hunted and fished with Brad before, and he had not only met but exceeded all my expectations.
From the launch, DHO will transport you and your group by airboat 25-50 River Miles to your drop camp location. BEARS: Welcome to grizzly country! The Federal Subsistence Board deferred action on the closure of the Federal public lands to caribou and moose hunting by non-federally qualified users back in June to gather more data, but the US Department of the Interior announced two new hearings on Wildlife Special Action Request 21-01 (WSA21-01).
We strongly recommend at least one person in your party rent/buy an Inreach.
Respect them. As stated above we cannot control the weather plan for 15-20 mph winds daily, plan for temperatures in the 30s or lower even in early August and plan for it to rain every single day. Please bear in mind your REMOTE setting. Sometimes in order to find the perfect trophy you have to walk through dense alder thickets, muskegs and even cross creeks. Wildlife Scientists Lead the Charge in Montanas CWD Zombie Deer Fight, Breaking the Curse: A Decade-Long Elk Hunt, The Bear: Hunting Ursa Major in the Idaho Wilderness, GEAR TEST: The Ultimate Bino Harness Shootout, Previously a hunting editor for Outdoor Sportsman Group, Emily Kantner is a freelance writer, editor, and marketing consultant.
We discourage transporting raw trophies to your home via airfreight. This method is labor-intensive, expensive, and risky. The success of your trip is more than the harvest. Follow Emily Kantner: Join the list to receive special offers, updates, and everything Free Range American. Her work has appeared in. We can transport your caribou back to the boat launch or into Prudhoe Bay, to be stored We have freezers at the boat launch or Alaska Air Cargo has large freezers if needed. It is not a grocery store or a gear store. Take time to clean up, pose and take some good photos of your animal. When you prepare to load the boat, make sure all of your gear is on the boat with you! Our detailed gear list provides worry-free packing, and will ensure you have the proper and necessary items with you. We work with Alpha Fur Dressers in Anchorage. During the remainder of the season, caribou will be hard horned. Communications are limited in such remote areas. If you do choose to rent from DHO Rentals, please look at the drop camp tab for items included. The weather is typically cool enough to keep things like onions, potatoes, and vegetables if you decide that you would like to bring fresh food. We know that it is impossible to cover all the questions that could arise while you are preparing for your trip. The weather can change quickly and bring precipitation; keep rain gear with you when away from your tent. I didnt come to ColdBay with the expectation of stalking big bears for miles, of hiking mountain terrain in waders, orof needing that range-finder to make shots over 300 yards but thats just what happened. While in the field, always be mindful of the weather. Penalties for game violations are severe. You will want to be prepared for your knowledge offield dressing and meat packaging. Read on to learn more details! They can be used but in Alaska, a crossbow is considered a firearm in most GMUs. Most of the small villages in Alaska are dry, including Prudhoe Bay. Plan to walk around 5-15 miles per day. Again, the pursuit is the experience and knowing personal limitations and thresholds before booking a trip saves everyone potential headaches. Hunters can purchase airline approved wetlock boxes in Kotzebue for a nominal cost to ship their capes and for meat transportation. Numbers are up from a 2016 estimate of 201,000 animals, and even the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group acknowledges caribou herds naturally fluctuate in numbers through time.. For your departure from Kotzebue, you should book an Alaska Airlines flight on the day you are scheduled to be picked up from the field. This being my first Alaskan Brown Bear hunt, I really did not know what to expect. You can move to a position that allows your scent to carry to the bear. The locking tag mailed to you by the Department of Fish and Game is to be brought with you. You may also arrive on the evening flight the day prior to your hunt and stay at the Brooks Camp. Contact us for additional information, and to book your adventure into the Last Frontier!, "Brad, Each and every time that I have come to Alaska Wilderness Charters and Guiding for a hunting or fishing trip you have always found a way to surpass all of my expectations. It is very important to stay hydrated when hunting; drink plenty of fluids constantly. Our only source of communication is INREACH. All persons, in the field, should carry their weapons loaded with an empty chamber. The caribou migration is directly related to the weather. Consider burning food items, which are odorous or greasy. This will allow you to drink from ANY water source you come across if needed. Our caribou hunting camps are placed in locations that have consistently produced for our hunters year after year.
Purchases of these items would need to be in state, driven to Prudhoe Bay, and disposed of before flying home. EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT: You will be hunting the Central Arctic herd please understand that this is the only heard in the North slope that is accessible to hunt by road and has easy river access to Residents (Residents still have to have a boat to get 5 miles away from the rd. Keep in mind that you will be in Kotzebue, where many of the shipping options and conveniences available elsewhere, are non-existent. This is the ideal hunt to bond with your best friend or family member(s), as the memories you share with them will last a lifetime! Make sure your weapon is safe, secure your tag on your trophy, and complete your harvest ticket. These trips are not for novices or complainers. Kotzebue is a small native village with a population around 3000 people, which sits on the tip of the Hotham Peninsula on the shore of the Chukchi Sea, just north of the Arctic Circle.
I am truly proud to recommend Alaska Wilderness Charters and Guiding to all my Friends. Crossbows are not considered archery in this GMU. Be prepared to spend many hours walking through Tundra and glassing looking for Caribou, some days there will be multiple groups of Caribou and some days there will be no Caribou as far as you can see. Hunters should arrive in Kotzebue on their scheduled arrival day via Alaska Airlines. Thatwe successfully stalked an old battle-scarred bruiser of a ten-foot bear is something I will alwaysremember. The rivers in this area contain Arctic Char, Dolly Varden, and Arctic Grayling. If you have brought an Inreach, we will provide you our numbers at the boat launch and you can communicate with us that way. Check your hunting regulations; you CANNOT shoot a bear to reclaim your trophy. This will allow us to put your information on our schedule and have our personnel on time to meet you at the airport. Most flights coming into Prudhoe Bay in the morning are overnight flights leaving the day prior and arriving at approximately 0910 the day of your hunt. But you can get in front of them so just because you see caribou miles out does not mean they cannot be harvested. Take off what you do not need and carry extra clothing in your pack for use while sitting. Some hunters bring insulated coolers to transport their meat home in. WOLVES: This area does have a good population of wolves, which are huntable. A representative of DHO will meet you on arrival in Prudhoe Bay or pick you up at Brooks Camp (typically around 0945) and transport you and your group to the boat launch. Penalties for game violations are severe. Have your luggage clearly labeled to aid in keeping your gear properly identified. A few minutes of preparing the ground will be well worth the time. Do NOT put meat in a pile; it will quickly spoil. While in the field, keep your capes open and out of the direct sun; preferably hung in a small tree or bush for air circulation and cooling. For your own personal safety, take extra precautions while doing even routine tasks. We take care of all the logistical hurdles, and provide you with detailed pre-trip information about your hunt. The council is particularly concerned about the effect transporters and non-local hunters are having on the migration of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, and believe that transporter activity in Units 23 and 26A may be delaying caribou migrationThe council also supports closing moose hunting to non-Federally qualified users because of declining moose populations.. You are limited to one Drybag and one empty frame pack for your gear going out to the field. RELATED: DIY Alaska Caribou Hunt Checklist How To Hunt the Dalton Highway, According to Safari Club International, the healthy, thriving populations do not meet the criteria for a Wildlife Special Action. We recommend .30 caliber or better. Alaska is known for its tough terrain and weather Big game hunting is not a luxury vacation; instead, prepare to be challenged and to live in rustic, sparse wilderness conditions. Consider lighting and fill the frame with hunter and trophy. Caribou move casually on Tundra at around 10-15MPH you will move at a slow steady pace at around 1 MPH. Please understand you ARE NOT required to rent from DHO Rentals. to hunt with a rifle). Previously a hunting editor for Outdoor Sportsman Group, Emily Kantner is a freelance writer, editor, and marketing consultant. It is at this time that you will receive a basic orientation on what to do and not do in the field and basic safety rules for the boat.
This tag takes 4-6 weeks to arrive. If a bear has claimed your kill and ruined the meat, you are not required to salvage it.
Experience in dealing with the sometimes harsh and ever-changing weather conditions, as well as the terrain within the hunting area is essential. Through this document DHO, has tried to cover what we think is important for you to know about your hunt and the area you will be hunting. Winds can destroy unsecured flaps and leave you without shelter. Please keep in mind that if you harvest a wolf must be sealed by DF&G prior to it leaving the state. Also, do not use extra-large bags or large hard-sided suitcases; they do not fit well into the truck or boat.
Not 5-15 miles away from camp but in total. Snacks, souvenirs, and some amenities are available for purchase at a small store across from the Brooks Camp. Thanks!". Our fully guided caribou hunt is for hunters looking for that extra edge in finding a trophy caribou, and prefer to have help with all the work that Alaska caribou hunting entails. You are an experienced hunter, but you are ready for the next challenge. Your sleeping bag will hold moisture. Alaska Wilderness Charters & Guiding starts caribou hunting during the early portion of the caribou migration in late August. DHO encourages you to obtain and study the game regulations so you do not, inadvertently, violate game laws. The hunting license that you bought for your Caribou hunt is enough. Facebook If you are careless or wasteful with your supplies, you will not have those items for the remainder of your hunt. Barren Ground Caribou hunting has never been better! You will also receive an inventory of your Drop Camp equipment if you rented from DHO Rentals. At the end of your hunt, you will be flown back into town along with your gear, meat, and trophies, where our personnel will be eager to hear about your adventures in the field. This option is more expensive but allows you to keep the hide and meat on the skull. And as we discussed the dates, flights and all of the particulars, I suddenly realized that my lifelong dream was finally about to begin. Alaska Wilderness Charters And Guiding will help you with expediting your trophy.
Our personnel will assist you in making arrangements to expedite your trophies, and get you and your gear to the gate for check-in for your return home. It is your responsibility to bring water bottles. If you have brought an Inreach, we will provide you our numbers at the boat launch and you can communicate with us that way. Do NOT put meat in a pile; it will quickly spoil. Hunters must also decide what they wish to do with their meat. Generally, they do not want to be near you, however, if startled or you come upon their food, they can be aggressive. This is another reason we suggest an INREACH. Unfortunately, there are a lot of variables that go into a migration.
If you have rented your drop camp you will have a small cook stove and pots and pans. So when Brad Saalsaa of Alaska Wilderness Charters and Guiding contacted me about a 2008 brown bear hunt, I was all ears. Whether a person is planning their first trip to Alaska or has been there before they cannot possibly have a better Alaskan experience then with you and your professional staff.
We do not want to see animals wounded or injured that cannot be taken cleanly and recovered promptly.
Join the list to receive special offers and updates! COMMUNICATIONS: Your hunt is conducted in a REMOTE wilderness area within the Arctic Circle. Contact: Jeremy Conn at (907) 669-2280 or deadhorseoutfitters@gmail.com.
When shes not working, you can find her chasing wild things with a bow near her hometown of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
(We understand that our videos state that we provide MREs that will change once we have a chance to re-record our packing video) We recommend Mountain house meals since they are light and easy to pack. Patience is a must! Thanks again for putting together an exciting, hard-charging bear hunt. This flight departs Kotzebue in the evening, and returns to Anchorage. #2 you extend your flight in Anchorage or Fairbanks, Ship the wolf to yourself and take care of the sealing at DF&G. PTARMIGAN: The season for Ptarmigan is 10 August through April. Alaska Wilderness Charters & Guiding has a very high return rate with our clientele, and we believe there is no better testament to our expertise. There are scattered bushes and stunted trees along stream banks and valleys to use as cover. They will expedite your antlers and capes to you or your taxidermist. In addition, Kotzebue is a damp village, so unless you bring your own beverages, alcohol cannot be purchased. Both our unguided Alaska caribou hunts and guided Alaska caribou hunts are based out of Kotzebue. We do have a, you can visit but if you don't find your question there please. Snacks, souvenirs, and some amenities are available for purchase at a small store across from the Brooks Camp. 
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