Moose Hunt
- Thread starter jessbad
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littlejoe
Guest
You need to do a lot of research before doing a DIY in AK. It is tough even for the best of hunters. Logistics, camps, food, etc all take a lot of planning. My buddies did it and had a great trip but they are pack mules and said it took everything they could do to do it. I am sure the trips are different based on area but they had to haul the moose a couple miles back to camp on their backs through the swamp and it was hard going. Good luck in your search.
hoopscoach
Active Member
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- 309
Littlejoe speaks the truth! I was interested in the same thing so I took it a step further and found a job in Alaska for the summer so I could get familiar with the state and learn as much as possible about moose, caribou and bear hunting. (I work in education so I have the summers off) I'm finding that hunting in AK is very difficult. The moose areas that are accessible on foot are hunted very hard. There are very few hidden honey holes in this state. This coupled with the 50 inch minimum (in many units) makes finding a legal bull very hard. Seriously, I would say about 75% of the residents I have met in Alaska are hunters and most have marginal success. Maybe that is just the area I happen to be spending my summer, but I have seen a lot of moose around here. If I were going to hunt in 2012, and wanted to do a DIY hunt, I would hire a transporter to take me away from the crowds and would help me get my moose out. Also, go with a group. It's fairly dangerous and there are quite a few ways to die in this state. All it takes is one mistake if you don't have a friend there to help you. PM me if you want. By no means am I an expert on hunting AK but I have learned quite a bit (and more everyday) in the 4 weeks I have been here.
Hoopscoach
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud"
Hoopscoach
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud"
FullCryHounds
Active Member
- Messages
- 458
Here's an article I wrote to help guys like yourself out.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID24/247.html
Colorado Lion Hunt:
Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID24/247.html
Colorado Lion Hunt:
Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
hoopscoach
Active Member
- Messages
- 309
I don't mean to sound negative but that is the reality. It's certainly not impossible, just difficult. Fullcryhounds has some really good information that you should save. If you want to hunt in 2012, you should start planning now. Here is another website that has a tremendous amount of information.
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/forumdisplay.php/2-Alaska-Hunting
Good luck!
Hoopscoach
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud"
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/forumdisplay.php/2-Alaska-Hunting
Good luck!
Hoopscoach
"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud"
I understand the difficulty of the hunt. I hunt elk in the Gila wilderness and pack elk out on my back I have been doing this for many years and have been hunting for 30 years. Last year we packed an elk out several miles on our back till three a.m. When we got back to camp the alarm went off to get up the next day, so I am well aware of what I am getting into. I have others that are going with me. We have started on the research and are thinking of doing a float hunt. I do not measure my success on whether or not we harvest a bull but on the experience itself. I want to do DIY for the experience. If we do not harvest the first trip we plan on going again. Transporter is also a possibility. I would like to hear of others experiences and what pros and cons of their experience are so that I can make an informed decision.
I would appreciate any info and would be willing to help out anyone that helped me if they wanted to hunt mule deer or elk in New Mexico. I know much of the state and all the best areas to put in for.
I would appreciate any info and would be willing to help out anyone that helped me if they wanted to hunt mule deer or elk in New Mexico. I know much of the state and all the best areas to put in for.
When my dad and I went up in 2008 we originally wanted a float hunt. Then started thinking about it and that means you basically have to set up and tear down camp in the best hunting times of the day and you have to do it every day possibly. We decided on a drop hunt to maximize time hunting and sleeping, where we went was on a old river channel so we were still able to check different areas if need be. We are headed up again this fall, and trying to see if we can beat our previous time of hunting 90 minutes and filling our two tags on the first day. 
I would definately plan on a transporter, you need to get away from everyone, roads and easy access points. Not sure on stats but would be willing to guess that the success percentage is way higher when using an outfitter/transporter to get you away from everyone.
Mntman
"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
I would definately plan on a transporter, you need to get away from everyone, roads and easy access points. Not sure on stats but would be willing to guess that the success percentage is way higher when using an outfitter/transporter to get you away from everyone.
Mntman
"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
FullCryHounds
Active Member
- Messages
- 458
Your mod of transportation is very important. Floating a river puts you in the same exact spot as everyone else floating that same river. Rivers are like highways in Alaska and everyone else uses them also. By far the best mod of transpotation to get to your camp is a wheeled bush plane. The options on where you can land are much better then anything else. Don't forget, the best moose tags are in the drawing which occurs the previous Dec. so this year is too late. I would highly suggest getting in the drawing. On an average hunt where we hunt moose, you will see 2-6 legal bulls every day. And half of those are over 60". You won't find that in an over the counter unit.
Colorado Lion Hunt:
Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
Colorado Lion Hunt:
Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
L
littlejoe
Guest
The one thing I cannot describe to anyone that has not been there is the terrain. It is like a bog. Walking for miles in hip boots is hard. Where I was at I was always walking in water and there were these big clumps of grass that you would have to step on as well as sinking in the mud/water. The walking up there is like two steps forward and one step back. Plus, most people, do not realize how big these animals really are. I have shot a Shiras, Canadian and Alaska-Yukon and my two Alaska-Yukon were twice the size at least of my Shiras. There is no comparison between an elk and moose and then add in the terrain and it is hard. In the Yukon it took 9 trips to get my bull out. Four trips with a quarter, the neck, the horns, the cape, each side of ribs. The only thing we could leave was the spine and the bottom part of the leg below the joint. It is a great trip but you cannot prepare enough. Best of luck with your decision.
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Garion33
Guest
Jess, what kind of DIY hunt do you want? Are you looking for a drop camp on a lake/river, maybe a drop camp with access to a boat, a float hunt, or a hunt that you can rent ATVs and drive into? Are you looking for semi-outfitted, meaning someone will provide gear and maybe food, or are you bringing your own gear/food? How many folks are you looking at hunting with? Try to narrow your scope and really, truly decide what method you would like to do. Each has their pros/cons, but one thing everybody has mentioned that is true, is that all methods for moose are HARD WORK! Drop camps are great, but you are limited in the area you can cover. Many times, the moose doesn't come out where we might like them to and you have go after them. More so than elk hunting, the fun ends when you pull the trigger. A fair sized bull moose dwarfs even an exceptionally large bull elk. Packing a moose over a mile isn't very much fun, and when you throw in swamps, muskeg, and alders, even less so. I know you aren't scared of hard work, but I just want you to realize you may have to hunt further out on a drop camp than you really might like. Having access to a boat on a river or lake can open up more territory.
My personal favorite is a float hunt. You mentioned that you are looking for the experience, then this is right up your alley. I believe out of all of the methods, this requires the most work, but is very fulfilling for an adventure. Depending on where you go and how many miles of river you have to cover, and how many days you have in the field, you can take your time. Don't try to cover 150 river miles for a ten day and expect to properly hunt an area. As far as other people on a river, yes you most likely will see more float hunting than on a drop camp. But, Alaska is huge and the amount of territory to hunt on a good float is usually immense. My last 2 float hunts, I saw a total of six people in 2009 and 6 in 2010. It's not really a big deal considering there were only 3 parties on the river, and one group had 4. Also, a key point to remember is that rivers are highways for moose as well as people. Moose will walk up river, down river, and across rivers. On float hunts, I have packed moose as far as a mile and a quarter or so, and as little as 6 feet.
With moose hunting, hunting first thing in the morning or late in the evening aren't always the best times. I've not been on a guided hunt, so maybe FullCry can chime in about the best times in his areas, but my last 2 bulls have come at 1030am (2009) and about 330pm (2010). My partner shot one of his bulls right at dark on one float. You are not going to miss good hunting time float hunting, as whenever you are out in Alaska on a river can be the good hunting time. I've floated at all times of the day and have seen moose at all times of the day.
You also need to be realistic about harvest chances. I know you mentioned it isn't a big deal to you, but maybe to others it is. In a good area, you can usually harvest 2 bulls for 2 people, if you are willing to do the work. In a party of 4, the chances of everyone filling their tags goes down, especially with a drop camp. It can be done, but it is harder.
Everyone is going to say thier way is the best (as noted, I am partial to mine as well), and each method of moose hunting offers something different, you just need to decide what experience you are looking for. As others have mentioned, I highly recommend to do your research. Pick a quality outfit that limits the number of people they place around you, whether drop camp, lake/river hunt, or float hunt. Read the post by FullCry that he attached for DIY hunters. He offers a lot of great info and is willing to answer questions. He is also a registered guide, has lots of experience hunting Alaska, and is a true expert.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but the bottom line is what experience (method) you want from your DIY Alaskan Moose hunt. Once you decide that, then you can start researching areas/transporters.
I hope this helps.
Good luck,
Garion33
My personal favorite is a float hunt. You mentioned that you are looking for the experience, then this is right up your alley. I believe out of all of the methods, this requires the most work, but is very fulfilling for an adventure. Depending on where you go and how many miles of river you have to cover, and how many days you have in the field, you can take your time. Don't try to cover 150 river miles for a ten day and expect to properly hunt an area. As far as other people on a river, yes you most likely will see more float hunting than on a drop camp. But, Alaska is huge and the amount of territory to hunt on a good float is usually immense. My last 2 float hunts, I saw a total of six people in 2009 and 6 in 2010. It's not really a big deal considering there were only 3 parties on the river, and one group had 4. Also, a key point to remember is that rivers are highways for moose as well as people. Moose will walk up river, down river, and across rivers. On float hunts, I have packed moose as far as a mile and a quarter or so, and as little as 6 feet.
With moose hunting, hunting first thing in the morning or late in the evening aren't always the best times. I've not been on a guided hunt, so maybe FullCry can chime in about the best times in his areas, but my last 2 bulls have come at 1030am (2009) and about 330pm (2010). My partner shot one of his bulls right at dark on one float. You are not going to miss good hunting time float hunting, as whenever you are out in Alaska on a river can be the good hunting time. I've floated at all times of the day and have seen moose at all times of the day.
You also need to be realistic about harvest chances. I know you mentioned it isn't a big deal to you, but maybe to others it is. In a good area, you can usually harvest 2 bulls for 2 people, if you are willing to do the work. In a party of 4, the chances of everyone filling their tags goes down, especially with a drop camp. It can be done, but it is harder.
Everyone is going to say thier way is the best (as noted, I am partial to mine as well), and each method of moose hunting offers something different, you just need to decide what experience you are looking for. As others have mentioned, I highly recommend to do your research. Pick a quality outfit that limits the number of people they place around you, whether drop camp, lake/river hunt, or float hunt. Read the post by FullCry that he attached for DIY hunters. He offers a lot of great info and is willing to answer questions. He is also a registered guide, has lots of experience hunting Alaska, and is a true expert.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but the bottom line is what experience (method) you want from your DIY Alaskan Moose hunt. Once you decide that, then you can start researching areas/transporters.
I hope this helps.
Good luck,
Garion33
Bambistew
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,959
Don't let these guys scare you, from the sounds of it you have more experience hunting and packing than most of the 'guides' do up here.
Fly or float, both would be fun and I'm sure you can be sucuessful.
I think probalby the hardest part of going DIY would be getting all the gear up here and home along with meat and horns. The hunt is the easy part.
Good luck on your trip.
Fly or float, both would be fun and I'm sure you can be sucuessful.
I think probalby the hardest part of going DIY would be getting all the gear up here and home along with meat and horns. The hunt is the easy part.
Good luck on your trip.
cabinfever
Very Active Member
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- 2,382
I'd do a fly in trip of some kind. Find a good air taxi and get away from the road systems. I'd have a minium of 2 guys in camp with you. Alaskan moose are a draft horse with horns.They are bigger than you can imagine. It will take 3 guys a minium of 3 trips to get a boned out moose packed out. External frame packs are preferred for packing moose. Bring some long sharp filet knifes for taking the meat off the bone. Do your research and you will have a great hunt.
AKHUNTINFOOL
Active Member
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- 113
H
habitat
Guest
There is a great story from some guys that just got back on bowsite.com titled "I gave up my elk hunt for this"they were bowhunting but ended up shooting with rifles.the used a transporter.A dream of mine too.
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AkNomad
Guest
>Your mod of transportation is very
>important. Floating a river
>puts you in the same
>exact spot as everyone else
>floating that same river.
>Rivers are like highways in
>Alaska and everyone else uses
>them also. By far the
>best mod of transpotation to
>get to your camp is
>a wheeled bush plane. The
>options on where you can
>land are much better then
>anything else. Don't forget, the
>best moose tags are in
>the drawing which occurs the
>previous Dec. so this year
>is too late. I would
>highly suggest getting in the
>drawing. On an average
>hunt where we hunt moose,
>you will see 2-6 legal
>bulls every day. And half
>of those are over 60".
> You won't find that
>in an over the counter
>unit.
>
>
>Colorado Lion Hunt:
>
>
>Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
>http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
The best hunts for moose are not draws, far from it. Having lived and hunted here for over 18 years I know of lots of places where there are giant bull moose to hunt that aren't in draw areas. Do a little homework and you'll see what i'm talking about. To get to these areas it will take an air charter and it won't be cheap but there are giant bulls to be had for those willing to shell out the coin.
>important. Floating a river
>puts you in the same
>exact spot as everyone else
>floating that same river.
>Rivers are like highways in
>Alaska and everyone else uses
>them also. By far the
>best mod of transpotation to
>get to your camp is
>a wheeled bush plane. The
>options on where you can
>land are much better then
>anything else. Don't forget, the
>best moose tags are in
>the drawing which occurs the
>previous Dec. so this year
>is too late. I would
>highly suggest getting in the
>drawing. On an average
>hunt where we hunt moose,
>you will see 2-6 legal
>bulls every day. And half
>of those are over 60".
> You won't find that
>in an over the counter
>unit.
>
>
>Colorado Lion Hunt:
>
>Mineshaft Lion Hunt:
>http://trophyroom.com/video/lls8ViwJcT
The best hunts for moose are not draws, far from it. Having lived and hunted here for over 18 years I know of lots of places where there are giant bull moose to hunt that aren't in draw areas. Do a little homework and you'll see what i'm talking about. To get to these areas it will take an air charter and it won't be cheap but there are giant bulls to be had for those willing to shell out the coin.
