Dalton hwy. caribou hunt

Huntmaster · Jan 8, 2012

I hunted caribou out of happy valley a couple of years ago. they flew us back in to hunt with rifles i believe 20 miles or so, on the drive out we saw hunters hunting i believe off dalton hwy with bows hunting bou my question is, have any of you alaska residents ever hunted the dalton hwy with a bow and had any success, and is it worth trying to put a trip together to hunt the dalton hwy. or are there any other places to hunt caribou without doing a dropcamp?

hoopscoach · Jan 9, 2012

I am not an Alaskan resident but I spend my summers there. I hunted the Dalton Highway in early August and had a blast. I can't wait to go back again this year. PM me if you want more details.
Hoopscoach

"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud"

AKHUNTINFOOL · Jan 9, 2012

You can only hunt with bows within 5 miles of the Alaska oil pipeline. The Dalton Hwy can be feast or famine. If the herd is moving through then you could kill one just off the hwy. If the caribou numbers are low then you might see three hunters stalking the same lone caribou. I live in Anchorage (18 hours drive) and it is still difficult to correctly time a trip when there are lots of animals to stalk.

Are you planning to drive up or were you going to fly to Fairbanks, AK and rent a vehicle? Some car rental agencies won't allow their vehicles to be driven on the Dalton hwy.

Do you want to hunt caribou in the velvet or do you want hard horned trouphies? This may determine when you plan your trip.

Huntmaster · Jan 13, 2012

any reccomendations on rental companies. looks like some will rent rv's any of you tried that.

Huntmaster · Jan 28, 2012

Do any of the locals do this hunt? Just curious or if they would rather do a fly in hunt. Do any of you have pics of the quality there over the last few years?

Bodhi · Jan 30, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Jan-30-12 AT 10:41AM (MST)[p]Yes, lots of locals hunt it. Contact Larry Bartlett of Prinstine Ventures. He does hunt planners but will give you lots of current info on the haul road.
I've never hunted it but know guys who have. Lots of bou but expect lots of company (if you hunt right off the road).

AKHUNTINFOOL · Jan 30, 2012

There are several sections of the Sag River that can be floated via rafts to open up more areas to hunt away from the road/crowds.

You are probably better off flying out of Happy Valley to give your group a better chance of being successful.

Huntmaster · Jan 30, 2012

do any of you know if dan salors is doing drop camps still and how to contact him if so?

Bodhi · Jan 31, 2012

Forgot to mention Coyote Air if you fly outin the brooks range. He fly's out of cold foot.

Dont overlook other area of the state if you decide to fly. Bethel has many good air charters. Papa bear, renfro's etc. Flew out with both and they will put you on bou.

AKHUNTINFOOL · Jan 31, 2012

The caribou hunting around Bethel is not what it used to be. Papa Bear is not taking bou hunters in 2012, I don't know about Renfro.

Kotzebue has some excellent bou hunting.

zekers · Feb 4, 2012

I bowhunted the Dalton around Happy Valley twice. It was feast the first time. Famine the second time. The roadhunting was terrible. I rented a raft the second time and got across the Sag. That eliminates the pressure, but the Bou just weren't around in any numbers.
I used GoNorth Alaska rentals in Fairbanks. They will allow you to go on the Dalton. Buy insurance, you will probably lose a windshield!
Hang out on Larry Bartlett's Pristine Ventures forum. Search the archives and you will learn more than you ever will here.
Alaskans are the nicest people and willing to help anytime, but give truckers the right of way, or they will eat your lunch!