Koyukuk Moose!

I was wondering if anyone knows whether there is anyone that has some sort of unguided drop available with motor boats for this hunt? I know legistics on this hunt are pretty crazy and am trying to figure out a way to make it work?

I have a feeling this guy could give you some details
~Jeff~

Michael Spindler, Refuge Manager
Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
101 Front Street
P.O. Box 287
Galena, Alaska 99741-0287
Phone: (907)656-1231
Toll Free 800-656-1231
FAX: (907) 656-1708
E-Mail: [email protected]

Thanks for the heads up! I'll give him a ring!

I really enjoy 800 numbers myself So your looking at heading into a great area for record book moose. If I were wanting to go there I would either have to book a fully guided hunt or skip the outfitter thing all together. Any outfitter that works the area is not going to put a discounted "drop camp" in an area that the hunters involved might be competitive with his full paying hunters. Any flying service would be happy to drop you off in the location of your desire so long as they can land safely. You cut your costs down dramatically that way. I'd be looking at a inflatable boat and my own kicker to power it. I have my doubts that you will find a rental in that area and if you did they most likely would charge as much as it would cost you to bring you own. A 10hp OMC outboard use to weigh in just under 70lbs which can go on any plane or be shipped via parcel post from the lower 48. Beaver Sports in Fairbanks always seems to have a good line of inflatable rigs. Their prices seem realistic to me when I pass through the store, they run about 30 to 40 % higher than you may be use to in the lower 48. So you could have one waiting on you when you get to town. If you shop flying services in the area you will find those guys know where the moose are. Listen to what they have to say, these guys are in the air daily and they see and make note of where the bigger bulls hang out. In Alaska most every outfitter is a pilot with his own flying service (Hi Mike) But all flying services are not outfitters. Tagging ?licensed outfitter? on to a flying service you most likely will tag on a bundle of money to the costs of the trip.
You should pay for nothing more than air time for the size of plane you will need regardless of how many people or how much gear. When calling just ask what they charge per hour and how many pounds of total payload they are comfortable with in the planes they have. Here I go writing a book again, I'd better go. Good luck and let us know what you learn.

~Jeff~
http://www.jeffalaska.com

There is no way I can afford the services of a guide so I'm trying to figure out how to make such a hunt work. As you are probably aware, guided AK moose hunts are going for $6500 to $9000. My preference would be to do it on my own at a fraction of that cost. Obviously, I have a strong back and a weak mind!

I'm not sure if you are familiar with the Koyukuk? It is in a no fly zone so it is off limits to having any sort of drop off via air? The only way in and out is by boat. What I'm trying to figure out is if there is any kind of transporter that could somehow get a guy in and out of the area....and if it might be possible to be dropped off with a small motor boat?

If there was some sort of inflatable with small motor that would save on weight and space, that would likely be my best bet? I have a feeling it may be next to impossible to find a rental...especially that far off the beaten path?

I can see calls are needed to the ranger there. Whats the chances of getting a drop off at the top of the no fly zone and picked up at the bottom of it? I can cover a 125 river miles in my kayaks in a week with limited hikes involved provided I am going down stream. It's about 30 miles a day with a modrate current. Days are still long during the season there so plenty of early and late glassing and hunting time and still be able to cover river miles the same day. I had the understanding (for no particular reason) that after the 18 year closer to hunting they had opened the flying up with the hunting season. I know a fishing outfitter in Fairbanks that might be able to help with a boat. He usually sells off all his boats at the end of season and buys new for the following year. He very well my want to rent one for a while before he sells it. I guided with him before he broke off on his own, he's a lifer in Fairbanks and uses flying services quite a bit with his trips. So if you were to catch him at the right time he could be a world of local info for you. He's helped me with every thing from whose the best butcher in town to tips on where to find a moose. Heres his website I belive you will find his cell phone number there.

Logan Ricketts
Alaska Fishing & Rafting Adventures
Fairbanks, Alaska
http://www.aktours.net/index.html

Anyone reading this might want to check his prices on trips before they book their next fishing trip in Alaska. I have a few guys I can ask for further info in that area, I'll let you know if I come across any good info.


~Jeff R Johnson~

Mike M, I tried to return an email to you but got a note back saying that you had a spam blocker? I'd like to contact you but it said you have to have me on your email address list. Anyway, I'd like to hear from you!

Taqukuq, those are some great suggestions! I'm not familiar if their is a drop zone on a tributary above the no fly zone? If so, I wonder if there would be any possibility of floating the top and then using some sort of outboard motor farther down?I've floated about 50 miles in a week but that's about as far as I've gone.

Thanks for the heads up on the Fairbanks guy....I'll have to look into it!

go to my web site and click on contact us---should work

Mike McCrary
Alaska Bush Sports
http://www.alaskabushsports.com

It seems like I am running into a lot of dead ends with this particular hunt. All I am really looking for is some sort of transporter up the river to drop off a camp and possibly having a small boat/motor to use. I'm curious if anyone has ever done this sort of thing or if it is legistically impossible?

LM - NRA, NAHC, RMEF

JIMS,
Might be interested in going up. Was going in 2002 and didn't make it. Have a friend in Soldotna who is a river guide and has some contacts. Let me know if you need company. [email protected]
DUANE

huntm2, I sent you an email. Let me know if you got it!