Hunt alone for moose?

COtransplant

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Wife surprised me the other day with the offer to let me go to Alaska on my first moose hunt for my birthday. Problem is, I don't know anyone that can swing a) money or b) time.
My big question...is it even logical to consider going solo? My concern being meat transportation. I fully realize that it's going to restrict my kill ranges to maybe 400yds of camp. is it even logical to try to pack that much weight yourself? Never done it. But I understand western Alaska has regs that require the quarters to still be on the bone. And the rib cage to be transported bone in. Pretty much a deal breaker for a solo dude isn't that?
 
Surely you must know some avid hunter that would jump at the chance to go with you on your adventure. Ask yourself can I load a 150 hindquarter on my pack and then get the pack on and carry it back to camp by myself. If the bull dies in a river or lake can I butcher it in the water or get it out of the water by myself? A moose is big job for two people, I don't ever want to try it by myself. Keep looking for a partner.
 
What kind of experience do you have with big animals, i.e. have you worked on many elk solo? Do you backpack hunt, how much weight can you carry. 100lbs is a lot of weight, but not impossible by any means. I don't like packing more than about 120lbs as it hurts my knees too much.

There are areas that you can bone out the meat. IMO I wouldn't hunt western AK on a solo hunt, just logistics to get there and back alone would be a pain in the arse. There are more moose in other parts of the state with much better logistics. Look into flying out of Fairbanks or Anchorage. That way its one stop with the meat, vs air cargo, etc. There are places in town to get it taken care of etc. In the bush, you're on your own for the most part. Schlepping 500lbs of meat around gets really old fast.

If 400 yards is your limit, you should stay home because you're not tough enough to be moose hunting... just say'n. I've been in on 8 moose kills, two were close to a road 1/2 a mile or so, the rest averaged 1.5 miles one way. I hunt with a partner, but we also killed 2 bulls on some of those trips so it worked out that I packed an entire moose by myself.

If you're selective in kill locations, and hunt in areas where you won't kill yourslef (swamps, bad creek/river crossings) getting the meat out, I wouldn't worry about hunting solo. Lots of moose hunting can be done on dry-ish ground.

A moose is 6-7 pack loads plus antlers. Usually you can bring them out with the last load of meat, if you over-load the previous trip. A cape is 60lbs or so if green if you bring that as well. I haven't been in on one of those 1 in a 100 bulls that will go 150lbs a hind quarter, but I know they exist. Most average bulls are about 110-120lbs a bone in hind, and about 80-90 for a front. The neck is a load all its own, and rib trim and backstraps/tenders are another load.

The thing I would worry about is getting hurt, twisting a knee, or something like that or a moose running off and dying in a swamp. A packable come-a-long and a lot of rope should be in your kit.

One of the two bulls we shot on this trip was killed in the valley across the river at treeline... the second was about 1/2 a mile below that spot. The strip is on the river bottom to off the left side of the picture, it was roughly 2 miles one way from the kill site to the strip.

DSCN0527.jpg
 
Great replies guys. One saying no and one saying it can be done. But both containing good info. Bambistew, thanks specially.
Yep, I've been around plenty of elk transported by backpack. Plenty enough to be sure 150 lbs was more than I wanted to carry in a load. 120 is doable, I agree. I'm 6'2 and 225. Plenty physically able, but never done it so seeking counsel!
Definitely some forethought required for tools like a come along to allow a guy to move a critter. Me thinks the best thing you could do would be to pace yourself. It's gonna be a marathon not a 100 yard dash.
Any more input would be awesome. im still debating it. Nearly impossible for me to bypass such an awesome opportunity, even if I can't find a buddy to go.
 
Another thing to keep in mind... many transporters will not fly you in solo, especially if they don't know you or you're coming from the L48 with zero experience hunting in the bush. September can have some brutal weather conditions. Could be nice, or you'll be soaked and freezing to death.

I'll bet if you toss out some invites, you'll get someone to bite. Heck take your wife if she likes the outdoors it will be an experience she'll never forget.

My first moose hunt we killed two bulls about 100 yards apart, a mile from the landing strip. The first day we each packed 2 loads of meat, the second day we packed 4 each... It sucked, but we powered through it. A trip I'll never forget. I will likely not shoot two moose at the same time again, though. :D Getting them quartered and taken care of was nearly a full day chore. We shot them at first light, and got back to camp about an hour after dark.

Speaking of taking care of one, pray that it doesn't die in a really weird position, because once they're down, even two guys aren't moving one around much. A come-a-long may also be useless depending on trees.

Moose hunting is usually more misery than fun, but that's why I enjoy it.

Have you thought about a caribou hunt instead? Same experience, and much easier to deal with on a solo trip.

good luck planning, and feel free to email/pm me if you have any questions.
 
Yeh or the Bears could eat you or after you give them scent from the blood of killing your game......is it worth it you are the one that needs to choose....while the experience would be awesome things stated above are noted....I have boned out an elk but with two people it took us 11hours to get it to the truck in rough terrain. With the rules you have stated I would suggest getting a guide and some professional help if you have not done that type of hunting before....remember your life depends on you abilities, gear and plan.....you will be at the mercy of the wilderness where it is eat or be eaten, kill or be killed.....at a minimum purchase a top quality PLB peresoal locator beacon that sends a GPS position for help....they won't likely get there in time if you are alone though......ask your self is it really worth the risk, bad weather, torn apart camp by a Grizz that may come back to eat you at night......I read regs. That stated that in certain areas when camping in the back country you must keep your sleeping camp 1/2 mile from where you hang in a tree your food.....please call that State and talk to a Dept. of Fish and Wildlife expert..........

)))))---------->
 
You can also do a drop camp with other hunters ask the outfitter if that is possible to get dropped in with another group.More the merrier type deal.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
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I think a caribou hunt would be a better choice. Your chances of success are much better. You would be dealing with a much smaller animal if you are fortunate. Antlers are just as impressive. Meat is great!
At a minimum, if you are set on moose, consider a float. Then you are reasonably assured of getting one close to camp/water. Bummer if he goes down in the water.
If you put it out there that you are looking for a partner you will get replies. Accept all of them and sort through them all. Most will flake out, some will be unable to afford it. You will probably end up with 1 or 2 to choose from out of the original 12 responses.
Better if you can get together with him for a weekend shakedown a year before to see if you hate his guts. The second day in the field is a bad time to find that out.
 
I have been on several Moose hunts and it is not a one man job. I have packed out many elk and deer on my own but Moose are a whole different ball game.
Thank You
Rick
 
If you are in shape tough and have a plan go ahead. I am sure you can go over 400 yards. They are twice as big as an elk.
 
did you decide?
only you can decide if you want/can do it alone. You know what your limitations are, no one else does. That means mental and physical.
It would be tough alone but yet do able. We have shot 4 moose over the last few years.
Shooting them in the water is actually easier to me. Pics suck but easy to maneuver animal and keeps the meat really clean so don't let that scare you. Its not like you are out in 10' and treading water. Just pull it in till he hits bottom.

Packing out a moose, if you do shoot it a long distance from camp or its in a nasty spot. Yes in many areas of AK you are required to leave meat on bone, however if we ever got in a bad spot, we will simply cut the leg in half (leaving meat on bone) thus cutting the weight down to a very easy level...

Just be sure to bring a sat phone with in case of emergency, do things the smart way and you will be fine if its within "your" capability.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
 
PM Sent trophy hunter...I could be up for another AK moose hunt. My college room mate/buddy used to freelance/fly for papabear while he was stationed in Bethel flying choppers for the army...big bulls out there, and papabear could drop us pretty close. Went on a 1-on-1 guide hunt up in Fairbanks 10 years ago and took a nice one when I was 33. The right partner and it could be a fun DIY/beat-down. Papabear makes it pretty manageable, but moose hunting is a massive ordeal as everyone here says. 10 DIY elk hunts with yearly success....time to do DIY moose IMO.
Chris
 
Going guided was just me and the guide....and we did it. actually in record time. The saving grace was his argo! We could have absolutely packed 80lb packs of meat up hill about 1 mile back to camp. Figure 4-5 trips each? 700+lbs of meat/bone/horns. We had the pack frames, but the argo saved the day.... and I'm up for a 10 hour day of back and forth haul out. I'd probably opt in for more 60lb trips and less 100lb trips!! Keep as little leg bone in as possible!
 

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