Mosquitoes

BUGLELK · Jul 13, 2006

Hey!

We're leaving for Alaska to bowhunt caribou in just over 2 weeks, and I was wondering what some of you who have been to Alaska in August have done to ward off the pesky mosquitoes? Special clothing, 100% DEET, Thermacells, etc? Any advice or stories?

Thanks,
Corey

nvlonghunter · Jul 13, 2006

I will be in Alaska the first week of September also hunting caribou, unit 9D.

I am doing a drop camp with Mike at Alaska bush sports.I am going with head Nets and 100% deet.

Good Luck!!

BUGLELK · Jul 13, 2006

Glen,

I'm also going with Mike at ABS, drop camp Aug. 1 - 6. My plan is bug net and 100% DEET also, just wondering if the bug clothes are worth it, or needed for that matter.

Good luck on your hunt!

Corey

kilowatt · Jul 13, 2006

Something else you can take that "might" help and that is Cling Free cloths used for laundry. Again, not sure if they will work up there in Alaska but worth a try since they do work down here in lower 48 from what I have read and heard. There is something in the cloth that Mosquitos don't like when they smell them.
Just tie one around the lapel of jacket. If that doesn't work, go to your plan A instead.
I was up in Alaska back in 84 and by late July the worst part of them bothering you was gone, May to late July is the worst.
What does the Outfitter suggest?

Brian

eelgrass · Jul 13, 2006

Brian,.....I've heard that too. About Cling Free. Worth a try.

I once hunted caribou in Alaska in early August. I had DEET only and didn't have much trouble. What was worse was the no-seeums(sp) and White Socks (sp). They buzz your face and get in your eyes. DEET works for them also. Pray for a steady breeze as that puts the bugs down!

That time of year I think your biggest problem will be blow flies getting on your meat. They will beat you to your downed caribou! As quick as I worked (I went solo) those darned flies still managed to lay some eggs on my meat and all over my cape.

I would take a couple cans of black pepper if I go again, to sprinkle around as I'm butchering. Take plenty of meat sacks too!

Even after all the hard work I did, Wolverines ended up getting most of my meat! Next time the meat goes into the tent with me, bears or no bears!

Steve

nvlonghunter · Jul 13, 2006

AHHHH!!! Steve you have me thinking!!!

Wolverine tag!!!!!!!!!

Glen

eelgrass · Jul 13, 2006

I thought I would throw in the photo of my bull to wet your appitite! Most of the caribou will be in the velvet but I saw a few that were hard horned. I was hunting about 125 miles north of Illiamna.

Good luck and have fun!

eelgrass · Jul 13, 2006

Glen,

I actually had more trouble with mosquitoes in Modoc antelope hunting than in Alaska. I guess it depends on the year and specific location.

When is your sheep hunt?

Steve

Drake · Jul 13, 2006

Great Looking bull!

nvlonghunter · Jul 13, 2006

Steve

I do remember that bull.Its a nice one.This will be my second Caribou hunt only this time I will be in south peninsula can't wait.Do you think the bulls will still be in velvet the first week of September?

Last time we went the first week of October and the weather was perfect no bugs at all and the tempatures were cool.

Again I will be hunting with my muzzleloader.By the way Steve I drew a Nevada Bighorn Sheep tag this year so when I get back from Alaska I need to start scouting for that.The tag gods were very good to me again.

Thanks
Glen

Garion33 · Jul 13, 2006

Buglelk, where are you hunting? 100% deet and headnets are the best protection, but I have never tried the Thermocells or cling-free methods. Also, for meat care, I would take along powdered citic acid to protect your meat from the flies. Go to www.pristineventures.com to purchase some. I'm sure there are many other places, but this one came to mind first. Pristine Ventures also sells some good, synthetic game bags. I am trying them for the first time this year. They are much lighter than the standard bags. Take some good pictures and let us know how you do.

Eelgrass, nice bull.

Take care,
Dave

kilowatt · Jul 13, 2006

I still think that someone else is posing with Steve's Caribou or he is aging too fast. LOL

Just kidding Steve, great Bull.

Brian

BUGLELK · Jul 14, 2006

Garrion,

We're flying out of King Salmon with Alaska Bush Sports on July 31. Does the powdered citric acid work better than pepper? I've heard both and was planning on going the pepper route. I did see the game bags that Larry sells, but decided to go with the Alaska Game Bags that we use elk hunting.

Eelgrass,

Thanks for the picture! That definitely keeps me excited! Keep the advice coming guys...I don't think a guy can ever be too prepared for a trip like this.

Thanks,
Corey

Lien2 · Jul 14, 2006

If you are flying I would not bring the Thermacell. The airlines will not let you take the Butane cartridges on with you. I would bring some spray with 100% DEET, much less of a headache all the way around.

Good luck!

Lien2

Garion33 · Jul 14, 2006

Buglelk, I like the powdered citric acid as you can take about 2 ounces of it and it will cover several caribou. There will generally be plenty of water available and you can use a handkerchief to spread it on the meat. I like it because you can carry a smaller amount.

The Alaska game bags are good stuff too. I used those on a 20 day float hunt with good results.

Take care,
Dave

eelgrass · Jul 14, 2006

I've never heard of using powdered citic acid. Very interesting! It sounds like it's more convenient than pepper. I learn something new all the time around here.

Steve

Glen, I think by the first week of Sept. most bulls will have shed their velvet.

AKCATHUNTER · Jul 15, 2006

We use 100% deet when we are sitting on our bear stands in the spring. Some people do wear head nets but I think they are more of a pain than anything. I would suggest use deet and reapply it regularly.
AKCAT

DidIDraw · Jul 17, 2006

I hunted the opener of the caribou hunt in 2003 west of Lake Clark. The blow flies were horrible - make sure that you can seal your game bags completely or your meat will be covered with eggs. Some guys that flew into the same lake brought some citric acid powder, mixed it with water in a spray bottle and sprayed their meat. It seemed to work very well for them.

The bugs that bothered me the most were the white sox. Their bites itch like crazy and they are always flying around your eyes, ears, mouth etc. They bit me all over my hands. One thing that helped was to go swimming in the lake - the water was a pleasant temperature and the bugs didn't seem to venture out very far. Make sure you take some light weight long sleeved shirts for the bugs and the warm temperatures.

Have a great time. We saw an estimated 5,000 caribou in 5 days.

BUGLELK · Aug 14, 2006

Hey guys!

Just wanted to report on our trip. We got back last Tuesday and had a great time. Mike at Alaska Bush Sports is second to none in service and honesty. I can't say enough good things about the guy!

We saw 4-5000 caribou, over half of them were the night before season opened (the same day we flew). There were a few bulls in the group, I counted 3 mature bulls. We only saw one mature bull the next day (opening day), and I shot him. The rest of the week we only saw 3 bulls, and all 3 were fairly small (no points on top). The numbers of bulls in the Mulchatna Herd is very, very low.

The bugs weren't bad at all (by Alaska standards) as it rained pretty much every day, highs were in the low 50's, and we had a little breeze constantly, sometimes up to 40-50 mph. It was strong enough to bend 2 of the aluminum poles on our Bomb Shelter tent...We had bad bugs 2 of the days, and the ThermaCell worked amazingly for the mosqitoes. It didn't do much for the White Socks, but it knocked the bugs down by 50% and allowed us to work on the ones that remained...

I would recommend a ThermaCell for anywhere the mosquitoes are a problem. It was 100% effective!

We saw 40-50 bears, they were everywhere eating blueberries. Saw 2 packs of wolves, some foxes, and caught a lot of fish after our hunt.

Good luck to everyone else headed up there this fall!

Thanks,
Corey

nvlonghunter · Aug 14, 2006

BUGLELK

That is a nice bull. I leave for Alaska in two weeks for Caribou I also will be hunting with Mike at Alaska bush sports this will be our second trip there is no one better than mike. I will be down in the south peninsula I can't wait. I bet those bears make pucker up a little bit!!! did you gae a wolf tag? I always buy one just in case but you have to be pretty lucky.After seeing your post it will not come soon enough.Thanks for the themaCell update. I am really fired up now Great job!!!

Glen

BUGLELK · Aug 14, 2006

Glen,

We mailed the butane cartridges up to King Salmon and picked them up when we arrived (airlines don't allow butane). It was about $45 using DHL to send a 10" X 10" box up there. Definitely worth it for the skeeters.

I could have got in on 2 different packs of wolves if we would have had a tag, but since season didn't open until the 10th, we couldn't get tags.

The bears didn't even acknowledge our presence, even though 2 of them were really close to our tent with meat hanging just outside. They were more interested in the caribou and the blueberries.

Be sure and keep us updated on how your hunt goes! Mike sure talked up the south peninsula...I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Corey

Andrew47 · Jul 27, 2018

Just for you to know, the time of year makes a big difference as well as what area of Alaska you are traveling to . . . also depends on the year. Some summers can be really bad and others where I don't even use bug dope. You may want to consider mosquito trap like these https://www.gurureviewclub.com/best-electric-mosquito-trap/ . Hope this helps