Planning a Caribou Hunt for 2024

bjn7f0 · Apr 13, 2022

So I'm planning a caribou hunt for 2024 and would like any helpful information.
I am leaning towards a guided hunt only because of all of the logistics to work through on a DIY hunt but have not ruled it out yet. My research is showing that the caribou numbers are down in many areas, so where could I expect to find good numbers of animals?

Can you please share your experiences with any quality guides or charter services that you have used. (preferably within the last 5 years).

Thanks

DoubleDropMuley · Apr 13, 2022

PM @SS! for all things Alaska , sure he can point ya in the right. Directions

Buzzy · Apr 13, 2022

Rod Schue with R &R Guide service on the peninsula. Not big numbers of bou but they are giants and you stand a great chance if getting one. Hunt isn’t cheap though. Here is my bou and a few others in the background from last August. They were in velvet and were cleaned off.

SS! · Apr 13, 2022

Buzzy said:
Rod Schue with R &R Guide service on the peninsula. Not big numbers of bou but they are giants and you stand a great chance if getting one. Hunt isn’t cheap though. Here is my bou and a few others in the background from last August. They were in velvet and were cleaned off. View attachment 74034

Rod’s brother works for me. Rod is great guy and has a beautiful lodge. Congrats on your caribou.

SS! · Apr 13, 2022

A lot can change by 2024. Plenty of drop off DIY hunt options out there. I would look at the southern brooks range herd. I could help you out with logistics etc. drop off hunts all in you’re going to be in it 6k. Guided hunts are about double that these days.

I took some monstermuley members last fall. We had a decent trip:

They were able to do the trip about as cheap as possible.

You only live once, make it happen!

Rook7 · Apr 16, 2022

SS- That is awesome you were able to help fellow MM members. A trip of a lifetime for them I’m sure!

Torq · Apr 19, 2022

I'm following this thread. If there's another group that ends up doing a DYI I want in.

bjn7f0 · Apr 19, 2022

Hi all,
I really appreciate everyone's response. Buzzy those are some nice bulls.

bjn7f0 · Apr 19, 2022

SS please check your pm. Please let me know if it came through.

Buzzy · Apr 19, 2022

Torq said:
I'm following this thread. If there's another group that ends up doing a DYI I want in.

Me too!!

brookhunter19 · Apr 20, 2022

I’d be interested as well!

brookhunter19 · Apr 20, 2022

We were supposed to go out of Kotzebue next year, but with the legislation changes for units 23 & 26A, that won’t be happening...??

Broomer · Apr 21, 2022

Research and just do it! Did a float 6 years ago and it we hit the bou perfect.

bjn7f0 · Jul 4, 2022

Broomer said:
Research and just do it! Did a float 6 years ago and it we hit the bou perfect.

Hey Broomer,
Did you use a guide or charter service? What do's and don'ts did you learn from your trip?
Thanks

Jerry · Jul 9, 2022

bjn7f0 said:
So I'm planning a caribou hunt for 2024 and would like any helpful information.
I am leaning towards a guided hunt only because of all of the logistics to work through on a DIY hunt but have not ruled it out yet. My research is showing that the caribou numbers are down in many areas, so where could I expect to find good numbers of animals?

Can you please share your experiences with any quality guides or charter services that you have used. (preferably within the last 5 years).

Thanks

The Alaskan Peninsula is a magic place for huge bulls ! Fairly good numbers too. Look for big shovels that are uniform & wide, very long top points, plus back points are another big plus.
Don’t mess up the cape - they are so beautiful & have amazing contrast. Enjoy ?!
Jerry Gold in Windsor, Colorado ????

SS! · Jul 9, 2022

Jerry said:
The Alaskan Peninsula is a magic place for huge bulls ! Fairly good numbers too. Look for big shovels that are uniform & wide, very long top points, plus back points are another big plus.
Don’t mess up the cape - they are so beautiful & have amazing contrast. Enjoy ?!
Jerry Gold in Windsor, Colorado ????

The ak penn caribou pop is in the shitter. Not many opportunities to hunt bou there these days.

Jerry · Jul 10, 2022

SS! said:
The ak penn caribou pop is in the shitter. Not many opportunities to hunt bou there these days.

How sad to hear that bad news ! My how things change there & all over hunting grounds . ??
Jerry Gold- Windsor, Colorado ?????

HunterHarry · Jul 12, 2022

My how things have changed..?
I did a DIY Caribou hunt up there 20 years ago..we hunted the Mulchatna herd back when it was flourishing and easily found 4 nice bulls.
A fantastic experience....hope you find a good hunt.

Gator · Jul 13, 2022

On my bucket list.

DBG3285 · Aug 25, 2022

I just got back from a North slope DIY hunt.

I will be going back. Had a blast.

Weimer · Aug 25, 2022

I’m booked with deadhorse outfitters for next year. They are a transporter only, but might be something to look into if it would work for you.

Gator · Aug 26, 2022

DBG sent a pm

DBG3285 · Aug 26, 2022

Replied gator

jdmaxwell · Aug 26, 2022

I also just got back from DIY Caribou hunt North of Brooks Range.. Its Doable just have logistics figured out..
I killed a Good bull hiking away from the road circus hunting..

DBG3285 · Aug 26, 2022

jdmaxwell said:
I also just got back from DIY Caribou hunt North of Brooks Range.. Its Doable just have logistics figured out..
I killed a Good bull hiking away from the road circus hunting..

We did a fly in drop camp, so we were way far away from people. Had some grizzlies move into camp on day 3 and stay until we flew back out.

Torq · Aug 30, 2022

DBG3285 said:
We did a fly in drop camp, so we were way far away from people. Had some grizzlies move into camp on day 3 and stay until we flew back out.

What did that end up costing? That's what I want to do.

DBG3285 · Aug 30, 2022

Torq said:
What did that end up costing? That's what I want to do.

the outfits I looked at ranged from 3500-5500 per person.

We settled on an outfit that charged $4,000 per. Tags are $855 rental car for 14 days was $1,800 flights to Fairbanks were all over the place but we got our round trip for $690 (from SLC), fuel was $4.58 in Fairbanks, $7.09 in cold foot and $8.09 in dead horse.

Torq · Sep 1, 2022

DBG3285 said:
he outfits I looked at ranged from 3500-5500 per person.

We settled on an outfit that charged $4,000 per. Tags are $855 rental car for 14 days was $1,800 flights to Fairbanks were all over the place but we got our round trip for $690 (from SLC), fuel was $4.58 in Fairbanks, $7.09 in cold foot and $8.09 in dead horse.

Thanks for the info. How was the experience? Were you able to get into caribou? Would you recommend doing something like this to others?

DBG3285 · Sep 1, 2022

Torq said:
Thanks for the info. How was the experience? Were you able to get into caribou? Would you recommend doing something like this to others?

It’s was exceptional.

I am not lucky enough to be invited by SS?.

But I have already signed up to go again. I would highly recommend that everyone do this hunt, and I would do it younger then older, the tundra is no joke. It’s like spending everyday and every step in the marsh.

We were seeing a lot of caribou out of the gate, but we had three bears (1 young boar and a sow and cub) move into our area around day 5. And weirdly enough it seemed as though the caribou knew it, and seemed to avoid our area after that.

Torq · Sep 2, 2022

DBG3285 said:
It’s was exceptional.

I am not lucky enough to be invited by SS?.

But I have already signed up to go again. I would highly recommend that everyone do this hunt, and I would do it younger then older, the tundra is no joke. It’s like spending everyday and every step in the marsh.

We were seeing a lot of caribou out of the gate, but we had three bears (1 young boar and a sow and cub) move into our area around day 5. And weirdly enough it seemed as though the caribou knew it, and seemed to avoid our area after that.

So cool. I've got to get serious about saving up some money and making this happen. Thanks again.

Bruse001 · Sep 13, 2022

I did a drop camp with dead horse last year. We had 4 hunter in my group we all got our caribou no giants though we hunted the last week of the season and think it was still a little warm for them to migrate but im no expert. I’m going back with them in 2024 with my brother in law who missed out last year gonna hold off this time for a giant and hopefully see a wolf too as they had a hunter bag one just last week up there. It’s a fun hunt plus the fishing is outstanding