AK diy moose?
- Thread starter ohiomike
- Start date
slim23
Lil-Rokslider
i went with papa bear adventures. he provided the gear and flew us in for 4k. awesome trip i will do again
standswittaknife
WKR
We are booked with Papa Bear for 2016 and it's roughly 4.5K now with some other expenses just for the hunt and gear. Does not include food or transporation to bethel...
You should book soon for 2016 if your thinking that far out. They fill up fast with good transporters.
You should book soon for 2016 if your thinking that far out. They fill up fast with good transporters.
todd h
FNG
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2014
- Messages
- 84
did a DIY hunt this year in Alaska, each of us harvested a moose. total cost with flight from Wi 4700.00 all in. motels, lic, bush flight transport of one whole bull & 2 sets of antlers back to Wi, can contact me with questions
charvey9
WKR
I've never been, but also in your same boat and am planning a trip for 2016. Although my target will be Caribou, I've chatted up a few outfits on chances for a Moose as well. The ranges I've been given are around 3k for a Caribou and around 5k for a Moose, and roughly 7-8k if you tag out.
I think alot depends on how far they need to fly you in, as the bush flight time is about $300/hr.
I think alot depends on how far they need to fly you in, as the bush flight time is about $300/hr.
Brandon Pattison
WKR
Can this be done without the need for an outfitter? I have a friend up there yet I know the best spots are usually remote. I only ask because I wonder if some good spots are overlooked by everyone going deep.
Keep in mind that up here "outfitter" is a legal term that is not the same as "guide". A "guide" escorts you in the field and has to be within 100 yards of you when hunting/shooting. An outfitter rents equipment or provides transportation, but cannot point to a critter and say shoot it. Think of the boat based deer and black bear hunts or raft and cabin rentals. A transporter only provides a ride, but no gear and no hunting advice.
A non resident can moose hunt in most of the state without the use of a guide, but you may need and outfitter with a transporter endorsment to haul you into the spot. There are a couple of drawing areas out around Galena that an NR will need a guide, but thats pretty much it. If your buddy up here has the equipment then you and he can hunt any area that is open to NR with an OTC harvest ticket.
As for your last sentence it depends on the hunt unit. Unit 13, which NR can't hunt unless they draw a tag, is famous for guys riding right past legal moose on their ATVs. Sometimes a foot hunter, or someone that is better at using glass than a throttle, picks up one of these moose. I try every year, but only see tweener bulls. One day a beast will step out or a spike fork. one can dream.
Moose do not have a dense population so there will always be spots with legal moose overlooked as we can't look over every sqare foot.
Brandon Pattison
WKR
Thanks. Does a guy get more action in pursuit of say a caribou?
Yes it can be done on your own.
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...re-2012&highlight=bitterroot+bulls+moose+hunt
If you are in a good caribou area up north you could be in action for days upon days. If the caribou have moved through you will have great walks in stunning country.
TEmbry
WKR
I'm far from an expert... but have hunted both and researched both A LOT. I would strongly advise against a combo hunt. While it certainly can be done, and there are exceptions to every rule. By and Large, good moose areas aren't the best caribou areas, and vice versa. I'd pick which one I wanted to go after and focus on the best area for that, not an area that might be okay for both.
And DIY can easily be done without the drop camp option. You won't save a ton of money however, and you won't live near as comfortably during the hunt. But you can certainly do it.
adventure907
WKR
I know this will probably add to the confusion, but the above is not correct. Legally, a guide and outfitter are one in the same thing. There is no distinct legal classification for people that just rent equipment. There are guides/outfitters, and there are transporters. Some transporters rent equipment. Some people rent equipment and call themselves outfitters, when technically, they legally are not.
A guide/outfitter can legally contract to provide guided hunts. Transporters can only provide transportation services, and some chose to also rent equipment.
Last edited:
This is my understanding also.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2013
- Messages
- 1,511
Actually, if I may confuse the hell out of logic...
There are guides (guided services)
There are Guide/Outfitters (guided and semi-guided/outfitted services)
There are Air Taxis: This license allows the service to charge one rate for their flying, period. Whether hunting or, say, fishing, the cost must be the same per hour for all season to the same area. These businesses CANNOT advertise directly to hunters and CANNOT offer "where-to" suggestions. These are the lowest rates to get afield for hunting season, generally speaking (by-the-hour for flight time or flat rate quotes).
There are Air Transporters: This license allows the Transporter to advertise directly to hunters and they CAN offer "where-to" suggestions to hunters, and they CAN charge higher rates to reach the same area during hunting season and lower rates during fishing season. Transporters average about $1000 more per person to the same area IN and OUT of the field...sometimes much more than an air taxi charges to the same strip on the same river. Transporters have the same Part 135 certificate as air taxis, but they also have a separate license from the BOG to offer hunting services at a higher rate.
Anyway, just more food for thought, guys.
There are guides (guided services)
There are Guide/Outfitters (guided and semi-guided/outfitted services)
There are Air Taxis: This license allows the service to charge one rate for their flying, period. Whether hunting or, say, fishing, the cost must be the same per hour for all season to the same area. These businesses CANNOT advertise directly to hunters and CANNOT offer "where-to" suggestions. These are the lowest rates to get afield for hunting season, generally speaking (by-the-hour for flight time or flat rate quotes).
There are Air Transporters: This license allows the Transporter to advertise directly to hunters and they CAN offer "where-to" suggestions to hunters, and they CAN charge higher rates to reach the same area during hunting season and lower rates during fishing season. Transporters average about $1000 more per person to the same area IN and OUT of the field...sometimes much more than an air taxi charges to the same strip on the same river. Transporters have the same Part 135 certificate as air taxis, but they also have a separate license from the BOG to offer hunting services at a higher rate.
Anyway, just more food for thought, guys.
Brandon Pattison
WKR
I would but then again I will shoot first legal animal I see.
Kevin Dill
WKR
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2014
- Messages
- 3,158
Just for perspective (and this might help you make a decision):
For many years I've watched, heard and seen guys take both weapons on a moose hunt. Of those that do so on their first hunt, probably eight out ten end up using their rifle. Those that identified themselves as primarily bowhunters (but used a rifle) often expressed a bit of a letdown that they didn't use their preferred weapon. My suggestion is this: If coming home with a moose is priority one, and if you are willing to use a rifle, then consider taking only the rifle. Make it your #1 weapon and eliminate the tug-o-war between gun and bow. There isn't a darned thing wrong with this strategy. If you are the type who knows he would feel any letdown from using a rifle, then eliminate it and take your bow...only. I guess the key is to know yourself and be true to yourself.
I am not a purist, but have only ever carried a longbow or recurve on the many moose hunts I've experienced. No backup rifle exists in my camp. I average a bull every 3 years, but a rifle would mean a bull every time I hunt. And personally, if I was going to hunt moose with a rifle I would not use a long-range cannon with scope. I would go with a .45-70 lever and good peep sight capable of accuracy to 150 yards. To me, a moose killed at 300 yards lacks the up-close challenge I strongly desire.
For many years I've watched, heard and seen guys take both weapons on a moose hunt. Of those that do so on their first hunt, probably eight out ten end up using their rifle. Those that identified themselves as primarily bowhunters (but used a rifle) often expressed a bit of a letdown that they didn't use their preferred weapon. My suggestion is this: If coming home with a moose is priority one, and if you are willing to use a rifle, then consider taking only the rifle. Make it your #1 weapon and eliminate the tug-o-war between gun and bow. There isn't a darned thing wrong with this strategy. If you are the type who knows he would feel any letdown from using a rifle, then eliminate it and take your bow...only. I guess the key is to know yourself and be true to yourself.
I am not a purist, but have only ever carried a longbow or recurve on the many moose hunts I've experienced. No backup rifle exists in my camp. I average a bull every 3 years, but a rifle would mean a bull every time I hunt. And personally, if I was going to hunt moose with a rifle I would not use a long-range cannon with scope. I would go with a .45-70 lever and good peep sight capable of accuracy to 150 yards. To me, a moose killed at 300 yards lacks the up-close challenge I strongly desire.
Brandon Pattison
WKR
Kevin, great post!
slim23
Lil-Rokslider
I totally agree with Kevin's post. After 2 trips to Alaska with no game taken with a bow I have found out I like to bring something home a little more than say I shot it with a bow. I still say my most enjoyable trip was a bowhunt I did not bring anything home though. But if you will only get 1 or a few trips to Alaska in your life you need to do some serious soul searching. It's nothing like bowhunting deer vs rifle deer imo. But it is a decision you must make. Not anyone else.
While not moose, I can relate to the bow/rifle decision as I am headed up to AK in two months for spring bear. I will be taking both my bow and a rifle but please understand a few things. I already have a nice black bear at the taxidermist. I would really like to get a bear with my bow and I really want to come home with some meat. So, those are my primary goals, fill the tag with my bow. With that said, I will be in an area that has color phase bears and if a cinnamon phase walks in, I will have no hesitation to grab the rifle.
Featured Video
Stats
Latest Articles
-
Gunnison Mule Deer and Beyond with Brandon Diamond
-
Idaho Mule Deer Management with Eric Freeman
-
TT#28 Idaho Bear Hunting with Roger Holscher and Chris Young
-
Rockstar Research with Kevin Monteith
-
Hunting Big Mule Deer: Obey the Wind & Still-Hunting
-
TT#27 DIY New Zealand Hunting with Australian Duo Miller and Pitts
-
Fewer Bucks, More Fawns?
-
Mathews Lift Review
-
Wyoming Range Winter Wrap-Up with Jeff Short
-
The Pursuit with Cliff Gray