Northwest Alaska Do-It-Yourself Moose Float
Note: Portions excerpted from the Alaska Hunter. Copyright, 1998, Alaska Hunter Publications.
Subscriber Bob Kruger of California writes to us
about a do-it-yourself moose hunt from August 30 through September 10.
"I hunted on an unguided, air-taxi drop-off hunt in northwestern
Alaska," Kruger writes. "The area offered beautiful arctic scenery,
and we didn't see another person or party, except for a few planes flying
over."
![[IMAGE Alaska Hunting]](../images/akhunt4.jpg)
HIGHLIGHTS:
"Saw a large grizzly bear. Late that afternoon, this same bear walked
into our camp, 10 paces from my brother. A little scary! The bear was not too
aggressive, although we broke camp so fast the next morning we left behind the
rubber river bag of candy bars we placed on a tree limb. We saw three other
grizzlies on the Noatak. Shot a 50-inch moose and a bull caribou, and three
other bull caribou on the Noatak."
HUNTING TECHNIQUES USED: "Floating river at dusk. Hiked along river for
moose. All animals were right next to the river. Saw other caribou (mostly
cows) hiking over hills away from the river (this was hard hiking, however,
due to the muskeg)."
TERRAIN: "Mostly low hills, no steep country. Lots of muskeg away from
river. Scrubby willows along rivers. Very few trees away from river. We found
adequate campsites, with wood, adjacent to the various rivers."
PROBLEMS ON TRIP: "Poor fishing. Although we were so busy caring for meat
and hunting, we didn't fish very hard. We caught a few 4 to 5-pound Arctic
char at the pick-up site on the Noatak River (old cabin at pick-up site, open
for use, poor condition, but dry). Could have saved money by not renting a
third inflatable, but good insurance, I guess. It was for excess weight if we
shot more game. We boned out everything and for flying, packed all meat in
nylon bags. We found these bags on sale for $10 each from Cabelas."
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT: "We missed the 100,000 caribou herd. There
was an early snow in mid-August, which pushed the caribou south. We found
enough stragglers to keep us busy. Hunters should make last-minute check with
area game biologist and be open to adjusting plans at the last minute.
Kruger recommends this trip to others, and with four hunters, would have been
fine with two inflatables instead of three. He gives the cost of the trip at
$1200, which includes shipping meat home and non-resident licenses.
As subscriber Bob Kruger expressed, planning a float hunt for moose requires
far more logistics than a simple drop-off hunt. The serious float hunter
spends no less than 14 days afield. But no matter how much time you spend,
it's imperative that you draft a proper budget and gear list. Here are some
tips from our floating our moose file:
First, Determine Your Budget: Come up with a budget for the type of hunt and
stick with it. It is easy to create a spreadsheet with your computer software
(Lotus 123, Excel) to determine hunt variables and alternatives based on
prices and costs you obtain from contacting the air charter operators on your
list. Categories should include:
Hunting
and fishing licenses
Moose tag
Caribou Tag
Bear tag
Scheduled
Air Transportation
Lower
48 to Anchorage (round trip)
Air
Charter Costs (round trip)
Lodging
in Anchorage and/or Base City
Specialized
Equipment
Food
($120 per person; more or less depending on food choice, size of person,
canned, fresh or freeze-dried)
Inflatable
Rental
($25 a day for inexpensive, to $270+ a day for Cataraft and outboard rental)
Meat
Processing
(55 cents a pound for moose, average incoming weight, 575 pounds)
Shipping
Meat and Antlers Home
($45 per antler; for air freight, 27 to 60 cents per pound for 350 pounds of
processed meat (excludes custom sausage and burger suet: add 15 to 20 percent)
Freeze-Loc Meat/Fish Boxes, $12 each capable of holding 70 pounds max. Five to
seven boxes required. Available at meat processor such as Alaska Sausage)
Determine Hunting Priorities, Species, Method of Hunting
Three or more hunters will have greater success hunting along a river if they
split up and hunt different species. Two hunters can hunt moose for two or
three days, while the other pursues caribou. Then switch. If an area allows
hunting of only one species, hunt two different sides of the river. Plan on
spike camping to get farther afield. Conduct drop-offs by renting an outboard
with the inflatable, so upriver travel is possible. If an area has ample sign
(scrapings, tracks, trails, moose calling, antlers rattling) plan on hunting
an area hard for at least three days before moving on. Keep out-of-shape
hunters closer to the river, and in-shape hunters should opt for farther
afield hunts.
Take resources with you
As good as it may be for planning, the Alaska Atlas won't cut it in showing
details necessary for floating a river. Go with the USGS maps that show every
bend and twist of river, and you'll be better able to plan your float. Even
then, keep in mind that rivers change course each year. Take copies of Hunting
in Alaska and The
Alaska Hunter, and
field-dressing guides with you, as well as a portable radio.
Work with your pilot beforehand, and ask for any maps he may have on hand, as
well as determining your pickup and drop-off areas ahead of time. Have a Plan
B in reserve in case high/low water, or weather, prevents access to Plan A
destination.
For the most current hotspots that will provide you with a trophy for this
year, call the Alaska
Hunter Information Service,
907-455-8000 for a complete listing of our back issues, reports and
publications that will ensure your Alaska big game hunt is a complete success.