Alaska Caribou Hunting
Alaska Private Guide Service
Smokey Don Duncan,
Master Guide #136
Alaska Caribou Hunting |
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Caribou Hunts Caribou Hunt Prices Logistics Camps More Information on Caribou Hunting Caribou Trophies
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Alaska Caribou Hunting InformationI hunt the Mulchatna Caribou Herd, about 50,000 caribou. I hunt mainly in Unit 17 and sometimes in unit 19. These are Barren Ground Caribou, the largest of the 5 species. Over the last 17 years, I have had a 96% success rate in this area. To watch 1000, 5000, 10,000 caribou or more, is a sight to behold. But things have changed in the last few years. The herd population exploded, blowing past the 50,000 management goal. The Alaska caribou beat down their winter range and then expanded their range both north and south. Fish and Game and the Board of Game responded by making it a 2 bull area, and directing every air-taxi and caribou hunter to the area. The area was raped. Timing and migration patterns changed. The average size and trophy quality steadily dropped. As a result, most of the air taxis have since moved on to rape another herd. I can no longer sell "trophy" caribou hunts. Finally; in March 2005, the Alaska Board of Game reduced the non-resident limit to one caribou (bull or cow) AND made it off limits for non-residents to hunt with in 2 miles of the main river corridors where I have traditionally hunted using jet boats. Residents saw major restrictions placed on them. The changes are having a positive effect. This herd is comprised of migratory bands (typically not around during the season) and stationary bands. We hunt the stationary bands. These bands hang around large solitary mountains in our areas. The regulatory changes are slowly making a difference. We responded by flying the caribou hunters into where caribou were and setting up the Arctic Ovens for ridge top camps. We just purchased a 4 passenger, wide body, 180 H.P. Super Cub “Tundra Bird” with big tundra tires so we can land on the tundra, dry lakes, and ridge tops. This plane also helps pick up the meat and antlers and cut down the packing to the runway or camp. Young bulls or a cow are the norm, with few bulls over 300 SCI or B&C. But they are increasing. Heh; at least I am being honest. If anyone tells you different (listen for creative lying) call the Dillingham F.W.P. officer and ask him. Caribou refuse to acknowledge Guide Use Area boundaries and the state refuses to lift the guide use area restrictions for caribou. Flexibility and mobility have always been the key to successful caribou hunting and that is what we have! You should get one and the meat will be good. In 2006 my 5 caribou hunters were 100% successful. We had no 2007 hunters. Alaska Caribou HuntCaribou Combination HuntHere is the new deal: We are selling a combination hunt. The hunt price covers one of the following big game animals with reasonable kill fees on the other big game animals. In the same area it is legal to hunt caribou, wolf, wolverine, black bear, ptarmigan and grouse. A caribou tag will cover any of the big game species. Fishing on the ridges is limited. Any time you are close to the river you also get free world class fishing for salmon, rainbow trout and more. If a guide is available, you may upgrade to include a brown bear on a kill fee basis. Talk about a combo hunt! Caribou Season from now until at least 2009 is Sept 1-15 with a 1 caribou (bull or cow) limit. Wolf season opens Aug.10, no limit. Ptarmigan/20/day, 40 in possession. Grouse (spruce or willow)/15/day, 30 in possession. Wolverine, Sept. 1, limit 1/year. Black Bear opens Aug. 1 with 1/year but their ain’t many around, mostly brown bears but we did take 1 black bear in 2006. UPDATE. In 2007, The Board of Game drastically cut back the caribou season and limits for residents and non-residents. The elimination of the winter and spring season and the elimination of land and shoot and run and gun for residents will make a big difference on the number and quality of caribou in the area in the future. We did not have any caribou hunters in 2007. I expect some decent size caribou to be available in 2008 and some trophies available for 2009. Since the new caribou season is during our moose and bear season; guided hunts will be limited. So plan ahead and stay in touch. -- top Guided or Semi Guided or Outfitted AND Unguided or Drop Off Caribou HuntingI will gladly accommodate you with any level of service. Fully guided hunts come with 1 guide for 1, or 2 hunters. Fully guided hunters can expect the highest level of personal attention, service and camp options. The guide will butcher, pack meat and field prep the antlers and cape for shipment. Any help you can give is appreciated. Semi-guided hunts come with 1 guide for 4-6 hunters. This is my best value with a near 100% success rate. Most experienced hunters are comfortable hunting this way. Finding caribou on the open tundra is not difficult. The guide is there to show you: where to hunt, how to get there, spike camp locations, how to judge trophies, help you with cape-ing and field dressing, where the closest landing spot is, and to make sure you hunt legally. You must be willing and able to help with all the hunting chores like packing, cooking, washing dishes, skinning, etc… Outfitted Unguided hunts. I will outfit you with a base camp or portable camp, including food, depending on caribou locations. You hunt on your own and do all camp chores. I provide the transportation of hunters, gear and game and check on you regularly. Drop Camp or transport only. You bring all your own food and gear and I supply the transportation into and out of the field. You hunt on your own at your own camp. Weight restriction will apply so you cannot bring the sink but we generally can and will transport more gear than air-taxis or transporters. Your hunting area will be selected just prior to arrival to reflect current conditions. You must bring a hand held V.H.F. radio so we can keep track of you for safety and logistical reasons. Or you can rent a satellite phone. On Guided and Outfitted Unguided hunts, all food and camping equipment is provided. All you need is your hunting gear and game bags. On drop off hunts, you provide everything. Please note: if you are considering a transporter or air taxi service, please be aware that unlike them, our percent on schedule in and out of the bush is unsurpassed. We really do check on you and keep track of you. We don't over book and get jammed up during weather delays. Low clouds and fog may stop the planes but seldom stops the boats. Caribou Hunt Prices
For September 1-15. Cost does not include Tag or License Guided Hunters in Unit 19 pay additional $400 per person for added trasnportation costs. Family Hunts
Outfitted and Unguided Hunts
Drop_Off
LicensesIt is illegal for Non-resident to hunt brown bear and Dall Sheep without a guide. All Non-resident alien MUST have a guide for all species.
Tags
NOTE: A tag will cover any animal of equal or lesser value. Kill Fees
* For brown bear, the cost is $1,000/foot squared. L+W/2=square feet (after 9/10) LogisticsTravelYou will fly commercially from Anchorage to Dillingham ($440 R.T). Then on to Koliganek ($180 R.T). We can help arrange that flight. We will meet you in Koliganek and take you back to Koliganek. You may want to overnight in Anchorage or Dillingham on your arrival and be ready to fly out in the morning. My pilot has 3 B & B house you can rent in Dillingham. When returning home; schedule your flight out of Dillingham for the late afternoon or evening. Meat and Trophy HandlingAll meat must be salvaged. You must bring your own game bags. Get it out and freeze it! ASAP. And get back to hunting! Guided hunters can rely on the guide to handle all in the field butchering and hide prep, however any help is appreciated. On 1x4, outfitted unguided or drop off hunts, clients are expected and required to get the meat and trophies to the camp or airstrip. We will take them to Dillingham where the closest expediter is located. He will do the boxing, freezing and shipping per your instructions. He can also put it in the chill cooler and upon your return you can butcher, cut and wrap your meat yourself and save some weight/ shipping charges. You can take it with you. Guided hunters both 1x1 and 1x2 can rely on the guide to cape and field butcher the game. 1x4 and outfitted unguided must be able to skin, cape, pack etc... their own animal with the guides direction, if necessary. All meat must be salvaged and meat must remain on the bone of the four legs. The client is responsible for bringing enough game bags for all the game he intends to take. -- top CampsSince caribou are always moving, even the stationary bands around the mountains; we use portable camps. The tents we use are arctic ovens. They are rated for 100 mph winds and -60 degrees. They are weather proof. They are equipped with a wood stove (seldom used or needed) lantern, cots, pads, cooking equipment and food. You will have a portable, sit down, padded, crapper box inside a pop up tent. Typically no shower. The camps are usually set up on ridges with expansive views, so you can spot and hunt right from camp. You may shoot from camp but you still need to be able to walk some. -- top Hunting GearGuided and Outfitted Hunts: All you need to bring is your personal hunting gear, weapon, mosquito spray or head net, rope or cord, compass, GPS, binoculars or spotting scope, range finder, medications and game bags. Caribou ReferencesMike and Maggie Croley, UT 435-884-0366; Lee Meyer, TX 281-773-3825; Bob Vanicek, PA 814-774-9012; Jerry Smith NC 336-279-6022; Wayne & Georgia Gregory NJ 609-894-1907; John Henderson OH 330-659-4073; Wayne Brewer TN 423-476-6472; V.J., PA 814-476-1058; Jimmie Davis, AR 870-901-0071; Bob Migliore, TX. 409-737-3986. See our REFERENCE page for more contacts. More Information on Hunting CaribouCaribou generally prefer the open country with high visibility whether it is on a hill, at the base of it, or beside the river corridors in the open tundra. They will cross through timber and brush usually on established game trails and at river and creek crossings. Hunters needing close range shots should hunt crossings or near alder and willow patches where an ambush can occur. Caribou love to follow one another and watching what one group does, will tell you what the next group is likely to do. Also, they like to move considerable distances just before dark. For the most part, caribou hunting is glassing and maybe hiking to get a different angle to look. My camps are located on or near known caribou trails. A valley or ridge may be vacant one day and loaded the next. We will put you in the best place we can. My best advice is to get somewhere you can see the most, let your eyes cover the country and when you see something good and reachable go after it. You can make caribou hunting hard but it does not have to be. When you get a caribou, all meat must be transported "first" to the runway, camp or to town before the antlers unless accompanied with all of the meat. A caribou is usually 2-4 packs depending on how much you carry. The quarters may not be de-boned. Any meat you do not want must be well taken care of and will be transported to Dillingham where I will handle distribution. After mid August the velvet can be peeled off. By Sept. 1 the antlers are usually out of velvet. -- top See our CONTRACTS page for the final information. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Smokey Don Duncan, Owner, Master Guide #136 and P.H. All content © 1991-2008 Alaska Private Guide Service |
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