Alaska Caribou Hunting

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Alaska Private Guide Service

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Smokey Don Duncan,
Master Guide #136

Alaska Caribou Hunting Information Caribou season is Aug. 1- Mar 15

See photos of APGS Alaska Caribou Hunts on Picasaweb. Just select Slideshow or Individual photos of Alaska Caribou.

ATTENTION Non-Resident Caribou

Unit 17, where I hunt, remains closed.

My recommendation these days is Unit 26B hunting the Western Arctic herd with over 400,000 caribou. I guided there between 1987 and 1991 as an assistant and registered guide. Phil Byrd bought the operation I use to work for and can put on a good hunt for you. Dates August 2- Sept 10. You fly to Fairbanks and spend the night. The next day, you fly to Anuktuvik Pass on Wrights Air Service ($400 round trip, you pay). Phil will meet you and fly you to one of his camps/cabin You can reach Phil at 877-907-2303 toll free; 907-246-2303 office or 252 714-4329 cell. Costs: 7 day 1 hunter x 1 guide is $7500 and 2 hunters x 1 guide is $5500.  Limit is 5 caribou.

Non Resident Caribou Hunting season and Unit 17 is now closed until 2013. EXPLANATION: At the March 2009 Board of Game meeting it was reported that the Mulchatna Caribou Herd now numbered about 30,000 +- critters. Non residents took 18 -38 caribou in 2008. The harvestable surplus is 2500 critters. Mature bull to cow ratio was about 1-2 mature bulls / 100 cows. It has always been my opinion that a ratio like that is extremely low. In years past F&G said the young bulls would pick up the slack. Maybe they could have if there were any young bulls. But the herd managers let the air taxis continue to rape the herd until only cows were left and no bulls to do any breeding, for years! The critical decision came down to the pivotal Board member from Anchorage saying; "Non-residents kill only the big mature bulls and that is what we are short of so we should close the season." While this is somewhat true, it is also true that many non-residents had been killing young bulls or cows to fill the tag. And it was not reported to the Board how many mature bulls and how many were cows that the NRs killed even though F&G had the information to give them they did not. Why not when it became an issue? The Board did not make any changes to help increase the bull to cow ratio except eliminate the NR hunters which is negligible. Keep in mind. Fish and Game do not make they hunting regs. The Board of Game does and they are politically appointed, many with a special interest agenda. And only one member is a professional biologist, Ted Spraker. His logical argument was, now get this; a thought process that actually looks at the ramifications on one change and how it effects other game. Ted Spraker paraphrased; It has been reported here that NR hunters kill 85% of the brown bears in this area. We just lengthened the brown bear season to kill more bears. How many of those NR caribou hunters will kill bears or wolves which is what we want. Eliminating the NR caribou hunters will likely result in more caribou deaths from predators than the hunters are killing. " The vote was 4-3 to close the season. For the record: This has been the worst 10 years of mismanagement of caribou ever, anywhere. Interesting was that the Board chose not to close, modify or restrict the take of bulls in the adjacent units of 19 or 18. Which is where the caribou are in the early part of the hunting season. Why not?

UPDATE: 3/2011. The Board of Game chose to keep non resident caribou season closed. . The reason were that they could not institute wolf control for the benefit of caribou while the non-resident season remained open. Resident harvest and utilization remains very low because the herd is staying relatively unaccessible areas during the hunting season. The herd is actually split into 2 herds that do not intermingle at all and are separated by a long distance. The main or more original Mulchatna herd is where the wolf control will take place and it will be limited to the calving grounds most likely in late winter and spring. Non-residents can not participate in the control; and I, as a guide with a plane and equipment can not make money from anyone who might enjoy and help pay. And to further complicate the matter, the control areas are mostly likely to be on or near large blocks of private lands where permisssion will be tough or impossible. I expect the State to bear the brunt of expenses. Time will tell.

Resident Hunters

I 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 to over 200,000 caribou. The Mulchatna 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. Finally; in March 2005, the Alaska Board of Game reduced the non-resident limit to one caribou, bull or cow. 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 of 10 to 200 animals. 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 then setting up the Arctic Ovens or steel frame tent camps. We 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. 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 or 2008 caribou hunters. Last fall I saw the first decent big bull caribou that I have seen in 5 years so the caribou are getting a chance to mature to trophy size and the herd is reproducing.

Alaska Caribou Hunt

Caribou Combination Hunt

Here 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 Hunting

I 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. IF Tom, our pilot, flies you to camp, to be FAA legal, you must be guided for some part of your hunt! It can be as short as an hour. Like it or not. Even on a “drop off hunt”, you’ll want us to provide some outfitting even if it is just the hazmat stuff you cannot mail or ship. So think of a drop off hunt as guided hunt with minimal outfitting and minimal guiding.

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. -- top

Caribou Hunt Prices

Arrive Koliganek Sept 1. Depart Koliganek Sept. 9, for 7 caribou hunting days.

Arrive Koliganek Sept 9. Depart Koliganek Sept. 16, for 6 caribou hunting days.

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

Licenses

It 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. *Wolf tag is not required in unit 17.

Kill Fees

* For brown bear, the cost is $1,000/foot squared. L+W/2=square feet (after 9/10) Note; We will know by March13, 2009 if the Board of Game opened the brown bear season Sept. 1, 2009. -- top

Logistics

Travel

You have 2 options: Option # 1 . You fly from Anchorage direct to the river village of Koliganek and we meet you there. Estimated $470. You would probably spend the night in Anchorage coming in since the flight is mid morning. You would return to Anchorage by mid day and have plenty of time to leave for home that day.

Option #2: You 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. Please Note: Penair is currently the only passenger service to Dillingham from Anchorage. They have a reputation for filling the plane with passengers and leaving all, most or some of your baggage sitting in Anchorage. And it may sit there while they make multiple flights from Anchorage to Dillingham! They do not seem to care how they screw your trip and my business up! Caribou hunters should fly with Dena’ina Air , 907-332-2216 for $310. Tell them Smokey sent you!

On either option, 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. -- top

Meat and Trophy Handling

All 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. From camp we will take everything to Koliganek. If you want to donate the meat, Koliganek is the best place. From Koliganek you will have 2 options.

Option # 1 Route everything through Dillingham. We or an air taxi will take them to Dillingham (cost $200/ caribou) 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.

Option #2 Ship it direct back to Anchorage or take it with you direct to Anchorage. Expediters and Meat processors are located in Anchorage. -- top

Camps

Since 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 Gear

Guided 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 References

Mike 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 Caribou

Caribou 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.

Smokey Don Duncan, Owner, Master Guide #136 and P.H.
Tom O'Connor Registered Guide #1204 and Pilot
Wayne Gregory A.G., Fishing and Waterfowl Guide
299 Alvin St. Fairbanks AK 99712
Phone: 907-457-8318 Email: apgs@gci.net

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