Alaska is often referred to as one of the last frontiers in the world. It’s barren and harsh landscape make it not only tough to hunt but tough to survive as well. Alaska is home to an amazing wealth of natural resources and wildlife, many of which provide an excellent opportunity for both anglers and hunters alike. From salmon to caribou and moose, Alaska has much to offer those who are willing to brave the elements. Alaska can truly offer a challenge like no other place on earth. Hitting the bush country of Alaska is certainly not a task for the inexperienced or the unprepared. Before you break out the Browning in search of your Alaskan trophy, take some time to do a little research, and start your quest off on the right track. Here are a few simple tips that you can follow to help you plan your Alaskan Hunting Trip.
Here is a little taste of what you could experience!
DIY Alaskan Caribou Hunt | Pure Hunting S.2, Ep.3, “Caribou Drop Camp”
(Video) – Join Chris and me as we’re dropped off in Alaska for an outfitted, DIY caribou hunt in some of the most stunning scenery there is. Alaska is one of the last pure hunting you can find, where else do you need a plane to fly into a remote area. Flying in by super cub alone set the scene for an incredible DIY Alaskan caribou hunt. This is not to mention that we are both coming home with a great caribou!
DIY Alaskan Caribou Hunting | Pure Hunting, S.3, Ep.1 “Caribou Drop Camp, Part 2”
(Video) – Join Chris Nowak and me for the second part of our Alaskan drop camp caribou adventure. This is about as DIY as you can get as we attempt a DIY Alaskan caribou hunting trip with a drop camp. Alaska is one of the purest hunting destinations in America. The best way to get and attempt this hunt was a DIY drop camp hunt. The area was remote, so single engine super cub dropped us in and the DIY Alaskan Caribou hunting trip began. The first part of the hunt was met with success with a great caribou! The second part of the hunt also ended with success as Chris Nowak took another great caribou and finished our DIY Alaskan caribou hunting trip!
Do Your Homework
So, you’re tired of watching various outdoor programs where some lucky hunter makes his or her way to Alaska and takes a trophy of a lifetime. You have put your foot down, and you have decided enough is enough….it’s time for your own Alaskan hunting trip! Now, what? It goes without saying that in order to really be successful in the Alaskan wilderness you absolutely need to do your homework and research all of the options that pertain the game you are planning to pursue. So what do we mean by options? Well, for starters, Alaska is an enormous State with many natural features. From arctic tundra to swamps and rivers, Alaska has it all. So once you have decided on species of game that you wish to pursue, then it is time to determine the best locations and methods for tagging your target animal. Are you looking to harvest a big bull, a big bear, or just base it off location, river lands or coastal plains? Point is, there are a lot of options related to various game species, and/or locations, so nailing down not only what you want to go after in terms of the game, but how and where also boasts two important considerations to answer.
Now that you have answered the what, where, and how you then need to turn your attention to the “who” aspect of your Alaskan adventure. Alaska certainly offers hunters and anglers the opportunity to pull off a DIY hunting adventure, hitting the Alaskan bush with ZERO experience can sometimes be more than most care to bite off. It is important to take some time and research exactly what options exist for a “drop off” kind of an Alaskan hunting trip versus a fully guided adventure. There are certainly pros and cons to both options. As a non-resident of Alaska, depending on which species you are going after, you may be required to use the services of an outfitter/guide. Moose, caribou and black bear can be done without a guide or outfitter, but non-resident sheep, goat and grizzly or brown bear hunters are required, by law to hunt with one. Assuming you are able to, A “drop off” style hunt certainly provides you with the full feel of being on your own in the Alaskan bush, with just you, your gear and your wits. That being said, it is up to you to figure out how to be successful and stay safe. If you are new to Alaska this may not be the smartest route regardless of how much research you have done. A guided adventure provides you with the reassurance of knowing that you are with an experienced outfitter who will be sure to steer you in the right direction to be successful and help keep you safe. On the flip side, there is typically a significant cost increase with this option.
The good news is there is a plethora of information available on the internet to help get you started. Visiting the State Fish and Game website is always a good place to start, but don’t stop there. The more information you have available the better. Take some time to visit with some outfitters as well as hunters and anglers who have been there and done that. Testimonials are important, so before you spend your hard-earned money and take two weeks off from work make sure you are putting your best foot forward and do your homework. Forums also provide insights, tips, tricks, as well as provide ideas or opportunities that were previously unknown to you.
Alaskan Hunting Gear
No matter what you do in Alaska it is typically a gear-intensive activity. It doesn’t matter if you are salmon fishing or chasing brown bears, both typically require a high volume of gear to not only be successful but to stay safe as well. Weather in Alaska can change in the blink of an eye, so you need to be prepared for anything. Hope for the best but expect the worst.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your “normal” deer camp equipment is going to do the job when it comes to taking on the Alaskan terrain. Chance is, it won’t! It is always a good idea to upgrade at least by 2x’s before taking out on your adventure. From your Vortex and optics options to your hunting boots, it is always a good idea to come prepared for the worst, because chances are you are probably going to experience it at some point and time. When it comes to ammo and broadheads, it is always a good idea to bring more than you think you will use, because it isn’t like you can just run to the sporting goods store! That goes for most of your Alaskan hunting gear as well.
These tips are very simple and to some degree are common sense, that being said, the top two mistakes that hunters and anglers will make this year when planning their Alaskan hunting trip of a lifetime are failing to properly research their options and coming unprepared. Both of these mistakes are easy to make, but they are also easy to avoid. There are certainly many facets to planning your Alaskan adventure but be sure to start out on the right foot, and be prepared both with the right knowledge and the right gear!