Anytime you ask for input, you are asking for more trouble than anything. But, given how much value I place in the comments provided on these threads, I will bear the risks that come with asking opinions with the benefits oftern garned from such.
I am thinking of showing people how "doable" an Alaska moose or caribou hunt can be for the experience self-guided hunter. The problem comes in that even an OYO type AK hunt is expensive.
I struggle to find a way that I can do a self-guided AK moose hunt for less than $4,500. That includes transport, commerical air to Fairbanks, some equipment rental, tag and license, food, etc.
A good guided AK moose hunt is going to be $8,000 and up, and you still have your tag, commercial air, etc. I suspect when all is added up, you are at least $10,000 into a guided AK moose hunt, and from most my research, closer to $14,000 with the more reputable outfitters.
If I could keep a moose hunt under $5,000, I think that would still fall into the reach of most hunters, knowing it would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime event and for which you would probably save up funds for a few years. But, given the allure of AK and all the intrigue that moose hunting represents, I would really like to show that it can be done for anyone willing to do the research and get themselves prepared.
I think if I get serious and split some costs between a couple guys, we could get it below $4,000. That would be the goal. Very doable in my preliminary calculations.
I am lucky where I can go to AK most any year I want by just pitching in with family who live in AK. Under that scenario, the cost is less than $1,500 for me, but that is not what I want to show people, as few have that same luxury. I want to show what it costs to fly/drive to AK, hire some sort of transportation, and go shoot a moose on your own money and effort. Caribou might be slightly less, but probably far less intrigue.
Maybe the first question should be whether or not viewers would want to see that, even if it is difficult and costs more than you average hunt in the lower 48. I think with two guys, we could get two episodes. For sure, if we kill two animals. But probably two if we show the logistics and planning needed, then the hunt itself.
If we did that hunt, the production costs of getting camera guys, equipment, etc, might blow the budget for the entire season. Might have to fill the rest of the season with whitetail doe hunts shot on handy cams.
Already gave first dibs on such a possible trip to a Hunt Talker to whom I owe my life. If such a hunt comes together and he can't make it, I sure hope I could find some other Hunt Talker to take his place.
So, would an AK moose hunt, OYO style, be a worthy episode, if we could keep the entire price under $5,000 per person, for everything? Or, Caribou if we could keep it around $3,500 per person.
If I can't pull off either of those hunt, the Sitka Blacktails are still on my radard screen. Need more AK stuff to show what is "doable" for the experienced guy willing to give some effort.
I am thinking of showing people how "doable" an Alaska moose or caribou hunt can be for the experience self-guided hunter. The problem comes in that even an OYO type AK hunt is expensive.
I struggle to find a way that I can do a self-guided AK moose hunt for less than $4,500. That includes transport, commerical air to Fairbanks, some equipment rental, tag and license, food, etc.
A good guided AK moose hunt is going to be $8,000 and up, and you still have your tag, commercial air, etc. I suspect when all is added up, you are at least $10,000 into a guided AK moose hunt, and from most my research, closer to $14,000 with the more reputable outfitters.
If I could keep a moose hunt under $5,000, I think that would still fall into the reach of most hunters, knowing it would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime event and for which you would probably save up funds for a few years. But, given the allure of AK and all the intrigue that moose hunting represents, I would really like to show that it can be done for anyone willing to do the research and get themselves prepared.
I think if I get serious and split some costs between a couple guys, we could get it below $4,000. That would be the goal. Very doable in my preliminary calculations.
I am lucky where I can go to AK most any year I want by just pitching in with family who live in AK. Under that scenario, the cost is less than $1,500 for me, but that is not what I want to show people, as few have that same luxury. I want to show what it costs to fly/drive to AK, hire some sort of transportation, and go shoot a moose on your own money and effort. Caribou might be slightly less, but probably far less intrigue.
Maybe the first question should be whether or not viewers would want to see that, even if it is difficult and costs more than you average hunt in the lower 48. I think with two guys, we could get two episodes. For sure, if we kill two animals. But probably two if we show the logistics and planning needed, then the hunt itself.
If we did that hunt, the production costs of getting camera guys, equipment, etc, might blow the budget for the entire season. Might have to fill the rest of the season with whitetail doe hunts shot on handy cams.
Already gave first dibs on such a possible trip to a Hunt Talker to whom I owe my life. If such a hunt comes together and he can't make it, I sure hope I could find some other Hunt Talker to take his place.
So, would an AK moose hunt, OYO style, be a worthy episode, if we could keep the entire price under $5,000 per person, for everything? Or, Caribou if we could keep it around $3,500 per person.
If I can't pull off either of those hunt, the Sitka Blacktails are still on my radard screen. Need more AK stuff to show what is "doable" for the experienced guy willing to give some effort.
