I'm still pretty new to the site, so even though it took place last month I thought I would share a breif story and some photos from my first caribou hunt in AK.
I got a call on Monday Aug. 16th from a friend in Fairbanks asking if I wanted to hunt caribou in AK with him. I said of course I would as it has been on my "some day" list for quite a while. He said the catch was I had to be to Fairbanks by Friday so we could fly out Saturday morning. A spontaneous hunt in AK to me would be a hunt with 6 mo. notice. I didn't think with work, family and travel considerations that it was possible, but long story short, I was in Fairbanks ready to go Saturday morning.
We were flown n.e. of Fairbanks and camped on a narrow mountain ridge above timberline. Being only my second trip to AK I was in awe.
We started hunting on Sunday morning seeing a lot of caribou, but in that vast country seeing them and getting into position for a bow shot are worlds apart. Finally in the evening I was able to make a play on a great bull getting to 66 yds. as he passed below me eventually stopping at 80yds. No shot. Those damn things are either on the move or just about to move some more.
The following morning I was on my way to sit in an active saddle and wait for the caribou to pass by. I never made it to the saddle. A small herd of cows and calves and small bulls came up the valley so I moved into position on them just in case a there was a bigger bull around. They passed by between 35 and 50 yds. When they had gone by I looked back down the valley and there was a lone bull coming up the valley just as the herd had done. I sat tight and he follow the exact path of the herd. At 35 yds. I drew, he stopped and looked at me I squeezed off and now it's time for a few photos then break down and pack a caribou back to camp.
The following morning it started to rain and we spent the next two days in the tent with 50yd. visibility and rain.
Thursday moring dawned cold and clear and the pilot was able to come and pick us up.
Awesome hunt. I can wait to get back.
I got a call on Monday Aug. 16th from a friend in Fairbanks asking if I wanted to hunt caribou in AK with him. I said of course I would as it has been on my "some day" list for quite a while. He said the catch was I had to be to Fairbanks by Friday so we could fly out Saturday morning. A spontaneous hunt in AK to me would be a hunt with 6 mo. notice. I didn't think with work, family and travel considerations that it was possible, but long story short, I was in Fairbanks ready to go Saturday morning.
We were flown n.e. of Fairbanks and camped on a narrow mountain ridge above timberline. Being only my second trip to AK I was in awe.
We started hunting on Sunday morning seeing a lot of caribou, but in that vast country seeing them and getting into position for a bow shot are worlds apart. Finally in the evening I was able to make a play on a great bull getting to 66 yds. as he passed below me eventually stopping at 80yds. No shot. Those damn things are either on the move or just about to move some more.
The following morning I was on my way to sit in an active saddle and wait for the caribou to pass by. I never made it to the saddle. A small herd of cows and calves and small bulls came up the valley so I moved into position on them just in case a there was a bigger bull around. They passed by between 35 and 50 yds. When they had gone by I looked back down the valley and there was a lone bull coming up the valley just as the herd had done. I sat tight and he follow the exact path of the herd. At 35 yds. I drew, he stopped and looked at me I squeezed off and now it's time for a few photos then break down and pack a caribou back to camp.
The following morning it started to rain and we spent the next two days in the tent with 50yd. visibility and rain.
Thursday moring dawned cold and clear and the pilot was able to come and pick us up.
Awesome hunt. I can wait to get back.
