I am thinking about doing a moose in in the next couple years. would like a semi guided or very reputal drop camp area. I was always told that drop camps areas are usually not great areas, that is why they are non-huided. Is that true?
considering a moose hunt. Any recommondations?
- Thread starter schmalts
- Start date
Erik in AK
New member
schmalts,
You're basically correct, but that's because of concentrated pressure combined with a naturally low density of animals more than being dropped off in a poor area. Prime habitat averages 1.5 moose/sq mi.
If you intend to hunt from a fixed camp select early dates as long as that camp is in the hills. The opener is either the 1st or 5th of Sept in most units. Non-agressive locator bull calls work best at this time.
If the opener is not an option then get as close to the 14th of Sept as you can. Generally speaking, the 3 days either side of the 14th is the window of greatest movement by bulls. Scraping is most effective at this time. Bring an elk shoulder blade if you have one or talk to your local slaughter house and get one off a beef calf. Clean it and dry it out.
If you hunt the end of the season (usually the 20th or 25th depending on the GMU) find the cows and you will find the bulls. Big clearings with willow and young birch attract the cows who feed continuously through the rut. Cow calling and agressive bull grunting works well at this time.
I would recommend you strongly consider a fly in float hunt and carry a caribou tag as well. Many float hunts take you through both caribou and moose country and you can always take a black bear on either tag if your primary animals don't show up.
If you are interested I recommend "A complete guide to Float Hunting Alaska", 2nd edition by Larry Bartlett. Although Larry's prose is a bit clunky he is very knowledgable and not shy about sharing what he knows. The book is an excellent resource on all aspects of planning a float hunt from equipment to selecting an area of the state to hunt. Larry even rents rafts and equipment. He has a website pristineventures.com. If you don't know how to manueaver a river raft with a rowing frame, get some practice locally or bring some one along who does. I would also recommend Wayne Kubat's moose calling instructional videos "Love, Thunder and Bull" I and/or II.
Just to point you in the right direction GMU's 18-25 have the most moose habitat. On a side note, my next moose float will be on a tributary of the Yukon in GMU 25, which narrows my search to about 30 rivers.
Finally, the AK regs are available online at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/
You're basically correct, but that's because of concentrated pressure combined with a naturally low density of animals more than being dropped off in a poor area. Prime habitat averages 1.5 moose/sq mi.
If you intend to hunt from a fixed camp select early dates as long as that camp is in the hills. The opener is either the 1st or 5th of Sept in most units. Non-agressive locator bull calls work best at this time.
If the opener is not an option then get as close to the 14th of Sept as you can. Generally speaking, the 3 days either side of the 14th is the window of greatest movement by bulls. Scraping is most effective at this time. Bring an elk shoulder blade if you have one or talk to your local slaughter house and get one off a beef calf. Clean it and dry it out.
If you hunt the end of the season (usually the 20th or 25th depending on the GMU) find the cows and you will find the bulls. Big clearings with willow and young birch attract the cows who feed continuously through the rut. Cow calling and agressive bull grunting works well at this time.
I would recommend you strongly consider a fly in float hunt and carry a caribou tag as well. Many float hunts take you through both caribou and moose country and you can always take a black bear on either tag if your primary animals don't show up.
If you are interested I recommend "A complete guide to Float Hunting Alaska", 2nd edition by Larry Bartlett. Although Larry's prose is a bit clunky he is very knowledgable and not shy about sharing what he knows. The book is an excellent resource on all aspects of planning a float hunt from equipment to selecting an area of the state to hunt. Larry even rents rafts and equipment. He has a website pristineventures.com. If you don't know how to manueaver a river raft with a rowing frame, get some practice locally or bring some one along who does. I would also recommend Wayne Kubat's moose calling instructional videos "Love, Thunder and Bull" I and/or II.
Just to point you in the right direction GMU's 18-25 have the most moose habitat. On a side note, my next moose float will be on a tributary of the Yukon in GMU 25, which narrows my search to about 30 rivers.
Finally, the AK regs are available online at http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/
T Bone
Well-known member
Moose are some amazing critters. Where I went last year on the outfitted hunt was on the Noatak river out of Kotzebue. Lots of natives cruising the rivers for caribou, but few if any hunt for moose. Not many hunters at all in the area. Its in a draw only area, but the odds of drawing are very good.
Concentrate your time and efforts toward the end of the season as the rut gets into full swing. Moose calling is low intensity calling and waiting day after day in the same areas.
Going outfitted or guided isn't a bad way to go. As far as gear and equipment, nothing real unique or special about it. Shipping costs get prohibitive to ship all your own gear/food up there.
If I do go again, It'll be DIY.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
Concentrate your time and efforts toward the end of the season as the rut gets into full swing. Moose calling is low intensity calling and waiting day after day in the same areas.
Going outfitted or guided isn't a bad way to go. As far as gear and equipment, nothing real unique or special about it. Shipping costs get prohibitive to ship all your own gear/food up there.
If I do go again, It'll be DIY.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.
