What's your risk level?

[Bambistew]

Here's a question for the OYOA crowd.

Would you be willing to "risk" 10-12 days of hunting an area that may or may not be void of wildlife? Say you found an area that information is very limited as in second hand info, but you consider it reliable. The biologists don't really know what the game population is, but you expect it to be pretty sparse to possibly non existent. Your gut says you could find a nice animal, but you wouldn't know what quality/quantity of animals until you put boots on ground of flew it. Even if you flew it you're basically committed to the hunt because the majority of your cost is flight time.

Would you go if it cost $3000 and it was for moose?

What if it was a sheep hunt?

 

[Gerald Martin]

Lot of variables would come into play for me. $3000 bucks is more than I would spend on almost any hunt at this stage in life. On the other hand it sounds like an adventure in a place that not many other people are going to. That would make it a lot more desireable to me.

If you go and don't find the animals you're looking for you still have the adventure and memories of time spent in the wilderness. If you go and find good trophy quality, you might have an area to yourself for a long time. Finding the next trophy Shangri La is a thought that is more appealing to me than lucking into a monster animal in an area that sees a lot of pressure and has more animals.

Go for it. Its only money and time out of one season. Its not like its a once in a lifetime trip to Alaska like it would be for most of us.

 

[mdunc8]

If I was an AK resident, I don't think I'd have a problem checking out a new spot like that. If I was a nonresident, paying for a guide, and it may be my only opportunity hunting out there -- no.

 

[Calvin]

For 3k I'd have Charlie Green drop me off in the koyo or in that general area before I rolled the dice on an area.

 

[lilbiggun]

Lets see... I paid almost 2K for a fly-in (south of glenallen) for a sheep hunt and I didnt even have a tag (the guy that had the tag didnt get anything, flew a roughly 20 mile radius and didnt even see anything close to a full curl) for, so yeah, I dont mind taking the time and spending the money to see a new part of the country.

 

[indian larry]

Have found sometime you have to risk it to get the bisque. If you consider it reliable in may eyes its worth the shot. As you know up here information is kept close to the heart but if you had even a little bit of positive info its better then rolling the dice and going in completely blind like we all must do a time or 2 anyways. Also something else i look at, though it may be a moose or sheep hunt is there any other seasons open in that area at the same time like bou or bear?

 

[mtmiller]

3K - Moose Hunt - 10 days....what the hell. You ain't getting any younger and it sounds like a great adventure.

Downside...If nothing else you are spending $300 a day to see county very few will ever have the opportunity. I'll bet you can find something to make it worth the trip.

Upside...you find an incredible hunt area and get to hunt it again and take some of your good friends (or just some lickbag) from MT.

Of course we know you have already make your decision.

Good luck.

 

[BOWUNTR]

I look at it a little differently. As a non resident I want to do everything I can to put the odds in my favor to be successful. I'm going up there to try and kill something. Based on the information given, there's more work to be done. Reliable, second hand info is not enough for me. I'd be doing some more research. Time and hunting seasons are very valuable to me. I don't want to go to Alaska on a camping trip. If you are cool with a camping/hunting trip, then maybe it's OK. Ed F

 

[Bambistew]

What if the area is so far in the middle of BFE that information just isn't available? The area isn't "guided" and the odd local may hit, but I doubt many ever venture into he area... I don't like going on camping trips either but I've turned many a "wild goose chase" into an animal for the wall. The thing that's hanging me up is the chance that the area is basically void of animals. A friend went on a sheep hunt last year and they didnt so much as see a tweety bird for two days.

Maybe the odd grizz and maybe a big maybe a caribou could be had, but who knows. Like I said once out there I'm committed to the trip. I have a feeling it will turn out ok, worst case I know where not to go next year.

 

[BOWUNTR]

That's just my opinion. It's just not enough for me.

I don't have a lot of money and time... add to that I live a long ways away. If the hunt is in the middle of BFE, I suspect you have to be flown in. You know at least one transporter is flying that area if he's gonna get you in there... maybe more. The transporter might have references that they have flown into that area before. I don't know. I'd be looking for more info or lookig elsewhere.

If you do go, I hope you kill a monster moose and I'll have to eat my words.... Good luck. Ed F

 

[Bambistew]

Funny thing I'm finding out about transporters... There really isnt as many around as one would think. I picked out a couple drainages for sheep and had a he'll of a time finding some one to fly me in, and it wasn't because they were booked up either, it was either too far or they weren't familiar with the area. That was in the AK range no less... There are still areas of the state that dont see many people or planes.

The research is done as much as it can be. It just a leap of faith now, a true OYOA.

 

[lilbiggun]

They have these farms down south with big fences around them and 100% kill rates. If your so wrapped up on having to kill something, try africa or one of those farms. Its called hunting, sometimes you have to take a chance.

 

[icb12]

If I had the money to burn.... I'd do that in a heartbeat.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

Have you checked to see if any Seismic Surveys or Mining Permits have been filed for this area? Maybe if they are recent you could use the phone to contact the company and talk with the people on the ground as to what they saw. I know this is kind of out there, but.......................John

 

[Danvet]

Sorry, too many questions and too much money for me!

 

[buckwild]

the adventure means more than the mount on the wall in my opinion...i'd go for it. good luck

 

[BOWUNTR]

They have these farms down south with big fences around them and 100% kill rates. If your so wrapped up on having to kill something, try africa or one of those farms. Its called hunting, sometimes you have to take a chance.

lilbiggun, I don't know if this was directed at me but Bambistew asked for opinions and I gave mine. I never said I was wrapped up about killing something. I hunt with a bow so I'm well aware of eating my tag. I eat more than I fill and I've taken pleanty of chances.

I'm just saying that with the facts he gave, I'd be looking for some more info. If there is none, there is none. Researching for a hunt is part of the adventure. It's January... pleanty of time to get it done. Ed F

 

[Big O]

Everybody enjoys the experience not just tagging an animal, but I would have to say for 10 days of my hard earned vacation days and 3K, I would look at all options. I can spend a whole lot less playing in all the wilderness areas in the NW if I want to sight-see. I have know idea what it costs for a good moose area, would it be 4k, 5k,...For a little more I would like to know that there are atleast animals in the area, not neccesarily abundant but atleast if I hunt hard I could have a shot at one. If it were sheep and 3k, that would scare me.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

I know when I am asked to map out Gas Units and Ownership maps they always send a survey of the area. Check this info and see if it matches up to your area. Maybe you can find the Surveyor. John

http://dnr.alaska.gov/Mapper/

 

[wingman1]

If it is not outfitted it is probably devoid of game. Sometimes you just have to take the risk. Nothing ventured nothing gained! Word of advice..............if you pull it off and get what your after keep your mouth shut! There are not many risk takers in life but there are a plethora of people that will do it if they know you took the risk and pulled it off. Good luck and don't leave home without an ELT. A side note, make friends with a bush pilot or get your license and buy a plane. If I lived in Alaska I would be all over that kind of stuff.