Mid-August DIY on the Dalton. Tried archery early and quickly realized anything past 100 yards wasn’t happening. Caribou were thin near the road and noticeably jumpy—covered a lot of ground and it was clear they wanted distance from traffic.
By day 5 we committed to a walk-in plan to an area we’d been watching consistently funnel animals. Passed up smaller bulls at close range on the hike in, holding out for something better.
Set spike camp roughly 5 miles in. Had a sow grizzly and two cubs 400 yards from the tent 10 minutes after setting up the tent. Next morning pushed another 1.5 miles and ran into steady numbers—cows and young bulls moving through and closing distance fast.
Partner took a solid bull around midday 80 yards from me as I napped in the warm sun. While prepping to break him down, another bull walked in to about 80 yards. He spooked, ran out like they usually do, stopped to look back at ~100 yards, broadside. 6.5 PRC—clean kill, didn’t go 20.
Two bulls down, full DIY.
Breakdown took about 3.5 hours. First meat haul back to spike camp, broke camp, and hiked to the road overnight. Returned the next day with help 1 extra guy. to finish the pack-out in classic Dalton weather (rain turning to snow).
Total distance was right around 35 miles on foot.
Hard hunt, great outcome, and a reminder that road hunting isn’t the same as getting off it. If we do it again, we’ll still walk—but with better packing logistics.
DIY Dalton is no joke, but when it comes together, it’s worth every step.
By day 5 we committed to a walk-in plan to an area we’d been watching consistently funnel animals. Passed up smaller bulls at close range on the hike in, holding out for something better.
Set spike camp roughly 5 miles in. Had a sow grizzly and two cubs 400 yards from the tent 10 minutes after setting up the tent. Next morning pushed another 1.5 miles and ran into steady numbers—cows and young bulls moving through and closing distance fast.
Partner took a solid bull around midday 80 yards from me as I napped in the warm sun. While prepping to break him down, another bull walked in to about 80 yards. He spooked, ran out like they usually do, stopped to look back at ~100 yards, broadside. 6.5 PRC—clean kill, didn’t go 20.
Two bulls down, full DIY.
Breakdown took about 3.5 hours. First meat haul back to spike camp, broke camp, and hiked to the road overnight. Returned the next day with help 1 extra guy. to finish the pack-out in classic Dalton weather (rain turning to snow).
Total distance was right around 35 miles on foot.
Hard hunt, great outcome, and a reminder that road hunting isn’t the same as getting off it. If we do it again, we’ll still walk—but with better packing logistics.
DIY Dalton is no joke, but when it comes together, it’s worth every step.
