2025 DIY float Caribou hunt

[arrowslinger20]

Hi everyone,
Looking for as much information out there as possible. I have been endlessly reading everything I can on here trying to make heads or tails of this trip. A good buddy of mine has done a few remote float hunts in the past in AK.... that being said his last one was in 2009 or so, i think the landscape has changed a bit since his last trip? What we are planning is to fly into Fairbanks and rent two trucks and two rafts (4 guys) drop a truck at a parking spot about 30 miles or so away, get an air taxi out to the river and find spots to camp along the way. I know there is a ton of information on different Transporters and air taxies... I know the rates are going up and the heard numbers are dropping, units closing to NR and such, I'm just trying to consolidate information and get real world advice from the guys that have been there done that.... you are all a wealth of information and any and all is much appreciated!

 

[AKBorn]

Good luck on your adventure! If you are within 30 miles of FBX, I would expect a lot of locals to be hunting that area unless it's a limited draw.

 

[arrowslinger20]

Good luck on your adventure! If you are within 30 miles of FBX, I would expect a lot of locals to be hunting that area unless it's a limited draw.

Thank you very much! We will be traveling the haul rd a bit and leaving just north of the Brooks I think is the tentative plan as of now.

 

[Bluumoon]

Thank you very much! We will be traveling the haul rd a bit and leaving just north of the Brooks I think is the tentative plan as of now.

Make sure you aren’t getting dropped on an airboat/jet boat serviced river.

 

[arrowslinger20]

Great info! I don’t believe the river we are planning is. I was told it can be a bit of a float/drag depending on the water. I’m not sure if that’s most of the water in the area or not? Do you know of any resources to find serviced waterways?

 

[Bluumoon]

Great info! I don’t believe the river we are planning is. I was told it can be a bit of a float/drag depending on the water. I’m not sure if that’s most of the water in the area or not? Do you know of any resources to find serviced waterways?

I don’t. Sorry. I know they work the Sag and it’s tributaries

 

[arrowslinger20]

I don’t. Sorry. I know they work the Sag and it’s tributaries

Great, thank you very much!

 

[GChit3649]

Following! This sounds like such a great time!

 

[arrowslinger20]

We might be changing things up a bit, looking at bush flights and the hassle of weather and delays we might just be looking into a jet boat to drop us. we are then not restricted by weight so much or landing areas. We have also tossed the Dalton as an option. two of us are bow hunters and two are thinking rifles...... none of us care about the 5-mile restriction for rifles so we would all probably make the trek out there and see what happens. I will still be contacting some air taxi and transporters between now and then to see what happens because the float trip itself is the dream, a caribou is the icing on top! If any of you have any suggestions or options I have not thought about please let me know! I don't care if your Uncle has a plane and will fly us out, Ill take every option! lol

 

[Bighorse]

You enthusiasm is infectious. Four people coordinated with gear across a remote landscape is an endeavor. Are you all travelling from the lower 48? Small boats and airplanes all require a carefully considered transport strategy. Add four or more large game animals and all of a sudden you’re asking to move…. 4x200 (people) 4x70(gear) 4x100 (meat) 1,480 pounds aprox. All I’m saying is your endeavor should be well strategized with optimal support vehicles. Cross your fingers and bust out your wallets. Transport and access will be your largest hurdle. Pulling a trigger or loosing an arrow is the easy part.
Have you ever float dragged a raft heavy with meat sir?
Have you carried a 140 pound pack 5 miles?

I believe you’ve got experience and drive. I just hope you’ve got four guys with equally ambitious spirits. I read your concerns and they are well placed.

Get those ducks lined up because humpin four bulls across the Tussocks or dragging down a long skinny river will be challenging.

 

[arrowslinger20]

You enthusiasm is infectious. Four people coordinated with gear across a remote landscape is an endeavor. Are you all travelling from the lower 48? Small boats and airplanes all require a carefully considered transport strategy. Add four or more large game animals and all of a sudden you’re asking to move…. 4x200 (people) 4x70(gear) 4x100 (meat) 1,480 pounds aprox. All I’m saying is your endeavor should be well strategized with optimal support vehicles. Cross your fingers and bust out your wallets. Transport and access will be your largest hurdle. Pulling a trigger or loosing an arrow is the easy part.
Have you ever float dragged a raft heavy with meat sir?
Have you carried a 140 pound pack 5 miles?

I believe you’ve got experience and drive. I just hope you’ve got four guys with equally ambitious spirits. I read your concerns and they are well placed.

Get those ducks lined up because humpin four bulls across the Tussocks or dragging down a long skinny river will be challenging.

Man I absolutely love your reply! It is an endeavor for sure, and frankly overwhelming on many levels! We are traveling from the 48, New Hampshire to be exact! I have never dragged a raft full of meat but but I’m sure we can do it! I carry a pack often and have done miles and miles. I believe I said it earlier in my post, but we are looking for just a drop off and then on our own back down the river to the trucks. It is definitely an undertaking and a lot of logistics but I will be traveling with Gritty woodsmen! Again love the response and the additional things to consider!! Cheers BigHorse!