2025 Moose Hunters

[Robinhood21]

I just want to wish all the moose hunters heading afield this year, good luck.

As I sit here in my basement, bourbon in hand, I can’t help but to be envious towards those headed up north.

I’m quickly reminded by the bull skulls hanging on the wall, just how fortunate I’ve been to have experienced the adventure.

Love reading the yearly stories of AkDoc, Vern and others that get to do this every year. I’m equally excited for those making the trip up there the very first time. I was once in your shoes not long ago and it’s hard to explain the feeling of the anticipation.

I’m totally guilty of romanticizing the experience as there are times of boredom, discomfort and pure misery. On my last hunt, I may have said out loud a couple times, that was my last moose hunt I was going on…. that lasted all of about 24 hours until I was daydreaming about the next. The good parts always seem to outweigh the bad.

Anyways…. I’m kind of just rambling here but I wish nothing but good weather and big bulls to all of you. Most of all I hope you all have an adventure you’ll never forget.

I’ll cap it off with my favorite Alaska quote:

“They all say once in a lifetime until they make it up there once, then they spend a lifetime going back”

 

[IDVortex]

Ill say this, until this forum is had no desire to hunt moose. But reading the threads, and also listening to the exo guys last year. My goal to hunt moose is pretty high. Would absolutely love to find a couple guys to do a rafter style moose hunt. I have the feeling the only way ill get up north is with a guide sadly.

 

[Robinhood21]

I thought the same until I started digging. I gave myself a few years of research & I became obsessed. This moose forum has a really good core group of guys that I learned so much from. Nothing wrong with a guide though if you can swing it

 

[IDVortex]

I thought the same until I started digging. I gave myself a few years of research & I became obsessed. This moose forum has a really good core group of guys that I learned so much from. Nothing wrong with a guide though if you can swing it

Dont want to do a guide, but a solo backcountry moose hunt would not be a allowed thing with my wife. Lol.

 

[AKDoc]

Thank you for the kind words and, as always, I appreciate your perspective of enthusiasm, gratitude and humility. I'd bet you'll be back. Even as a long time resident, I'm truly thankful every year.

It is getting close to go time. Gear is nearly all packed after lots of decisions and rethinks. Temps dropped the other night. Leaves are turning. You all know the rest...a uniquely special time of the year for hunters.

The very best to all of you for safe and wonderful adventures!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’m getting things sorted to head out in a few days. Looks like me and my friend will get 9 solid days to get it done.

I love fall days during moose season. I’ve had some brutal ones and some that were fairly easy but I love all of my moose hunts and count myself lucky to go this year and hopefully 15-20 more years of it.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Sort of a sad time for me. I killed plenty of moose in the past then we moved out of Alaska. We moved back last year and are now legally residents again.
I have a honey hole where three of us used to hunt via ATV's and every year we would quit after we killed two bulls. After all, how much meat can a family eat?

Anyhow, spent considerable money and bought a Yamaha Grizzly 700 and a new aluminum meat wagon. Then purchased a Can Am 1000 6 wheeler and another meat wagon. Second was a dual axle so it could haul plenty of meat. Next came some high quality Arctic Oven tents, sleeping bags, assorted gear, etc. And to finish it, a 22 foot trailer that is 108 inches wide to haul everything.

Then, yep. You guessed it. No one to go with me. Old friend who used to go bailed because he didn't want to fix up his ATV. Then neighbors who said they would go never bought the stuff they needed and never mentioned it again.

It is time to find some new hunting buddies. Or maybe purchase a river sled and start running back up the Yukon to the Koyukuk then onto the Huslia. Or explore flying into an area.

Good luck to all of you that make it out to the field this season.

 

[cfdjay]

Final pack day here. I fly out Tuesday. Most common question I've been getting has been "aren't you scared to do it?" ... Hell Yes I'm scared... but I'm TERRIFIED not to.

 

[Robinhood21]

Dont want to do a guide, but a solo backcountry moose hunt would not be an allowed thing with my wife. Lol.

I can tell you this, if you go once and are successful, you’ll never have a problem finding someone to go with. Funny how that works.

I know it’s probably not the best way to go about it but finding someone on this forum is definitely an option. Every year I see threads of people like you that want to do it but can’t find someone to go with.

 

[Robinhood21]

Thank you for the kind words and, as always, I appreciate your perspective of enthusiasm, gratitude and humility. I'd bet you'll be back. Even as a long time resident, I'm truly thankful every year.

It is getting close to go time. Gear is nearly all packed after lots of decisions and rethinks. Temps dropped the other night. Leaves are turning. You all know the rest...a uniquely special time of the year for hunters.

The very best to all of you for safe and wonderful adventures!

I will definitely be back!.. most likely in ‘27.

Pretty cool to see your excitement every year after so many years of doing it.

It is indeed a special time. There’s really nothing I enjoy more then my time in AK

 

[Robinhood21]

I’m getting things sorted to head out in a few days. Looks like me and my friend will get 9 solid days to get it done.

I love fall days during moose season. I’ve had some brutal ones and some that were fairly easy but I love all of my moose hunts and count myself lucky to go this year and hopefully 15-20 more years of it.

Good luck to you! I’d like to think that area is one of the most breathtaking for moose hunting. Love watching all the green turn to yellow, orange and red.

 

[Robinhood21]

Final pack day here. I fly out Tuesday. Most common question I've been getting has been "aren't you scared to do it?" ... Hell Yes I'm scared... but I'm TERRIFIED not to.

That totally rings home for me. The thing I’m most proud of is saying yes and making it happen. I dreamt about it since I was a little boy and after a while you wonder if it will actually happen or if it always be a pipe dream.

The thing I was most worried about that first time up there was staying positive and keeping the morale high. I was scared to death that we would get uncomfortable with being uncomfortable as the days went on. Ultimately we did a great job as a group, keeping spirits high. I actually think the longer we were out there, the more comfortable I got.

 

[CTR50]

Setting up camp tomorrow, a 27 mile wet muddy ride in and looks to be raining most of next week.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

Man, I'm jealous of you all to say the least! Finally made my childhood dream hunt come true up there two years ago and it's constantly on my mind how I'm going to get back to AK for another moose hunt.

It's always a real treat to read all of your stories from each years hunting trips.

Wishing you all the best and I hope the moose gods are smiling down on you!

 

[benbhunter]

Im down to less than 24hrs to start making my way upto Alaska. A long layover in anchorage on monday 9/1, fly into village 9/2( hopefully air taxi can fly out same day) and be hunting by wednesday 9/3. Ive been dreaming about this hunt since i was a kid reading outdoor magazines with moose hunting stories in them. Gear is all packed ready to go; bring on the cold wet weather.

 

[Whip]

I finished packing my airline bags this morning. Now 4 days to wait before flying up on Thursday, then super cubs to a ridgetop drop camp on the 6th. Just my partner and I for 15 glorious days. Tagging a bull would be a fabulous bonus. Yes, we're living the dream.

 

[RunNGunSC]

Good luck everyone! No tag this year but I’ll be bird hunting in Maine and hope to catch some rut activity.

 

[IDVortex]

I can tell you this, if you go once and are successful, you’ll never have a problem finding someone to go with. Funny how that works.

I know it’s probably not the best way to go about it but finding someone on this forum is definitely an option. Every year I see threads of people like you that want to do it but can’t find someone to go with.

This might be something I might actually have to serious look into doing. Just reaching out on here for a partner.

I mean, people who only go with you because they saw you actually got one isnt the kind of folks I'd want in my life or camp. They're the same folks who only know you because you have a trailer. Its the mentality of 'why have friends if you cant use them'. Which is despise and have no desire for anymore.

 

[Robinhood21]

This might be something I might actually have to serious look into doing. Just reaching out on here for a partner.

I mean, people who only go with you because they saw you actually got one isnt the kind of folks I'd want in my life or camp. They're the same folks who only know you because you have a trailer. It’s the mentality of 'why have friends if you cant use them'. Which is despise and have no desire for anymore.

I had a guys wife tell me good luck and “we’re excited to see how you do”. Then when we got back she said her husband was ready to go with me

Another guy told me I should take him and his buddy so I could “guide them”

Had another guy said he would pay for the entire trip if I took him.

I only have so many times I can do this. It’s not necessarily a money thing it’s a time off from family and work thing. I feel like it’s something I want to experience with my family.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

I had a guys wife tell me good luck and “we’re excited to see how you do”. Then when we got back she said her husband was ready to go with me

Another guy told me I should take him and his buddy so I could “guide them”

Had another guy said he would pay for the entire trip if I took him.

I only have so many times I can do this. It’s not necessarily a money thing it’s a time off from family and work thing. I feel like it’s something I want to experience with my family.

I've had similar experiences, lots of folks in my home town thought I was stupid for going to AK solo for a moose hunt a couple years back. Ended up having a great trip and took a nice bull as icing on the cake for me.

Get home and after a few people see the bull then all of a sudden I have countess hunting buddies that are all ready to go.

I will continue to hunt solo thanks very much