Alaska hunting

[W.Ludwig]

Any imput would help.
I'm flying into Fairbanks end of August fir a Haul road Caribou hunt. I think I have read through all the online forums I could find but here is my questions.
Any imput on spear tire/tires for the rental vehicle. I found 1 place in fairbanks that sells full rim and tire but that seems to be about it. And they don't buy the tires back if not used. I guess I understand. The rental company said they may have a spare but wouldn't know until the day I get there.
Second is transportation back of meat if a kill happens. Is there any current places people have used to freeze meat before flight? I'm planning on cooling or freezing before flight and flying it back as checked baggage.
Thanks for any imput.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

the meat freezing has been talked about many a time.... buy some plugs hope for the best

 

[Steve300xcw]

plug kit an a cheap air compressor is a pretty handy thing to have.....

 

[TandKHunting]

I will be there at the end of August too. Best of luck to ya man!

 

[Arcticmanak]

The Golden North Inn in Fairbanks advertises that they have complimentary freezer space for guests that are hunting/fishing.

Golden North Inn: Best value for your stay in Fairbanks Alaska​

Best hotel with affordable rates to stay and explore Fairbanks, Alaska

www.goldennorthinn.com

 

[W.Ludwig]

The Golden North Inn in Fairbanks advertises that they have complimentary freezer space for guests that are hunting/fishing.

Golden North Inn: Best value for your stay in Fairbanks Alaska​

Best hotel with affordable rates to stay and explore Fairbanks, Alaska

www.goldennorthinn.com

Thank you

 

[VernAK]

Am I the only one who won't be on the Haul Road this fall?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Am I the only one who won't be on the Haul Road this fall?

I won't either, neither will my dogs.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

Am I the only one who won't be on the Haul Road this fall?

It's the new kotz....until it gets ruined then they will flock to the next thing.

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[VernAK]

It's the new kotz....until it gets ruined then they will flock to the next thing.

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It'll be interesting to see where the next hot spot is.

 

[medvedyt]

It'll be interesting to see where the next hot spot is.

maybe none and one day you will get the same as us here in the Yukon where no more non residents allowed to hunt unless family or special guide draw ...

 

[VernAK]

maybe none and one day you will get the same as us here in the Yukon where no more non residents allowed to hunt unless family or special guide draw ...

I think NRs have already been removed from part of the Forty Mile Caribou hunt. I'll have to check on that. Alaska has a resident population that is far greater than YT and when one hunt area closes, there is a mass movement to the next dwindling herd. Fishing has gone a similar route except tourists haven't been eliminated and have concentrated in ever increasing numbers in a few areas.

Tourists don't bother us much here in Delta. They only stop for gas and coffee and to complain about the Alcan but a visit to the Kenai Peninsula is overwhelming. Especially with these huge sockeye runs. Tourism has become too much of a good thing in my opinion.

 

[wyosam]

Am I the only one who won't be on the Haul Road this fall?

I was thinking about a later trip (after 9/15), but don’t think I’ll fit it in. Probably go in late March/Early April again.


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[jdement]

Fly up to AK with 27 gal totes housing all your gear. Won't have to worry about a buckle for your pack getting broken and on the return trip you can put your meat in them and zip tie shut. The airlines will mark them as frozen and should have no issues as checked baggage. Book a hotel that allows access to their freezer. Never flown with antlers but would recommend planning ahead to build a wood box and use an air cargo service.

 

[OXN939]

I will be there at the end of August too. Best of luck to ya man!

Yall find em?

 

[TandKHunting]

Yall find em?

Negative. We were air boated in well past the 5 mile. Dropped off in a camp that was clearly inhabited before us. We walked 29 miles from camp over 5 days. We didn't glass a single caribou. Transporter didn't seem to care that we didn't see anything either.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to boat in with a transporter. Unless you like gambling with money. I was pretty bummed.

If I could go back, I would have brought my bow or booked an airplane.

 

[rickyw]

I think NRs have already been removed from part of the Forty Mile Caribou hunt. I'll have to check on that. Alaska has a resident population that is far greater than YT and when one hunt area closes, there is a mass movement to the next dwindling herd. Fishing has gone a similar route except tourists haven't been eliminated and have concentrated in ever increasing numbers in a few areas.

Tourists don't bother us much here in Delta. They only stop for gas and coffee and to complain about the Alcan but a visit to the Kenai Peninsula is overwhelming. Especially with these huge sockeye runs. Tourism has become too much of a good thing in my opinion.

That’s the best thing about fall bear hunting in October. The crowds are gone

 

[fatbacks]

Negative. We were air boated in well past the 5 mile. Dropped off in a camp that was clearly inhabited before us. We walked 29 miles from camp over 5 days. We didn't glass a single caribou. Transporter didn't seem to care that we didn't see anything either.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to boat in with a transporter. Unless you like gambling with money. I was pretty bummed.

If I could go back, I would have brought my bow or booked an airplane.

Sounds like the caribou never went through the Ivishak or Ochooka rivers this year. Sometimes they just decide to go another way. Spent 6 days upriver with airboat drop off with my boys in early August. Didn’t see a damn thing. Hour after getting back to the truck I was full draw on a bull at 60 yds right off the road. All that time and effort to just stumble out of the truck with untied boots to stalk a bull close to the road.


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[OXN939]

Negative. We were air boated in well past the 5 mile. Dropped off in a camp that was clearly inhabited before us. We walked 29 miles from camp over 5 days. We didn't glass a single caribou. Transporter didn't seem to care that we didn't see anything either.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to boat in with a transporter. Unless you like gambling with money. I was pretty bummed.

If I could go back, I would have brought my bow or booked an airplane.

Super sorry to hear that man. Similar story I've heard from others who have used the air boat CONOP though- really only so many spots you can hit from the river, most of which stay occupied during the season.

If it makes you feel any better though, ponying up the big bucks to fly is honestly a roll of the dice these days too. My buddy and I did one of the last fly ins before things got crazy in 2020. I killed a pretty decent bull but my buddy didn't. Dudes who went in after us went 0 for 5. The reality is that Caribou populations are lower and migratory routes are more unpredictable than they've ever been.

Hope it was still a cool experience for you anyway- you could have been like me and the thousands of other idiots stuck at work in the lower 48 this year instead