Best time of the year to hunt alaska caribou?

[montee77]

Just curious on peoples thoughts on the best time of the year to hunt caribou? We have a hunt booked with 70 mile north for the first week of September next year. We were told that you will see less hunters, and not have to deal with the bugs as much, and easier to take care of meat. Any thoughts?

 

[colonel00]

I think you will get a lot of reports coming back over the next two months or so. I have only been up there once and it was right at the end of August. This year I will be up there on the 15th of September. All of the statements you make sound logical to me since it will be cooler so the bugs will be fewer and meat care will be easier. I also think that moose season opens at the beginning of September so many of the Alaska residents may be out chasing moose during that time.

 

[Ray]

Those are good reasons to be there at that time. The biggest issue is the caribou don't care. They respond to environmental pressures and if the weather is telling them to head east and into the hills then they will. If they are too far west because there is nothing pushing them towards wintering grounds then you may have a slow hunt. There are always small groups of critters and 70 North will get you into a spot that will have critters moving into it as long as the critters are moving.

the biggest issue with September is the weather can go wonky so be prepared to handle frost and wet snow down lower in the valleys. The fog is fun too while you sit there for three days waiting to be picked up. Chit happens so don't loose your mind over it. Just roll.

 

[montee77]

Ray, have you hunting with 70 north, mike mcrary?

 

[TEmbry]

Bow or Gun?

 

[VernAK]

If you are considering meat and trophy quality, I think you are as close to perfect as you can get for timing. August caribou are the best for eating but the antlers and capes can still be lacking. Late September can provide excellent trophy quality and lesser meat quality......so IMO you are on target

 

[Ray]

Ray, have you hunting with 70 north, mike mcrary?

Nope, I have never gone out on a brooks hunt as I hunt a local subsistance herd closer to home. However, I have only heard top comments from users of their service. If you allow them to suggest a spot rather than stick to a predetermined spot you will have a better opportunity. They will have flown the area and will know if there are huntable groups of animals and they will know if another flight service has dumped a bunch of people into a drainage.

 

[Stid2677]

Mike is great people, flying with him again next week for sheep. The first week of Sep is an awesome time to be in the Brooks, the weather up there can be fickle, snowed last week. Be ready for bugs, but they slow down with the cold. Their antlers will be ready to shed, so it will be very hard to save velvet, but each bull is different. Fishing is awesome, bring med weight gear, 5lb char in swift water will give a good fight.

 

[Nick Muche]

I am planning 12 days at the end of August and into Sep. I hope the timing is "right" as well Good luck!