Deadhorse as starting point?

[realunlucky]

Ok got booked for caribou with 70 north and will be flying into/ out of deadhorse. Mike will be arranging travel for us into happy valley. I've research this some but answers are pretty vague that are floating out there. So for anyone that's been there what can I expect for supplies available there? How can I get ISO fuel for my stove into happy valley? Should I bring my own antler and fish boxes or assume Alaska airlines will have some available. I want to build a couple extra days into my trip is there fishing within walking distance of town or rental for use by the public? What is the place to eat while there? Also any and all tips for flying trophy/meat back. Any comments are welcome September will be here before I know it

 

[Jon Boy]

I cant answer your questions but I will tell you, I cant wait to here about this adventure when your done!

 

[Nick Muche]

You are in for a treat up there in Deadhorse... Not much going on there in the way of anything. I do think you can get fuel canisters though, I remember my buddy bringing me a few last year and he got them from somewhere in Deadhorse or maybe they were in his truck... Best of luck on your hunt though!

 

[Stid2677]

As I remember there is 2 places to stay and one includes meals and the other don't. This is chow hall style eating as they serve the oil patch, the food was good and we took a nice lunch bag when we left.

I saw no store that sold fuel, but there could be. I will be flying out with Mike the first week of Aug and can bring fuel up from Fairbanks.

When I travel I use 32 quart totes, the cheap rubbermaid ones and drill the tops in each corner and use zip ties to hold the lids on. When I head out I nest 2 or 3 totes together and fill them with my gear. I fly these inside large square duffel bags. On the way home I pack the tote with meat and hides and use the duffel bags to get my gear home. On Alaska air these can be packed to 99 pounds and it cost me 75 bucks each. Mike had a freezer last year so you should be able to get your meat froze before you fly. I have had no issues flying meat from Alaska to the east coast this way.

 

[Ray]

Both Happy Valley and Deadhorse are on a river bank, however, fishing may not be very productive depending on the char run or water conditions in Setptmeber. Here is a link to a ADFG publication on fishing the Dalton HWY.

I had read somewhere, that last year one of the flight services up there was going to bring up Jet boil cans for their customers. Cannot recall whom it was that stated they were planning that.

The meat packing method Stid discusses is the way to go. You dont want TSA cutting open the tape job on your fish boxes and then doing a bad job of retapping them. TSA has lots of zip ties. They will be hand inspecting out of Deadhorse since they do not have a luggage x-ray (I think as no place in the bush has one).

Here is AK Airlines simple rules for hunters shipping their stuff. If I recall correctly they changed their policy a few years ago and started making people ship antlers as priority air freight and stopped accepting them as baggage. You should get yourself set up as a "known shipper" with an account to keep it as streamlined as possible. Be aware that the bush AK Air facilities have goofy hours of operation (freight is closed when a plane is on the ground, etc) and you need to plan accordingly.

 

[Whodat78]

Not much going on up here in Deadhorse but there is a store here is the link. http://ww3.truevalue.com/brooksrangesupplyinc/Home.aspx

I work up here and have hunted on the slope a good amount. The store is NOT within walking distance of the airport and there is not taxi service up here. We fish the Sag for Char and Greyling in late Aug and early Sept when we have time, but not very accessible in Deadhorse. If you don't work up here and have access from your camp I couldnt tell you how to find a spot to fish. You can also fish the Sag at Happy Valley and that can be a lot of fun! You can stay/eat at the Prudhoe Bay Hotel across the road from the airport and they have a cafeteria there. I think it is about $350/night. If you need any more info send me a PM.

 

[MatSuDano]

Nice pic Stid - They shut down the ol' Caribou Inn a couple winters back (not that you'd have wanted to stay there- very nasty) but there'sa few other places that'll put you up if they have rooms available. You're coming up right in the middle of turnaround season, and most places are pretty full, so I'd call around and get a room reserved way in advance. Prudhoe Bay Hotel mentioned above is closest to the airport, and there's also the Aurora Hotel, which is the newest, nicest joint. The boys at 70 north are right across the street from Prudhoe Bay hotel, and I bet they'd give you a ride to the store. Its about 2.5 road miles from the AkAir terminal to the general store, but you could probably cut cross country if you wanted to walk and i bet it'd be less than a mile - I've seen folks walk along the river to get there. Everything is very expensive up here, but they take plastic (and cash). Most of the camp/hotels have small commisarys, too, where you can get smokes/chew/snacks, ATM access, and even an espresso.

 

[actionshooter]

Stid is right on with the $75 shipping on Alaska airlines, best deal for shipping meat in the state. In september I shipped a whole (cut and wrapped) moose, split antlers and all my gear to the lower 48 for $575,

 

[Gznokes]

I've heard another option is to get a stove that runs on gasoline. that is readily available.

 

[realunlucky]

Thought about another stove but no one else in my group has a stove that will run on liquid fuel and we would all be relaying on a single stove which scares me or buying multiple stoves for this one time trip.