"Haul Road" type hunt

[Donjuan]

With the rising cost of transportation by plane, has anyone done an Alaska hunt by vehicle similar to hunting the Haul Rd for caribou where you drive to hunt? Does this even exist or are the locals all over anywhere you can drive in.

I'm probably going to get harassed for asking this, so PM me if you've done an Alaska hunt without a bush plane.

 

[Donjuan]

I'm asking about hunting moose fyi

 

[Kevin Dill]

I have not done it. I have driven several roads through moose country during the open season. Basically every good camping or parking spot (for access into public lands) is occupied by hunters. A lot of them employ ATVs to get farther back (several miles) and into less pressured areas. Alaskan moose hunters are 100% THE most relentless at utilizing every road, 2 track, river, creek and trail they can to go as far as possible into good moose country.

There's no question you could do a moose hunt from the road system. The real questions are ones like; would you enjoy it?...would you have a realistic chance at a legal bull?...how much time and money would you spend?....how much competition and aggravation can you endure?

 

[jhm2023]

Moose hunting the road system is a zoo. I have more privacy at my house then I would if I were to partake in the mass migration of city dwellers into moose country. Pullouts are like miniature trailer parks with all the campers and RVs. It can be done, you just need patience and a realistic expectation of what the experience will be. Also be willing to do some hiking. I've killed my share of moose somewhat close to the road just by being patient and calling a moose out of an area where everyone else just ripped by on ATVs. Be prepared for a gross lack of hunter's etiquette and common courtesy as well. It always blows my mind when people come upon your camp or the area they can clearly see you're hunting and the make the conscious decision to setup right on top of you rather than moving along.

 

[Mojave]

I have not lived in Alaska since 2000.

The road between Tok and Eagle used to be ok for road hunts. I don't think that is the case.

The haul road between Fairbanks and Deadhorse used to be ok, and the season is open almost year round.

During the primary season for bulls it was a zoo 20 years ago. The winter meat hunt season is usually ok. And it is a hell of a lot easier to x-country ski out dragging a sled when there is good snow on the ground.

Since you have to be 5 miles from the pipeline.

I only lived in bush Alaska, so I have zero idea of what it is really like. I know people in Eagle, and I knew people in Fairbanks that did both. Hell I knew people in Anchorage that hunted near Eagle.

The expectations are that you will see some bears, a lot of people and catch some fish. If you get a moose or caribou on the road system you had a very lucky day.

 

[Chumsnagger]

I suspect few moose are taken by those using a bush plane, probably less than 10%- although I also suspect a higher success rate. By far most moose are taken using a hwy vehicle to launch boat or atv/utv to access areas. Some are taken just by hiking. All moose I’ve shot were within 400 yards of a highway with just boots, rifle or bow. One was 60 yards behind the house.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Don’t overlook a canoe. You can access some places with a canoe that ATVs can’t get to

 

[mooster]

I thought about same. Decided to map some places and check them out while I was up chasing bou or moose in a different area. Holy cow people at every turn out with atvs, monster truck looking vehicles or argos going deep. Looked like more a challenge to just get deep than kill an animal. Unless your willing to pack one out a long ways, it seems it’s an arms race.

 

[Alaskan89]

I drive to my hunting area with my truck and access the creek bed where I hunt with a sxs, it's very doable and finding a spot that's not infested with hunters can sometimes be a chore but it can be done. There are outfitters up here that rent atv's/sxs's so the option is there for those that want to hunt moose without flying in.