Horse Hunting Alaska

[Appalaskan]

Anyone ever hunted using horses or other stock in Alaska? If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences. I don’t hear much about their use in the state, mainly see wheels, sleds, boats, and planes. Lack of backcountry horse culture in the state as a whole or is it more of an access thing?

 

[Akwoodchuck]

Some few still do, although I wouldn't consider it common. My old man had a couple when we were kids....kind of a pain but they did pack out a moose or two.

 

[Appalaskan]

Some few still do, although I wouldn't consider it common. My old man had a couple when we were kids....kind of a pain but they did pack out a moose or two.

What do you figure is the reason for its decline? Machines giving so many options or something else?

 

[Akwoodchuck]

What do you figure is the reason for its decline? Machines giving so many options or something else?

Yeah, pretty sure machine transport is suspect numero uno in the decline of horse ownership across the board...but Alaska is just not that horse friendly in terms of terrain, climate, feed/vet bills, etc....

 

[Stefan]

Have a wet summer and see how much it costs to get hay shipped up from the lower 48.

 

[Appalaskan]

Have a wet summer and see how much it costs to get hay shipped up from the lower 48.

Ya, I know how bonkers expensive feed can be. Surprisingly, still a pretty healthy horse population.

 

[Stefan]

I lived up at Wainwright/Fairbanks for a bit. I looked at what hay costs were and said "nope".

 

[Aaron Warpony]

I thought about horse hunting up here, but I would say mostly cost, hassle, and terrain. Feed is spendy, thick alders, lack of good trails, and a good pack horse in my opinion needs to be rode ALOT to be in suitable shape and there's not alot of places where i live anyway to just go joyriding. People do it and I'm jealous when i see a picture of a pack string loaded with moose haha but you are limited where you can take them. And some crazy guy in an argo will already be there haha

 

[Appalaskan]

I thought about horse hunting up here, but I would say mostly cost, hassle, and terrain. Feed is spendy, thick alders, lack of good trails, and a good pack horse in my opinion needs to be rode ALOT to be in suitable shape and there's not alot of places where i live anyway to just go joyriding. People do it and I'm jealous when i see a picture of a pack string loaded with moose haha but you are limited where you can take them. And some crazy guy in an argo will already be there haha

Ya, some serious trail making would be in order in most places.

 

[SaltySailor]

There's some non-motorized areas in the state, some pretty big ones, that I have watched horse hunters mosey on up through after I got flown in. Pretty jealous of them at the time. I lived right next to a small ranch that guided via horse back up in Cantwell, AK growing up, the guy did pretty well for himself and certainly didn't seem to mind having to feed around 30 horses.

 

[Appalaskan]

There's some non-motorized areas in the state, some pretty big ones, that I have watched horse hunters mosey on up through after I got flown in. Pretty jealous of them at the time. I lived right next to a small ranch that guided via horse back up in Cantwell, AK growing up, the guy did pretty well for himself and certainly didn't seem to mind having to feed around 30 horses.

Remember the name of that outfit?

 

[Idahoguy]

How much does a ton of hay cost up there? Just curious.

 

[SaltySailor]

Remember the name of that outfit?

The Wolf Point Ranch

 

[Appalaskan]

How much does a ton of hay cost up there? Just curious.

Not sure what round bales are going for right now. I see more square bales (horse people) on the market, ranging anywhere from 11-15.

 

[Idahoguy]

Small square bales? And $11 to $15? If so that is not bad. People pay that in Arizona and parts of Nevada.

 

[Stefan]

Now, recent prices are https://www.globuya.com/US/Anchorage/323315884427961/Alaska-Hay-Sales

I think all things are relative. For me Alaska is spendy with roughly 105 growing days a season if I remember correctly? I currently have the ability to graze my horses year round on my pasture. Only reason I provide hay is to keep them in the barn and out of the constant wet.

 

[SaltySailor]

Out of the 26 Controlled Use Areas, only two do not allow pack animals, as per this - https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=conservationareas.controlleduse

If one was going to own a few horses anyway, there are some great places in the state right off the road system they can ride/hunt and not see one ATV/ORV.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

Coke Wallace is a Master guide who specializes in horseback hunts in the Alaska Range out of Healy.
http://www.midnightsunsafaris.com/

I think Coke trailers his stock to winter in Britsh Columbia.

 

[sdcowboy]

I hunted with castle rock outfitters out of Healy on a sheep hunt. Used the horses daily riding up drainages and spotting sheep. A lot better than backpacking and only seeing a drainage or two. We covered several in a matter of days. Seen multiple legal rams just looking for what I wanted. If I can ever afford to go back I will be hunting with him again and on the back of a horse.

 

[Appalaskan]

I hunted with castle rock outfitters out of Healy on a sheep hunt. Used the horses daily riding up drainages and spotting sheep. A lot better than backpacking and only seeing a drainage or two. We covered several in a matter of days. Seen multiple legal rams just looking for what I wanted. If I can ever afford to go back I will be hunting with him again and on the back of a horse.

Sounds like the way to do it.