Hunting (and Pack Rafting) Mountain Caribou

[Mark at EXO]

We just released the first (of four) episodes from our Alaska caribou hunt. Figured if you're in the Caribou forum, you might enjoy it...

Having hunted Caribou in the Brooks previously, it was pretty cool to hunt the same critters, but in a way that felt (and was) so radically different. And it was especially wild to see how much bigger-bodied these Caribou were, compared to what we'd previously experienced with the Brooks bulls.

More info, photos, etc: https://the-experience-project.com/hunt-episode-1-alaska-caribou/

 

[Bluumoon]

Have been following the hunt podcasts and I look forward to the rest of the hunt videos.

Curious about a couple things after watching the video.

Were the packrafts a necessity to make the hunt happen for that area, or kind of a novelty/bonus experience? Maybe I misunderstood, but it sounded like it was a fly in/out situation, though I guess the rafts would enable a move if animals weren't present in the first area. I ask as someone who is interested in putting together a float/pack raft trip.

 

[VernAK]

Mountain Caribou or Caribou in the mountains?

 

[medvedyt]

Mountain Caribou or Caribou in the mountains?

i will take the second one as taxinomy recognizes only woodland caribou ... mountain caribou are for the trophy record books ...

 

[VernAK]

i will take the second one as taxinomy recognizes only woodland caribou ... mountain caribou are for the trophy record books ...

Agreed! I suspect Talkeetnas area.

I think I saw a Mountain Caribou bull in Eastern Alaska once. It was in a herd of 40 with several very nice bulls but this one was obviously much larger and darker and I still consider it the finest big game trophy I've seen in a half century of hunting Alaska. ADFG thinks they may wander over from YT. I won't tell the rest of the story as I might cry.

 

[medvedyt]

Agreed! I suspect Talkeetnas area.

I think I saw a Mountain Caribou bull in Eastern Alaska once. It was in a herd of 40 with several very nice bulls but this one was obviously much larger and darker and I still consider it the finest big game trophy I've seen in a half century of hunting Alaska. ADFG thinks they may wander over from YT. I won't tell the rest of the story as I might cry.

i do agree there is a huge variation in size between the barrenground and the woodland. but any of those in august with the fat still on is not only my favourite meat but the best trophy an hunter can dream about in my opinion of course.

 

[VernAK]

i do agree there is a huge variation in size between the barrenground and the woodland. but any of those in august with the fat still on is not only my favourite meat but the best trophy an hunter can dream about in my opinion of course.

Gotta agree on the meat. August caribou are the best for table fare. I usually try to hunt about September first when the meat is good, the trophy quality has improved, and the frosty nights have reduced the insect problems.