Jet boat moose hunt

[AKExplorer907]

Ive had a Stryker jet boat for the last few years. I usually use it for fishing and duck hunting. I was trying to get a 2026 moose hunt planned up. And I have a few rivers in mind; kanuti, maclaren, or the south Koyukuk river. Anyone have any thoughts on those rivers? Or anywhere else they might recommend for someone with a small jet boat. Thanks

 

[BuckSmasher]

I'm curious about this as well.

 

[FranklinBluth]

I don't want to put anything on a specific river out there, but as someone who hunts moose out of an inflatable, I'd offer the following advice:

If you're looking at larger river systems that are road accessible (including some of the ones you mentioned) you will see other hunters in jet boats and airboats. The usual caveats apply there if you opt for one of those river systems. However, there are places you can get into with an inflatable that some of those other boats cannot without great difficulty. That's where the opportunity is.

 

[AKBorn]

There was a vid on Youtube I saw sometime back about a guy taking his small jet up the McLaren. Talk about skinny and shallow! Looked like very high risk of damage to boat and motor to me. We used to hunt down the trail toward Osar Lake a lot when I was a kid back in the 60s and 70s. That country is forever etched in my mind, loved that place.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Did one in the 80's on the Toad River on a British Columbia moose hunt.

 

[AKExplorer907]

I don't want to put anything on a specific river out there, but as someone who hunts moose out of an inflatable, I'd offer the following advice:

If you're looking at larger river systems that are road accessible (including some of the ones you mentioned) you will see other hunters in jet boats and airboats. The usual caveats apply there if you opt for one of those river systems. However, there are places you can get into with an inflatable that some of those other boats cannot without great difficulty. That's where the opportunity is.

The difficult part is where to find those rivers that are only accessible by inflatable jet boats. I guess just get out and try to find them? Or is there other threads or forums with some different areas that are jet boat only accessible?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I use my jet boat to hunt moose and bear all the time. It’s a great way to find animals. I have no idea about the rivers you mentioned but generally speaking, when I’m jet boating I use the following strategies:

-set up a camp somewhere

-on any given morning or evening, decide if you want to hunt higher or lower.

-decide if you are going to run and gun, or if you are going to drift and look. (Both can work well)

-take into consideration how many trips it’s going to take you to get home if you kill one.

Where I do it the water can be stupid shallow, like 6-8” so I’m only getting through that if I’m running on step. If you are coming down with a full load expect to unload and load the boat. Also fuel becomes an issue when multiple trips in and out become the plan.

Keep some spare parts and a come along with you As well as some basic tools. I ******* hate swapping impellers when all I have is a leather man.

Keep in mind, taking a jet boat does not mean bring everything, I still pack light gear and try not to bring too much extra stuff. All the weight adds up fast, especially when you have a moose or part of a moose in your boat.

If you do decide to run and gun, have a plan in mind. I have a buddy who didn’t let off the throttle when he went to grab his rifle. The crash was epic.

Oh, and if you do drop the majority of your gear to save weight so you can run up super shallow canyons and stuff, at least keep some essential gear with you. Extra ammo, water, down jacket. It gets cold when you have an unplanned night on a river.