Lower Yukon DIY Success 2025

[lilharcher]

Had a great first hunting trip to the Lower Yukon region of AK. Two of us each killed a nice bull, after passing on a few smaller ones. Got dropped off on Sept 9 and my partner got his on Sept 12. I saw my partners bull about two miles away across the lake, a good deal up the base of a mountain. We used our boat to cross the lake and went 600 yrds up the mountain, then called him right to us.

Two days later I chased a bull into a small bowl and got him thinking I was another bull chasing him. He spun around to confront me and I waited for him to clear a few trees at 25 yrds before letting my 300 WSM (w/ 215 gr. Berger Hybrid) eat. Double lunged him and he went 10 yrds and crashed on hard ground. Best part - only 150 yrds from the lake (pick up point). Supper stoked on this guy!

 

[lilharcher]

A few ‘gear’ lessons I learned:
1) Waders are a must…….Simms or Paramount with built in neoprene booties.
2) Boots - make sure your wader boots fit properly. Mine suggested one size bigger, which is what I purchased. That was a mistake……TRY them on and do a few laps w/ Waders on around your neighborhood. Make sure they are not too big or too small. Your feet need the most love in wet, tundra conditions.
3) Lived in the new GoHunt zip off Merino “shorty” pants…..great mix with chest waiters! You won’t be disappointed. Never took them off.
4) Use cheap cloth Moose sized game bags…..we paid $150+ on new GoHunt and Argali bags but we were told we wouldn’t get them back (from processor or if you donate meat).
5) 3 sets of footwear - wader boots, Crispi/other mids, and crocs for camp. I did waders and extra tough ‘deck’ boots. Would have preferred suggested three.
6) Tricer bi-pod w/ long legs - worked great to get above the tall grass from my knees or sitting. Game changer given functionality.
7) Katadyn 10L drip filter - water was very dirty but Katadyn was slow and steady. Start it when you get back from morning hunt and 10L will be done by dinner. Had extra filters but was able to ‘swish’ clean after each 10L cycle. If more than 2 people, bring 2. See next.
8) 3 gallon plastic tug from Amazon - what we filtered into. They weigh nothing empty.
9) Cabelas waterproof duffle - Mega size. Lots of options w/ Kuiu, Sitka, etc, but this bag was priced right and big enough to hold a ton of chit.
10) Wet wipes - self explanatory
11) Havalon Knives - Moose pelt with dull flares quickly. Partner had a quality custom fixed blade and within 10 mins was using my back up Havalon.
12) quality frame pack - we had one good and one bad…..the good ones are awesome. Way better than my SG frame for quarters.
13) Alpaca socks - these held up very well in the wet conditions.

 

[bmrfish]

well done!