Newbie looking for Caribou suggestions

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I have read thru a bunch on here, but still have some questions. I am planning a Caribou hunt for me and 3 of my buddies for 2017. We are all DIY hunters, and are really looking at either a float trip or a drop camp style hunt. We are trying to figure out the best way to approach this. We are going to rifle hunt it, and would like to be able to take a couple caribou each, or maybe a combo of caribou/ black bear or something of this sorts.

Where should I begin? haha. Seems pretty overwhelming. Which part of Alaska is optimal for success and which week of the year should we try to hunt. I see a lot of guys are really talking up Brooks range aviation as a transporter, but is this a good choice for a caribou rookie? Will they put some guys on the caribou, or do I need to let them know where to take me? I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me.
 
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As far as I'm concerned, for sheer numbers, the WAC herd is the one to hunt and BRA would be your best bet for a fly in. They are flying the range every day and will pretty much know where the animals are and will get you there if you're willing to spend the $. The bou can be very plentiful and interior grizzly's, to some extent, as well. Black bears, not so much.
 

Alaskan89

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I'll second the WACH as well, lots of animals in that herd and if you're willing to drop the coin on a good air taxi your odds of bagging a nice bull are very good. I also Recommend BRA out of Bettles, fly to Bettles using Wright Air Service out of Fairbanks. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 

Ray

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Going out of Bettles is a good plan. BRA has big enough planes to support a drop camp hunt with 3 guys and know of dozens of lakes to land at that will have caribou passing by. End of August or first week of September might be a good time to get into the country. Hard horns mostly, and someone needs to have a moose tag in their pocket. Might be handy to have a small raft like a PR49, but probably not very important depending on what is near the lake you are being put into at. The weather can mess up all your plans at any point so be ready for a few days at either end of the trip.

On youtube check out Gilliland440's channel. He has two videos from last fall up that are out of Bettles. He did his logistics a little different since he is a local. You can get there on Wrights or Warblos from Fairbanks. You will have to take a taxi to the south ramp once off the jet at the main terminal.
 
OP
HuntHarder
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Great advise so far. The ISE show is going to be in town soon, and I am going to go and talk to a few different outfitters there. Have any of you ever ued Ram Aviation out of Kotzebue? They do drop hunts in the WACH herd area, and look like a good outfit.
 
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bmrfish

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Happy valley is a good option as well. A number of good transporters. Fly to Fairbanks and rent a car. 2 bulls allowed but you will have to pay for an extra flight. We did it a couple years back. Blast
 

AK Shane

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The owner of RAM just spent a good stretch in prison, if that tells you anything about the operation.

If you're looking at Kotz. then you need to be talking to Arctic Backcountry Flying Service or Golden Eagle Outfitters.
 
OP
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I will look into happy valley as well. Thanks for the heads up AK Shane. I will pursue the outfits you suggested as well. Seems like a big undertaking, but I feel like I am starting to make progress. haha.
 

Alaskan89

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And stay away from Arrowhead Outfitters, there are better transporters that fly this area.
 

realunlucky

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I will look into happy valley as well. Thanks for the heads up AK Shane. I will pursue the outfits you suggested as well. Seems like a big undertaking, but I feel like I am starting to make progress. haha.
I flew out of kotzebue last year you can read my thread about it. I didn't fly with them but I had to get some boxes from Ram last year.Whoever was running seemed very organized and thier hunters were bringing in some nice bulls

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realunlucky

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Sorry can't figure how to link my thread one for Alaskan Bob. Killing two bulls each is going to be tons more work than you can imagine right now. I wouldn't let that be your decision factor. Pm me if you want to chat

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Mjm316

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Why's that? They don't put clients near the caribou or what?

You know as well as the next guy Nick that Alaskan89 said it correctly. You never know what Howard you will get. Reviews have been less than stellar. There are better transporters out there. Obviously you rolled the dice when you went with them, worked hard hunted hard and came out successful. That doesn't seem to be the norm from what I have read from trusted individuals.
 
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Their average client is a NR that believes they can sit in camp and have the caribou come to them. In fact, nearly every person we talked to before and after we left said they walked very little. Those were the unsuccessful hunters. The ones who left camp and hunted hard were the successful ones.

I've had two great hunts through them. While I may disagree with them, I can look past less than stellar business aspects and courtesy issues because in the end neither of those things will make one successful. Leaving the tent and going hunting will.

I think I would fly with them again, but I'd like to hunt caribou in other areas of the state, and they've become incredibly expensive, so I likely will not.

Keep in mind, when paying a transporter...you are paying for a flight. What you do after you are dropped off is entirely up to you.
 

connorwilliams

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Anyone care to share total cost of their caribou trip? I've been researching as well and would like to be in an area where we can shoot 2 bulls a piece
 

Alaskan89

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Why's that? They don't put clients near the caribou or what?
I'll put it to you this way, he's done some things over the years that might make you think twice about flying with him. I've done a fair amount of fly in hunts over the years and he's one person that I could never fly with, no matter the cost.
 
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I'll put it to you this way, he's done some things over the years that might make you think twice about flying with him. I've done a fair amount of fly in hunts over the years and he's one person that I could never fly with, no matter the cost.

I do not doubt this.
 

westtrout

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Anyone care to share total cost of their caribou trip? I've been researching as well and would like to be in an area where we can shoot 2 bulls a piece

Last year a buddy and I did a fly-in float hunt out of Happy Valley that ran $4000 per person. This was for just one bull apiece, however, and any extra animals would have required an extra flight and added costs. Note too that a float hunt requires more gear and weight though vs. a drop camp, and this added weight could affect the number of flights required, depending on the type of aircraft used (our transporter used a Helio Courier and we were just barely under the weight allowance with bare-bones gear).
 
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