Other Transporters

[HuntHarder]

Since I struck out on 40 Mile, I am now trying to see if it is possible to book with another transporter on short notice. I am looking to get my hunting partner and I out for caribou Next August/ Sept. Really looking for a fly in drop camp hunt. If anyone has any recommendations I would greatly appreciate them. PM me or post up. I have contacted a few of my backup options, but nothing has really panned out. Has anyone flown with Coyote Air? Dirk was recommended to me by another transporter, but I really can not find anything good or bad about his operation.
Thanks,

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Bueller.... Bueller... LOL No one knows any suggestions or is everyone tight lipped with AK transporters? Daunting task I am up against and may have to go to plan B on the Species. I was really wanting to chase a caribou next year tho.

 

[AKBorn]

Have never flown with Coyote Air. Perhaps do searches on the Alaska Outdoors Directory or Bowsite, I seem to recall someone mentioning that operation a few years back, but can't remember in what context.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

dude, any that I know are full for 2019 already. Many are booked for a couple years already.

Coyote is top notch, but doubt they have openings.

 

[HuntHarder]

Thanks Larry, I figured this much, was really hoping to find that White Unicorn. I'll make a few more calls on monday and then go to plan B

 

[Trial153]

We went from plan A to E ...and hoenstly were back to plan square one because nothing's planned out in 8 months of trying very hard.

 

[Kevin Dill]

My experience has been that trying to book a good reputable transporter for caribou or moose with only 8 months lead time is a very, very tall task. I don't know how you find anyone with an opening, especially when many of them are already booked a couple years out. A lot of people are surprised or dismayed to learn they may need to plan several years ahead to get in with a good transporter. That's not 100% universal of course, but you'll need some good luck to talk with the right people at the right time.

I get a lot of info requests from guys who hope I can share some knowledge of how to get on a pilot's list. The truth is I have almost no firsthand knowledge of or advantage with transporters other than the guy who flies me. If I lost my current ride I'd be in the same boat as everyone else looking for a hunt. I got the right invitation at the right time (for me) many years ago and I've never missed a year since then. This is so common that I count on seeing the same hunters...same time...same place....every year. I personally believe it's not going to ever get any easier in the future, and I already know prices are escalating in response to high demand / short availability. Some day the cost of transport (via bush flight) will become too much for many and we'll fondly recall the days of $1500 round trips for moose or caribou.

 

[VernAK]

I fondly remember the $300 fly-in days when many airplane owners were giving it a try.....
safety often secondary......we often had to know where we wanted to go and where to land
as the pilot wasn't familiar. Needless to say, every hunting season had numerous crashes to report.

Competition for Alaska's wildlife is becoming very intense as ORVs are improved and become more
affordable on a workers or military income. Since I arrived in Alaska, the population has about trebled
and growing rapidly especially on the military side and those are young people anxious to participate.
New immigrant groups have now become a factor as they too want "their moose".

ORVs/ATVs are now effective to the point they produced hunter invasions into reported hot spots
deep within the bush. Many of the camps contain large groups of hunters seeking meat for the freezer
and they soon reduce local game populations while they open new trails obvious to following groups.


Many Alaskans of experience are very disgruntled with ADFG and are demanding improvements and are forming organizations
to lobby for their cause. This often ends in unlikely candidates selected for key positions as in our national elections [Carter, Trump, Ortiz et al]. Only time will tell if they can produce results.

An "Alaskan Wilderness Experience" is getting more difficult to find. Of course, that's relative to your time frame
and location.

 

[HuntHarder]

Well we are on to plan B for 2019, Anyone have any suggestions for an outfit to book for 2020? I really want to go with 40 mile air, but I think I just need to give up on that pipe dream and book with another outfit so I do not end up in the same boat I am in this year. I looked into TOK, they look great minus the fact that they are almost double what other transporters are. Arctic Air was on my radar until I did a little research. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tennhunter]

Take a look at some of the jet boat operations as well or you could always do a diy haul rd hunt to me the drive north from Fairbanks was worth every penny.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mudslinger]

We used arctic air out of Kotzebue and had good luck with Sheila and Mike. We went right after labor day.

 

[Trial153]

I Agree 8 months would be pushing it, however that wasnt the case for us at all. We have Correspondences going back to 2017 for a 2019 hunt. And 8 months of trying to book the for following year or even two years out so we were looking at lead times from a minimum of 18 months all the to 32 months

In any event we send in deposits this week for 2020 for an August hunt. Hopefully we get good service to go along with the steep cost.

I will still book 40 mile air as well if I can. I will take a spot if it opens up at any point, my buddy is on the wait list for 2019, and I would book 2021 and 2022 if they opened their books out far enough. I will Keep trying. For now we will be bowhunting bou in 2020 at the latest.

 

[RShulky]

Trial,

who did you end up putting a deposit with? I'm also looking a transporter that year

 

[Nick Muche]

If someone is looking for a quality 2019 option, send me a PM. Serious inquires only. Hoping to help two lucky hunters out! Caribou or Moose drop.

 

[BJP]

We hunted with ovis outfitters matt thoft in 2014 and had a great hunt he flyes out of happy valley

 

[MNGaryB]

If someone is looking for a quality 2019 option, send me a PM. Serious inquires only. Hoping to help two lucky hunters out! Caribou or Moose drop.

If someone is looking for a quality 2019 option, send me a PM. Serious inquires only. Hoping to help two lucky hunters out! Caribou or Moose drop.

hey nick
I’m not able to pm you
Please send me your info and hunt info
Thanks