Solo Alaska Hunts

[MuleyFever]

I planned a fly in hunt with a buddy but unfortunately he has found himself unemployed so I have found myself going on a Caribou hunt alone. Curious if anyone has advice for a solo Alaska hunt that I may not have considered. Heading into the South Brooks Range.

 

[wildwilderness]

My best advice on an Alaskan solo hunt is to fly in a meat packer with you! I have taken non-hunting friends or their strong kid (and paid for the trip) and it sure does help especially when you kill far away But really there are so many advantages- spotting, helping the stalk with signals, video and photos, and of course packing meat, camp chores, and company if weathered in, bear pro when working etc.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

Guess im just wondering if you normally hunt solo or if this is a first? Can't say I'd recommend AK as a first solo adventure. That said AK is awesome and if you're used to going it solo then I think you'll have a great time. I went on a solo AK moose hunt a couple years ago and was an absolutely great trip. Bring some sort of sat communication with you and be smart and you'll have a great trip. If you have any specific questions on gear post em up and you'll have lots of guys with good advice reply.

 

[Steve O]

Make sure you have reliable communication and do not take risks. Think everything thru and don’t be in a rush.

 

[rayporter]

bummer

my pard had a stroke a month before a bou trip.

i had a hard time finding a replacement for him. no one wanted a nearly free alaska hunt.

finally found a guy to to with but he did not appreciate the trip even though he did kill. i did not let him ruin my hunt but he did try. just some food for thought.

i almost went solo. but i am very comfortable solo.

 

[VernAK]

Will your intended flight service take solo hunters? Not all do.

 

[WI Shedhead]

Keep trying to find another that is compatible. But if you can’t go it alone, be smart, and have a great time.
Last hunt I did in Alaska I did with my normal partner and 2 of his fishing buddies that forced themselves on the hunt. Never again. Life is too short to spend camp, especially in Alaska with jackasses

 

[MuleyFever]

Guess im just wondering if you normally hunt solo or if this is a first? Can't say I'd recommend AK as a first solo adventure. That said AK is awesome and if you're used to going it solo then I think you'll have a great time. I went on a solo AK moose hunt a couple years ago and was an absolutely great trip. Bring some sort of sat communication with you and be smart and you'll have a great trip. If you have any specific questions on gear post em up and you'll have lots of guys with good advice reply.

I always hunt alone, unless my wife has a tag and I take her. Gear wise I feel I am pretty set but still not sure on my tent. I have a Redcliff and an Ultamid 2. I know guys have taken a Redcliff and have had good luck with them in wind. The room would be really nice for getting out of the rain and being able to stand/sit in a chair. The Ultamid will be fine but not as comfortable.

Will your intended flight service take solo hunters? Not all do.

Yes

Make sure you have reliable communication and do not take risks. Think everything thru and don’t be in a rush.

Bought a Garmin inReach. Take my time with everything and if I feel any hesitation at all then stop and think it through will be my rule for sure. Trying to minimize the often overlooked risks like taking cut resistance gloves for knife work.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

you are probably looking at 3 heavy pack out trips if you kill a big caribou by your self.

 

[tyno22]

I'm in the same boat looking at AK this year for moose and not having any personal hunting contacts being able to go. Biggest thing is safety and having extra support to do things around camp and potential meat pack out; splitting costs of the bush flight and other expenses.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Consider your choices carefully. If you so much as twist an ankle on the tundra and are unable to pack out all the meat it could cost you a small fortune.

 

[wildwilderness]

As mentioned a non-hunting packer that you pay for helps avoid some issues- it’s your hunt, and less competition for a harvest (especially with bowhunting it can be difficult to get good opportunities) and they in theory should follow your lead.

Of course no company is way better than bad company. I would never suggest finding a paying partner just to save money- never worth it (unless it’s a good friend/family and you’d be happy giving up your hunt to help them)

So if you do go solo just be sure to bring some common sense, and NO sense of urgency! That’s when you get in trouble.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Go solo and have fun, I’m jealous, I wish I had a brooks range caribou hunt coming up.

 

[MuleyFever]

Consider your choices carefully. If you so much as twist an ankle on the tundra and are unable to pack out all the meat it could cost you a small fortune.

I was debating on taking a lighter boot but this makes me realize I should take my Tibets. Thanks.

 

[mostlybirch]

is this a rifle hunt outside the 5 mile corridor? how familiar are you with tussocks?

 

[Hunter26]

Redundancy is the first thing that comes to mind when I saw you talk about your tipi/tent options. Not an expert on what to recommend but I would make sure you have some sort of back up even if it is a tarp you could pitch in a bind. I have been on a couple 10 day AK moose hunts with 3 other guys. We had a night where we all held the corners of our wall tent as the extreme wind blew for about three hours. I think the closest weather station had gust over 70 mph. There was a camp that lost their tent and found themselves trying to find the pieces the next day. Also the obvious and best advice is like everybody else has said, don't take risks, be thought out and not in a hurry. Have a great time, sounds like a great experience in the making.

 

[Roofer1]

Following this one. Am considering this myself for next year. Agree with what others have said. I'd rather be alone than forced to hang out with someone I can simply tolerate for 10 days.

 

[wildwilderness]

I was debating on taking a lighter boot but this makes me realize I should take my Tibets. Thanks.

The tundra with a heavy pack is no joke. Hyper extended knee is no fun. Also wet boots suck. Maybe a back up pair?

Bring trekking poles for sure. Baskets help it not poke through too deep but but do get hung up more….


Will you be flying in or off the road system? On Drop hunts I like to leave a stash of extra stuff just incase - fuel, food, a Diet Coke, camp shoes etc comfort stuff I wouldn’t spike out with but if I get stuck waiting for a pickup a couple days makes it nicer.

 

[WalterH]

As mentioned a non-hunting packer that you pay for helps avoid some issues

In Alaska, if someone is compensated to provide big game guiding services, including but not limited to packing, they must have an Alaska Guide/Outfitter license, FYI.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

Also wet boots suck.

seal skinz socks for the win. throw a light weight sock on first then the sealskiz over it and should be good with wet boots. buddy brought sub par boots to kodiak this year and ended up using my seal skinz for 7 days and always had dry feet when we got back to camp.