Solo caribou hunting?

[RyanT26]

The short version of my question is anyone from the lower 48 ever go on Caribou hunt by themselves. Or is this a terrible idea.

I mainly hunt by myself right now. My son will only be turning 12, so we’re probably at least six years out before he’d be able to make this kind of trip. It seems like most kinds of fly in service or semi guided outfitters want a minimum of two if not more. Has anyone ever experienced being added on as a third wheel to a hunting party?

 

[mooster]

But why? It’s one of the few trips that’s meant to be shared with a buddy or even a group.

 

[RyanT26]

But why? It’s one of the few trips that’s meant to be shared with a buddy or even a group.

Like most trips, if I wait for a buddy or a group I could be to damn old or never go at all.

 

[WCB]

The short version of my question is anyone from the lower 48 ever go on Caribou hunt by themselves. Or is this a terrible idea.

I mainly hunt by myself right now. My son will only be turning 12, so we’re probably at least six years out before he’d be able to make this kind of trip. It seems like most kinds of fly in service or semi guided outfitters want a minimum of two if not more. Has anyone ever experienced being added on as a third wheel to a hunting party?

You know your son better than anyone but I know a bunch of family friends and family that have themselves or have taken people as young as 12 on these types of trips.

As to the solo gig. I have not but again know a couple people that have been flown out and dropped off and done Caribou, Moose, Alaska Canoe trips by themselves. I understand your sentiment on waiting for people...I've almost quit trying on 99% of my hunts. I'm not sure but i have never really heard anyone say the regretted going hunting in Alaska.

 

[mooster]

Like most trips, if I wait for a buddy or a group I could be to damn old or never go at all.

maybe try to expand your buddy list. use local forums, clubs (hunting, shooting, BHA, etc), civic groups to find more like minded individuals to expand your network.

 

[LightFoot]

I went solo for caribou and paired up with another solo hunter. I can't say we became life long friends, but we were friendly during the hunt.

I am looking to book again solo, because again, none of my hunting buddies can afford or commit.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Brendan]

For all you folks thinking about going Solo, maybe we get a small Rokslide group Caribou trip together. I'm a little bit in the same boat in that I have a bunch of Alaska hunts I want to do, but hunt primarily solo in the lower 48.

Probably a better chance people here are on the same page than random buddies who aren't already doing the lower 48 hunts.

 

[LightFoot]

For all you folks thinking about going Solo, maybe we get a small Rokslide group Caribou trip together. I'm a little bit in the same boat in that I have a bunch of Alaska hunts I want to do, but hunt primarily solo in the lower 48.

Probably a better chance people here are on the same page than random buddies who aren't already doing the lower 48 hunts.

Put me on you distro list. I would love to discuss.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[Bcleck90]

For all you folks thinking about going Solo, maybe we get a small Rokslide group Caribou trip together. I'm a little bit in the same boat in that I have a bunch of Alaska hunts I want to do, but hunt primarily solo in the lower 48.

Probably a better chance people here are on the same page than random buddies who aren't already doing the lower 48 hunts.

Count me in also. I’d be interested in discussing it.

 

[Plainsman79]

If you have room for 1 more on that list, I’d be interested in discussing. As mentioned, it’s tough getting people to commit to an extended hunt, let alone a trip to Alaska.

 

[Justin Price]

Same for me. I am wanting to book a trip but finding hunting buddies that are willing to commit is difficult. I emailed some air services about going solo and most won’t drop you by yourself.

 

[HoneyDew]

I’d be interested too. Maybe rokslide moderators can pin it or there’s some other functionality that would make this easier then bookmarking an endless thread?

 

[AKBorn]

All the guys who said "INTERESTED" in this thread should PM among yourselves or create a group somehow. I have hunted remote Alaska with 6-7 different partners that I met on this forum, Hunttalk, or the Alaska Outdoors Directory. Have never had a bad partner, which I attribute to a few things:

- Being very clear about what type of hunt I am seeking, and what type of hunt I am not seeking

- Having good back and forth conversations about both party's expectations before committing

- Sharing detailed cost information so they can see what the real costs can add up to

- Agreeing on the shooting order before hitting the field

- Being honest with each other about out physical abilities and/or limitations

You will find that while some of you are indeed very interested, once it comes time to plunk down a deposit or talk costs, you will lose about 60% of the guys who claim to be interested.

Good luck guys!

 

[LightFoot]

If you guys who are interested will PM me your email address, I'll put together a group email and we'll go from there.

>>>----JAKE----->

 

[wolfpup]

I planned a solo fly in diy moose hunt for this fall. Looks like my brother in law, alaskan resident, may end up going as a non hunter. I love hunting solo, have done it all my life and would hunt Alaska solo in a heartbeat. It's always been my dream. Can't wait. I am not opposed to a partner, but everyone I asked acted like they would love to go, but when it comes time to commit they back out. Or those guys that I partnered up with on a couple short excursions that don't offer to chip in for gas, meals, etc

 

[172whitetail]

Seems like a lot of us have the same problems. People say they want to go but when it comes time to lay down that cash or do what it takes to be ready, then they kind of disappear. I've been lucky the last few hunts and the transporter service has been able to pair me up with someone. I just tell the transporter straight up that I want to do the hunt and am ready to pay the money now, but don't have a hunting partner. So far they have been willing to work with me to find someone. I guess there are always people wanting to go but in the same boat as we are so they get us paired up. Probably like most people on this thread, I've just about given up on finding a hunting partner. I would be interested for sure

 

[USMC0302]

I will be going solo this year, but it's opening day on the Steese Highway, so half of the state will be up there with me. I didn't plan on going solo, but I made plans with 3 different people and we just couldn't get the days to line up. I didn't want to miss the opportunity/experience so i'm going to make it happen regardless.

This is also my first time hunting in general, so it should make for an interesting trip. Plan on heading up Sunday night and scouting around on my ATV and camping overnight a few miles in to hopefully avoid the majority of folks hunting from the roads the following morning.

 

[Northwestalaska]

I hunt solo from time to time and I have live up here for almost 21 years. I would rather take a reliable partner but would rather go alone if I don't know you.. If I screw up its on me but if I have a greenhorn with me well I have to hold his hand...Nooooo

Walt
Northwest Alaska Back Country Outfitters
Kotzebue Ak

 

[Yellowknife]

This super depends on the your skills and your kids attitude, but mine started doing backcountry hunts, including fly-ins, at 10. He and I just collected his first caribou 14 miles off the road this last week (he's 11 now).

Caribou and kids go to like PB&J. It's often a target rich environment, you base from a fixed camp, and they are extremely susceptible to rifle hunting tactics. And unlike moose, they are easily handled by one person when you have one on the ground. A caribou was my first big game animal as it has been for a few thousand other alaskan kids.

Not only would I take a 12 yr old, I'd make sure he had a tag.

I've also done a number of caribou hunts solo, but I've been up here most my life so it's not such a big deal to me.

 

[Tbone58]

I agree Alaska is a hunt you experience with someone. I went with 4 other guys in 2015. The trip was amazing. Classic Alaska weather made things tricky and delayed things. But It’s hard to keep 5 guys on the same page. Also was harder to get to and from the field because of the plane sizes and break downs they had. Groups of 2-3 are much better. Easier to transport. Also time of year I would pick a week earlier then what we did.

also if your son is 12 I would just wait and take him when he’s ready. ThAt experience is something neither one of you will forget. My next Alaska trip will be with both my sons when they are old enough. If that’s 15 years from now so be it. The wait will be worth it.