Taking a 10year old caribou hunting?!?!?

[Elkmasterwyo]

Well my son is almost 8, since he has been old enough to talk he has always wanted to go caribou hunting! We walked around the western hunting expo in SLC today and it was clear to me, with every caribou mount we passed, that I'm going to have to do something about his desire! So his mom and I got to talking about taking him for his 10th birthday since he can hunt in AK at 10. I have so many questions about it, is a caribou hunt(barren ground) too tough for a gritty kid who has grown up following me around wyoming mountains, deserts and everything in between? Would I be crazy to consider taking him on one of the unguided type bou hunts? Any outfitters and/or drop camp services that you guys would recommend? I'd like to take him in august(no school to miss), are there any downsides to going in august(I know BUGS)! Any and all opinions/advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[flyingbrass]

I've had my kids in the woods with me since they were in diapers scouting and looking. Shooting deer at age 7 and 8. FWIW, I been on a caribou guide and unguided and I'd have to say it was too tough for a 10 year old by a long shot. 1st trip we had a 5 hour hike back to the boat and the second trip I got frost bite on my feet. I say let him get a little older. My kids have shot tons of stuff at an early age, even a bow kill hog at age 10. When they turned 12 they both evolved into a much more serious hunter. Caribou is way too tough for small kids. I support a no age restriction on youth hunters though, keep them in the woods at all ages.

 

[hodgeman]

I've had my son on a pile of caribou hunts. He's went from tag-a-long at 8 to small game hunting at 9 and 10 to actively big game hunting at 11,12, and finally bagged one on his own at 13.

You know your son better than anyone else but caribou hunting isn't particularly tough if you manage your expectations on what he's capable of doing. Avoid the Bataan Death March type hunt and he'll likely do fine. On a drop camp trip it's not unusual for guys to tag out within 1/4 mi of camp.

 

[Yellowknife]

An awful lot of Alaskan kids cut their hunting teeth on caribou, including myself. Generally I would say they are one of the more kid friendly species. August hunts are pretty warm, and it's mostly a spot and intercept game so covering tons of miles isn't required. Caribou are either there or they aren't, and hiking a bunch is unlikely to improve your odds unless you got dropped off in a totally wrong place.

If you are on a herd then there is usually lots of animals to see, and they are pretty forgiving of blown stalks at rifle ranges. Perfect for a new hunter IMO. 10 is still pretty young though (I didn't kill one until I was 12), so I would keep expectations reasonable... but an August drop hunt on one of the big herds should be a good adventure. Semi comfortable camps, and the caribou will generally come to you if the transporter puts you in a good spot.

Yk

 

[AK Troutbum]

^^^I agree. I took my son on his first caribou hunt at the age of 10. He wasn't able to connect but he he had a great time and it was a great bonding time for him and I without the wife and little sister. I think caribou are the perfect critter to chase for your first hunt. Good luck if you do decide to go.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

Thanks for the advice so far guys. If we do it, it'll be for his 10th birthday(sept) so he'll actually be closer to 11 by the time the next August rolls around. I noticed both ovis(Matt thoft) and deltana offer the unguided type hunts. Any info on either outfitter? Pm me if you'd rather not post it here.

 

[realunlucky]

Sent you a pm

 

[Ray]

If you are ok with bringing up your own gear you can use any off the Brooks air services to get into caribou. Out of Bettles or Happy Valley. You could even get out from Coldfoot.

For a kid in August my only concern would be how they sleep with the sun up. But a 10/11 year old that is already used to the outdoors will do fine on most drop camp caribou areas.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

I would be all for bringing my own gear, I have everything I'd need, so that seems the way to go, only a bit concerned if I'd be taking a risk for me and him to do the unguided thing, heaven forbid something should happen to me(injury, etc.) it would be nice to be on a guided hunt with other adults around, guided are a TON more money though, and it seems like it'd be a fun experience to be just me and him getting it done. Idk, maybe I'm just stressing too much

 

[hodgeman]

Elkmaster... did you get my PM?

As far as other adults around. I'd see if I could partner up with another father/son team. I've done this in the past and it works well. You can have as much space as you need or as much companionship as you'd like...and have another grown up around just in case stuff heads south.


Lots and lots of folks heading up in Aug so it shouldn't be too tough to find someone.

 

[Elkmasterwyo]

I did hodgeman, just responded. Good idea, we might even be able to talk his grandpa into going, that would probably make for a great experience for him.

 

[hodgeman]

I did hodgeman, just responded. Good idea, we might even be able to talk his grandpa into going, that would probably make for a great experience for him.

Oh man... a 3 generations type hunt would be pretty darn awesome.

Do that one while you can...for sure!

 

[North61]

My kids have grown up in the NWT and Yukon and caribou hunting is a great and kid friendly first hunt. Good to get them a light, short rifle that fits their frame and strength. Caribou have an instinct to stop when badly hurt and a .243 is plenty. Get them close enough to have them place their shots. My son is 12 and 150 yards with his 6mm in a Rem 600 shooting 80 grain TTSX at 3300fps is a great combo. We have also have had fun with a Ruger 44 Carbine kept to 100 yards.

Here he is at 10. I took this one because it was a bit too far and we were not going to get closer!

This was a hunt near the Dempster highway. It's nice to make sure that every-one is comfortable all the time. My own kids are involved in every sport going and are fitter than me but they don't have the mental toughness when wet and tired so make sure you don't push them. Bears are a worry and they can keep a look out when dad is cutting caribou. I take a poly sled and it makes hauling everything out in one go a possibility. Always take good rain gear as it always seems to be raining and even in August the wind and rain can get things miserable fast!

Video here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X26wsUpspvs&list=PLs47Tr0OabKwHbQ2yjoSfgT-pY7FggKK2