The $25k question

[Jacob Chapman]

I need some assistance, my wife finally graduates from nursing school this December-opening up availability for me to start going on some adventure hunts.
Hoping for a combo AK Yukon moose & caribou hunt, not including the cost of flights or taxidermy I’d like to be at $25k or under.

Ideally I’d like to speak with someone who has done this type of hunt & has experience with multiple different guides & outfitters.

Feel free to message me and I’ll give out my #.

Thanks

 

[PA Hunter]

Do a diy you dont need a guide, just another friend to hold the legs up while you quarter them. Start looking & researching as most are booked up years in advance.

 

[VernAK]

Your funding may be on the light side for moose and caribou combo especially with current ungulate population issues in eastern Alaska.

 

[bmrfish]

Different critters, different habitats, different hunts as my Alaska friends told me years ago when I asked this same question. Probably some guided hunts that do this but I suspect they substantially exceed your budget.
We went with separate hunts unguided and never looked back.
As someone said, the demand is huge and places are filling several years out.


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[Jacob Chapman]

Different critters, different habitats, different hunts as my Alaska friends told me years ago when I asked this same question. Probably some guided hunts that do this but I suspect they substantially exceed your budget.
We went with separate hunts unguided and never looked back.
As someone said, the demand is huge and places are filling several years out.


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Yeah that makes sense. I honestly just don’t have the experience for a DIY deal, nor do I have friends that would be willing to go on this type of adventure hunt or else I’d seriously consider DIY

 

[HuntHarder]

The odds of you finding caribou/ moose combo for under 25k is extremely unlikely based on my experience. Seems like each year the price has gone up for the last 5 years. You could do a drop camp and stay under 25k, but it will be unguided. Maybe do 2 trips, moose guided and caribou unguided. Moose are so big, that it would be a huge benefit to have packers. Caribou is doable unguided, especially after you get some experience on your moose hunt. It seems like each time I go to AK, I learn new things and each trip goes a little smoother.

I think you can get to your number if you do a Canadian Moose/ caribou hunt.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Your funding may be on the light side for moose and caribou combo especially with current ungulate population issues in eastern Alaska.

I agree with Vern. You should look into just a moose hunt, or, a moose priority hunt with the possibility of caribou on the side, on a trophy fee basis. I wouldn't do the combo big game species thing in Alaska. Just go for the moose, guided. Shoot me a PM if you have questions.

 

[SliverShooter]

Jacob,

Tell Carly congratulations, she has earned it.

I‘m not much help with the outfitters, have always done my hunts self guided. I have done six AK moose hunts, you have my number if there is anything I can help with.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Jacob,

Tell Carly congratulations, she has earned it.

I‘m not much help with the outfitters, have always done my hunts self guided. I have done six AK moose hunts, you have my number if there is anything I can help with.

Thanks Walt!

Hope all is well/we were in Fishtail this past weekend for our friends wedding-there is nothing like Montana in September!

 

[Dbevans]

Guides get that much? I should be one

One the boat ride back we saw 4 other big bulls


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[PA Hunter]

Another option is Newfoundland, for around $6000 you can do a moose hunt there and its mandatory guided as non resident. Good way to get use to moose hunting. I did four of them just to get good at calling, quartering, deboning ect. The Eastern Canadian moose are not as big and the racks do not compare but its a hell of allot cheaper and great way to learn.

 

[Mojave]

Contact Ravensthroat Outfitters in the NWT. He is booked for a few years out, it won't be $25,000 for both but closer to $35,000.

But you'll actually get it done.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

Contact Ravensthroat Outfitters in the NWT. He is booked for a few years out, it won't be $25,000 for both but closer to $35,000.

But you'll actually get it done.

I’ve looked into them, unfortunately they don’t take bow hunters anymore. I’ve heard fantastic things however!

 

[Mojave]

I’ve looked into them, unfortunately they don’t take bow hunters anymore. I’ve heard fantastic things however!

There are actually a few in Alaska that don't anymore either.

The problem is that they are on the hook to a bowhunter if things go wrong and they can't get within 40-60 yards of the animal. Hurts their success rates, which hurts their business.

Then when the animal runs away and the guide shoots it with a rifle, because that is Alaska, NWT, Yukon guide and outfitter best practices the bowhunter is pissed.

 

[GotDraw?]

$35k is the new $25.

PM me, I'll send you my cell #. I got a 62" Yukon bull in 2017 and am going again in 2023.

JL

 

[WapitiWhackers]

Jacob - Have you done much DIY Western hunting? If so, AK isn't that bad DIY, Just takes a little more planning. I have been twice ~$5500 to $6k per person. Typically 2 of us go. We each have harvested a bull. 2 years - 2 bulls. 1 bull each trip. Saw over 33 brown bears in 7 days on the last trip. Had an encounter with a sow and 3 cubs at less than 15 yards. Great time figuring it all out on your own! I would strongly encourage it if you can find someone to go with you

 

[Scottf270]

That one bull is a freak.....
I agree on the diy. I went the Papa Bear route. Am two for two. One was $6,000 the other was $9,000. I figured I "earned" about $30,000 by doing it myself.