ThePecosBilly
FNG
I didn’t really know where to put this but chose Caribou section because this is the animal my son attributes Alaska to the most. With that said I’m currently in the beginning stages of searching for something that suits my unique situation but first it involves a story.
I may owe my 8 year old son a trip to Alaska due to a deal I made with him back in August 2023. We have in TX what is called an AR (accelerated reading) point system that students use for reading. The students read books and take a quiz to test what they have retained from their reading. The more books they read the more points they receive. This year my son asked what I would do for him should he get 1st in his entire school. I saw this as a very high bar and felt he deserved something awesome should he achieve such a momental task. My deal was that I would take him to Alaska should he get 1st. Did I believe he could achieve it? Nope sure didn’t haha Well I am learning that the kids have reached the deadline for 2023-2024 school year and that he’s at 280+ points! I’m also learning that my son is currently vying for 1st place. Word of our deal has gotten around and now the teachers and administration are keeping a tight lip till this Friday before they release the results. There’s a very good understanding that he may just have taken 1st place the day of the deadline hahaha
Like I said, we will find out this week so I’m currently looking for ideas that lead to an adventure that won’t break my pocket book . I’m trying to steer him towards a fishing trip but he wants to tag along on a hunt with me. My dad(a non hunter) would also like to tag along but not if it’s going to ruin any opportunity to book my son and I. If adding him is a deal breaker then he’s fine with sitting this trip out. I’ve made it clear to him that he would have to pay his way should we be able to make something work. Does anyone have any hunting adventure suggestions or recommendations for 2024 that I haven’t thought of? The boy is all in on caribou but I’ve explained to him that they are very pricey and popular target for many hunters these days (there’s a supply and demand lesson in there) I’ve mentioned he would enjoy possibly going after deer in SE area or we could settle for fishing this time around. 2025 Spring bear is out because I’m booked already and Moose is scary expensive. In order to draw a clear picture of myself and capabilities I would call myself a pretty seasoned spot and stalk bowhunter plus my son has tackled more hunts with me than most grown men have experienced themselves. I also have a 10 day diy moose hunt under my belt that I did in central Alaska along with my own gear that most Texans don’t keep in their hunting inventory. I know he is not prepared for a 10 day endeavor of that level. I also understand what I’m trying to broker is a monumental task. Trophy is not important to me. Our purpose on this trip will be to make memories and get him a taste of Alaska adventure by immersing him into something now so he’s prepared when he gets older. It’s also a way to show him that if he puts in the work that others are not willing to do he will achieve many accomplishments/successes throughout life. Anyways I figured y’all would get a kick out of this and hope by sharing my story that this leads to an opportunity, a referral, or friendship in Alaska. I don’t have much to offer but I’d be willing to barter a little such as a free range axis or aoudad hunt in West Texas. Or I could even line you out on SETX Waterfowl hunt and possibly even a Gator. Both options come with lodging, food, good company, and unique experience
I may owe my 8 year old son a trip to Alaska due to a deal I made with him back in August 2023. We have in TX what is called an AR (accelerated reading) point system that students use for reading. The students read books and take a quiz to test what they have retained from their reading. The more books they read the more points they receive. This year my son asked what I would do for him should he get 1st in his entire school. I saw this as a very high bar and felt he deserved something awesome should he achieve such a momental task. My deal was that I would take him to Alaska should he get 1st. Did I believe he could achieve it? Nope sure didn’t haha Well I am learning that the kids have reached the deadline for 2023-2024 school year and that he’s at 280+ points! I’m also learning that my son is currently vying for 1st place. Word of our deal has gotten around and now the teachers and administration are keeping a tight lip till this Friday before they release the results. There’s a very good understanding that he may just have taken 1st place the day of the deadline hahaha
Like I said, we will find out this week so I’m currently looking for ideas that lead to an adventure that won’t break my pocket book . I’m trying to steer him towards a fishing trip but he wants to tag along on a hunt with me. My dad(a non hunter) would also like to tag along but not if it’s going to ruin any opportunity to book my son and I. If adding him is a deal breaker then he’s fine with sitting this trip out. I’ve made it clear to him that he would have to pay his way should we be able to make something work. Does anyone have any hunting adventure suggestions or recommendations for 2024 that I haven’t thought of? The boy is all in on caribou but I’ve explained to him that they are very pricey and popular target for many hunters these days (there’s a supply and demand lesson in there) I’ve mentioned he would enjoy possibly going after deer in SE area or we could settle for fishing this time around. 2025 Spring bear is out because I’m booked already and Moose is scary expensive. In order to draw a clear picture of myself and capabilities I would call myself a pretty seasoned spot and stalk bowhunter plus my son has tackled more hunts with me than most grown men have experienced themselves. I also have a 10 day diy moose hunt under my belt that I did in central Alaska along with my own gear that most Texans don’t keep in their hunting inventory. I know he is not prepared for a 10 day endeavor of that level. I also understand what I’m trying to broker is a monumental task. Trophy is not important to me. Our purpose on this trip will be to make memories and get him a taste of Alaska adventure by immersing him into something now so he’s prepared when he gets older. It’s also a way to show him that if he puts in the work that others are not willing to do he will achieve many accomplishments/successes throughout life. Anyways I figured y’all would get a kick out of this and hope by sharing my story that this leads to an opportunity, a referral, or friendship in Alaska. I don’t have much to offer but I’d be willing to barter a little such as a free range axis or aoudad hunt in West Texas. Or I could even line you out on SETX Waterfowl hunt and possibly even a Gator. Both options come with lodging, food, good company, and unique experience
