Update on Happy Valley Caribou

[pgk]

People have been trying to predict caribou migrations since the first human killed a caribou. I doubt anyone has ever got it right. Just go and tell the pilot to stop playing biologist and just fly the damn plane wherever you tell him to.

 

[tipsntails7]

Well he did say maybe towards the end of September migration would start and maybe he would take people out. My business requires more of a plan than that for vacation days.

Ya that's understandable.

 

[realunlucky]

People have been trying to predict caribou migrations since the first human killed a caribou. I doubt anyone has ever got it right. Just go and tell the pilot to stop playing biologist and just fly the damn plane wherever you tell him to.

I was leaning this way but he really really seemed to try and discourage any notion of going out. My trip is basically in his hands and he's not encouraged I'm not excited to fly either

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Seems odd to me. I' ve never heard of anything like that before. I'll be up there the 29th-13th so i'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[realunlucky]

Seems odd to me. I' ve never heard of anything like that before. I'll be up there the 29th-13th so i'll let you all know how it goes.

Who are you going with? I'd be interested in a report. That's supposed to be a great week to go historically

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

silvertip aviation

 

[goose21]

I will be up there August 28-Sept 9 so I will let you know if we see anything. Hoping to see some. First time to Alaska and first time hunting caribou

 

[realunlucky]

Well just got off phone with other outfitters in happy valley sounds like caribou migration is normal. 70 North has hunters stacked up at the hanger unable to get into the field because a pilot quit. If you booked with 70 North you need to contact them ASAP. Options looking thin right now

 

[realunlucky]

Also the overflow has everyone else full right now although they are trying to accommodate those stranded at the hanger right now.

 

[colonel00]

Yikes. That is disappointing. However, why are you supposed to contact the troopers dispatch?

I do know that they have a plane and "cabin" there in Happy Valley.

 

[KHNC]

Sounds like a BS story from 79 North to me. I have never been to Alaska, but this doesn't sound legit at all to me. Sounds like the outfitter is about to go out of business. Im gonna follow this thread to see how it turns out. Wouldn't be the first outfitter to **** somebody .

 

[realunlucky]

Yikes. That is disappointing. However, why are you supposed to contact the troopers dispatch?

I do know that they have a plane and "cabin" there in Happy Valley.

Your totally right I called and the trooper was very pleasant but nothing they can do. If anything its a small claims matter. It was just passed along to me as such

 

[colonel00]

That really sucks. It would have been better in the long run if Mike had just come out and said that a pilot quit or whatever and been honest about it. Keep the information coming and I will see what I can find out as well. I have a buddy that should be up there guiding for Deltana but I really doubt I will be able to contact him.

FWIW, I still planning on a Rok the Slope 2016 if anyone has to change plans. I don't know if I will do a flyout hunt as I've been wanting to do a rafting trip but we could still meet up and have a fun time. Plus, if plans change next year, you could have others there to hopefully salvage a trip.

 

[realunlucky]

That really sucks. It would have been better in the long run if Mike had just come out and said that a pilot quit or whatever and been honest about it. Keep the information coming and I will see what I can find out as well. I have a buddy that should be up there guiding for Deltana but I really doubt I will be able to contact him.

FWIW, I still planning on a Rok the Slope 2016 if anyone has to change plans. I don't know if I will do a flyout hunt as I've been wanting to do a rafting trip but we could still meet up and have a fun time. Plus, if plans change next year, you could have others there to hopefully salvage a trip.

This has been a lot to take in and process. I can understand how losing a pilot or plane could easily became a logical nightmare, and happy valley seems to have drama among some of the operators. Who knows what's happening up there, but I've requested a refund of deposit. Hopefully Mike can get things together and provide some services this year. Altogether very disappointing to have my dream hunt crushed at the last minute

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, it sucks. Even with a refund from Mike, are you still out other money for flights and stuff?

Gznokes, any update on your end?

I guess if there is a bright side, you could have gotten all the way up there and been greeted by this fantastic weather from last September.

 

[realunlucky]

Yeah, it sucks. Even with a refund from Mike, are you still out other money for flights and stuff?

Gznokes, any update on your end?

Yea I've already purchased airfare, tags, and everything else associated with a trip like this. Biggest thing for me is this my scheduled vacation and if I'm hunting this year for any extended time this is my only opportunity. I've started a thread on hunting out of kotzebue first week of September to try and save my trip.

 

[colonel00]

Sent you a PM. Can't get you on a caribou I don't think but maybe some salmon and a bear?

 

[hodgeman]

Kotzebue is usually a good trip. For that matter, hike in off the Haul Road and pop a caribou or shoot one off the road with a bow.

I've heard nothing but good about 70N but this is kind of a huge bummer. Predicting caribou is dang near impossible- if you think you know what a bou is doing next, you know more than a caribou. Nothing to do except go chase them.

Hope you can save your hunt.

 

[Gznokes]

I'm just giving this a couple of weeks to see what the real story is and whether I can get out. I just decided I'm glad I'm not up there trying to fly out if things are stacked up or if the herd hasn't materialized. It would be really nice if some of the members of this forum who are going up there are able to share some first hand knowledge on this this thread or as a PM. Most importantly, I really want everyone to have an awesome hunt and kill some great bulls. I'm hoping that "realunlucky" and I have soaked up all the bad luck for our trip and everyone else.

 

[Nick Muche]

Any updates?

Seems this has more to do with business issues than caribou migration... I'm headed up in a few days, should be fun regardless.