Well, I booked it. Alaska 2021

[Gunnersdad49]

If you’re looking to save some coin, and you have the time for a little project, you might want to check these out.

About - DIY Packraft

Packrafts are lightweight inflatable boats that roll up to fit in your backpack, allowing you to hike and paddle to places that would otherwise be inaccessible. Made of durable materials, they are much tougher than pool toys, but much lighter than traditional boats. If you want a high quality...

www.diypackraft.com

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Have you built one of these? Looks like a cool project!

 

[AK Troutbum]

No I haven't, but I'm seriously considering it.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I was looking at their site, the cost would be significantly less than buying an Alpacka. It would be nice if they had some designs with 2 chambers so when I pop one I can still doggie paddle the other half to shore.

 

[teamr2]

Have zero affiliation with the business selling the rafts or the manufacturer of the rafts but there is an advertisement on Southeast Alaska Craigslist for what appears to me to be some good deals on rafts. The ad is currently about 2/3 down the boats for sale page.

 

[Htm84]

If you’re looking to save some coin, and you have the time for a little project, you might want to check these out.

About - DIY Packraft

Packrafts are lightweight inflatable boats that roll up to fit in your backpack, allowing you to hike and paddle to places that would otherwise be inaccessible. Made of durable materials, they are much tougher than pool toys, but much lighter than traditional boats. If you want a high quality...

www.diypackraft.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bought one of the Telkwa’s. Just waiting on the iron to show up so I can start assembling it.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

I bought one of the Telkwa’s. Just waiting on the iron to show up so I can start assembling it.

Sweet! Please tell me you are going to do a thread on the process!

I was thinking it would be cool to do a subtle color like green for the top of the boat and red or yellow for the bottom, so if you need to signal a plane you could.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Solid call. Good luck.

 

[Htm84]

Sweet! Please tell me you are going to do a thread on the process!

I was thinking it would be cool to do a subtle color like green for the top of the boat and red or yellow for the bottom, so if you need to signal a plane you could.

I’ll try to write something up when I get it finished. I’ve been keeping a log of how long the process takes. Spent about an hour cutting all the pieces out and that’s as far as I can go right now.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I’ll try to write something up when I get it finished. I’ve been keeping a log of how long the process takes. Spent about an hour cutting all the pieces out and that’s as far as I can go right now.

I’ll be looking forward to this as well.


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[mooster]

couple points, I was drawn to being able to discuss where I'm going, and having some intel on what to expect in terms of hunt, terrain, camp needs, etc.

fee's, the hunt planner is per person. so if $3750, its $3750 per person. plus you prepay the air taxi for 3 flights, in, out, & 1 moose meat haul @ $6K total. weight is 700 lbs. total including hunters.

as for a raft, I've ordered a 14 lb. Alpacka forager as I plan to do this and other float hunts, as well as local fly fish trips with it. also, they keep incredible resale value, so could recover most of the cost instead of paying $600 to rent and having lost that money.

as for the DIY raft, I studied that a lot, but its very labor intensive and apparently prone to lots of leaks unless the fabric is a light color so you can see the weld is complete. with a dark green or camo boat for hunting, seeing the weld completeness would be problematic. I didn't want the hassle, was willing to pay for quality.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Excellent! Which location did you decide on?

 

[mooster]

I'm assuming you ended up getting caribou lake.I had been speaking with Linda and the air taxi about hashing out the details yesterday to book it for me and my son but it looks like you beat me to it.I guess I shouldn't have dragged my feet.Sounds like it will be an awesome place for the adventure, good luck and post what I missed.

 

[Vinootz]

2021 drop hunt for me and a buddy at Nunya Lake in Alaska. We are still ironing out the details, but looks like it may end up being a combo type hunt that we hike and pack raft out of.

I researched a list of over 100 outfitters, air taxis, and transporters, mostly via the internet, but lots of phone calls too. Finally, I decided we are only 16 months from moose season, and it is time to put something on paper. The options were pretty daunting, but I'll try to share what I've learned and what I continue to learn through the next year and a half. I'm grateful for all of the other members here sharing their information and helping others, so this will be my attempt to do the same.

First were the 4 categories of services to choose from:

Guides were out of our budget, so they were off the list immediately.

Outfitters that provide your camp for you, select your area, etc. that I spoke to were mostly part of a guide "system". I've heard horror stories about outfitters putting you in places with terrible gear. I have nice gear appropriate for the trip, so we didn't really need any equipment. The other thing that I have heard and experienced with Outfitters that also guide is that they are dropping the unguided folks in places the guides don't want to hunt. I am not saying all of them do this, but I didn't want any competition from the people that we are paying to put us into good territory.

Transporters and air taxis are both legitimate and licensed through the ADF&G. The big difference between the two is that Air Taxis are not allowed to pick locations for you or scout areas for you. They are only able to take you to and from a location that you pick. Transporters have more leeway where this is concerned, and can make recommendations. They aren't allowed to help you to process or pack your kill, but can aid with logistics and such. In my research, transporters were about double the price of air taxis. That helps them to cover the costs of helping you plan your hunt.

The other thing to consider is hunt planners. These are basically consultants that aid you in selecting a transporter or air taxi, may rent gear, help you determine a good location and tactics for your specific species and location. This is the option that we finally settled on. I'm pretty arrogant, but not so egotistical that I think I can find great moose hunting from Colorado. After doing the math, the cost of a planner and air taxi was about the same as a transporter doing it all.

If anyone wants to share information, or has questions that I might be able to help with, that is what forums are all about, right?

OKAY I’LL ALERT THE MEDIA YOUR GOING MOOSE HUNTING-LMAO !!!

 

[ReinsuranceShooter]

No need to alert media circuits but I will just say to gunnersdad that I really appreciate the sharing of information and willingness to share more. You nailed it in your close- that is what forums are for!

 

[Gunnersdad49]

OKAY I’LL ALERT THE MEDIA YOUR GOING MOOSE HUNTING-LMAO !!!

Let me know if they want to send a photographer or if I should just forward a few 8x10 glossy head shots.

 

[wolfpup]

Good luck on your hunt. I am planning a diy moose hunt for this fall in a Alaska. Have never been there yet, and trying to learn what I can on here. Probably winging it solo.

 

[Vinootz]

Have fun, good luck and stay safe.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Them NRS packrafts suuuuuuck. Do yourself a favor and just get a pristine ventures raft, heck if you don’t want to keep it I might be into buying it from you after your hunt. I wouldn’t mess with an alpaca for hauling moose, it Will work but there are better options for similar prices.

 

[mooster]

Them NRS packrafts suuuuuuck. Do yourself a favor and just get a pristine ventures raft, heck if you don’t want to keep it I might be into buying it from you after your hunt. I wouldn’t mess with an alpaca for hauling moose, it Will work but there are better options for similar prices.

Btw Alpacka is running a 10% discount supporting BHA. Use Randy Newberg code Randy2020. At $1640 & free shipping for a USA made, 1,000# capacity (13.7 lb Forager) with self bailing and internal storage it’s a solid option vs the Chinese Sourced rafts.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Btw Alpacka is running a 10% discount supporting BHA. Use Randy Newberg code Randy2020. At $1640 & free shipping for a USA made, 1,000# capacity (13.7 lb Forager) with self bailing and internal storage it’s a solid option vs the Chinese Kung Flu rafts.

if you want a sub par raft, order away with alpaca, they will send you a rainbow BLM sticker too!!!