Western Alaska DIY Moose

[Jim Dandy]

Hello my name is Nate and this is my first post excepting my introduction. I am 53 and have been hunting most of my life. In 2024 I killed a nice bull moose in Canada. This was a 1-on-1 guided trip, and most likely the only time I will be able to afford a trip like that. I had an amazing time and learned a ton. I am absolutely hooked on moose hunting now, and have booked a DIY hunt in Western Alaska for 2027. This will be a fixed camp lake hunt, with a boat and motor provided. My wife accompanied me on the Canada hunt, and she will be coming on this hunt as well. We are both experienced in backcountry wilderness hunting and camping, but this will be our first time in Alaska. Our hunt dates are Sept 15-25. I chose these dates based on research and the fact that we hunted the same dates in the Yukon. It seems like these are good dates for a pre-rut or rut for moose.

I am seeking advice and information from real hunters on this forum. YouTube can only provide so much, and I've found a lot of that needs a grain or two of salt. I am wondering how others have found this timeframe for moose ruts. I am also considering a wolf tag. I would like to hear about whether anyone thinks we would need a bear fence. We are limited to 120# per person. The air service rep I've talked to said the grizzly population is not huge in this area, and to be bear-aware. I've hunted black bear several times but a 300# CA black bear is no grizzly or brown bear. Only a few of the clients take a fence. He has hunted this area and does not use one. I have a .44 mag and am proficient with it and my wife will have a 12 GA with bear slugs. My rifle is a .30-06 with 200 grain handloaded Accubonds. We are responsible for all our own gear, and feel that with further research and physical training, we will be as ready as we can be for this hunt. Anyone who has experience and advice would be more than welcome. I am now at a stage in my life where I would like to do a hunt like this for moose or caribou ever year or every other year. Thank you and thanks for having me.

 

[FranklinBluth]

1. In general, I'd say most sources would say Sept 15 would be the beginning of effective moose rut calling tactics. We were successful calling in moose this year starting on September 12th. If your other option was September 5-15, I'd prefer the later timeframe. Early season you can always catch a warm spell that lessens animal movement and makes meat care more of a challenge in the event you are successful. Also, biting insects are more of an issue the earlier in the season you go.

2). Re: bear fence - that's a personal comfort thing in most cases. If you use basic sense with your food practices you should be fine. I brought a fence on my first AK hunt and haven't packed it since. If your outfitter isn't requiring a bear fence, that tells me bears haven't been an issue.

 

[BRWNBR]

Time frame is fine. Bulls will be moving.
Bears will likely leave your camp alone. 28 years of guiding in Alaska and I’ve never had a tent ruined by a bear.

 

[AKDoc]

I've enjoyed moose hunting in western Alaska for many years, and I'll be back out there next fall. Thank you for not naming a specific location/GMU in your hunting location questions.

Regarding your questions:

• I think your hunting dates are just fine. Moose rut is a progression and there are pros/cons to different points in time along that progression...there is so much more to say about that!
• I have a bear fence. I do not bring it on those moose hunts, and I have never regretted that decision. Kodiak hunts...you bet I bring it! As mentioned above, bring one if it helps you sleep better at night.

Once you have enough posts to send direct messages, feel free to DM me for more specific questions. I'm always glad to help.

 

[Jim Dandy]

Thank you for the very helpful replies everyone.


Dandy

 

[mtnbiker208]

I spent close to a month in sw alaska in 25 and no bear fence was used.
I definatley saw a lot of bears, even got out to piss late one night and saw one about 75 yards away. He kept walking away from us.

 

[Jim Dandy]

I spent close to a month in sw alaska in 25 and no bear fence was used.
I definatley saw a lot of bears, even got out to piss late one night and saw one about 75 yards away. He kept walking away from us.

Thanks for the first-hand info. I'm curious if you saw many wolves? I will almost certainly get a wolf tag as well. My wife is starting to learn tanning and taxidermy and she would like a wolf pelt to work on.

Dandy

 

[AKBorn]

I was fortunate to hunt remote Alaska 12-15 times over a 24 year period. I had a bear fence, always brought it on the bush plane, probably set it up on about 4 or 5 of the hunts. Like others have said, probably not needed, especially if your transporter said this wasn't a high density bear area.

As AKDoc mentioned, good on you for not specifying the exact area where you are going. If you are being dropped on a lake and will have access to a boat and motor, my biggest questions would be around the terrain in that area. Is it a generally flat area with lots of alders and high marshy grasses? If so, the most challenging aspect might be spotting any moose in the area. Seeing a wolf in that flat brushy terrain would be a challenge indeed.

If you can easily access ridges or higher ground from the lake, that will greatly increase your ability to glass and see if anything is responding to your calls. It would also increase your chances of spotting a wolf if any happened to be in the area.

If the area you will be hunting is predominantly flat and boggy, you may want to hunt in chest waders and make sure to bring extra socks. If the ground is not predominantly flat and included ridges and bluffs, I always preferred to climb up and down in boots and pants and forego the chest waders.

Wolf tag or not - ask your transporter how many hunting groups see wolves in the area you will be. Even if they respond that sightings are rare, you may want to pay 50 or 60 bucks for a tag just in case. You don't really hunt wolves when hunting moose, just shoot one if you see one while hunting, and we can never tall when that will happen.

Make sure you have a solid means of staying in touch with your transporter and/or family while in the field. Weather plays a big factor in remote Alaska hunts, and your flight dates into/out of the field can be impacted by several days if a storm moves through Alaska.

Best of luck! The planning and anticipation was always a big part of the fun. The stuck-in-tent days due to bad weather were always more fun to remember later, than they were to sit through at the time.

 

[mtnbiker208]

Thanks for the first-hand info. I'm curious if you saw many wolves? I will almost certainly get a wolf tag as well. My wife is starting to learn tanning and taxidermy and she would like a wolf pelt to work on.

Dandy

50 grizzly sightings, 4 moose sightings and 2 caribou is what I saw.