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.

 

[Luke S]

If weight is an issue the shotgun plus bear fence is a lot, probably 10+ pounds.

Make sure your hip boots or waders are good assuming it's a swampy area. My one time guiding moose I was encouraged to try Lacrosse waders with the special sole. I forgot what it was called but it was not the normal sole. Those boots were fantastic. The sole material and tight ankle made them fairly comfortable to walk in, not like my old boots were your feet sort of slide around. And the insulation kept my feet warm.

 

[WMR]

I can’t tell if the 120# per person limit includes the boat. If so, you’ll be counting ounces. That was our weight limit last time and choices had to be made. We took a raft with oars and PFDs which took up 25lb of our allowance. We never even inflated it, but it could have saved our hunt. We’ll do the same next time.

Wife & I have taken a bear fence on our 3 hunts but only used it once. The other two times the terrain would not allow for its use. Not sure if that will go along next time. If the bears have Salmon to eat, they’re very unlikely to bother you at night.

Our handguns stayed home last time due to the weight limit, Taking them would have meant leaving something else behind. The Helinox cots meant much more to us. I’d ditch the shotgun and take a second rifle. My wife’s .308 was lightweight and provided protection as well as a backup hunting rifle with some reach.

Most of our food was stored in bear containers. They weighed a bit but prevented the possibility of a very inconvenient situation far from the grocery store. If weight allows, a backup tent is a very good idea. Bears are kinda scary, but the weather there is the real threat. An extra tarp and extra paracord usually come in handy. Extra food is a necessity, as weather can delay your extraction.

There will be bugs and there will be rain; probably lots of both. Take 2 headnets per person. You REALLY don’t want be without these. Good stockingfoot waders and a Helly Hanson jacket will keep the rain off.

I’m going back again in ‘26. I chose the same dates as you did. We depend on calling to bring the moose near our lake for a reasonable packing distance. No mile long packouts for this guy. Best of luck to you. Enjoy the adventure.

 

[WMR]

I’d have typed more, but it’s getting close to supper time here. Got a sliced moose roast in the fridge. Just thinking about moose hunting makes me hungry. Those big boys are tasty!

 

[Jim Dandy]

Thanks to everyone for the info and suggestions. The outfitter has said it's basically a mix of marsh and timber lake-type terrain. Nothing more specific at this time as they don't know as yet what lake we will be dropped on. I have ultralight chest waders and wading boots, which I will bring if I can. I plan on doing a lot of hunting and calling from the boat, possible accessing farther reaches and marshes on the lake if possible. One of the aspects of moose hunting that greatly appeals to me is that it's possible to have the moose come to you. Not always, but very possible.

The boat and motor are not included in our weight and will be at the lake when we arrive with fuel and oars. They will try and drop us near a spot on the shore that would be good for a camp. I'll have a wolf tag regardless, but I am not really expecting to kill a wolf, just if it shows up as an opportunity.

My wife is not proficient with rifles, and a .30-06 is the most powerful rifle I own, the next down being a .270, which is why she will be carrying the 12 gauge. Depending on weight I might not bring my .44 mag. If I can't kill the moose with my -06 due to distance, it's too far off anyways. I am not a long-distance shooter and am confident to 350 yards with my rifle. I killed my first moose at 98 yards and the guide said that was a longer shot than usual. Thanks again.


Dandy

 

[WMR]

Your 30-06 will do just fine. For that matter, so would your .270. Just use good bullets. I’d rather carry either of these for bear defense than any shotgun. Much easier to hit with than a shotgun slug, too. An extra rifle in camp might even save your hunt if yours were to malfunction. Just get a .22 for practice and your wife will quickly learn. Rifle shooting is not rocket science. Well, actually it IS a lot like rocket science.

I’ve killed two moose very quickly with my 30-06. I may take a bigger rifle next year, as I’ve gotten a few close up looks at brown bears. Not really sure yet as I trust my ‘06 to hit well at distance. I guess I’ll sort that out in the up months.