What Should a First-Timer Expect?

[Ariolas]

Hi all,

I’m interested in learning more about caribou hunting and what preparation actually matters before heading out. From logistics to gear and physical prep, I’d like to understand what separates a smooth trip from a rough one.

For those with experience:

• Essential gear you wouldn’t go without?
• Common beginner mistakes?
• How demanding is the terrain and travel?

Looking forward to learning from those who’ve done it before.

 

[Geewhiz]

DIY, drop camp, or guided will play a big part as well as the general area/herd you plan to hunt and time of year.

 

[WeiserBucks]

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/what-i-learned-my-first-caribou-hunt.188704/unread

 

[elkguide]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[jdmaxwell]

Common beginner mistakes:
NOT Reading all the old posts about it already.
Not that hard to figure it out easily

 

[WeiserBucks]

If all we did was read old posts and log off the forum would die.

 

[mcseal2]

My post was already linked, but it has most of what I know.

For physical prep all my trips to AK have made me a believer that the best training for carrying a heavy pack over un-even ground is carrying a heavy pack over uneven ground.

Your foot hardly ever lands flat the places I’ve been. Knees, hips, ankles, core muscles that stabilize you, you use them all. I’ve seen guys that are in far better cardio condition than me, but that trained differently have knee or ankle issues that they’ve had to fight through. My advice is good boots with good ankle support, and training on the roughest terrain available.

 

[LongWayAround]

You should expect:

It will cost more than you expected.

The weather will screw you in some way.

You are not in control of anyone else's time.

Be prepared to be grateful to just be there.

Set your expectations way below your hopes.

Give yourself time on both ends of the trip.


Gear and beginner stuff is covered extensively in older posts. Ask specific questions for specific answers. Terrain varies wildly depending where you go. Travel difficulty is largely based on how much planning you do before you leave.

I'm not the foremost expert, but have done four different trips on the last seven years. Your experience will probably vary.