I’m looking to take my son on an Alaska Caribou hunt in a couple years. Can anyone recommend a reputable transporter? I’d like to go ahead and start talking to outfitters.
I’ve seen a lot on Arrow head outfitters ( https://arrowheadoutfitters.com ), but that could be good marketing. They have a Northern Brooks range fly in hunt that starts early August. That timing is great for college, but might be bad for mosquitoes.
I doesn’t have to be a fly-in hunt, but that would be pretty cool besides the cost.
You have to keep in mind flying in Alaska is a whole different world. You will get mixed reviews from the same transporter. Be prepared for a lot of last min change of plans.
I have no experience with ArrowHead.
Caribou hunting is getting tuff. The Federal Subsistence Board has way more control on land than they should. Even overpowering State Fish & Game. This limits where you can hunt.
Hunting a migratory animal, most of the time they won’t stop walking and wonder a lot = really all about being lucky. Right place, right time.
I’d been pondering Adak because 1 bull and 2 cows sounds like a challenge in those conditions. However, my cousin is looking at relocating to Fairbanks which means we’ll probably go the airboat route. Higher weight allowance and less cost.
Alaska, bad for mosquitos in August ??? If you put a saddle on one you could fly that sucker or anyone of his gazillion buddies. All depends on the temperature, it can get brutal.
My boss has an elk outfit in western CO, and every elk season he has some of the guides from Midnight Sun come down and guide elk hunts. They are world class. What is special about MSS, is they are AK’s foremost horseback outfitter. They can get to places via horseback that others won’t. Having horses is difficult in AK, but these guys are real horsemen and amazing people! Highly recommended!
Tyler, are you able to provide info on your Boss’s elk outfitting service in Colorado? I’m trying to get my sons on a western elk or mule deer hunt before I run out of years.
Bearcat Outfitters in Hamilton, CO. They’ve been around forever. Best operation in the west, although I’m a smidge bias! Unit 12. Call Sean Bailey at 719-838-9022.
Thank you Tyler. I found it amazing that you said Hamilton, I hunted that drainage 30 years ago on what has been to date my one and only western elk trip. I have never seen so many elk in one spot. Back then the sports writer Jim Zumbo said that 75% of western elk hunts were unsuccessful and that was proven yearly by a group I knew that went to Meeker annually. I took a 5x5 without hesitation and have never regretted it. I look at the horns every time I walk into my garage and smile.
That’s amazing, thanks for sharing! I know there are bigger elk in many places, but I’ve never had more fun guiding and hunting elk in that area. It’s one of the largest migration paths in the US!