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Self-guided hunts hunts promise a good chance at barren ground caribou
If you're looking to hunt caribou on a budget, consider this hunt out of King Salmon, Alaska. You'll see some of the most beautiful country on earth, and your chances of taking a caribou are excellent. Hunter success with this air taxi service operator, who is a serious hunter himself, was close to 100% for years but was down in 2004 to 80%. The hunt takes place in units 9b and 17b, range of the 150,000-animal-plus Mulchatna River herd. This herd has produced some gigantic bulls, including several former world records and the current Boone and Crockett No. 1 barren ground caribou.
The operator has about 5,000 hours in the air. A former Marine pilot, he has been flying since 1973 and has been in Alaska since 1982 and has been taking hunters into Alaska since 1984. As regulations have changed he has kept up-to-date and is now a licensed air taxi operator and hunt transporter. I've worked with him for 15 or 16 years with excellent results. He's a hunter himself, usually spending at least a month every fall chasing whitetails and mule deer in the Lower 48. We've spent some time together in Idaho and Kansas, where he usually finds time to hunt in December.
Alaska in 2003 adopted some new regulations that are expected to increase your chances of taking trophy-class bulls in this area. In units 9b and 17b, non-residents used to be able to kill two bulls and residents could kill as many as five bulls a year. Needless to say many bulls never got the chance to grow old enough to grow a bragging-size rack. Now all hunters, even residents, are limited to one bull. Residents may take five caribou, but only one can be a bull.
This hunt does not have a set price because it depends on how far from King Salmon the caribou are moving when you arrive. Expect to pay $1,200 to $2,000 per person. A $500 deposit is required with another $500 due July 1 and the balance due upon completion of the trip. The price is based on air charter time billed at $500 per hour. You can load a plane with 1,200 pounds, and that can be persons, food, gear or meat. The more flights you need, the more money it will cost. The farther the hunt provider must fly to put you in a good area, the more air time he'll have to charge. You must have at least two people to take this hunt, and you'll usually save money the more people you have. You may shoot a black bear or wolf if you see one, but that is unlikely. Plan to hunt in September. Herds tend to be farther from King Salmon during August and the first week of September, so most hunters should plan to hunt from Sept. 10 onward. Take your own equipment and keep it light. The operator accepts cash or credit cards to pay off the balance. We suggest renting a satellite to call the operator for meat pickup, emergencies or if you want to be moved. Keep in mind that he will be busy with other groups. Combined with the possibility of poor flying weather, scheduling flights in and out of the hunting territory can be unpredictable. Plan a few days on each end of your trip to give you some flexibility. You can always spend extra time fishing. The operator currently has a round trip air fare between Anchorage and King Salmon for $355.
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Hunt CU23 |
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| Hunt | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Self-guided hunt for barren ground caribou based on $500 per hour air taxi | From King Salmon: $1,100 to $2,000, usually $1,200 to $1,500 |
| Trophy size | Hunter success |
| Average is probably 320 B&C, but sometimes hunters get into bulls scoring 350 to 400 B&C | In 2003 all but two or three of about 30 hunters scored on bulls. In 2004 hunter success was 80% with 70 hunters flown out. |
| Time considerations | Meals, tent, gear |
| Antlers are without velvet after Sept. 7. Bugs can be a problem until the first freeze. The saving grace is that it's usually windy. If it's dead calm, though, you'll need insect repellent and a head net. | Meals, tent and gear are not included in the hunt price. You can have the outfitter order Mountain House meals at wholesale prices. This will usually save money because your weight will be minimized. |
| Travel | Area |
| Outfitter meets you in King Salmon. Round trip is about $335 from Anchorage. | Click here for the latest prices. Caribou tags were $325 in 2004, and the hunting license is $85. Fishing license is extra. |
| Antler and meat transportation | Notes |
| Antler transportation is $50 to $100 per antler on each airlines you fly. Some airlines don't take antlers at all, so be sure to check before you book your flights. You can air freight antlers with another service or use an expediter in Anchorage. The outfitter has a walk-in freezer. Most airlines have reduced weight limits to 50 pounds per box. The outfitter can provide you with meat boxes at cost. Most airlines also have reduced the number of bags included in air fare to two. Sometimes a little research with your travel agent can save you money. Click here for details meat and trophy care. | You will need all your equipment. That includes tent, cot, sleeping bad, packs, cooking utensils, water jug, lanterns, sleeping bag, first aid kit, weapon, ammo, etc. If you're not experienced at surviving on your own in the wilderness, consider a guided hunt, of which we have several good ones to choose from. Do-it-yourself caribou hunts can save you money, but you're not as mobile as a guided hunter can be. Thus, hunter success is usually lower. Remember, caribou move erratically and sometimes completely abandon long-used areas or do a 180 for seemingly no reason. Book this hunt to enjoy it even if you are unlucky in the hunting. |
