Caribou hunt brooks range off Dalton hwy

[codwyguy1]

We did not go up to do a spring hunt for Caribou off the Dalton this year because we decided that we did not want to hunt when they did not have antlers. so now we are looking at a late fall hunt like possibly November. I want to go when the ground is froze so it is easer to walk and also that is when my time off from work will be. Am I thinking to late in the year? I have all to proper gear to be out in harsh weather but I would still like to here some feedback from some of you guys with experience in the area. I will be rifle hunting 5 miles off the Hwy as per the law. And if their is sufficient snow I will use x country skis and snow shoes and I have an expedition sled to tow my gear.

 

[CarnivoraCounter]

I did this hunt for the first time last Fall. I went up with 2 buddies mid October. We used snow shoes most of the time, but the ground was so wind crusted in some areas that you could get around well without them. We towed heavy plastic kids sleds and that worked really well. We experienced really great weather, 3 days of clear skies and low 20's. It was windy for sure, but with a good tent and proper gear that can be dealt with. I know my experience with the weather was probably not typical, it can turn nasty up there in a second so conditions should not be taken lightly.
We did not end up filling tags on that trip, but I learned a lot. I would highly suggest driving up in the daylight so you can "scout" from the road. Chances are you wont spot caribou 5 miles out that you are going to put a stalk on, but you can at least get a feel for where the bigger groups are hanging out and put yourself in a good position. We went in blind and I had picked a spot from the topo maps that looked good and had heard about from other folks. It was indeed a good looking spot, but we were a few days too late for that area. We didn't see any caribou for 3 days and on the drive out we passed a heard of at least 500 strung out just a few miles south of where we had been. Had we driven up in the day, we would have seen that and obviously changed our game plan.
No earth shattering info here, I know, but hopefully it helps to hear at least one other experience. Good luck out there

 

[codwyguy1]

Thanks it all helps I live in Wyoming but i have place in Tok and I keep a tuck and camper in Alaska I was thinking about driving like you said when it is light and just keep glassing the area until we see something. I hope November inset getting too late I work in the offshore oil Field and I will be at work in October I plan to hunt Mule Deer and elk in Wy during Sept archery season with my crossbow. Crossbows are legal to use during archery season in Wy.

 

[protaxidermy]

Hunting the Dalton After the ground is frozen is a BLAST.

As long as you are Prepaired for anything .

We had our tent tied down & it still ended up about 35 feet away upside down WITH all of our gear in it.

50 Mile an hour gusts will do that.

You wont be able to use your Cross bow up there unless you are atleast 5 miles out. Same with rifles. Even though there was a couple of Ah#$#es that were shooting inside the corridor & got caught & turned in by other hunters.

MAKE SURE you have a GPS & Mark spots off the road so you know Exactly how far you are off the road.

If using a Bow, just go have fun but prepair to walk a lot.

We had one of the OTTER sleds & it worked GREAT for bringing out the 2 bulls we got, but it was a little heavier to tow around empty.

We just field dressed & brought both out whole.

Like I said, Its a BLAST.

Good luck.

RJ Simington
PRO Taxidermy Fairbanks

 

[codwyguy1]

Yes I am looking fwd to it I plan to hunt with a rifle and I will be sure to use my GPS i plan to buy the maps i can load on it so I will know exactly where i am. I don't want no hassle with the Wildlife Troopers I know you cant use crossbows in archery area's in Alaska I am not really a bow hunter i got the crossbow to extend my opportunity's in Wyoming because with my job I can miss whole seasons like this year i wont be home at all in October

 

[cjustinm]

We did not go up to do a spring hunt for Caribou off the Dalton this year because we decided that we did not want to hunt when they did not have antlers. so now we are looking at a late fall hunt like possibly November. I want to go when the ground is froze so it is easer to walk and also that is when my time off from work will be. Am I thinking to late in the year? I have all to proper gear to be out in harsh weather but I would still like to here some feedback from some of you guys with experience in the area. I will be rifle hunting 5 miles off the Hwy as per the law. And if their is sufficient snow I will use x country skis and snow shoes and I have an expedition sled to tow my gear.

i've seen a fair amount of bulls around here in mid Nov. that are already dropping their antlers and I've rarely seen any large ones still carrying after thanksgiving. if you are looing for antlers i would go the earliest in November that you can just to be on the safe side. frozen tundra does make travel nice expecially when the creeks and ponds are frozen and you dont have to go way out of your way to cross them.

 

[codwyguy1]

I will deficiently keep that in mind I also want to go as early as i can just for hours of day light will be getting very short the later i wait