My father is coming up in September for a bou and moose hunt. He's up in years but in good shape although I don't know about spending a week out of camp with really cold weather. I know what it's like down in Unit 13 that time of year so in comparison, what can we expect hunting out of the Noatak area mid to late September? If we decide to move our hunt up a bit would mid August work? Obviously the migration is the time to be there but are chances good on taking a couple nice bulls in August? From weather history Sept doesn't look bad at all mid 30's for lows and 50ish for highs which isn't a whole lot different that August.
Unit 23 Weather 2nd 3rd Week September
- Thread starter dvarmit
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strangerinastrangeland
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In August you'll find Caribou along ridge tops and such , in Sept they will be moveing North to South, across the Noatak.
In mid Sept temps can be cool and hang around the freezing point at night, so Sun shine, Rain or Snow are very possible, bring warm stuff and rain gear. Its often clear and cold at night, drizzleing later in day kinda stuff.
Still,its wonderfull.
In mid Sept temps can be cool and hang around the freezing point at night, so Sun shine, Rain or Snow are very possible, bring warm stuff and rain gear. Its often clear and cold at night, drizzleing later in day kinda stuff.
Still,its wonderfull.
last sept was pretty mild on the noatak you could boat up pretty late without a problem. a couple years ago the 3rd week of sept we woke up to ice on the river. bring warm gear hopefully you wont have to use it. an arctic over or tent with a stove is sure nice for those late sept. nights to dry your stuff off and keep toasty.
Bushwhack Jack
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I have only hunted up there once so my knowledge of the area is limited, but I would say expect temperatures to be about 5-10 colder on average and the precipitation to be only about 1/3 of what you are used to in unit 13. Your father will like it up there. Beautiful country. If I could afford it, I would hunt there every year. When I woke up in the morning to start hunting I had to let my wading boots soak in the river to thaw them out. They would be frozen solid by morning. Other than that, the cold temps didn't bother me. I actually prefer temperatures to be it a little bit colder when I am hunting. It's more comfortable, the animals move better, and meat stays fresher. It's the constant rain and wind that bothers me when I am hunting. That's the kind of weather that can make or break a hunt in my opinion.
0321Tony
Well-known member
I have hunted there the last six years through the month of September, and I have experienced everything from high 60's in the day and sunny and warm to down right miserable. Cold rain, strong winds, snow sleet and single digit weather. The most important thing to bring is "GOOD" rain gear I wear helly hansens impertec rain gear. Its rubber so you have to watch it when you are moving to not start sweating too much but it is dry. I have learned over the years hunting from a tent for weeks at a time that waterproof clothing that has fabric on the outer layer and a dry liner inside is a terable thing when you cant dry them out every night. The outside fabric will stay wet and after a few days will start to mildue, thats why I use rubber rain gear. but moose hunting up there I call a lot so I dont usually move too much to sweat too much and caribou hunting is a lot of glassing. Bring a tent that can stand up to strong winds there may not be much cover where you will be and the winds there can really rip. Also bring a deck of cards and or a book or three I have spent days where the only thing you can do is sit in the tent because of bad weather. There is lots and lots and lots of water up there get a good pair of waterproof boots even on dry days there is a lot of water. I have a pair of Kenetreks that have served me well I also bring up a pair of the Neo's overshoe. You can get them from barneys I think they are called the sourdough slipper. they are a hip boot that you can put over your hiking boot and get across rivers with them they are light and have a vibram sole on them I have walked miles in them and no leaks yet, they are not too bulky and I put them in my pack when out walking and are easy to get on and off. Also another thing that I bring every year is the boot dryer that runs on propane they dont take up much room and will run a long time on a one pound tank if your boots get wet you will be glad you brought it. To me there is not much worse than having to put my feet in frozen wet shoes to start the day. The country up there is beautiful and I love hunting the area, there is great moose and caribou hunting. Pack for all types of weather because chances are you will go throught it all. Good luck
Thanks guys, I want him to enjoy the trip. I am thinking about taking a little buddy heater to throw in the tent in the evenings. This year moose season was like a monsoon in 13 and we hunted in it for 5 days straight. We had a 10X10 Canvas tent and that little buddy heater kept it toasty inside. We hung our wet clothes from the ridge poll to dry out although I'm not taking the canvas tent on this trip. The little buddy heater sips fuel on low so a case of fuel should be good for 5-6 evenings. My major concern is the cold and if anyone has any other suggestions on how we can make it as comfortable as possible I'd appreciate it.
I wear Helly Hansen rain gear as well along with some good knee high insulated rubber boats. I didn't think about the boot dryer so that is a good item for the list. Never heard of the Neo's but I work close to Barney's so I'll stop over and ask about them.
akrstabout
Well-known member
You'll be golden in that time frame! In 2011 we hunted till early Oct. Had a buddy heater, only used in the morn a few times to get moving. Had camp fire at night. Good times, remember it like it was yesterday, still kinda feels like it too!! Just hope for a drier summer/early fall, last year it blew the moose out of their normal areas cause water was way high that time of year, took my dad last year for the trip. Temps def not bad, comfortable for sure. Lots of good advice, def pay attention to Strangers advice, but lots of good advice/suggestions here. Enjoy the trip w/your dad! My dad shot a 53" bull moose, first bull we ever got, always got cows. He said he will never a shoot a big bull again!!! Thing had a massive body!! Good times for sure!!
