Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Recommended reading for caribou hunting?

I wonder if some of you experts have recommendations for reading about caribou hunting. I've never done this though I am a very experienced hunter with a fair bit of international experience. I've also visited Alaska many times, and backpacked the Chilkoot Trail five years ago.

I firmly believe that preparation and "dreaming" are a big part of the total experience, and want to do a bit of reading before a caribou hunt that is coming up in late August.

Thanks for your thoughts!

"Alaska's Wolf Man" believe its by Tom Reardon

Jim Rearden.


Frank Glaser spent a large portion of his life in the middle of the wolf/caribou cycle.

This was a good read by Larry Bartlett..

Did you mean this one?

Find some high ground and start glassing. Look the caribou over real well before deciding to shoot, they all look big and it never fails that you get one on the ground and a larger one walks right by you.

They are a curious animal and will often times come closer to figure out what you are. Some people have had success putting a white flag or t-shirt on a stick and waving that to bring them in.

If you spook one while stalking it let it run for a second and 90 percent of the time they will stop and turn broad side to look back at you, this is when you take the shot instead of while they are running.

Alaska hunting forum on the web.

Visit Alaska's Fish and Game website. A wealth of info there.

How to hunt caribou? Simple!
1. Get relatively high & glass.
2. Upon spotting same, attempt to intercept.
3. If ya gotta chase 'em, you lose.
Bear in Fairbanks

Many thanks for the replies, fellows! I'll look into these sources. I think it is pretty simple, as Bear in Fairbanks outlines above, but I just will enjoy reading about it. Part of the anticipation.

I have both.
I had actually forgotten bout that one.

Got a lil dyslexic on ya.

Somewhat irrelevant (note Mulchatna info) ...

This

Actually the firs thing you should read, and take with you, is the state's hunting regs.

Yeah, regs are good reading! (Well, maybe not entertaining, but necessary....)

I'll also note that I've stalked a number of bulls, and once "ran one down." (Well, not exactly, but did narrow the gap at the head of a wide, long draw enough to plunk a big bull at 350-400 yards. Took over half a mile of tundra-running, though that 20 years ago....)

Phil and John,

Thanks for adding your advice!

Phil, I'll be sure to read the regs. I take very seriously doing things correctly.

John, At age 70, I can't run as well as I used to!

Al, the last page of the regs is also a transfer of possession form so that you can legally sign your meat and horns over to anyone who might fly it without you being there. It can keep both you and the transporter out of trouble.

Good to know. Thanks again!

Shoot the one closest to the plane.
Cisco