Hey folks! Just wondering if anyone could give me any advice on what air charter to use for caribou hunting. We would want someone out of Anchorage that is reliable and could put us in a decent area. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Which Caribou herd are you hunting? Mulchatna? That herd is in a pretty good decline. Most good caribou hunting reqires an additional flight from anchorage to a smaller village, then getting on your floatbird.
I second what TomM says with one minor correction... The Mulchatna herd is NOT in decline... It has bottomed out!
Oh yeah, thank Tony Knowles for that, too...
Any reputable Guide or Air Service won't even book a Mulchatna caribou hunter, and I know a few who don't. But, money talks. And it seems having a "conscience" means less money in the Air Service world. Most would fly you out to go Unicorn hunting if thats what you wanted to do..
The Mulchatna herd is in sad shape. I've seen it first hand.
Well, I havn't booked with anyone yet, so I'm open to suggestions as far as other areas. I've heard the Mulchatna heard was down, but didn't know it was that bad. I have heard some horror stories about operation hunting the west artic heard...price, no refrigeration, fly-by-night air charters, etc. Or should we still fly into Anchorage and go with someone for moose?
YOu will have to google, IIRC It's called Caribou Unlimited. Ron is his name. He flies out of Kotz. Has a good rep.
Bottomed out is right. On the bright side there is nowhere for the Mulchatna herd to go but up. Thats what I keep telling myself anyway.
Be sure and get that woof tag while your at it.
I would look into flying out of Fairbanks with Wright Air service into Bettles then fly with Brooks Range Aviation to the slope. You could also contact 40 Mile Air and see if they have any openings to hunt the 40 mile herd.
I would also agree that hunting the Mulchatna caribou herd is a poor choice. Having hunted it 3 times and the last hunt 2 years ago seeing very few animals even while flying in the plane. I don't have any other experiences to help you with your search, however.