Gentlemen, I am considering a Moose hunt with an outfitter in 05. Based on his brochure, he is located "on beautiful Bear Lake in the Mentasta Mountains of the headwaters of the Tetlin River." From the map, it looks like it would be area 12 or possibly 11. Just wanted to see if any of you here were familiar with the area and what you thought about the quality/quantity of Moose in the area. He also has Grizzly on the menu but that is probably going to be too much for this ole boy. Might consider a nice black bear though, if they are in the area.

Thanks, TM

travelingman1,

I never hunted that area, although I went sheep hunting south of there.

All I can offer are some lousy pictures from the Alaska Gazeteer showing topos of the area.

Here's a overview of the State, with the pencil tip pointed near Bear Lake...




...and a close view showing the contour lines.


Should be a great hunt, depending on the outfitter.

Best of all, no nasty Fed regs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and just one more image, to help you keep things in perspective (even though I know you travel extensively.)

BW, That's some serious work. Thanks. Curioius what you mean by "no nasty Fed regs"? Does that mean no subsistance hunting?

As to the outfitter, it is Jeff Burwell of Alaska Peak Air. My hunting partner has hunted sheep with him twice and will be doing a combined sheep/Moose this time. Said he did great on sheep but he has never Moose hunted with him. Said he did see a very nice Grizzly in this area two years ago, when he was sheep hunting. IF (big if) the money does well the next couple of years, I just might try to add that to my hunt, as it will probably be the last time I get to go after such critters. Hard living beginning to catch up with me you know! TM

travelingman1,

The "no nasty Fed regs" was a 'tongue-in-cheek' reference to Moosies post, which got ugly for a minute. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's always nice to have a good reference, and it sounds like you buddy is happy with that outfitter.

Since black bear is open year around, and the bag limit is three, I have to assume there's a lot of them around. Even the Griz bag limit is one a year, compared to some areas that the limit is one every four years. So it's sounds like there's plenty of Griz too.

We're getting on the ferry to Juneau today, so I gotta run...

travelingman1 -

I know that area very well as I live near it and hunt the area. Bear lake is on the Tetlin Reservation. I use to admin that guide area for a few years for the corporation when Burwell's father had it. The sheep hunting is okay as for moose yes they are there and of course the place is loaded with bears.

Bw, Good input. Thanks.

John, The outfitter leases the land from an Indian tribe. You say the Moose are there. Any idea as to numbers and size? If I come to Alaska and pay the money I would like an honest shot at something in the 60 inch range. Do you think that is honestly possible? Not guaranteed but an honest possibility.

As to the bears, Grizzly or Black. Griz and Moose may well be out of my range but a blackie in the 6 to 6 1/2" range might well have to come home with me. Again, honest possibility?

Really do appreciate the input. Invaluable to talk with someone who knows the area. TM

BK, It never got Ugly in the post.. You two just are misunderstood <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

HEY Traveling man ? Were all have you been ? By the name I'm guessing you're a Been there, done that type of guy ? I'd love to hear some Stories sometime, HEll, post one here so I'll find it, I don't travel these nboards enough to find new posts <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What are ya paying (If ya don't mind posting it) for the Moose hunt ? If you want to PM me the #'s instead of posting it that would be cool too. I'm heading up on a Do-it-yourself SHindig and Was jsut wondering when I comje back with Squat and you have your 60"er what I should have paid to have done it right. Thanx in Advance !!!

What dates are you going too ? I'll be heading to Anchorage in 19 days.. But who's counting ..right *SMILE*

Travelingman1

Yes it is possible to get a 60" there. I don't have the current count from the last fly over but there are moose there. Actually I don't pay too much attention to those counts when it comes to looking for a trophy. They tend to be more important for the meat hunters here. I used to admin that lease for the tribe as well as run access, etc. for a while until the last big political blowup 3 years ago or so.

It is hard to do sheep & moose on the same hunt most places in Alaska unless you have lots of time or get one or the other quickly. But it is possible and that country lends itself to that very nicely. The sheep habitat and moose areas are reasonably close. Also when are you planning to hunt? Usually later in the moose season is better as the bulls are getting careless and the leaves are falling making visiabilty better. But the downside is other hunter success. Of course sheep weather can be worse then too. LOL.

Yep it is a good area. Let me know what you decide and don't be shy on asking questions. I'll tell you if I know, don't know, or more importantly won't tell (political reasons)!!

Moosie -

You are just too excited. 19 days less one now. Hmmm. Just to make you feel bad I'll start chasing moose on the 24th. Sheep and caribou are open now but its been too hot and the caribou herd isn't around yet. Maybe next week for sheep. Need a few frezing days to help knock the leaves off!

Moose, The handle comes from work unfortunately and not hunting. I travel Internationally for a data communications equipment maker and have been in 40 or 50 countries. Just moved back to Alabama from Hong Kong.

As for hunting, I Elk and deer hunt in Montana for a week to 10 days most years and have been to British Columbia a couple of times for Moose. Booked this year and next with my friend in Montana. Will be sending the deposit in the next week or so for the 05 hunt, since my buddy has been and liked it and no one here had anything bad to say.

From memory, my hunt will be something like the 7th of September through the 18th? Definitely Moose but thinking hard about the Grizzly too, though that adds SUBSTANTIALLY to the price. Have to see how it goes the next couple of years but I do not have to decide on that until early 05.

Hope your hunt goes well. Look forward to hearing about it when you get back. TM

John, I answered you once but for some reason it did not post?


Guy like you are why I love this board. Always willing to share experience and advice. Especially helpful in a case like this, when I can talk to someone who has "been there - done that". Thanks.

We are planning on hunting from the 8th to 18th of September. Has to be the best time of the year, as that is when I will be there. (grin) Just curious as to how that relates to the season up there? Supposedly, this outfitter will only take 6 guys Moose hunting and we will be three of those, so other pressure should not be too bad. My friend has hunted twice with this guy and has been impressed with the operation, guides, food, stock, etc... (He makes 3 to 4 guided hunts each fall so has some good experience) Our tastes are very much alike, so I think all that should work out.

I say our tastes are alike, except for sheep hunting. Tried that once in Alaska when I was a 19 year old and stationed at Elmendorf. Did not get a thing but it must have been a great hunt, as I am still satisfied. Sheep have never done anything to me that would warrant the lung burning effort, spagetti legs, blurred vision, etc...... required to get them. :-) I will stick with Moose, who like the nice low river bottoms!

Thanks again for your comments. Now I have to wait two years, just to see what the hunting Gods have in store for me. :-( TM

I will be hunting near Nabesna starting Sept 1st. I'll be on a 10 day combo with Ellis Big Game Guides. I'll primarily be after sheep but will also have a moose and grizzlie tag. I'll advise you when I return.

I look forward to hearing what you think of the area and good luck on your hunt! TM

163bc

I just wanted you to know you are in good hands w/ Kirk, his family, and guides. I've used him on several occassions and he and his wife are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. During your stay on his property you'll enjoy his newly built kitchen (his wife is a really good cook) and bunk house. One thing about Kirk is he doesn't promise you things all other guides will tend to push off on clients (ex...the proverbial 40"rs around every rocky outcropping). He is a straight forward kind of guy and will only speak the truth. The drive to his house is beautiful. Take it easy on Nabesna Rd, tis a little rough. Although, I assume you'll have a rental, so who cares <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Seriously, your gonna have a great time. Will you be taking part in one of his horseback hunts? Please tell him Jim Urban said hello and to expect a phone call towards the end of the year.

Best of luck to you and let us know how you do!!! I'm envious, but will be taking part in my own adventure not far from you.

Jim

163bc,
Since Jim already mentioned the ellis's, I'll chime in. Great people, you will enjoy your hunt. I dont know if you'll be flying out of glenallen or nebesna but you will enjoy the scenery and the hunt. Jim and I flew with Kirk a couple of years ago on a drop-off sheep hunt.

travelingman1

Those dates generally cover the regular moose season. This year in unit 12 which you should be hunting it runs the 8th thru the 17th. The leaves are dropping and the bulls are heading into rut. The season is about the same time each year give or take a day. There usually is a short early season from the 24th of Aug to the 28th. But the folage is still pretty dense in Aug and not many moose are taken as its not hunted much. The weather in sept can be really really nice! It can be down to around 10- 20 in the morning but in the 50's in the afternoon. That is good hunting weather with no bugs for most of the day. Also rain or snow can happen too so be prepared.

John, Sounds exactly like what I am looking for. Many thanks for all your insight. Now if I can just wait for two years??????/ TM

Jim, Thanks for the vote of confidence regarding the Ellis family. I have never hunted with him but have known him for about 10 years thru friends. I have never heard anyone with a complaint. Kirk is a wonderfully nice person. Any advice for me right befor the hunt. I'm on a mixed bad 10 day sheep, moose, grizzzlie hunt. We may or may not be on horseback. Thanks Sam

163bc,
I have looked at the hunt you are going on. I'm very interested for a couple years down the line. Keep us posted on how things go! The combo hunt is something I was looking at, but might have to narrow that down to sheep only due to time considerations. Hope you do well!

I'll post the results as soon as I can. I leave Friday and start hunting Sunday. Sam

163

No problem! I've only used Kirk as an air taxi, not a guide. Although, I can't forsee his hospitality being any less than what he gave me...in fact, it will probably be more.

Only advice I can offer is to have a positive additude. If your leaving Sat, it is already too late to start preparing physically if you already haven't started. However, there is still enough time to strengthen yourself mentally.

Tell the guys what you want before going afield. (I.E. Any ram as opposed to a 40" ram, only a 70" moose, a 60"r is unacceptable to you, etc etc) And then let him and his guides lead the way. Could mean the difference between you going home successful or empty handed.

Last but no least, have fun...enjoy yourself, and once again, take plenty of pics of the trip and any trophies you take.

Are you flying into Fairbanks and driving to Nabesna, or from Anchorage?

Jim

PS...Where at in VA do you live?

Thanks for the advice. I plan to enjoy it all I can. I try for any reasonable trophy. So I'm hoping for the best. I live in the Northern Va. area near Manassas. SF

Just got back from Alaska. 2 good friends and I went and hunted near Nabesna with Kirk Ellis. Country is wild, rugged and spectacular. I took a beautiful full curl wide flared ram on day 1 after a 12 hour stalk! I also took 50 plus inch bull moose on day 4. Unfortunatly one of my hunting buddies who went along developed some serious health problems and we had to leave after just 5 days to bring him home. I just didn't have time to hang around and look for bears. My other buddy tagged a heavy 36in ram just before we left to return home. Kirk Ellis and his family are wonderful folks and really try hard to please their hunters and put them on game. I would highly recommend them to anyone serious about an Alaskan hunt. You won't find better bush pilots anywhere! If I could offer any advice it would be to get in top shape because the sheep hunting just ain't easy. It was tough as hell!!! Much harder than I envisioned. My sheep hunt lasted 20 hours from the time I left my spike camp to the time I returned with the meat and horns! I feel very fortunated to have tagged a nice ram and moose in only 5 days of hunting. I'm already planning a return trip. Sam

163,

I have your pictures, want me to post a few ?

Tony

Ok,

Here are pictures of 163bc's Dall Sheep and Moose he just took in Alaska :





(good thing his kids take after his wife !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Tony.

Amen on that last line <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And congrats on two awesome trophies!!

I can't wait to read all of the details..

mike

We just got back from hunting the northeastern end of the Wrangells, near the border. 4 of us went in. Together, we saw around 150 ewes and lambs, 6 rams, 2 of which were legal. We took one. He was a full curl, just a tad more than 14" bases, 36" around the curl (lamb tips included). Aged at 9.5 years.

We had quite a bit of company, in an area that supposedly no guides were working in. We saw two different guiding outfits and lots of spotter planes every day that the weather allowed flying.

We spiked out from our base camp, and between the 4 of us, probably covered 60 square miles between the 4 of us. We saw about 10 other hunting groups in that same area and tried to stay out of everyone's way. Just a little too crowded for my taste, though I do love hunting in the Wrangells.

Tony, Thanks for the picture work. Might add that both animals were 1 shot kills with Rem 700 ss in 300 RUM and 180 grain Nosler Partition handloads. Gun, calibur, and load was perfect for this type of hunt. Sheep was 275 yds., moose 284 yds. with rangefinder. Flattened them both on the spot. My guide said it was one of the most impressive 1 shot kills he had seen on hundreds of moose kills. Tony, I'm going to keep working on you to go back with me in 05. Let's get it done. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />SF

Whewhoo another good Partition story <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike

Mike, The best part of this 180 grain Partition story: 1400 lb. moose, 1 shot at 280 yds. Entry right behind front shoulder, smashed ribs size of a golf ball going in, turned the lungs to jello, blew a baseball sized hole thru the top of the heart, smashed thru the off side ribs and was barely hanging on under the skin if the far shoulder where I recovered it. It peeled back to the partition as it was designed to (and always does) and it weighed 95 grains. Best bullet performance I've ever seen on an animal that size. Nosler is the best there is. Sam <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Gotta love that!!

I've never recovered any of my bullets(small GA deer) I'm going to use the .243 w/100gr Partitions & .357 Mag w/ 180gr Partitions this year cause I've never personally killed a deer with either. I've seen a ton of deer whacked with the .243 but I've not done it yet.

Mike

Just wanted to say congrats on those fine animals!

BW, Thank you. Mike, I have used Partitions almost exclusivly for the last 15 years. I'm not sure how many animals I've taken with them but it's probally pushing 75 to 100. (We have very liberal deer limits in Va.) I have recovered 5 partitions in that time and I have them all. In each case the recovered bullets jacket peeled back to the partition and retained about 50% of it's original weight. Exactly what it was designed to do. Each recovered bullet was under the hide on the off side of the animal taken. Each looks just like a magazine advertizement with perfect mushroom. Most of the time mine too blow right thru deer which is fine with me. Calibur size entry wound, 2X calibur exit wound, (big time blood trail if needed). I guess you can tell I am a beliver in Nosler Partitions. They simply perform flawlessly. I have also been able to get exceptional accuracy with handloads. I have played around with other bullets and hunted with a few thru the years and taken some game with them. There are some other very good bullets out there. Some are probally just as good as partitions but I don't believe any are better. For big game especially critters larger than a whitetail I'm shooting partitions !! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

163bc,

Congrats on the nice animals! Hope your friend is doing well.

Bearstalker, Thank you I appreciate your concern. SF