A lot here are fans of Fred Bear and Glen StCharles. Glen first hunted The Little Delta in 1957 then Fred joined in 58 and 59. Last year I hunted another area they hunted and that was the Brooks Range out of Kotzebue. I was fortunate to harvest a medium sized bull Caribou with my Recurve. As cabin fever starts to kick in, my mind drifts back to my Alaska hunt and thoughts of future hunts crop up. Could a Little Delta hunt be done today??? I think so!
From Joe StCharles's article in TBM we know the Little Delta cabin is still there. My question is, has anyone here ever hunted the region?
Thanks,
Bill
Only in my dreams...Would love to hear more about your hunt!!!
Brad, My two friends and I did an outfitted/unguided hunt. I cannot recommend our outfitter because I feel he over booked himself causing us to pay an extra night in Kotzebue ($200/night hotel) and miss our departure flight. None was weather related. All delays because he was flying too many ppl in and out of the bush. Prior to our arrival all flight arrangements were discussed and agreed to be NO problem. The start of our trip had warm weather in the low 60's. We were on top of a hill/mountain that the bou crisscrossed with no apparent direction. This made ambush blinds tough. Stalking was tough because of the dry brush. Mid week it started raining and getting cold and windy. This helped me on the very last day to hunt allowing me to stalk about 100 yards to get a shot at a medium sized bull. He was no monster but my first bou and YES great eating!
I was proud to have made a good shot in those conditions with my recurve. Click the pic's for a bigger view:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/th_MyAKView.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/MyAKView.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/th_MyCaribou20061.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v636/bfisherman11/MyCaribou20061.jpg)
Bill
Bill...looks like ya made the BEST out of a tough situation...good shootin!!! Didn't mean to hijack your thread...
It really is a longtime dream of mine to hunt the Little Delta Region...One very large MOOSE would be at the top of said dream list...lol
Brad, Thanks! The nice thing about the Little Delta area would be it's proximity to Anchorage. If I recall right, it is to the south. I do think it gets a lot of pressure from the service men and locals.
Kotzebue was way NW of Anchorage and cost an additional $450 round trip flight. Flights to Anchorage out of Chicago O'Hare can be very reasonable. I got mine for $380.
I am reading Bows on the Little Delta again for the fourth time (still a great read) and I just got a 1959 Bear Grizzly (62" 48#@28") and I love it. It is like a poor mans 59 Kodiak. It still is a very pretty bow however.
I am surprised no one has chimed in yet about hunting the LD area or even that they had looked at hunting it yet.
Bill
Bill - The Little Delta is located SE of Fairbanks, south of the AK Hwy, and just west of Ft Greely
BillW - After my reply above I got to thinking that for kicks & giggles maybe I should go in to the area this summer and take a peek. I haven't been back there and since new country is what I like to wonder and if time permits why not. I have to talk to a few relatives & friends and see what they know about it, who is currently trapping it, how much traffic the area gets,if there is a cleared strip on a bar that is near by, etc. My only cost would really be the charter if I can't get a friend to fly me in.
The cabin site shows up in a sat photo. I hunt similar country to the east of there to the Yukon boarder. Anyway it might be a fun thing to do if time permits.
Man I would love to hunt that region. I dream of it. As a kid growing up in the 60's, for the last 35 years of collecting, the homor of meeting and speaking with Glenn St. Charles, his sons and meeting and hanging out with Fred Bear back in the early 80's... I daydream daily about just walking that section earth, smelling the smells of yeatseryear, feeling the tundra under my feet..the same tundra walked upon by archery's heroes. Maybe ...a Trad Gang group hunt?.....
Bill As John said the Little Delta area or as most locals knbow it the Wood River area is south of Fairbanks .
To get to the Kotzebue area I would also fly out of Fairbanks rather than Anchorage.
Wright Air Service in Fairbanks is a great outfit to fly with for the Wood River /Little Delta area. For Caribou that is a draw only area so plan ahead.
Hi Rich, I agree that would be a great spot to check out. I would love a pilgrimage to the cabin. From what John says maybe all the critters a guy would want to hunt (Moose/bou) might now be a draw... I would have to check that. Anyhow, if John gets in there he could do a little recon for us.... In Joe St Charles's article about revisiting the cabin, I think he said there is an owner still so maybe it can be rented out.
John, I like your idea!
Bill
I almost posted this same topic last month. I've been reading Bows on the Little Delta and Trailing a Bear recently and have been inspired to go see the place. Joe St Charles' article was a great one also. I guess if a group could be put together for 08 or 09, then it would be a 50th anniversary trip. I'm sure the LDB would want to make the trip as well. If this trip catches traction, I would really like to take part.
Is the draw in AK based on points like in the western states?
Hmmm, there was a thred like this about a week ago, was it on the "other" site?
Caribou is by draw and any area only withstands so much sheep pressure so by default it probably isn't going to have a high liklihood of many folks having hunted the area.
David S - No, the draw system in Alaska is by chance. Yep the bou are by draw in 20A there as Steve says. Moose are by draw, regisration and harvest tag depending on hunt & season in that unit. Last season there was nice & long if you were going for antlerless but only a sept hunt with 50"/3 brow tine restrictions for bulls. Have to wait & see what F&G comes up with. I know I did not put in for that area for caribou. The 3 herds that I hunt are all general OTC or registration. But the late moose season is appealing as there will be less traffic & a possiblity that the creeks are froze or almost dry plus the folige will be less.
Anyway its fun to plan it out.
Steve - I guess I'll have to see what was discussed about it on the "other" site.
The cabin probably could not be rented for big game hunting purposes unless a guide owns it. We have some strange laws on that around here. However for small game or sightseeing possibly yes. Finding the owner won't be much of a problem especially if its a trapping cabin
Buddy of mine for his last flight in the military as a blackhawk pilot flew in and landed at the lil delta camp, (before the bh's, arrows, and boots were pulled from the camp).
This area is huge, the wood river is to the west of the flats, the delta's are to the east side of the flats!!! I have a buddy who does moose hunt not all that far from the lil delta river itself and they USUALLY shoot bulls every year, rifle hunters, with access to a cub.
The one thing about the delta river area is to my knowledge it's not riverboat able so it'll keep the pressure somewhat out of the area from the lower end.
The cabin still stands as a few years ago and Dick Mcintyre is still hanging in there (the owner of the lil delta cabin). He's still in north pole.
If the drawing is by chance, can a group try to draw together or is it individual only? I've only heard about the complexities of the AK Fish and Game Regs, never have had the need to study them.
It would be awesome if this gathered a bit of steam and happened. I would, without reservation, be interested in going if there was room. Heck, it would be worth it to small game hunt, fish, and help pack out critters.
David - You can put in with a partner on most of the draws.
Dan - So he is still around! You are right access is tough without a plane. I wonder whos trapping back in there. I'll have to ask Dean the next time I see him if'n he remembers.
If there is a Trad Gang group wanting to do a "Little Delta" hunt, count me IN... I am booked full on trips this year but 2008 is doable. If you all are serious I want to and will make time for this trip. I am going to hunt Caribou in 2008 and cannot dream of a better trip than with some other trad hunters.
John III
Missouri
If there is a Trad Gang group wanting to do a "Little Delta" hunt, count me IN... I am booked full on trips this year but 2008 is doable. If you all are serious I want to and will make time for this trip. I am going to hunt Caribou in 2008 (no trip booked yet)and cannot dream of a better trip than with some other trad hunters.
John III
Missouri
This is the cabin on the Little Delta and the broadheads from above the cabin entrance before they were removed.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/xrakkasan/LittleDelta.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/xrakkasan/BroadHeads.jpg)
I'd like to know more about the cost and possibility of group draws. Having had the opportunity to hunt with the LDB I'd like to make the trip there, even like David S. says, just to be there, if unable to draw a tag.
Dennis
for draws most you can put in for a party is 2.
My understanding is there is also an outfitter running out of this cabin, believe it was also mentioned in the TBM article Joe/Jay did after they took the bh's boots and shafts. Might be a slight conflict of interest there, people paying big money to hunt and people who are just doing what they love.
Bubba, now how in sam heck did you get those pics from Jeff, he only gave me one lmao. To bad he's in anchortown right know, ugg.
John,
dunno but I bet I can find out on this end also. I got away from trapping all together. That said I know the guy to ask!
Dan - Some dude took his air boat up to the fork (past the cabin) but said he'd never do it again as there is too many rocks. Beat his boat up pretty bad from what I gather. So yeah unless you are a fool or water is high like it was last year taking a boat in is out.
What issue of TBM was that article in?? I get it but rarely read it. If its recent then I haven't tossed it yet. It might shed some useful reco info.
You guys from AK are a wealth of info. I really appreciate the input! I used an outfitter last year but went unguided. That is my style but to get a shot at hunting the LDR maybe its worth talking to the outfitter to see what he has to offer. I need to start looking at my back issues of TBM...LOL
If a group from here puts something together I would go. Perhaps after we all do a little research we can post here with our findings.
Bill
The drawing hunt for caribou is DC827 and just aas Danny said, two people can apply as a "party". Ok, here's the bad news. In 2004, for the 150 available tags, 1619 people applied for a 9% drawing success ratio.
So, I suggest you find twenty hunters or ten pairs and all put in and one group will by likey get drawn and they can "represent" and take pictures for the whole gang. Either that or plan on it likely taking a decade to get drawn.
Or, maybe just search out "your own" Little Delta and create a new legacy!
Steve - I don't like the odds either even though they aren't too bad compared to some of the other draws. I'm contemplating whether to put in for that draw or not. I'll see how things line up about going in to there between now & the end of may. Its just sort of fun for me to explore new areas. I don't need to hunt it and if I can beg a friend to fly me in I'll go.
But I agree one should seek out their own "Little Delta" area. I have and its located in an area with huntable caribou & moose. There are also sheep there but its in the TMA and talk about odds that suck! This picture was taken this fall and is about 150 feet from my cabin looking across the creek.
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/TokJohn223/DSC02757.jpg)
The Little Delta area is about 100 plus miles west over the hill (Alaska Range)in the right of the picture at about the same latitude. The country is much the same all along here.
Are ther satellite images of the the abin area that I can see online. Alsaska is an awesome place. My dad has their summer place up in Salcha. I wouldn't mind living there all the time. My wife even liked it (not an outdoors person) We were up two summers ago.
if you guys put together a hunt i would be very interested in doing the video and photography for the it. might bring the bow to chase some small game, but i would be happy tag'n a long and shooting thousands of photos and miles of tape.
I havent checked but what about a moose hunt on the lil delta? Or maybe a moose float on the lil delta, thats if you can row lol? Might be a better option then say caribou!
Boy looks like a lil water there John!! Be kinda of sucky trying to cross with a full hind quarter pack LOL!
Hey how did caribou go this fall? Ya wipem out over there? I didn't go. Pretty much sumed my fall up into 5 days of "hunting".
SnailSkin - Use googleEarth. The resolution isn't great but you can see the cabin site if you look close enough.
Guys - Right now the big thing is how best to get into the Little Delta. I've got to get my maps & stuff up in my office here in Tok so they are available when my buddies & clients come visiting. The game cop for that area is a friend and he hopefully will be by in the next few weeks as will a few others including several of pilots that haul hunters from here to hunt the interior as well as doing the F&G game counts. Those guys will know something and might even offer to fly me in or atleast a fly over and a recon of the river. That's my plan for now.
AkDan - Actually that creek generally isn't much except when storming with a heavy run off. Then it will move 2 ft boulders around. I almost lost my 6 whlr loaded with all my dewalt tools in it last spring. Luckily I didn't have a materials tow that trip. I really lucked out and got out okay. It was the worst that I'd ever seen it. Down right scared me and those things generally don't bother me too much! But normally it is very crossable with not much if any water.
caribou - Only hunted the Macomb herd that hangs around my cabin this year. Saw a few but most of the herd stayed further west on the other side of the Robertson during the 10 day hunt period. Didn't chase the 40 Mile herd at all. First time in years that I missed it! Was planning to go in Nov but as you remember it was a might chilly and then the hunt was closed early Dec. There is still the Nelchina herd open on the Tetlin Refuge until some time in april and I might go out in March when they begin migrating back through from the Yukon.
John, Thank you for doing all this leg work. Could we really do this? It seems like an unbelievable dream. It would be so neat to do it.
Bill
You know Bill,
I believe it was Jay, (might have been Joe) that was in there a couple years ago, they flew in to as trip, the story is in your TBM. I bet they'd tell you how to get in, who to fly with (I bet it was wrights also).
NO need to bother the already understaffed troopers LOL. You can also talk to Dick. Last I checked he's in the phone book. He still owns the cabin (or did the last I had heard) and I bet would know the best way in as he's been there a few times ;)
OK...for the sake of being a :knothead:
Google...WHAT ?
South of Fairbanks and West of Ft. Greely, I have been out there for 3 days. I am Cold and Hungry and would very much like to sit in the warmth of the "Little Delta Cabin" I don't get no river names. And when I search for LtL Delta I end up in Down Town Fairbanks at some school. Did they move the cabin??
Thanks for any help with this
Vance - Try 63-49-00N & 147-21-00W that will get you within a mile or so. I don't have the exacts in front of me. Or put in 99737 then go west.
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/TokJohn223/img016-2.jpg)
The cabin is located about the center of this one view
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/TokJohn223/cabinsite.jpg)
Thanks John....Is that it next to that lake or pond next to the river??
More images of the Little Delta River and the cabin from above.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/xrakkasan/Picture-1.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f363/xrakkasan/Picture001-1.jpg)
Thanx TexasBubba - Those are good shots and tell me alot!
Gret pictures. I showed these to my Dad. He went out last summer near Mt. Hayes. He didn't go hunting but said he had fun just looking around and glassing and taking a few pictures.
This has got us talking again about a trip out somewhere like that.
Guys,
I downloaded GoogleEarth. Wow, what a neat tool. When it has clear enough images. I think I tried it a while back and it crashed my laptop. Must have been some updates since because it is working fine now.
Boy that looks like a neat area.
Looking into that valley and that braided river gets my pulse up just seeing it. I've been to AK twice with a pack on my back, but never a bow in my hand. Gorgeous country and a place where history lives. Could you imagine having Glenn St Charles telling hunting stories using that picture and pointing out where he and Fred and the gang made some of the stalks that were wrote about in "Bows on the Little Delta"? Wow.
I have't hunted the Little Delta area, but a few years ago I went deer hunting on the Valiant Maid with Ed Bilderback. I gotta tell you, it was surreal. I slept in the bunk that Bob Munger used. Ed's a great guy and told a bunch of Fred Bear stories. I can understand the desire to visit the places we've all read about so many times. There's just something magical about it.
Wow! First the map and then the pictures - If that isn't enough to get the juices flowing! What a trip it would be to visit a place like that.
Dan,
That had to be cool. Was the college babe deckhands still working for him? Boy that'd be REALLY cool lmao!!!
Hey Bill,
Those pics Jeff took? Figures you get to see all the goodns! I've never seen those last ones before.
This is a thought teaser. Very intriguing idea with this one. interesting history and information to be gleaned. So talk to us ole wise ones..................thanks
Let's just run it through again fer giggles
Only four more days to apply for this hunt for 2007. The info is listed in one of my above posts which area to apply.
how are things going with this hunt? anyone on board for sure? i would love to join the hunting party to video and photograph the trip.
Rob,
I suspect it "isn't going" since it takes an $85 license in hand for NR to enter the drawing for 9% odds of drawing. I have about thirty other trips I wanna do so I din't put in for this tag--ofh what conflict.
I believe JuneauLongbow's Delta sheep tag covers that area and I bet he would love a packer, errr, umm I mean a photographer along!