Yukon Moose DIY

Basinboy · June 12, 2020, 01:10:20 PM

Well it's just a dream at this point but one day I'd love to do a DIY drop camp hunt in Alaska for moose. I'm sure many of us have this hunt on our bucket list!
Who has been and can share some info on the hunt?

Howitser · June 12, 2020, 06:31:18 PM

I can't offer advice, but I'll be waiting for the story so I can live it vicariously thru you brother. It's on my list too.

rainman · June 13, 2020, 03:33:28 AM

Look up Kevin Dill, he has done it several times and has written on here about it.

Basinboy · June 13, 2020, 07:48:10 AM

Quote from: rainman on June 13, 2020, 03:33:28 AM
Look up Kevin Dill, he has done it several times and has written on here about it.

Yes sir I have read a about his trips. He gives a lot of good advice on another forum. Thanks

old_goat2 · June 13, 2020, 08:35:45 PM

Don't have a lot to offer, I've only hunted Shiras here in Colorado and just cow then. The sheer size of her was daunting when I got her down and an Alaskan Bull is way way bigger! My brother in law killed a big one and he said head, antlers and cape were 250#! Another aquatintent told me he had to basically crawl in the body cavity to get the chest cavity cleaned out! If I ever go to Alaska DIY it's going to be for Caribou, a little more manageable!
Be prepared, which I have no doubt you will be I'm sure, you appear to be a very capable fella!

yeager · June 13, 2020, 09:36:58 PM

Another great source would be to get in touch with Herdbull, Mike Mitten. He has done a few solo DIY moose hunts in Alaska.

Herdbull · June 14, 2020, 08:25:21 PM

Alaska is a great place and I hope you get a chance to go. It's easier to answer questions if they are more specific. You can get an idea of which questions you have unanswered by listening to the many podcast out there by Bryan Burkhardt or Monty Browning. You can do a search for past posts on Tradgang for many stories, and I have stories in my free reading journal section of my website https://www.herdbullproductions.com/ . I have links to podcast I have done that involve planning and stories from past hunts. Don't forget to contact the Alaska wildlife biologist in the unit you plan to hunt as well. Mike

Jeff D. Holchin · June 16, 2020, 09:57:55 PM

I am blessed to be able to do this type of hunt in September, as Kevin Dill's partner, and my fellow PBSer Joe Lasch will get to do the same with John Havard. Both opportunities are a direct result of our PBS memberships..... A membership and involvement with the PBS has many, many benefits.

I'd love to find the Walt Francis thread about his AK moose hunt with the famous Pigger Osage selfbow...

greg fields · June 17, 2020, 08:57:29 PM

Quote from: rainman on June 13, 2020, 03:33:28 AM
Look up Kevin Dill, he has done it several times and has written on here about it.

One of, if not, the best DIY hunts I've read..... I believe he did a few... search!!!

The Night Stalker · June 18, 2020, 08:04:19 PM

Did this hunt with fellow PBS'r Steve Chappell for half a month. We called in 6 Bulls with Steve having a chance at a legal bull. Great experience and hope to get back in a few years. Great info from a few PBS members, Walt Frances, Monty Browning, Mike Mitten, Terry Receveur and Kevin Dill.

Walt Francis · June 19, 2020, 12:06:27 AM

I have been to Alaskan four times hunting moose, this fall will be my fifth trip for Alaskan Moose.

Step One: The best and most important advise I received was it will not happen unless you SET THE DATE, DON'T DEVIATE FROM THAT DATE, and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

You can do everything involved with planning an Alaskan moose hunt, well it is a dream that will never happen until you are fully committed to Step One above. If you are of limited means like myself, then stetting a BUDGET and, you guessed it, DON'T DEVIATE FROM THAT BUDGET. Some people can save enough money ($5-$10K) in one year, most in two years, for others it might take three. Four or Five years is usually too long, a goal set too far is easily postponed and seldom achieved. If it's going to take more than three years, follow Monty Browning's advise, go introduce yourself to your banker.

Yes, I know Sh!t happens, and without fail there will always be several really, really, really good reasons to postpone or cancel the trip. I have had a lot of acquaintances who decided to make their Alaskan Moose hunt, started the planning for it, then something came up and they postponed the hunt. Something Important always comes up! Over the twenty five years I have been planning hunts in Alaska, the only person I know who postponed their Alaskan Moose hunt and then made it to Alaska the next year, is myself. The reason for postponing the hunt, I drew a moose tag in my home state of Montana.

Mike's advise above is really solid. Buy Mike's book's and DVD's, I have learned a lot of things from them that help me in the woods, most import is an insight into a mindset for getting it done, the right way.

Run searches, type in Mike Mitten, Bryan Burkhart, Kevin Dill, Monty Browning, or Mark Baker, with the word moose, you will have enough information regarding how to hunt moose with a stickbow, plan the logistics, and what equipment to take, to plan your trip. There really is no need to research much more then what those five have written or produced.

If you didn't notice, the common link between the people I mentioned and have learned from, is my membership in the PBS.

Kevin Dill · June 20, 2020, 10:42:54 AM

It's only logical....

Who wouldn't want to go to the land where problems are solved with hundred dollar bills? Who wouldn't want to grab only 70 pounds of gear and go live like a homeless person for 2 weeks? Who wouldn't want to eat half-hydrated Mountain House and wake up at 3:00 am with THAT feeling? Who wouldn't enjoy laying in their tent for 48 hours listening to rain and wind outside?

Doesn't everybody wish they could hunt and kill over half a ton of urine, mud and hormone-saturated toughness....and then anticipate wading into it as they butcher? Who wouldn't love stressing their body to the max by packing bloody loads of meat through rough, mean terrain?

As Burkhardt and I have repeated many times: "You guys actually pay real money to do this???"

I won't answer for everyone, but in my case it helps to have a personality disorder.

I'm looking forward to hunting with Jeff this year. I've been duly warned, but it matters little. He's tough and determined....and that's all I need to know. If the virus and the bureaucrats leave us alone, it's going to be a heck of a hunt.

Walt, Bryan, Mike, Monty, Julian, Terry, Jeff, Steve, Brian....all experienced moose guys, friends, and every single name has taught me something (or will) about why I chase moose so avidly. I consider myself an expert on nothing....with the possible exception of how to enjoy hardship and living for that moment where old Sawblade rakes a spruce and starts rocking my direction.

Basinboy · June 21, 2020, 06:39:26 PM

Quote from: Kevin Dill on June 20, 2020, 10:42:54 AM
It's only logical....

Who wouldn't want to go to the land where problems are solved with hundred dollar bills? Who wouldn't want to grab only 70 pounds of gear and go live like a homeless person for 2 weeks? Who wouldn't want to eat half-hydrated Mountain House and wake up at 3:00 am with THAT feeling? Who wouldn't enjoy laying in their tent for 48 hours listening to rain and wind outside?

Doesn't everybody wish they could hunt and kill over half a ton of urine, mud and hormone-saturated toughness....and then anticipate wading into it as they butcher? Who wouldn't love stressing their body to the max by packing bloody loads of meat through rough, mean terrain?

As Burkhardt and I have repeated many times: "You guys actually pay real money to do this???"

I won't answer for everyone, but in my case it helps to have a personality disorder.

I'm looking forward to hunting with Jeff this year. I've been duly warned, but it matters little. He's tough and determined....and that's all I need to know. If the virus and the bureaucrats leave us alone, it's going to be a heck of a hunt.

Walt, Bryan, Mike, Monty, Julian, Terry, Jeff, Steve, Brian....all experienced moose guys, friends, and every single name has taught me something (or will) about why I chase moose so avidly. I consider myself an expert on nothing....with the possible exception of how to enjoy hardship and living for that moment where old Sawblade rakes a spruce and starts rocking my direction.

Best of luck to you both! I'll be waiting to read about your trip

IndianaBowman · June 22, 2020, 12:07:05 PM

I love it Kevin!

Who wouldn't want to be gonad deep in freezing water butchering an 1800# bull.

Who wouldn't want that feeling you get as we age and look back and remember...

As I get ready to begin my 7th decade, I know I don't have many of these trips of a lifetime left... I'll be back after them next year.

wingnut · June 22, 2020, 12:25:12 PM

As I approach by 8th decade I'm going to pass on this one:

" "

Been there done that won't repeat. LOL

Mike

wingnut · June 22, 2020, 12:26:02 PM

Quote from: wingnut on June 22, 2020, 12:25:12 PM
As I approach by 8th decade I'm going to pass on this one:

"Who wouldn't want to be gonad deep in freezing water butchering an 1800# bull. "

Been there done that won't repeat. LOL

Mike

Matt Quick · June 24, 2020, 09:12:02 PM

Check out Randy Newberg's latest video series on YouTube called "Shop Stories". He did a video on a DIY limited entry moose hunt in AK. I thought he gave a lot of great insight and tips on hunting Alaskan moose, travel as well as setting a reasonable expectation on what to expect when it comes to seeing numbers of moose as well as seeing other hunters. Remember, navigable rivers in AK are highways. Highways mean people. This video should be mandatory viewing for anyone considering a AK DIY moose hunt. Like Kevin said above, $100 bills. Don't leave home without them.

Walt Francis · June 24, 2020, 10:27:14 PM

Jeff,

I was going through the my Alaska Checklist to send to a couple of friends who have requested it and found the link to my 2012 Moose Hunt, The pictures are not any good, but here it is:

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=74573.msg1356725#msg1356725

Huntschool · June 24, 2020, 11:34:28 PM

If I was 40 years younger and had my current income I would be there..... or close. Life has a way of adjusting your wishes....

Go for it and enjoy every single second of the adventure.....

Basinboy · June 25, 2020, 08:00:09 AM

Quote from: Walt Francis on June 24, 2020, 10:27:14 PM
Jeff,

I was going through the my Alaska Checklist to send to a couple of friends who have requested it and found the link to my 2012 Moose Hunt, The pictures are not any good, but here it is:

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=74573.msg1356725#msg1356725

Mr Walt that was a great hunt and awesome story telling! It was like I was there watching it all unfold! Congrats to you and Mr Dave on a great adventure