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We started up the Haul Rd last week.
Beautiful drive as a precursor to our long awaited adventure.
We brought the kitchen sink, just in case!
Three guys piled into the Tacoma. The other two traded off the dreaded back seat, but we made do...
We set up camp just before Pump Station 2.
About 5 mins from our camp, we see a few groups of these...
The three of us are excited, I get out and set up about 300 yards in front of where they are headed.
45 to 50 come by me at 15 yards, I decided to just watch them as they were all cows and calves.
Are those pictures north of Cold Foot?
Good luck on the hunt. Flying up next weekend (King Salmon area).
We do that same thing a few times on several other small herds, no shots...
As came back to pick up my buddy, I located yet another herd coming our way. They took me back, I set up and...
I shot the third bull to come by, not a giant by any means, but my first...
I immediately nocked another arrow and...
With two bulls down and more coming, I nocked another arrow and looked to my left through the bush concealing me. A big one came by trotting at 15 yards.
I thought hard about shooting a third one and had he stopped to offer me a perfect shot I would have.
Instead, I let down and enjoyed the show.
Then walked up to this fella... Bigger of the two.
I did a little of this...
very nice, congrats and thanks for sharing. I would love to do that hunt, and drive.
And a little of that...
L39, the traveling Bowsite knife, was along for the ride...
I think he is up for grabs after September, if anyone is interested!
2 hours into my first caribou hunt...
Not huge, but I am more than happy.
Way to go Nick! Sounds like a blast.
My new hunting partner is really shaping up to be a hell of a friend and reliable guy.
I should have shot a third or a fourth when I had the chance as the Caribou became non-existent near the road for the next three days...
They were across the Sag River though, so we went over there to check it out.
Turned out to be more work than it was worth.
So we did some talking and negotiating with Arrowhead Outfitters and hopped on one of these...
We saw so many dang Caribou, it was incredible.
And a few of these tundra machines... Never have I seen an animal run so far and so fast on the worse ground on earth to hike/walk on, let alone run!
Bou all over for the first 2 days. Hard as hell to close the gap with the bow.
I passed two bulls about the size of the bigger one I shot, drew back my bow on each and decided to wait as we kept seeing much bigger bou.
All three of us passed bulls or shot and missed. Most common reason for passing them was due to a bigger one behind it, only to get winded and them bust out of the area.
I regret not taking more pictures of the big bulls we saw, but this one walked by camp at 150 yards. No way to close the gap in the wide open though.
Great trip, can't wait to go back next year.
Congrats! I love it up there. Not many places as beautiful! Thanks for the story I've been needing a bou fix ll
Nice! I was up there last year. Looks like you all had a blast
Great story Nick. Congratulations on your Bou'.
Great job Nick, that is awesome!
Love the four fletch.. Thought I was the only one left!! If you ever need a partner let me know!
Thanks for sharing!!! One of these days, I will go Caribou hunting... :)
WOW is all i can say! You are living the dream bud. Congrats again. HUNT
Next year Hunt... Should be a great time, I am really looking forward to it.
Congrats Nick!!! See you brought your one and only smile with you:) How many Bou can you shoot up there?
Five a year in that area. Might go back up in November if I have time.
Would that would be 5 X $325 or does the following mean I can buy one locking tag and shoot 5 (depending the area)
"You may not use a locking-tag for an animal of a species you have already taken, unless the bag limit for that species is greater than one".
It means as a resident you get 5 caribou tags and the "limit" in that area is 5. I hope :)
I am looking forward to more from this thread.....!!
And for non-res does it mean $325 for 1 locking tag, but more than one can be taken if the limit is more than one ?.....1st caribou= locking tag + harvest ticket, 2nd caribou= harvest ticket only, 3rd = harvest ticket only, etc ? I guess I'll be calling AK F&G on Tuesday to confirm. I leave for Adak next week. I was only planning on taking 1 but if I can get 2 bulls for the price of 1 .... maybe I will.
Non Res have to pay 325$ for each tag...
Guess I found my caribou buddy :) nice mookie!! You da man!
Grats Nick!
You're killing me! So close, yet so far...
I fly to Point Hope tomorrow and it's killing me that I won't have any time to hunt up here this year.
If only they'd sent me to Kobuk or Shungnak this week :(
Congrats on the bou's and thanks for sharing. I wish I had a half mask camo on one side and your smile on the other. I could wear it smile side out when I kill my bull...or turn it upside down if I don't.
Congratulations. .. you're living the high life. Ed F
Congratulations. ...how long of a ride from home were you?
Thanks for the story, Congrats
Nicely done Nick! To clarify, it is a 5 caribou limit for non res as well?
Mark
very very nice story photos and bou. well done nick
This area holds a special place in my heart. I cannot wait to get back up there sooner than later.
Congrats again Nick!
Well done. Thanks for sharing.
Shug, it's 400 miles or so, I think it was a 10 hour ride. Not to bad.
Congratulations, Nick. Way to get it done.
How many stone chips were on your windshield when you started? How many now? LOL!!
Jake,
My windshield has been a MESS since last fall. I've been waiting for this last trip up north before replacing it.
It's real bad now. Took a giant rock near Beaver Slide and its looking pretty rough. Lol
WhoooooAaaaaaaaa nick! Next time name your thread nicks boy slaying or something.. Dunno how I missed this. Congrats buddy! Awesome! Ak callin my name
Good stuff! Something thats definitely on my list someday. Thanks for posting!
Great job with the photos! I sure hope I can get this trip done sometime myself.
I should have gotten the 4-Door, but I was too impatient and left with the 2-Door. Maybe the next one after a few hundred thousand will be a 4-door!
Nice. Awesome to be able to do that trip regularly with that much success.
Excellent adventure, Congrats and thanks for sharing Nick!
Best of luck, Jeff
Great pics Nick. Congrats!
Congrats!! Awesome trip. I'm freakin' jealous!
Bake
Nick, curious why you switched back 4" fletching? Not enough control with the shorter vanes?
Believe it or not, my POI hasn't changed from 3 to 4 fletch. I just liked the simplicity of nocking an arrow without worrying about where the cock vane is.
They steer the two blade Solids well, too.
Congrats Nick. Your making me want to transfer up there !
Nick,
Way to go!! Did you get the moose hunt lined up yet?
Rick
Just hunting around here for moose this year, can't really get away from work. Maybe a few short weekend trips.
Nick You are a natural born killer! Living the dream. What other animals are you after this fall?
Thanks sureshot, just taking advantage of all I can, while I can!
A buddy and I are headed to Kodiak in 40 days to hunt Mountain Goats and if we have time deer. Then off to WI/Upper Michigan for two weeks to hunt with my father for whitetails.
Very Nice Nick. Congrats!
Way to go Nick! Freaking Awesome!! Congrats!
Nice job Nick, thanks for sharing the pics,congrats on some beautiful animals
Congrats Nick! Looks like an AWESOME trip!!
I just found your thread. Congrats again Nick! Your success is PAYBACK for serving in the Armed Forces! Thanks Soldier and CARRY ON! Mike
Awesome trip congrats! what type of raft was that in the picture?
Congrats,looks like an awesome trip!
