Yukon Moose Hunt Preparation Progress
Moose
Reality really kicked into high gear yesterday. Flights are booked, (3) Hotels are booked (2) Car rental is booked (1), Licenses are purchased (2 - fishing and hunting). Holy logistics! Gear list is getting fine tuned (85lbs) along with the new bow set up. I'm fortunate to have a few hunts to work through the new rig and get settled. * Bought a hat yesterday and it came with a bow.
Now onto get an Iridium phone or InReach.
I am booked with Cesar Lake Outfitters in the Yukon and it has been an absolute pleasure working with Joel thus far. I was originally booked the first year of the pandemic... and here we are.
I have the option to add a Grizz tag. This is something to consider and discuss because I may not have this type of opportunity again really, provided I take a moose early in the hunt.
I know a few guys here have been up there and any tips would be greatly appreciated.
I am beyond excited!
Of course I'm going to document the entire experience. :)
Get an Inreach, small battery bank and link it to your phone. Leave phone on airplane mode.
Get a grizzly permit, and if an opportunity arises either before or after you’ve got a moose, take advantage of it.
Good luck on your hunt, should be fun!
I will be watching and good luck!
Good luck Rich, this should be another good one to follow.
You will be living my dream hunt. Best of luck, can't wait to read all about it.
I’m jealous. Really jealous.
Congrats and good luck. That's the dream hunt right there. It is on my bucket list
Don't forget to pack some fishing gear. Fishing in those Yukon lakes is really fun and can provide some tasty camp food! Above all enjoy the moment. The Yukon is more than a hunt!!!
Well, you’ve got the right bow so you’re on your way.
A trip I'll never make, so make the best of it! Shoot straight!
Three bow hunters took three record book bulls with Caesar Lake. It was a great adventure with great guides. Good luck.
Is this your first moose hunt, Rich?
Following! That's a bucket list hunt for most.
Good luck. Adding species is way more economical than going up for each individual species. Is this a base camp or horse aided? I would take the best rain gear you have and a good pair of camp shoes that are waterproof. Really nice at the end of the day or middle of the night pee.
Thx Nick, those are good tips! I'm going to speak with Joel about the Grizz Permit this weekend. Fishing rod and some small tackle will be a must Greg ! Thx Charlie, I agree. Ursman, I didn't realize 3 record book bulls, I thought it was two. One of the reasons I decided on Cesar was he only takes a limited number of bowhunters. TurboT. This is a river/lake hunt with a base camp. Agree on the rain gear, definitely. Good tip on the camp shoes also, thank you . T-Roy, yes it is :)
Thanks for the tips guys, keep them coming, it will be here before I know it.
Right now, I'm using a "ball against the wall" to build up the "hold" muscles. Basically rolling a volleyball against the wall. 15 reps up, 15 down, 15 side to side, 15 left circle, 15 right.
Lord knows I may be a full draw for a bit if he opportunity presents itself.
That is Crazy kool man!
Enjoy and be safe,
Robb
You’re going to have a ball, Rich! Moose is probably my favorite animal to hunt (not that I’ve done it a ton) Their sheer size is incredible, especially when you walk up to one on the ground. I hoe you get to notch all your tags and end up having to fish the rest of the trip ;-)
The only other thing I can think to add is, take tons of pics of the hunt……I’ll definitely be following along. Good luck, Rich!
Buying the grizzly tag was kind of a no-brainer for me. It's their most expense license, but its only $25 CAN!!! Man, you are going to be hunting the Yukon. If you have the tag at least you can say you bow hunted grizz in the Yukon, even if you don't even see one! Hell, I tried to get my outfitter to buy me a Stone sheep tag for the whopping fee of $10. He laughed at me because he said I would be miles away from any sheep during my moose hunt. I said I didn't care, since it would be the closest I would ever come to bow hunting Stone sheep in the Yukon. He still didn't get me the tag. Enjoy your hunt.
Thx again all.
bowownly - point taken, very true …. Just added the Grizz Tag. >>>———>
After much deliberation with myself, I’ve decided my arrow build will be about 470 grains (Victory RIP TKO-300) total tipped with a Iron Will 100, vented wide.
Looking through the archives here, many moose have fallen to even a lighter set up.
Just received my Kuiu 2300 pack and am I impressed! Plenty of pockets to use day pack with a hydration bladder holder, expands nicely and generous straps. This should work out nicely.
Please excuse the double posts. I have no idea why it keeps happening.
Good luck..... How much poundage are you pulling on the new Matthews?
Following along, Rich. I'm booked to hunt Canadian moose in BC at the end of September (flying into Whitehorse, YT on September 26th). Picked up a V3X in the same color to you and my arrow build sounds about identical (same weight and BH). Feels a ways off, but I also know it'll be here before you know it!
Enjoy Rich! Your setup is great, and you've got no gear issues. One thing with moose too is you can draw while in full view of them. The only animal I'd rather draw later than earlier. Drawing too early as if it was a whitetail has the potential to lead to being tired and missing (ask me how I know. Thought I was going to shoot earlier than I did ugh) Whereas with a moose you can pull them into bow range, stand in the wide open and draw your bow while they look at you. Definitely would say more risk drawing too early in the risk/reward relationship but it never hurts to be prepared! Good luck!
Sweet- this will be fun! Good luck and enjoy the heck outta it!!!
Sounds great! Heard great reports about Cesar Lake from a fellow I met caribou hunting a few times. He thought very highly of them (rifle hunter). Good luck!
For those doing a moose hunt.. look into bringing your moose antlers home as luggage … I ended up paying over 3 g’s to have the outfitter do a European build a crate and ship it… My own fault for not asking… I could have paid $200 to bring it home with me and done the European myself… buyer beware I guess
Let those iron wills fly!!!!
Groundhunter50. I have it set at 63 Lbs with the 65 mods at 85%. Feeling very comfortable with hold at this weight and thank you APauls for that tip!
Bigeasy, I’ll be just ahead of you, flying in to Whitehorse on the 21st. What day you scheduled to fly back out?
Shug, another great tip. I’ve been thinking over this long and hard. I’d imagine I would have to split the set if I’m successful?
Kurt, I have to agree, totally this far. Back when I booked, another fellow Bowsiter had a great experience and took an amazing bull. I called right away after reading his write up.
Thx much Scoot.
Bou, yes sir!
Preparation is half the fun. Really appreciate all the tips and comments.
As of now, I fly back home on October 9th.
I've had multiple people reach out to me about getting meat and antlers home as well as there were a few people saddled with the same bill that Shug got. Eric Bethune (Bowjangles) sent me some info on how he got his stuff home and I'm going to try that route. Certain airlines will accept antlers, even without them being split.
Rich, you are going to have a blast. Your set up is more than enough to take one down. Their sense of smell is amazing so always keep that in mind. Shoot straight and be ready for an amazing adventure.
My moose set up for this year, Rich. You’re a man of good taste!
Toronto airport seems to be sucking more than normal this year. If you have to connect there try to leave plenty of time.
Hey there Jason… on the same page with you. ;)
Huntinelk, so I’ve heard. I’ll be headed to Vancouver via Minneapolis, (Delta) then on Northjet to Whitehorse.
Looking fwd to following this. I have a friend that went to Cesar Lake four times, he arrowed three moose.
Decided to add a travel day on the front end in Whitehorse since I have a two hour drive to Watson Lake to allow for any delays.
I’m told if the hunter tags early, they may opt to get me started early.
It sounds like you will have a great time.... I am an old guy but hunted alot of BC and Western Canada in the late 70s and early 80s..... fabulous country,,,,, Different world today, but use all the time you have...... You will never regret it.... i look at my sheep and stuff on my walls, in my off the grid house in the UP, and many nights, I relive all of those hunts............... It was not so much for the success, but those I hunted with,,,, the hard work, the horses that would not cooperate, the cold meals, and the terrible meals..... The rewards of ribs on coals,,,,,,, Savor the whole hunt,,,,, it will make your life whole,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Really good stuff groundhunter50. Those are the best memories.
Treestandwolf, you’re in for a great hunt! I did a moose hunt with Joel a bunch of years back in that first week of October and had a great hunt. Joel called my bull into five yards. My friend did the same hunt and tagged a grizzly and a great moose with the bow. Look forward to seeing your report.
Does this hunt have an option to fill your tag with a gun? If so, are you taking a gun/rifle?
Are you bringing any/some/ or all of the meat back with you? If you plan on bringing a lot of it back, you'd better have a freezer that is almost empty. Additionally, if you are bringing the meat back, you can pack most of your gear in the coolers for the trip out (including a couple duffle bags). On the return trip, the gear that was in the coolers, can now go into the duffle bags.
DWU. What a hunt right there! I’ve decided to add the Grizz tag after some responses here. Best one was “ I’ll already be there”. :)
Embry, Joel has rifles to rent, brand new and sighted in if a hunter wants to have one along. The reason he does this so the Hunter doesn’t need to travel with one. My guide will have one but I’m all in for bow… as I’m extremely confident and comfortable with this outfitter. I guess if it’s at the end of the hunt and there’s an opportunity… it will be a game time decision honestly.
Jake, good to hear from you. This is a complicated decision. Joel and I spoke about this a few times. I have a little issue with coming back based on the hotel and the availability of a freezer. I’m checking on that this week. I will definitely do what I can do to bring some wonderful moose meat back to NY. It’s going to be costly but heck…. At this point :^) great tips from the experienced guys, thank you, keep them coming!
I love moose hunting, my favorite, your arrow set up is perfect, good luck, I know I cant wait!
Archery Moose Hunt is my top bucket list trip -- unfortunately finances and medical issues have put it out of reach for me. I'm looking forward to the story and pics.
Good luck Rich!
It’s getting closer every day, Rich! Very much looking forward to the recap!
Good luck. Im headed to Alaska for moose this September so I'm following along.
Good Luck to you also Leo & Carcus, go get em!
Yes sir T-roy, man time is flying.
Joel suggests a "In reach and or Iridium"
I literally have no experience with the Iridium but a very good friend of mine did a fishing trip in Alaska last fall and stated the folks where really nice, walked him through everything and actually had minutes left over. I'm leaning this way.
BTW, I had to rent a vehicle to get to Watson Lake, for about a 4.5 hour drive. Geez the car rental prices are downright sick. Over the weekend I added a day on the back end of the trip, why rush. I actually saved money on the flights, moving the return to Monday, but the car rental upcharge was ridiculous. To boot our dollar is seemingly horrible right now :( This is no time to complain, just continue forward! >>>------------->
The new Victory “sticks” arrived today.
Looking forward to the build and tinkering.
