With the outrageous inflation on most hunts I figured I better do it sooner than later. I had hunted Mtn Caribou 2 years ago with Lancasters. The concession touch each other and use the same trail head.
They offered to move us to another spot, if I could extend the hunt but work commitments and other trips (stone sheep) it didn’t work out.
So the last morning when I was to be picked up we had a bull walk right by our glassing spot. The guide was on one side and I the other- he quickly called me over. The bull was moving as caribou do and I finally got on him at 70 yds. I released and in dismay watched my arrow go low right and miss. I had been struggling with that bow and it had a bad tendency to torque.
From Anchorage I could get to the trail head in 2 days of driving. The most interesting part is Driving North Canol Rd- It starts in Ross River crossing on the Pelly Barge.
Next you have 150 miles of rough dirt road and some river crossings. Need a 4wd and some clearance. Doesn’t seem like it but the Road is maintained and some heavy traffic makes it down to support the mining operations.
Average speed is 20 mph unless you want to blow your suspension! Many outfitters haul their supplies in trailers as well.
I had just gotten back from Namibia with my son. That trip went longer than hoped for waiting out a wiley leopard I never got :(
I was able to finish up work and head out on Friday Morning. First day got me to Whitehorse then Carmacks where I slept. Saturday I made it to Ross River just after the Ferry opened. Then the long slog but beautiful North Canol road.
I arrived at 222 (that’s the miles to Norman Wells from the NWT game check station) and sent an InReach message.
The helicopter came out and brought me to the lodge. Had a dinner and repacked, met the guides and some other hunters
The forecast was for rainy and snow in the next days so it was decided to best get going! A quick repack of gear and supplies had us load up to be dropped off for a week.
Also NWT has a rule where you can’t hunt for 12 hrs after flying so that would be over the night.
Always exciting to get out. We landed and set up camp on a ridge that was also good glassing. During the night I could hear the rain coming lull me to sleep.
We at breakfast and kept an eye on one of the Bulls. He was a decent bull with good tops but mediocre bottoms. Not the biggest one around but definitely over P&Y.
As we watched and discussed if we should go after this bull, all the past pressures of unsuccessfully hunts come up. My guide Dan the Aussie brought up in bowhunting some times the animal chooses us!
The bull worked into a little draw- perfect for a stalk. I said let’s go for it! We ran down the ridge and 10 minutes later I was 42 yds above the bull. He was quartering away and down . I drew and got over excited like I often do when hunting and didn’t pick a spot. My shot was a bit back - over the hip but the arrow drove forward upto the fletchings.
The Bull ran 60yds and started circling. We got ready to chase after and put another arrow in it, but the Bull went down!
I drove from Kamloops, BC up to Mile 222 on the Canol Rd in 2017 when I hunted Dall sheep with Canol Outfitters, prior owner of the guide territory you are hunting. Was a 3-day one way drive from home but what an awesome adventure "road" trip....with 600 km of gravel or mud roads starting an hour out of Watson Lake. Back then the Canol Rd in the Yukon wasn't too bad, but the last leg in the NWT was rough with all the bridges out, (stream crossings), willows scraping the truck, mud, etc. I'd heard that was improved now?
It was slightly better and drier when I drove it in 2022. Definitely a real road trip and one that few do, only Guides, resident hunters and mine workers venture on!
We climbed back up the mountain to our spike camp and packed up while waiting for our ride. The winds came in and a pelting rain hit while the chopper took out the caribou first.
Back at the lodge we unpacked and got congratulated. Was a great feeling accomplishing a goal. I love finishing a hunt early! I will never pass up a first day target to prolong a hunt! Much easier for me to relax and enjoy after a kill.
I showered changed, and had a great meal. Then decided to drive home!! I was in camp less the 24hrs but had a great hunt! That’s why I drove there in the first place to be flexible.
I had a lot going on at work but more important my son drew a Utah FishLake archery elk tag- he wanted his Dad to come call in a bull for him :)
So the drive home I took a different way- Carmacks up to the tourist destination of Dawson City, cross the ferry and drive the Top of the World Hwy to Chicken AK then back to Tok.
Now to Utah and another Bull for my boy!
I’ll be hunting caribou up there next fall as well. A short and sweet hunt isn’t a bad problem to have.
If I hadn’t been distracted with Africa I’d probably be done with the NA29 by now!!!
—Jim
