Alaska Bound

By BC

As the world trade center was coming down and the events of 9/11 were unfolding our group of stunned and outraged hunters looked on in horror, disbelief, and anger. We were supposed to be on our way to Anchorage AK. the morning of the 12th. But that didn't happen. Now, fast-forward to 09/12/2002, and You'll find our regrouped assemblage standing on the tarmac in Anchorage waiting for our next flight to Aniak and then to Holy Cross. We are on our way to one of the best hunt's any of us have ever been on. Were going to spend 10 days challenging the Alaska wilderness for a shot at Moose.

This is my second try for Moose. The first was a combination Caribou/Moose drop camp somewhere west of Lake Clark. We were to hunt moose for several days and then relocate to hunt the Mulchatna Caribou heard. My partner dropped the first Moose he saw and it took the bulk of the hunt to transport it back to where the plane could get it out. There was no time left for another Moose. For the second try we were again going to use a drop camp and the services of a transporter. But this time NO Plane.

On our prior trip, We hit the beach with about 375 lbs of gear for the 3 of us. Not this trip. Post 9/11 limitations on baggage and weights add further to the list of problems that require a successful resolution if you want to hunt areas that are of the beaten path But first you got to figure out where the moose are. A quick study of the records at Alaska's Dept of Game and Fish provides a wealth of information about the hunting units. Short and long term success rates, herd numbers, predation, access limitations and such. They can also tell you which outfitters and transporters are licensed to operate in the area. A bit more study and several calls to biologists whittled our list down to 3 units. The first 2 would involve several plane trips and we would be limited to the zone that we could get to on foot. On the other hand, If we were to hunt the Innoko NWR, near the junction of the Iditarod and Innoko Rivers in unit 21A, we would only need a boat.

The unit is consistently in a group with a high success rate, has a higher age ratio of bulls, and the herd density is up. It has a 50" minimum, there is a no-flight restriction for moose hunters, and access in general is limited. The area is a broad delta made up of hundreds of islands that are rimmed by high ridges in several directions. Kind of a moose funnel. During the warm summer months, the bull travel on high ground, but as soon as the rut starts in mid September they drift down to the river bottoms. Visibility can be next to zero or miles.

A survey of the licensed transporters, several calls and a letter or two, provided us with Alaska Pike Safari run by Connie Demientieff & Bruce Werba. They provide Boat Transport and a Sport Fishing Guide Service and are located at PO Box 102. Holy Cross K 99602. 907-476-7121 476-7225 The problems of boats, fuel and meat disposition are now no problems. They will also provide all necessary gear to maintain a first class camp. With that complete, we then had to arrange for the food. A list was prepared, sent to Bruce, who then forwarded it to Costco in Anchorage, and as quick as a credit card swipe, our food purchase and shipment to base camp, was complete.

Weather permitting, we are now ready to move up-river to our base camp. As the crow flies it's not all that far, about 20 miles, but as the river flows it's an all day boat ride. Bruce has everything in it's place and ready. He uses a larger river boat to transport all the gear, food and hunters. The camp boat, an 18' Lund powered with a Suzuki 4-stroke follows. As it was, the weather going in and going out was the worst encountered during our stay, heavy wind, blowing rain and cold. The days in camp were cool,(30 to high 40's), clear and almost windless, perfect.

The season generally runs the month of Sept. In the unit we are going to hunt it doesn't pay to show up before mid month. The unit is loaded with cows and calves, but the bigger bulls aren't there yet. If you haven't found the Moose in your dreams by the 29th., don't worry you still have plenty of time, and if you come across a 50" bull on day 1, pass. There are better bulls coming.

The many islands, football field size on up, tend to be hunted with a boat. Have your partner drop you on the down wind shore and the have him power around the island. Use the noise and smell to drive the moose to the standing hunter. Most of these islands are ringed by dense stands of willows about 10 yards deep. But, once thru the outer ring, a grassy brush area provides greater visibility. There isn't much of an altitude change, but a bull can effectively hide.

Another workable method, is to drift the larger channels and still hunt the shores. You don't know what's around the next bend, moose, geese, ducks, a bear, wolves or a dead end. Sort of a river cul-de-sac. Wildlife is abundant. It's easy to forget moose while jump shooting Teal. The pass shooting at geese is outstanding, and the fishing is non-stop. Do not leave your fishing pole & shotgun at home. The heavier shot shells can be purchased in Anchorage.

I got my bull while still hunting from shore at first light. I came around a bend and he was standing 50 yards in front of me at the edge of the willows. Jeff, used our most productive technique to get his. We figured out that the best way to get a shot at the bull you wanted, was to get him to come to you by calling. During the day, up and down the river and channels, we would mark on a map the locations of where we saw cows, and then return later and call. That's done by drifting the boat into the shore, letting out 2 hunters and then drifting out. The caller positions himself at the inside edge of the willows and calls. The shooter advances toward the responding bull for the visual and shot. Don't go more than 50 yards toward the advancing bull. Don't shoot a bull that is more than 200 yards from the water. Not every bull that you call in is legal or the one you want, be picky.

Three hunters have a very good chance of harvesting 3 bulls. That's a lot of moose that is required to be packed. All meat must be left on the bone and brought out. Once you have packed the bagged quarters back to the shore, Bruce will be able to pick up and legally distribute the meat.