This is a Fly-in, Unguided Caribou Drop hunt in the Alaska brooks range

We transport caribou hunters in Alaska GMU’s 23, 25, and 26, flying out of either Fairbanks or Kotzebue, Alaska.

Our unguided caribou hunts are based on an eight day hunting schedule. In Alaska you can’t hunt same day airborne, so on the first day we fly you into the field so you can get camp set up and get prepare for the next six full days of hunting. The seventh day is your scheduled pick-up day to come out of the field.

  • Three to six people per group, unless special arrangements are made.
  • While this is an any-bull hunt, most bulls are of a nice representative quality, with a few trophy bulls killed each year.
  • Limit is one caribou bull per hunter.
  • Success rates run 60-80+% depending on the year. *Statewide average is less than 20%.
  • Opportunity rate is 75%+.
  • Be sure to get a wolf tag.
  • Fishing and ptarmigan hunting can be very good depending on your camp location.
  • This can be a physical hunt. Don’t expect a herd of caribou to walk right through your camp. Successful hunters get out and hunt.
  • You can bring all of your own gear, or rent a camp package from us in town.
  • All unguided hunters are responsible for setup and teardown of their own tents and camping equipment, as well as being responsible for their harvest.
  • Must be a US citizen to book a hunt.

This hunt is in high demand, and spots are extremely limited.

If you are interested, we highly suggest that you secure your spot with a deposit ASAP.

REMEMBER

The price of your trip includes up to a $500 Rebate, redeemable when you purchase Trip Insurance.

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UNGUIDED CARIBOU HUNTING PACKAGES THAT WE OFFER

Our transport only package is pretty simple. An Arctic Air pilot will drop your group and your gear in the field, and pick you up at a specified time, weather depending. With the Transport Only Package, hunters provide their own gear and food.

The Transport Only Package Includes:

  • Meet and Greet at Airport Terminal (or landing strip) to assist with baggage/gear.
  • Air transportation into/out of the field with gear.*
  • Transport of your meat, capes and antlers out of the field back to main hub.

*The weight limit for our transport only hunters is 135 pounds of gear per person. This includes your camp, all of your personal gear, weapon, -20 rated sleeping system, food, backpack, field dressing equipment and game bags.

**Additional fuel surcharges will be assessed when weight limits are exceeded on a case by case basis.

SUGGESTED GEAR LIST

Bringing all of the gear needed for this hunt with you on the airlines is difficult and expensive. There are also some critical items that cannot be taken on commercial flights. For that reason most hunters choose the Camp Rental.

The Camp Rental Package Includes:

  • Meet and Greet at Airport Terminal (or landing strip) to assist with baggage/gear.
  • Air transportation into/out of the field with gear.*
  • Transport of your meat, capes and antlers out of the field back to main hub.
  • Outfitted Camp Gear Rental

Camps go in, and out of the field with the hunters.

*Weight limits for Camp Rental hunters is 75 pounds of gear per person. This includes all of your personal gear, food, weapon, -20 rated sleeping system, backpack, field dressing equipment and game bags.

**Additional fuel surcharges will be assessed when weight limits are exceeded on a case by case basis.

Hunts DO NOT Include:

  • Guiding is NOT included. We ONLY offer unguided hunts in Alaska.
  • Commercial Airfare to and from major hub (i.e. Kotzebue/Fairbanks).
  • Any hotels/meals that may be needed prior to or after your hunt.
  • AKDFG Hunt/Fishing License, and Tag Fees. We encourage all hunters to purchase a wolf tag!
  • In town lodging/meals due to the inability to fly because of bad weather.
  • Change fees associated with missed commercial flights due to bad weather or unforeseen issues which can arise from time to time.
  • Any in-town purchases at local stores or with locals for their arts.
  • Wet-Lock Boxes for meat and/or Customized Antler Boxes for transport home. It’s ultimately your responsibility to get antlers, capes and meat ready for transport home.
  • Excess Baggage Fees or Shipping associated with your meat, antlers and capes with Commercial Airlines or Shipping companies.  Please check with your Airline to see what their baggage fees will be.
  • Expediting and Taxidermy of trophies/antlers.
  • Trip Insurance is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, especially on a hunt in a place such as Alaska.
  • Gratuities for your pilot, and our crew back at the hangar.

Camp Rental Package Includes:

*For Every TWO Hunters

  • 1 Cabela’s four or six man Guide Model tent for every TWO hunters. This gives you plenty of room for cots, bags and personal gear.
  • 1 Stove with Propane Bottles
  • 2 Cots *But we highly suggest that you bring your own sleeping pad to cut down on weight.
  • 2 Rolls Toilet Paper
  • 1 Tarp
  • Matches and Lighter/Fire Starters
  • 1 Cook Set, including a Coffee Pot
  • Garbage and Ziploc bags
  • 1 Lantern
  • Paper Towels
  • Dish Soap
  • Camp Shovel
  • Basic First Aid Kit

Our gear package provides hunters with not only comfort, but the NECESSITIES of being out in what can be a very harsh and unforgiving environment. Above the Arctic Circle is no place to skimp on gear! We do our best to pay close attention to your needs, and strive to provide everything necessary for a safe and successful adventure.

*Fuel is not permitted in checked or carry on baggage in commercial flights, and charter operators have strict rules about the transport of this potentially dangerous material. We will have propane, Jetboil, and MSR fuel available for PURCHASE at the hangar.

Personal Gear List

Camp Locations

Our goal is ALWAYS to place you in a location where you will have a chance for a successful hunt. The camps are placed within migration areas that have had historical success. The weather, our schedule and caribou movement will determine your camp location.

Travel Information

  • Arriving on the day you’re scheduled to go into the field DOES NOT leave enough time. 
  • You will need to plan on being in town the day/evening **PRIOR** to your scheduled departure date, making sure you secure a place in town for the night to lay your head.

Going Back Home

  • At the end of your hunt, you’ll want to stay in a Hotel/B&B on the day you’re scheduled to come out of the field.
  • Book “flexible” return flights and we HIGHLY recommend trip insurance!

It is extremely common to spend extra days in the field or in town due to weather. So, our best advice is to just plan for a few extra days on the back end of your trip.

*Weather is a variable that no one can control. Weather conditions may prevent us from being able to fly. Such instances OFTEN occur.

Transport In and Out of the Field

  • We are on a tight schedule, and it is in everyone’s best interest that we stick to it. However, we all know that the weather in Alaska doesn’t like to cooperate. At times we must wait for the weather to clear or frost or snow to melt off the wings before we can start flying. If such conditions do exist, please be patient. There is nothing we can do about the weather.
  • We use planes with floats or bushwheels to get you into the field.

EXPECT WEATHER DELAYS. While we do our best to stay on schedule, conditions often cause delays that are beyond our control. Patience is a must. Our pilots will only fly in safe conditions.

Meat Care

We have VERY limited space to store meat however, once you harvest an animal and have it field processed and back to your pick-up location, you should send us an inReach message. We may may be able to pick up your animal prior to your fly-out date. However, you should plan for meat to stay in the field with you for the entire time. *Bring good quality game bags with you. When you get back into town, you are responsible for butchering the meat yourself.

If you’re hunting out of Kotzebue, it DOES NOT have meat processing facilities to accommodate hunters.

There is a small area at the hangar where you will be able to rough-process your meat for transport back home, and the local Hotel in Kotzebue we recommend has a walk-in freezer for hunters to freeze their meat prior to departure back home.

If you’re hunting out of Fairbanks, there are a number of meat processing facilities, but they fill up fast depending on the time of year. You should check with them prior to your hunt if you plan to use a commercial processor.

When hunting out of Fairbanks, processing your meat is your responsibility and needs to be done in the field, or wherever you’re staying prior to heading home. Meat boxes and processing supplies are readily available at numerous locations in Fairbanks.

Alaska DIY Caribou Hunters packing out bulls.

Pre-Hunt Preparation

After you get out of the field