Adventure is Our Guarantee
unguided Caribou
in the Brooks range
This is a Fly-in, Unguided Caribou Drop hunt in the Alaska brooks range
We transport caribou hunters above the Arctic Circle, flying out of 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.
- Trophy Quality: While this is an any-bull hunt, most bulls are of a nice representative quality, with some meat bulls, and a few record book bulls killed each year.
- Success Rate: 70-75%
- Opportunity Rate: 75-85%
- Hunt Difficulty: This is a physical hunt. Don’t expect a herd of caribou to walk right through your camp. Successful hunters are vigilant, and hunt hard.
- Get a Wolf Tag! Although wolves tend to be elusive creatures, they are fairly abundant in the Arctic and our hunters have killed several each season! Wolf season typically starts August 10, check the regs before you buy your unlimited tag.
- Small Game Hunting: Your Alaska hunting license allows you to hunt small game, including: ptarmigan, coyotes, and Arctic hare.
- Fishing: About half of our camps end up on a lake, or near a river or stream with Arctic char and grayling fishing. Bringing a small pole and a bit of light tackle might be a good idea.
- Must be a US Citizen to Book
- Meet and Greet at Airport Terminal (or landing strip) to assist with baggage/gear.
- Air transportation into/out of the field with gear. *MUST MEET WEIGHT LIMITS
- One caribou bull per hunter. There is no additional cost for wolves or small game taken.
- Transport of your meat, capes and antlers out of the field back to main hub.
- Basic Camp Package: The camp includes a tent, cots, cook stove, propane, tarps, and a cook set. Your group is responsible for setting up your own camp, and the camp gear is returned to town when your unguided Alaska caribou hunt is over.
*You are welcome to bring your own gear. Please just let us know so that we don’t duplicate anything. Our camp package provides all the “necessities” needed while in the field for your Alaska DIY caribou hunting adventure.
**Fuel and bear spray are 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 bear spray, bug spray, Thermocel canisters, propane, Jetboil, and MSR fuel available for PURCHASE at the hangar.
- Guiding is NOT included. We ONLY offer unguided hunts in Alaska.
- FOOD IS NOT INCLUDED! Weight is always an issue, so we recommend freeze dried meals as your primary food item. We do offer a freeze dried meal package for purchase. All food must be included as part of your weight limit.
- Commercial Airfare to and from major hub (i.e. Kotzebue).
- Any hotels/meals that may be needed prior to or after your hunt.
- In town lodging/meals due to the inability to fly because of bad weather.
- AKDFG Hunt/Fishing License, and Tag Fees.
- 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. *If they have time, the transporter crew may show you how to wrap your antlers and pack meat to get it ready for your trip home. However, it’s ultimately your responsibility to get antlers, capes and meat ready for transport home. *We do have boxes for sale at the hangar ($25 each).
- 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.
- Charge fees due to being overweight going into the field.
- Gratuities for your pilot, and our crew back at the hangar.
***WEIGHT LIMITS***
Each hunter is limited to 70 pounds of personal gear and food per person, including your weapon.
YOUR OVERALL WEIGHT CANNOT EXCEED 285 POUNDS
(YOUR BODY WEIGHT + 70 LBS GEAR/FOOD/WEAPON)
If you exceed our weight limits, and additional flight(s) are required, a charge of $3,000 per flight will be charged prior to going into the field.
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 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.
Kotzebue 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.
Adventure is our Only Guarantee
One thing is certain, whether you get your bull or not, you will have an adventure.
Alaska is ALWAYS an adventure.
We will get you remote
Our Unguided Alaska Transport Services get you remote and away from the road system. The rest is up to you!
The hunting is up to you
We do our absolute best to put you in caribou country, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to cooperate. Don’t expect caribou to walk right through camp… you might have to hunt for them.
