Hello all,

Looking for some information. I had a post last year on this topic and after lots of research and trying to book with a few outfitters I still have no hunt lined up.

Places I've inquired with;

-Papabear adventures (booked until 2020)
-Renfros alaskan adventure (booked until 2020)
-Pristine adventures (booked until 2020)
-40 mile air (no hunts left after return customers book)
-Sportsmans Air (booked until 2020)

So I guess I'm asking are there any other reputable outfitters for un guided moose hunts?

Thanks, Aaron

This is not a recommendation but if you're just looking for a drop off hunt...you might try Willow Air. They have an OK reputation for safety from what I have seen. Where are you planning to hunt ?

I was hoping unit 18 or somewhere out of the Bethel area, unless there are other suggestions for better opportunity. Preferably a drop camp or ridgetop hunt. I guess a float hunt would be alright as well but have little to no experience floating.

I don't know the particulars of all these outfitters but I do know that Renfros has some nice super cubs along with a beaver float plane. The super cubs give you the option of a ridge top hunt back in the mountains which is pretty spectacular and gives you a huge area to glass in. Different than just blind calling when you see them coming a few miles away'

And that's really what I'm looking for, I don't particularly want to be socked in on a lake where I can only see 50 yards.

Willow Air runs a beaver on floats every fall....based out of here. I THINK most of their hunts are west of here. Either on the Innoko or the Yukon. They may have other planes but the beaver is all they bring this way.

How old are you, what kind of shape and have you killed a moose before ? I'm asking because if you drop one two miles from a ridge top, down in a creek bottom, it will take you several days to get it all to the top of the ridge.

Are you planning to be alone ? A raft hunt might be an easier situation for recovery of game.

I have a good friend who is a master guide south of me . He might do a drop off hunt. I'll ask him.

When do you want to do this ?

We also have Waggler right here on the forum but I don't know whether he does this sort of thing.

There will be 3 of us, I'm 30, my brother in law is 22 and my father in law is 58, all in great shape. I've been to Ak twice fishing but never hunting. I've hauled caribou out a few miles before so I know the rigors. I know it's not really comparable to moose but an idea.

The plan would be to go in 2019, but 2020 would be acceptable as well.

A float trip is an option as well, I just didnt want to jump into that first time hunting up there.

Willow air says they fly out of McGrath and hunts far west alaska. From what I can tell they do float trips and lake hunts given their aircraft.

They have a float hunt for $6,900
Also a "extreme remote" float hunt for $7,900

Our budget for the hunt is around $8,000 knowing there will be overage cost on a few things.

I did 4 unguided moose/caribou/bear hunts. All were float trips and we did great on the trips. Talk with trappers and other people of knowledge.

Mike, you sound like a person of knowledge. Would you care to elaborate on your moose hunts?

Each or total?

Because for Refro's and the others out of the bethel area, that is close to the each person price.
be sure to inquire if the costs include flying a moose out for everyone going... and if not, how much they charge per additional moose...

Unguided Moose Hunts
$6,500 – $8,500 : Moose/Black Bear – 10 day (1×1)

from renfro's site.

If you are up for a float trip i can point you to an area. It would be good if at least one of the three have some experience on the water. Carefully consider what Hupurest is saying about flying costs. If you are on some short ridge top...it may take several flights to get you and all the moose meat out of there. At around $170 and hour for Cub that can really add up.

Glass the ponds/lakes along the river. We also called in some nice bulls. These are not hunt for the faint hearted. If you do a float hunt,make sure you have a meat raft and plenty of game bags.You have to take all the meat out. Do not shoot a moose in the water.

Thanks for the advice guys. Budget would be $8,000 per person. If it goes over that's fine too.

Here are our ecpectations;

- We are in it for the scenery and adventure as well as to kill bulls
- kill nice bulls, don't have to be 70" but nice
- Don't really want to see a million other hunters floating a river

I'm pretty open to suggestions. We are willing to put in the effort to be successful.

We have many years of boating experience but floating a river, we have none...

You need rafts w/rowing frames. the nice thing about floats, if you are not seeing game,you can move on. We started looking for camping/hunting spots around 2:00 when floating so we could set up camp and hunt.Each member has set jobs,set up tent,pump water, get firewood,you get the idea.

Would you suggest a hunt planner to help set up the trip? I want this to be successful and not a fiasco. I could probably plan something myself but the little details and local knowledge is what leads to success in my opinion.

If you hunted/camped before,you can do it yourself.I planned out all the meals for each day,we did eat moose/caribou and fish.Good tent,tarps,stove,lantern,meat cutting tools,small come-a long,small chain saw......