Alaskan mixed bag

We had spotted one lone caribou in the distance and went looking for him the next day. We found the immature bull and decided to pass. The weather changed constantly. Rain, wind, sun, fog, hurricane and everything in between. One thing was for sure, no matter what the weather was at the time, give it a few hours and it would change. I had great Gore Tex boots. My feet were wet 30 minutes into the hunt and just dried out when I got home last night!

The first day in the field we dodged some heavy rain and at the end of the day we were hunting our way back toward camp when we spotted a good 3x3 straight up on top of a mountain. Jeff spotted me while I made the 1500 foot climb. I was going to come up on top of the buck. Just as I was about to go over the top, I spotted a bedded buck, 25 yards away! This buck had his eyes closed and was sleeping. I saw that he was a 4x3 which is rare for a Sitka. I decide he was a good 1st day P&Y buck. I got ready, grunted and he stood up looking my way. I sent a Muzzy MX3 through his chest, shattering his front leg bone. He went down in 20 yards and I rolled him all the way to the bottom. Here he is. Not a real good one, but a 4 point none the less. I was happy.

I thought I would throw this entertaining photo for you. A pic of a nasty tow from my August mule deer hunt. I was always working on my feet. Enjoy.

Here is another shot of our camp.

Here is a typical buck for the area. A P&Y 3x3 with eye guards. I had two deer tags and was waiting for a bigger buck on my second tag.

We saw these guys almost every day. Never had a bad encounter. A few close ones, but no bad ones. Always on your mind...

Jackpot!!! On the third day two groups of Caribou moved within striking distance of our camp. Total of about 80 animals with two shooters. One we named Elvis. He was in a different class from all the others. Huge, long tops. He lacked points and palmation on his brows and Bez, with no back points. The other bull we called Number 2. He was the best bull in his class and a good looking critter.

Here is a pic of Elvis.

We hunted the herd for a few days and could not put it together. We did not want to blow it and run them out of our area. Our game was on and we did not make any mistakes. On the third day we located a group of about 50 and Elvis and #2 were with them. We did an incredible stalk and were down wind on top of a knob, with the herd feeding towards us. I was the shooter. I had about 6 0r 8 animals within 25 to 40 yards. #2 came in to view at 40. Elvis was no where in sight. A few cows spotted us. I made the decision to shoot #2. Perfect double lung shot and #2 was down. My first Caribou. I was pumped.

Enjoying the pack out.

Backstraps, potatoes, onions and Hatch chilies... Oh My!!!!

A fine day, complete with our first camp fire. Very little rain allowed some drift wood to dry off enough.

Well, just what we thought would happen. The Caribou disappeared. The next few days we hunted deer. Most of the bucks were up on top of the 1500 foot ridges.

One of the days we arranged for a meat pick up. Here I am filling out the paperwork.

A few days later Jeff says "I'm going to kill a Caribou today". He went a different direction and came in to camp after dark... with a Caribou!! Jeff found a lone old bull and put in a 6 hour stalk. He made a 40 yard heart shot on the bedded bull. The following morning we went out to pack the meat. The bull was heavy and knarly, with a bunch of extra points. Weird looking.

Here is Jeff caping the bull.

Jeff had packed the meat and head away from the carcass. I went to pull his broadhead out of it and saw a fox munching on a leg bone. A 40 yard shot and I had my first Red Fox. Cool pelt for my trophy room.

We had a couple days of hurricane weather that we could not get out to hunt. I put in several stalks on real good bucks but had some hard luck. On the last day I went out solo in hopes of filling my last tag. I said a little prayer before I left, wishing for a great day in this beautiful place. I blew a stalk on a good buck and then later in the day I climbed to the top of this mountain. I was planning on hunting a ridge around a bowl, back towards camp. After a few hours on top, I spotted two bucks and a doe at the bottom of the mountain, away from camp. One of the bucks was a real good one. I made a quick decision to head down to a patch of alders about 225 yards from the bucks. When I get there the big buck was bedded out in the open with no way to get any closer to him. Just as I was thinking of what to do next. The buck started sneezing and swatting at his nose... wildly. I could only think that a bug fley up his nose!! Then the buck got up and started running... right towards me. Actually he was running along the base of the hill. I quickly dropped down to the bottom of the alder patch. If he turned up a draw I was next to I would have about a 60 yard shot. I lost sight of him. Then I heard him sneeze. Real close. Next thing I know, he's right there at 15 yards!!! I draw and release, that quick. The arrow hit him right behind the shoulder and came out his ass. Muzzy devestation. Dead on his feet. Devine Intervention... no doubt in my mind.

This buck actually grew when I got to him. Incredible point length, mass... He is a smoker Sitka that will net over 100. Thank you God!!

I took care of the buck and packed the meat as far as I could before dark. He was a hog and a long ways from camp. The following morning Jeff and I went back and packed out the rest of the meat I ditched by a creek. We had to hurry and break down camp before our ride home arrived. Here is a shot of our pile of antlers.

Just as I was taking down the tent, I catch a glance of a bear... at less than 20 yards. He was coming in to our camp on the trail we packed the meat on. He looked hungry and didn't leave. He skirted our camp and checked out where we had our antlers and capes hanging. I snapped a few pics before he decide to leave... on his own terms. This was a real adventure!!

Our stunt pilot arrived and we were soon on our way home. Ed F

Congrats, Ed! Love the story and play by play. That must have been an amazing trip. What gear were you shooting, if you don't mind me asking? I am always curious at to the make, model of bow, arrows, sights... and so on. Thanks for sharing!

Al

GREAT story and photos, looks like you had a lot of fun and a successful hunt congrats!!!

ED all i can say is that is the best read and pic's i seen in a while congrats i can only imagine doing a hunt like that one day absolutely awesome well done that second sitka buck is a dandy thank you for sharing your adventure..........by the way will you adopt me...LOL!

Forest, I shoot a 3 year ond Bow Tech Guardian, CE Maxima Hunter 350's tipped with killer Muzzy MX3 broadheads. 1 1/4" cutting diameter... none of these baby, shoot like your field point broadheads. My first buck it completely shattered the opposite leg bone, the caribou was a complete pass through... the shoulder blade and the last one it broke a rib on the buck and passed through 36" before it came out his ass. Muzzy devestation. Ed F

 Hey Ed congrats......... how was the felling knowing and hearing those Big ass bruins walking all around you guys?  It sure looks like one hell of an adventure for sure. 

Man, I am jealous.Alaska is one of those places I really want to get to. Hunt, fish, even just look.I am hoping that I will make it in the very near future. Any recommendations on locations and gear would be very much appreciated.

Wow nice job. way to put them down. nice shooting keep it up

Great hunt Ed. That looks like an awesome time. Love the pics!!

Thanks for sharing.

 Wow! talk about an amazing adventure!!! Way to go!