Oh trust me, we had two of them with enough refills to supply a small army. Thermacells are useless when you are out walking/crawling around and when the wind is blowing steadily. We got to use them twice on windless days while glassing, but 95% of the time they were useless. 99% DEET spray works wonders, you just have to reapply it frequently and we didn't plan ahead enough to take plenty, so we were rationing it so we didn't run out. The other negative was that it made playing the wind all the more crucial on stalks because we stunk to high heaven of the chemical smell of DEET.
I lived in alaska when i was in high school mosquitos are of plague proportions. Was that portage glacier? Awesome pictures.congrats on an awesome hunt.
Thank you very much for sharing! Best post I have seen in awhile. Congrats on the bull, looks like you guys had a great time.
That's awesome man! Definitely jealous! Two things....where would you begin to do your research for a hunt like this. Also, what ever happened to Kodiak Archer?
Rob is alive and doing well. Had dinner with him a few nights in Anchorage and shot the archery range one day. He is recently married and no longer doing much on the computer. Busy living life I suppose you could say. As for researching for out of state hunting trips... No real right answer. I usually scour the internet forums for stories such as these and talk with the guy who went. Look through the regs for the state to find a unit that fits your needs, look over google earth and topos to find areas that look like they would hold animals, talk with the biologists in the area, set clear goals on what you are looking for out of the trip... The main thing is having the right attitude. Apprehensiveness is what squashes these dreams for most guys. I just have the do it mentality, if I want to do something I'm going to do it... Not just talk about it. I flew to Kodiak Island for 2 weeks of bowhunting 100 miles from the nearest town 3 months after I graduated high school. I just love the satisfaction that comes from a do it yourself adventure. Right now I am in the ultimate planning faze. I have a six week break next fall including all of September... a bowhunters dream. I am trying to piece together the logistics to pull off a Wyoming Antelope, Alaska Moose, Montana or Colorado Elk, and Colorado Mule Deer hunt. All bowhunting, all nonguided. I have a $4k budget (money left over from the sale of my lawncare business I saved for a hunting bank account), which basically allows for gas and tags only for it to work. I'll already be in Montana for work leading in to this, so I'll just stay out west and live from my truck for the next six weeks. Planning one hunt is hard, trying to plan out the whens/wheres/hows for 4 hunts back to back is out of this world frustratingly difficult. lol I always try and convince people to take these trips. I ALWAYS hear how lucky I am, if only they had the time, if only they had the money, if only they knew..... I just stop them now and say you can. Don't be scared, just do it. I spent less than $1,500 on my Alaska hunt. Save for a year, and that is only $28 a week... ANYONE can afford that. Most guys coming up with excuses to me spend double that per year on a deer lease/foodplots/etc. Don't get me wrong I like deer hunting, but it is nothing compared to the backcountry. Soapbox rant over.
Congrats on a well deserved trophy. Way to get it done sir. Thanks so much for sharing some awesome photos too.
AWESOME experience I bet! congrats on both your success stories. Something to be said for having a great friend to share an experience like that with. I am the same way as you , "DO it" instead of "talking about it." Unfortunately most of my buddies are the latter of the 2. I put together a Texas hog hunt this year and it was stressful getting guys to commit to going. So many people backed out, some last minute. I even laid out all the plans, did the leg work, made all the arrangements. All I needed was a yes or no, in or out answer, and that was nearly impossible to get. I would LOVE to go on an elk hunt in the next year or so, definately backcountry. I have 1 buddy for sure that I know would be all for it and has already said he'd go. Now it's just a matter of doing research and putting the plan in action. I like your breakdown of cost too, explaining it as simple as $28 a week. That's very achievable. It actually sparked an idea for me. Thinking about setting up a bank account for my buddy and me, and making weekly or monthly deposits for our hunting trips. That way it keeps the excitement building, and shows the commitment. Sounds good on paper anyhow haha. Thanks again for sharing your adventure!
Incredible experience dude. Thank you for sharing that. Your sense of adventure, positive attitude, and enthusiasm is inspiring. Not only did I enjoy the photos, but it was also a great read, I felt like I was reading a short story from a book or magazine. I'm looking forward to reading about your next adventure next season.
Sounds like you go about it the right way. I like doing things myself as well usually because I'm tight and like to save money when I can. Never planned a DIY hunt though. When I do, I'll be contacting you for some more tips I'm sure! AND I'm glad to hear Rob is doing well. I'm not sure if he was joking or not but I remember he said I was welcome in his camp anytime (a post from long ago). I never forgot that and maybe one day, I'll take him up on it.
Congrats on a great caribou! That trip looks like it was amazing. Alaska has always been a place i would love to see. Good job puttin the story/pics together.
