Hunts
Alaska Worldclass adventures specializes in guided hunts for sheep, bear, moose, caribou and wolf
in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. Each type of hunt is described in more detail below.
|
Sheep
|
|
Sheep hunting involves flying to a remote gravel bar or mountain landing spot in the Supercub. We
then backpack up a drainage for a few miles and spike out for several days.
This type of hunt requires that the hunter be in good
physical condition. Climbing mountains is hard work. High quality, well broken-in
boots are a must, as well as the best lightweight rain gear. The
hunter should bring a good flat shooting rifle, that he is very familiar with,
as some shots are out to 400 yards. The hunter should know the ballistics and
trajectory of his rifle. I discourage bringing a brand-new caliber rifle to use
for hunting.
We take only mature rams with good horns. Horns average 38"
normally, with 40 plus inch rams taken every year. We work hard to get our
clients a good ram. I usually book only four to six sheep hunters each fall.
|
|
Moose
|
|
Moose are where you find them, so we use several methods to hunt them.
We have one remote log cabin on a river, which we fly into with the
Supercub, by landing on a gravel bar near the cabin. We have a big freighter
canoe and four wheelers to use for your hunt. This is a good camp for the
hunter who may not be in great shape. I enjoy floating the river and calling in
big bulls for a close encounter. Also, we use the four wheelers to hunt some
old mining trails, where there are always some big old bulls hanging out. Our
other moose camps are tent camps located on the river where there are always
some big bulls. The Supercub is used to put in these camps and to fly
everything out after the hunt. This hunt is done on foot, usually in hip boots.
We try very hard to take mature bulls with 60 or better racks. I recommend
a rifle of at least .30 caliber, shooting at least a 180 grain projectile. These
bulls are big, some around 1600 pounds on the hoof. I normally take only
four moose hunters each fall.
|
Black and Grizzly Bear
|
I hunt black bear and grizzlies in spring and fall. I
usually book two bear
hunters in the spring and two in the fall. We hunt the south side of the
Brooks Range. Hunting consists of spotting and stalking. We need to stay
mobile, so we normally hunt from a tent camp on a river. Sometimes we can
take a bear from a previous moose kill in the fall. A big grizzly has broken
into one of my cabins three times. We haven't gotten him yet! A grizzly
hunt makes a good combination with a moose hunt. The bears in the Brooks
range average from between 7' to 8' squared.
Spring bears tend to average larger since we hunt them early in the spring,
and the big boars leave their dens first. Again, I recommend a minimum of a
.30 caliber rifle shooting a minimum of 180 grain bullets. The 300 magnums
are good, shooting 200 or 220 grain bullets, with the 338 or 375 being even
better choices. Shots on bears are not usually long, since placement of the
shot is of utmost importance. Trajectory is not as important as in sheep
hunting.
|
|
Caribou
|
 |
Our caribou hunts are conducted via fly-out tent camps. These critters are
very nomadic, so we have to find them, then set up a camp and go hunting.
Most times this hunt requires a lot of hiking to get on a good bull, and
usually in hipboots, since the country tends to be wet. The hunter should be
in reasonably good physical shape even though the hunting is usually done in
flatter terrain. We try to take large bulls with a lot of mass, with at least six
points to each top, and with good bez and shovel. In my opinion, a big bull
caribou taken in September when he has polished antlers and a long white
mane, is one of the most beautiful trophies. As for as a weapon, a big bull
can carry a lot of lead, so I recommend a flat shooting rifle, with the .270
being minimum, and the 30-06 and the .300 magnums being good choices.
|
Fishing
|
|
We also welcome non-hunters who wish to enjoy the beauty of the Arctic
with us. One can enjoy fishing in the lake or streams nearby for big Northern
Pike, Lake trout, or Grayling. Or hiking up a nearby mountain, or we can
take a trip to an abandoned goldmine to pan for gold. And believe me,
there's still gold in the streams in the area. There's one operating goldmine
not too far away that we could visit also. Or you may just want to relax, kick
back and enjoy the beauty and serenity. Everyone will be fed well while
spending time with us, from Alaskan fare such as halibut and salmon, wild
game steaks and roasts, to good ole country cookin. You will have a great
time whether you hunt or not.
|
 |
