Moose hunting in Alaska

Moose

Moose

Of all the animals that we have to hunt in Alaska moose is my least favorite.  I harvested my first and last moose back in September 1967.  It was my first fly-in hunt.  I was a young 23-year-old G.I. up for any hunting adventure and it was truly an adventure.  My friend Gary Wadkins and I harvested two moose and three caribou.  Lots of packing!  At the time it was no big deal but as I grew older, I found out that packing moose quarters in swamp country was the norm and it wasn’t my favorite activity.  When I became a hunting guide, packing out moose was nothing but hard work for me and the packers.  In addition, hauling out the heavy loads from marginal strips with the “Super Cub” was some of my most dangerous trips.  That being said, I wouldn’t have missed being with my grandkids when they took their first moose for anything.  Always, fun and excitement!  On the family hunt this year my grandson-in-law, Nate Johnson, harvested his first moose.  He never hunted growing up so this was a big deal.

Birthday Grizz

Birthday Grizz

I finally got to do a hunt this year. It was our annual family hunt which has now turned out to be a moose hunt. I personally would prefer a caribou/moose hunt but the area where we have been hunting is closed for caribou.

Covid-19

Covid-19

No matter what you think about Covid-19, and we all know there are many different opinions, it has changed the way we think and, in my view, not for the better. This man-made virus has taken many loved ones and tanked our economy. It has also taken its toll on Alaska hunters especially the guided ones. Last year the Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed down non-resident spring brown bear hunting in game unit 9 and, many villages in the State barred non-locals from coming into their communities. This really hurt the guide industry and some resident hunters. 2021 has been better but some hunters are still afraid to travel, even some residents. Saying that, my family still hunted sheep and moose in 2020 and planned our 2021 moose hunt like there was nothing going on.

Finally, A Big Moose

Finally, A Big Moose

Every year since I retired from the guide business, we have tried to go on a family hunt. Our family hunts usually include my son-in-law Sagen, my grandchildren, Sagen’s brother Thor and his children. It’s mainly a moose hunt with caribou thrown in if anyone gets drawn. Sagen and Thor were born in Alaska and grew up doing family moose hunts. Most of you know moose is my least favorite animal to hunt but I have always enjoyed being with my grandkids no matter which animal we were hunting. We have shared so many wonderful memories.

Hunt Gone Bad

Hunt Gone Bad

The Alaska Peninsula had a large population of big bull moose during the late 60’s and early 70’s.  I had been told by an Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist that that country was marginal moose habitat so the population was very cyclical.  I always wanted to go moose hunting in that country because of the big moose but felt it was just too expensive to get the moose meat back to Anchorage.  Plus, I enjoyed caribou hunting way more than moose so my buddies and I always chose hunting them.  We had three or four successful caribou hunts before I rotated to the Lower 48 the summer of ’74.  That fall a couple of airmen who had worked for me went on a moose hunt on the Peninsula.  They had a great hunt taking two moose over 65 inches.

My Guided Moose Hunters

My Guided Moose Hunters

Moose has never been my favorite animal to hunt.  I’m not sure why because I love that time of the year.  That’s when I think Alaska, with all the brilliant fall colors, is most beautiful.  I have always said that moose are too much work after you pull the trigger.  Why then do I love sheep hunting so much as I walk many more miles and beat myself up climbing mountains.  Many hunters think sheep hunting is too much work.  I guess we are all different.  I know there are more moose hunters out there than sheep hunters.  In the guide business more hunters are looking for moose hunts than sheep hunts.  AAA Alaskan Outfitters took between ten and twelve moose hunters per year.  The following clients are the ones that I personally guided. 

AAA's Big Moose

AAA's Big Moose

I just returned from our annual family caribou/moose hunt so there was no post last week.  We had a great time.  Our main objective was to get my granddaughter Rachel a caribou.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen and for the first time in that area, I didn't see a single caribou.  We were so bummed, but on a positive note, Brent's grandson Brian and his dad Steve Crim were with us and Brian took a 42" moose.  We were all very excited for him.  That was the sixth moose that we have taken out of that area with the largest being 49 inches.  That is what happens when you issue "any" bull permits.  Everyone shoots small bulls, so there will never be any big ones.  This current story shows what happens when you have a size restriction, you get bigger moose.  Enjoy all of the following pictures of our giant moose.

Nathan's Turn

Nathan's Turn

Being the youngest in the family has its advantages and disadvantages.   One disadvantage when it comes to hunting in our family is the oldest usually gets the first opportunity to harvest each of the different species.  Nathan knew his turn would come and took it in stride, always happy for his siblings.  He was the last one to take a black bear, next to last for caribou but now it was his turn for moose.