Hunting Traditions: The
Needless to say, Gary was right. We saw nine different
bulls on this hunt, but we never found one that we felt
comfortable pulling the trigger on, and we were way too
early for caribou. We had a great hunt, but unfortunately
returned empty-handed. This would be the only time I
hunted this early and the only time we came home without
any game.
I learned a lot on this trip, mostly what not to do! I learned
a long time ago that skimping on gear in Alaska is never a
smart decision. It’s a land that can do a lot more than make
you miserable if you don’t have the right gear. She can kill
you, and being 100 miles from the nearest road, it’s not like
you can jump in the truck and go get what you need. If
only I had applied this logic on my raft choice!
Learning Years Part 2
2005-2006
The following year, my friend Jeff Spitler agreed to join
me. Jeff’s an archery hunter hailing from Colorado by way
of Texas. He’s a rangy western hunting type of guy with a
thirst for adventure and hungry to take on all that Alaska
has to offer. Jeff and I would spend the next several seasons
hunting this river, learning float and moose hunting tactics
together and having a blast doing it.
My first priority for my second attempt of putting this hunt
together was to get the right raft, one well suited for this
type of hunt. I’d been following the Pristine Ventures forum
and speaking with the owner, Larry Bartlett whom I’d met
at the Great Alaska
Sportsmen’s Show. Larry
sells high quality outdoor
products and even offers
hunt planning services.
After talking to Larry and
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