First Caribou Hunt

longwalker · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:34 am Post subject: First Caribou Hunt

This is a picture from my first Caribou hunt. Taken in November near Lonely Hill in the Kuskokwim river valley. It was a small bull. As you can see not much snow. We are all hoping we get some real accumulation soon. Not only is the ride hard, the rails are screaming for mercy. The sled is wide but it tracks very well.

The rifle used was 338-06, 200 grain bullet at 2670 ft/sec at about 140 yards.
Should have some more opportunities before march.

Longwalker

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Nice...

Congrats on your bull longwalker.

Joe

Suzanne · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Couple more of those, you could make me a coat. I love their fur. Lovely animal LongW

Waitin for a coat
Suz

bushman270 · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Nice caribou! How far out of Bethel did you have to travel? Great looking rifle too.

longwalker · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:03 am Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Found the caribou about 30 miles south east of Bethel. The Rifle started life as a Savage 270. I rebarreled it to 338-06.

Longwalker

roklok · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:21 am Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

How long have you been in Bethel ? I thought you were in the Dakotas. I have a few friends out in Bethel.

longwalker · Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

I used to live in Eastern South Dakota. I moved to Bethel in August 2008. Got a job working on water treatment plants across the Delta. Then this summer I got a job in Bethel working on a Membrane water plant. Less Travel more time to play.

Longwalker

roklok · Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 1:43 am Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Great, nothing like having some time to get out and play/hunt ! I have never been to Bethel, but have numerous friends there. Will have to head out there at some point and see if it lives up to its reputation !

Winter caribou are usually very good eating from my experience. Do they have a lot of warbles under the hide out there ?

longwalker · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Mine did not, but it is not at all uncommon for them to have them. I assume you are talking about the cysts.

Longwalker

slimjim · Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

weather in Bethel looks clear today. The website shows only 1 inch of snow depth!?! Has the snow accumulation been that bad in the last month? Any more hunting updates?

longwalker · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

Still not much snow here. Caribou are said to be about 15 miles out of town. On the east side of the Kuskokwim river. I will most likely take a trip on Saturday to see If I can find them. Many people are driving up river to collect wood for their home heat and stream houses. 4 feet of ice brings everyone out. Days are noticeably longer making the snow cover disappear that much faster.

It should be sunny regardless.

Longwalker

slimjim · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: Re: First Caribou Hunt

longwalker wrote:

I will most likely take a trip on Saturday to see If I can find them.

don't forget to take your camera and hot chocolate.