An Aggie buddy of mine and I are headed to the eastern Brooks Range again for Caribou this fall. It will be our first time on the Coleen. Anyone on OB every been or have any other input?

No input other than I'm super jealous. Caribou in Alaska is bucket list for me.

Edit: there are some good OB threads abt others who have gone.

While I've never hunted on the Coleen, I hunted north of the Brooks range a few times and hunted the 40 mile herd almost every year I lived in AK. When hunting Bou I have always found that it is always colder than I thought and wetter than I thought. I've had it dump 2' of snow and I've have it be 80deg. Good boots and a nice pair of boot gaiters are must. High quality rain gear is a must. In last August it seems the Caribou are starting to gather and migrate to their winter grounds. You'll see groups of 2 to 25 traveling together. They move surprisingly fast over the tundra and tough terrain. You'll never be able to chase them on foot to get a good shot. I prefer to scout out a good high point with funneling features and and glass for the groups. I then will try to get into a good shooting position as they approach.

Thank you

That's on my list as well. Following

Is this on the Arctic Refuge? I got into the show The Last Alaskans and it basically seems like nobody but the last sets of families that live out there are allowed to be there. Is hunting allowed by lottery or something?

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3008014

Probably getting annoying, but feel I should share this thread anytime the topic of Alaskan Caribou comes up. We were hunting a different herd, but I'm sure there are a lot of similarities.

One of the most fun experiences of my life!

There are lands within the refuge where only natives are allowed, but much of it is hunted by other resident and non-residents. I have been before but it was further west on the East Fork Chandalar river (west bank below Arctic Village), Its over the counter licensing, but the trust worthy air transporters book up in October with existing clients (many of whom are likely residents) pretty quickly.

Thanks, I hadn't ran into it before and even if I had, it wouldn't be annoying. Great pics and story

Nothing to add other than I love threads like these, and The Last Alaskans was one of my favorite shows ever. Wish they would bring it back.

So, we have been offered a 9 day opportunity to go out of Kotzebue in Mid-August now also. We are leaning heavily to this one instead. If any of you have been Caribou hunting out of Kotzebue in August please share your experience.

Offered a 9 day hunt!!! Are you accepting new friend applications?

We hunted out of Kotzebue! Our trip was middle of September, so we were a couple of weeks behind you.

We used Ram Aviation for our air transport and were very pleased. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have.

Biggest gear advice...get a pair of Chota boots and their Hippy waders! Worth the cost!

clinte234 said:

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We hunted out of Kotzebue! Our trip was middle of September, so we were a couple of weeks behind you.

We used Ram Aviation for our air transport and were very pleased. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have.

Biggest gear advice...get a pair of Chota boots and their Hippy waders! Worth the cost!

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Awesome. This is the kind of stuff I'm looking to get. We would be going with Golden Eagle. I hear nothing but rave reviews of both Ram and GE. (Maybe even more good about Ram).