HUNTING GIANT CARIBOU During The Rut - Stuck N The Rut 210

Alaskan Caribou Hunting!!!! After many miles and multiple stalk attempts and passing on smaller bulls, we hiked 5 miles to find the herd. It was my last day.

They were moving down into a creek bottom to drink with brush- a perfect archery opportunity. But with a few hundred caribou eyes, we still had to take our time and hop bush to bush and cross the canyon and get around them to keep the wind good, which took some time. By the time we crossed and got our wind, the herd split up and bedded down in different places. We found a group of some decent bulls bedded along the creek bluff, with several cows, and one bush near a good bull (this one). If I could belly crawl to that bush, I would have a good crosswind, but I’d have a 60-70 yard shot on this bull, last chance.

Tom and I took our time. We had to stay very low and close the distance of a couple hundred yards on our bellies while the cows were bedded, facing us. After another hour or so of belly crawling slowly, stopping when the cows would get up and feed then lay back down, I ranged the bush, then the bull. I had 32 yards left to get to the bush for an archery shot on this bedded bull.

Out of nowhere, all of the caribou jumped up and took off running ! Tom and I were stunned, they didn’t wind us, so what happened ?! Did they see us? We were so confused. Tom then yelled, “TANA, BEAR!”

He had come in downwind of us, blew past us, and started chasing the herd! An all day archery stalk on my last day, was blown by a bear. As the bear was chasing the herd, I ranged them because they didn’t totally run away, they just kept running in circles. 450-500 yds. I grabbed the @gunwerks 338 and picked the biggest bull & the Wild West shootout started.

It was a bit stressful there with what the bear would do. Thankfully he was upwind of my now dead caribou and kept chasing the others away. He never caught one. We inreached Adam to fly in, and help us get out with all the meat before dark & any bear trouble. We saw 6+ bears on this hunt, always following the caribou.

I was so thankful to have a caribou down & though the stalk was epic, before the bear blew it, it still makes a great story. 438 B&C bull, another one in the books!!!
#caribou #hunting #alaska

This book is great for kids who are interested in getting into the outdoors!!!
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