Quebec Caribou

[BT]

Agreed
The Magnus I tested MA-150 was as solid a head as you are going to find in a multi layered head.
The silverflames (as you point out) are hands down best in class and when you look at the total cost of 6 heads based on their longevity and the total cost of the trip....they are the least of your expenses pertaining to the quest of you Caribou

[donk]

Dang your gonna give me flashbacks!!!!! Caribou is incredible. Are you going with Twin River??? They are a good outfit you will be fine.

Couple of tips from what I learned. Take them or leave them.


Have a rangefinder handy. I found it hard to judge distance not only due to the terrain but due to the size of the racks you have coming at you.

Another thing. If the Caribou are walking they move much faster than they look. When your drawn back make sure you follow through with the shot. I know this sounds stupid but if you dont keep your arm moving with the animal upon release you will hit them farther back then wanted. I saw many guys gut shoot and even hip shot a couple before they realized what they where doing.

It can be and WILL be very windy some days. Take this in consideration when shooting in the crosswind. I saw one arrow come off one of the guys bows and it was 3ft off target (missed) before it even got there. If you have a place to shoot get out there when its real windy and practice.

And last but not least relax and have fun. Its something you will NEVER forget...................


Don

[smj]

Don - Your sage advise is well taken, and I thank you!

I have a range finder, and am well versed in its use! Some what the same deal with antelope. Out on the plains it is like having a back yard 50 miles long...

Some of my best hunts have been in the wind...

My special project for the range this year is fix the moving target. Guess I'd better get on that one earlier than later!

I used to read about this country when I was a kid, and have always wanted to get up there. And to go now, caribou hunting, is really just outstanding! I think it might be hard to sleep between May and September...

Conditioning wise, how hard a hunt did you find it to be? I plan on being in reasonable shape, but it never hurts to ask!

Gear wise, other than bows and arrows, what were the top 5 items that you could not do without? (If you don't mind me asking!) Things that are special to this type, and location, of hunt... Thanks!

[donk]

As far as conditioning you do what you can. If your in decent shape you can move around a bit more and try to cut off some herds as they are coming. There where times that we flat out ran as fast as we could (packs and all) for a half mile to get to cover. On the other hand my father has a artificial leg and took two bulls by setting up off a trail.

One other thing. These are not Whitetails or Elk. They are very curious and some may have never seen human before. You can get away with alot more. If they see you just quit moving. Also the camp man brought in bulls by taking his arms and putting them out and up (like a rack) and they came in. From what I understand you cant get away with this in Alaska as they have been hunted a bit more. Play the wind though!!! They wind you and its ALL over.

Top 5 things?? hmmmmm

1 - Good (no great) rain gear. Its rains sideways up there so buy the best rain gear you can afford.

2 - Boots - Get good waterproof boots you can move in

3 - Good day pack - make sure its waterproof or buy dry bags for your stuff. Make sure you can shoot with it on your back.

4 - 2 way radios. We used these alot when we where out. Saved alot of time when someone shot something we could go to them. Also carried a orange vest in the pack for locating. If nobody is gun hunting in camp you don't have to wear one. But when you get a bull down and flag someone they can find you easy to help you get it out.

5 - as said before your rangfinder. Make it so you can get at it fast and get it out of the way in a hurry.


Other things I learned.
I brought rechargeable batteries for the GPS, 2 way radios and Digital camera. I had 3 extra set with me thinking I would save on weight instead of having regular batteries. The first night the generator was running in camp and I plugged my charger in and started charging up a set. Then "POP" the charger goes and smokes is pouring out. I have to throw it out of the cabin and its toast. Lucky for me another guy had a charger with or I would have had no replacement batteries.

I brought my camcorder and didn't use it much. The day pack I had didn't hold out the monsoon rains and didn't want the camera to get wet. I wish I had a small dry bag to stick the camera in.

Bring a good attitude. One day you will see hardly any Caribou. Others you may get RUN over. There where days when our group of guys saw 50 to 100 bulls while my buddy's saw THOUSANDS in one day. I took both my bulls on the second to the last day within 30 seconds of each other. Keep your spirits high, hunt hard and have fun.

Be prepared to start saving for the next hunt. Its incredible scenery, awesome animals.


Don

[smj]

Thanks donk, I'll make sure to keep you posted on this one!

[farmdude]

donk said:

I will have pictures and video (I hope) when I get back.

Im putting together a home page on the hunt right now. My plan is the week I get back is to enter a day by day log of the hunt as it happened. People can go to the page every day to get a update on what happend and I hope to enter pictures and have a picture page. If eveything goes as planned I will leave the link here for everyone to check out.

SMJ,
I have a CD from my Outfitter that has some excellent footage. Great CD on judging animals and seeing whats out there. If you want a copy shoot me your address and I will get one out to you.
Its a good CD to watch no matter who your going to hunt Caribou with.

Don

[e-mail]

35 more days to go

I have never hunted caribou in quebec (although maybe next year)...Ive hunted bou in Manitoba and the only recomendation from me is a pair of good water proof boots like the La Cross Burely's light weight comfortable, warm and is what our guide wore and gave me the idea to get a pair.these are the only boots I wear anymore (tip...I bought em a little big as to accomadate heavy socks for when cold....feet never get cold even in SD ....when I went I had a pair of Rocky boots (goretex) the goretex is waterproof but they leaked through the sweams...as did my frewinds brand new gortex gloves...keep dry and your good to go

[smj]

I have not let myself start counting the days yet... But as I work with gear and start really pulling stuff together - it is darn hard to not start counting the days! I hope to have it all together at least a couple weeks before we leave, say by Sept. 1st... I expect that September 11th will get here before I know it!!! Of course, I have a couple elk/deer hunts to get in before leaving for caribou - so gear wise I should be able to shake things out pretty good. I don't think I will put to much effort in to the elk/deer hunts, just a couple of weekends taking my bow for a walk in the woods! I am OK for rain gear, though I may pick up a different pair of pants yet.

[BT]

What the average temps for sept. in that area?

[jamaltwy]

all this caribou talk , I'm trying to get ready for them in Alaska leaving end of the month and hunting beginning of Sept along Haul rd did this 2 years ago and trying it again.... hoping its not to warm yet and from what I'm hearing they aren't moving much yet

[BT]

jamaltwy said:

hoping its not to warm yet and from what I'm hearing they aren't moving much yet

That is gonna suck!
so whats the deal if they aren't moving?
What provisions do they make for you?