Upland adventure help please

Dani

Dani

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I knooooooow this is a duckboats page but some of y'all here have made long distance trips so hopefully have experience to share that could help me.

I want to upland bird hunt in Alaska. Preferably before Belle heads over the Rainbow Bridge. So, I am looking at doing an upland adventure to Alaska in 4 or 5 years. Living in FL provides a few potential logistical issues for me since I am still a working stiff. I looked at the mileage from here to Fairbanks (just a starting point) and it's about 4,400 miles, which translates to about 8 days of driving one way, without towing a trailer (especially if I am the only person driving). I THINK that I would be able to swing taking 6 - 8 weeks (probably closer to 6 weeks but I can hope for eight) or so off in the summer in about 4 or 5 years since our current trainee will be a full-fledged member of our section by then. The section won't be as negatively impacted as if I did it now. If I were able to get 6 weeks off, then I would more than likely drive. In fact, I would prefer to drive because there is a lot of this continent I have not seen. My potential hunting partner on this trip is not so keen on the idea of driving. I know I could drive and he could fly in and out as needed, which would be fine too.

I have traveled for hunting many times but never so far away and in an area where if something goes wrong, you should be able to take care of it yourself because Walmart or the grocery store or gas station isn't just down the road a bit. This is another reason why I would prefer to drive because my truck is already set up with many essentials for if something happens. It wouldn't be difficult to add a few more things.

If I don't get to have 6 weeks off, then I will have to fly. While I am not totally opposed to that, there is a lot of stuff I won't be able to take with me and would have to get in Alaska. The major problem with flying is that the bird hunting season starts in August and that may prevent me from flying my dogs because of temperature restrictions (understandable). I would have to leave out of either Orlando or Atlanta because last I checked, Alaska Air is the only airline that is still fairly dog flying friendly and both places are HOT in the summer. Orlando perhaps less than Atlanta. If I can't fly the dogs, then I'll have to readjust my adventure (possibly until after I retire but that is depressing to think about).

So, if I end up having to fly, what are my options? I looked into renting a small RV while I'm up there and using that to get around, but I have only found one company that is pet friendly. Perhaps there are others and I just haven't found them yet. I looked at the potential price tag of doing that and if I end up going solo, it will definitely be out of my budget. If I rented a truck when I get there, are there places that I can rent camping equipment? Tent, stove, etc? Or would camping in a tent not be recommended (can't imagine that it would be a bad idea but maybe)?

I picked up a copy of The Milepost, so I know that there are places I can rent cabins. I'm not sure I want to do that all of the time, as part of this adventure for me is getting to camp in Alaska.

Are there other options that I am not thinking of? Has anyone that has still had to work, made this kind of trip and made it work for them? If you had to choose between a smaller Class C RV or a truck and camping equipment rental or a truck and staying in cabins along the way, which would you choose? When you have to fly for a trip like this and you don't have someone on the other side with all the necessary gear, do you just end up buying everything when you get there?

At this point, I am just doing my research and trying to figure out what my options are so that I can know how to budget for a trip like this.

Any help and ideas are greatly appreciated,

Dani
 
There are rental companies for RV near anchorage airport. Rented one years ago and was very happy, fully supplied [ pots, pans etc ]. They pick up at airport, have maps, points of interest and shopping for gear. Don't remember business name. Takes a lot of planning as it a great distance between everything in Alaska.
 
Can't help with the travel part.

But look into Delta Junction if you're still there in September. There are some alfalfa fields with unguided day hunts for geese/sandhill cranes with decoys provided (at least there were 25 years ago). I found Ptarmigan along the road to Minto where I duck/goose hunted but you'd need a boat/decoys.
 
Didnt Tod do something similar a few years back? Rented a 4WD Sprinter Van and drove the Alaska Highway??
Thats my only 2 cents!
 
Thanks y'all

Kinda thought Tod might have done a trip like that, but not remembering for sure...
 
If you end up flying, would it work to drive north for a day to meet the temp requirements for the dog(s)?
 
Dani said:
Thanks y'all

Kinda thought Tod might have done a trip like that, but not remembering for sure...
Click to expand...

Sorry, I've been playing.

I've done it twice with truck and trailer. I would drive - pulling the trailer or not do it, but that is me. The windshield scenery driving is better than any national park in the lower 48 (and rivals the view out my window where I currently am [whistle]).

I had mixed upland experiences and would not go back for birds, personally, but don't let that discourage you, that is just me. During the part of the year that you will be there - the birds are not concentrated like they are when it gets cold, so a lot of walking for few encounters. Get far off the roads or hop over a river or behind a lake, anything near the road goes home with someone and the roads/trails are more of a game sink than I've see elsewhere.

I would not go on the trip without very solid and specific intel from multiple people for each species you want to chase. I encountered more "lots of birds on x mountain" in AK from people than typical planning a hunt (hint: birds are not all over x mountain, x mountain is big and x mountain was a hot spot in the 1980s and x mountain is shot out - specific intel will save days). The bios are less helpful than normal, since "everyone" is big game focused in AK. Few bird hunt in August and Sept, since big game is open.

I will not give bird intel, since I don't have any good, but if you get close, I will give you all the info you need to plan the rest of the trip. Update your milepost the year you plan to drive. Stop by here on the way.
 
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Thanks Tod,

I appreciate your thoughts on the bird intel. I have gotten several notes about the mediocre hunting that is upland birds in alaska. It is something I am keeping in mind though any state that is mediocre hunting, even in a bad year, will be better than the upland hunting in FL.

That said, I have also been advised that I might try Canada as well. I am looking into that some since Quebec and Newfoundland are closer to me than Canada. It would be fun to see Canada as well. Though Alaska is higher on my bucket list. It is looking like it will greatly depend on how much time I can get off from work. I would love to tow my rv up there, though I would definitely need the 8 weeks off to make that work. Canada would be closer in being able to do that while I still work.

Dang, I need to win the lotto and retire already!



As far as driving to somewhere where the temperature requirements are easier to plan around? That is a possibility I haven't ruled out.
 
I don't believe that they are too friendly to non-French speaking people in Quebec. They don't really even consider themselves to be a part of Canada from what I have been told. My son and his girlfriend went there a couple of years ago and said although Quebec was nice, the people were rude and most refused to speak English. He said it was obvious when you went somewhere that they were making fun of them while speaking in French. Someone tell me I'm wrong please, but I don't think I am.
 
It's true that the locals in Quebec, especially QC, can be a little testy if you don't speak French. In all fairness though, it can be similar in the US for non-English speakers.
 
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SJ Fairbank said:
It's true that the locals in Quebec, especially QC, can be a little testy if you don't speak French. In all fairness though, it can be similar in the US for non-English speakers.
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I can't imagine that freelancing for bird hunting would be do-able given how restrictive the fishing rules and big game rules are there. Not much bird diversity either.
 
tod osier said:
SJ Fairbank said:
It's true that the locals in Quebec, especially QC, can be a little testy if you don't speak French. In all fairness though, it can be similar in the US for non-English speakers.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine that freelancing for bird hunting would be do-able given how restrictive the fishing rules and big game rules are there. Not much bird diversity either.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure whether guides are required or not. I would guess it would be difficult to gain permission to hunt, if guides are not required. I know there are grouse just over the line from Jackman, Maine, but have no idea north of the St. Lawrence.
 
tod osier said:
SJ Fairbank said:
It's true that the locals in Quebec, especially QC, can be a little testy if you don't speak French. In all fairness though, it can be similar in the US for non-English speakers.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine that freelancing for bird hunting would be do-able given how restrictive the fishing rules and big game rules are there. Not much bird diversity either.
Click to expand...

I live on the border of both Quebec and New Brunswick. I know quite a few people who hunt birds in New Brunswick (woodcock and ruffed grouse), often in cast-and-blast mode while salmon fishing; can't think of anyone I know who hunts upland in Quebec, even though I know lots of folks who fish there.

Northern Quebec or Labrador might add a few bird species (ptarmagin for sure), but check with someone with local knowledge on hunting rules. Fishing up there can be bureaucratic and often requires a guide.

FWIW, I have free-lance fished in Quebec, and it's doable with a bit of research. In the Gaspe region, I did find that most locals did not speak English, though I did not think anyone was laughing at us or being obnoxious.
 
You need to make friends with somebody up in that area and then go with them.

Kind of like when you don't have a boat but need to use a boat, you make friends with somebody that has a boat.

That is a hell of a long drive. I think flying and then renting a truck makes it tough, because your truck is set up for hunting and your dog already, and a rental is just not the same.

I wonder if you could do a float trip that was part fishing and also hunting? There are places up there where they can fly you into the headwaters of a stream and you can float the river down to the saltwater where they will pick you up in a week or two.

You could camp out and fish and hunt at your pace, and it would give your dog a chance to rest up if you wanted to fish. That is what I'd shoot for.
 
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