DIY Caribou Hunt 2020 | Rifle Hunt on the Haul Road in Alaska

Shop the gear and accessories we use for our life in Alaska on Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/wanderblest In August 2020, we set out to hunt the Western Arctic caribou herd north of the Arctic Circle. We hiked 5 miles across the tundra, to get past the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area (DHCMA) and hunt with a rifle. An experience we will never forget.
Check out our packing list video here: • What to Pack for Hunti...
Shop our hunting pack list on Amazon: a.co/crSU9jM
Individual List Links (note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from the following links - this does not result in any additional charge to you!)
Hunting Gear
Scopes (we have the VX-3i series but it appears to be discontinued)
Leupold VX3HD 4.5-14x40 - amzn.to/36jn74M
Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 - amzn.to/3OhM8OR
Leupold Binoculars
BX-2 Alpine 12x52 - amzn.to/3EjlNvg
BX-2 Acadia 10x42 - shorturl.at/aqyUX
Binocular Harnesses
Alaska Guide Creations - amzn.to/3KKYPj8
Leupold Go Afield - amzn.to/3MdvApI
Leupold Rangefinder
RX1400i TBR - amzn.to/3MbuXNi
Leupold Spotting Scope
Ventana 2 - shorturl.at/oCX24
Alps Outdoors Commander X Packs - amzn.to/3JQtyKp
Field Dressing/Harvesting
Ball Citric Acid - amzn.to/37mqEjn
Hunting Knives
Wyoming Saw - amzn.to/3jKVC7j
Outdoor Edge - amzn.to/3EmA3DF
Havalon - amzn.to/37XS7rp
Caribou Gear Game Bags
Moose Magnum Pack - shorturl.at/hIR45
High Country Predator - shorturl.at/rxSY5
Paracord - amzn.to/3KOmizW
Camping Gear
UDAP Bear Fence - amzn.to/3JQnbqi
ALPS Mountaineering Tents
Lynx 2 - amzn.to/3L5tPe5
Lynx 4 - amzn.to/3KS0tzp
Teton Sports Sleeping Bags
LEEF Ultralight - amzn.to/3uP60Bx
CELSIUS - amzn.to/3KOW9Bh
Klymit Sleeping Pads
Insulated Static V - amzn.to/3JQ1p6i
Regular Static V - amzn.to/3M7FjxB
Camp Kitchen/Water Filtration
Platypus Reservoir: Big Zip Evo 3.0 Liter - amzn.to/3Oh4Whh
Katadyn Filter: Be Free 3.0 Liter - amzn.to/3jLHzOW
MSR Camp Stove: Windburner - amzn.to/3xykKpS
Mountain House Meals - amzn.to/36o3ade
Hot Hands - amzn.to/3KSthb5
Mosquito Head Nets - amzn.to/3KUk7Li
Head Lamps - amzn.to/3uMivxp
Small Flashlights - amzn.to/3JOcQvc
Telescoping Fishing Pole - amzn.to/3jKZl52
UDAP Bear Spray - amzn.to/3EmBIZV
Safety/Emergency Gear
Garmin InReach Explorer+ - amzn.to/3M8CYSV
Waterproof Matches - amzn.to/3JOpD0J
Instafire Fire Starter - amzn.to/3KP3CQP
First Aid Everett Trauma Kit - amzn.to/3uNYmah
Lifestraw - amzn.to/37XTwhF
Kenetrek Footwear & Gear
Gaiters - amzn.to/3Of0Ki1
Men’s Mountain Guide 400g Insulated Boot - amzn.to/3rSGmtN
Women’s Mtn Extreme 400g Insulated Boot - amzn.to/3KWHh3S
Waterproofing boot wax - amzn.to/3OhdrZB
Socks (Alaska Super Heavyweight) - amzn.to/3ry7IVP
Filming/Communications Gear
DJI OM4 Gimbal - amzn.to/3Ej7o2m
(Newer version out: OM5 - amzn.to/3jL93nR)
Canon eOS R mirrorless DSLR camera
Body only - amzn.to/3Oa9vKe
RF 24-105 f4/L - amzn.to/3ElbneI
RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L - amzn.to/3jM7WEh
Canon Point & Shoot - amzn.to/38XsbNi
(My exact model is no longer in production)
Goal Zero 20w Solar Panel - amzn.to/3EjiYun
Garmin InReach Explorer+ - amzn.to/3M8CYSV
DJI Mavic 2 Pro - amzn.to/3uMu2ge
Fly More Kit - amzn.to/3JItQD2
Clothing/Apparel
Men’s Simms G3 Guide Waders - shorturl.at/novBV
G3 Wading Boots - shorturl.at/bdqLW
Women’s Orvis Pro Waders - shorturl.at/jlDNY
Wading Boots - shorturl.at/pvFK7

[@genieruddle7564]

That was so much fun to watch this Jen and Brandon! Unko Reggie laughed when Brandon said, “learn to hunt with a bow!” He was like, yeah especially if you can shoot off the road! Gonna check out your other vids soon! We watched this on the big screen after I saw it on IG!!such fun! Ho’omaika’i Loa!!🙌🏽(Good job!) you guys! 🦌

[@wanderblest]

Awww so glad you showed it to Uncle, too!! This trip was definitely a bonding experience 😂 Hope to see you both again someday soon 😘

[@5AcresandaMoose]

Thanks for this video! I'm trying to get across the Inlet in a Husky on floats this month, but if it doesn't work out, I'm definitely going to give this a try--a long drive from the Kenai Peninsula. Kudos on your successful meat collection!

[@wanderblest]

Hope your original plan on floats works out! Best of luck and happy hunting either way ✨

[@5AcresandaMoose]

@@wanderblest Thanks!

[@Nello353]

That hunt is not for the faint of heart. Preparation is very important, but nothing really prepares you for walking on the muskeg. It's difficult without a load and all you can handle with a load. Hunting is hard in Alaska but the effort is what makes the experience.

[@wanderblest]

Couldn’t have said it better myself 🙌🏼

[@alishadrew1011]

So happy to finally see your amazing hardcore hunting Alaskan adventure!! You did a fantastic job and it was so fun to watch. Happy for Bran getting his caribou!

[@wanderblest]

Thank you!!! And yesss I am so happy for him too 😍

[@billcraig1540]

Great video. I suggest trading the bear fence for some foam ear plugs on your next hunt

[@wanderblest]

He had his earplugs and completely forgot to use them 😅 and I’m sure he’d be fine without the bear fence but it certainly gives me piece of mind - placebo effect or not 🙃

[@Sheddtycoon]

Great hunt and video guys.

[@wanderblest]

Thank you! It was definitely an adventure!

[@waynesmith699]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching and commenting!! It was definitely an adventure 😅 hoping to do it again this year!

[@johnbailey6022]

Pretty cool you guys. Congrats on the hunt. Was fun to watch!👍

[@wanderblest]

Hi, John! Thanks for watching and commenting! Looking forward to this season ✨

[@shelbysamuel7693]

I love the rifle! Good ol wintchester with control feed!

[@wanderblest]

I passed the compliment along to my husband! That Montana Rifle Co .300 win mag is one of his prized possessions for sure 🥰

[@calebmiller7092]

I loved this! Brandon in his chemistry gear lol. Jenn you should make a cooking video of the meat you were grinding. I felt like I was with you guys watching this. So much fun and rewarding but very challenging and hard work!

[@wanderblest]

Thank you!! I thought it was hilarious when he put on his rain suit.. though if I were about to pressure wash some brains I would definitely be wearing it too lol. Moose hunt video is going up tonight!!

[@angus9941]

So are we having fun yet.... you should call him the 50 mile bull!

[@wanderblest]

It sure felt like 50 miles by the time all was said and done 😂

[@M.H357]

Very nice, you definitely earned that bull. Congratulations and thanks for sharing, What will you do deferent if you wanna do it again?

[@wanderblest]

Thank you!! We are definitely going again 😅 this time, we plan to drink a LOT more water and make sure to take breaks/eat regularly. Also, we won’t take a sled again (unless it’s snowing) and we’ll plan ahead for making multiple trips instead of trying to bring EVERYTHING back at once. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@codypalmer1066]

Very good video!!! Only question I have is where did you guys park you truck? Did you have any issues with people messing with your vehicle while you were away from it?

[@wanderblest]

Sorry for the late reply! We parked right on the road and had no issues - but plenty of anxiety 😅 We've done this trip twice since and never had any issues, either.

[@raymondhochhausen1438]

Congrats on your caribou. That is a very tough hunt you definetly earned him.

[@wanderblest]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!! It was absolutely the hardest thing I've done in my life so far 😅

[@jimpinder6385]

Look like a great adventure

[@wanderblest]

We went back up there again in 2022!! I’ll be posting that video in a few weeks-still posting all our summer 2022 adventures now ✨

[@ValcoBayrunner]

Glad I bowhunt 😅, I would never walk 5 miles and then haul it 5 miles back. You could have hunted the Steese or Elliot highway and drive up to it or go with a bicycle/cart in the non-motorized unit. You definitely earned that bull.

[@wanderblest]

😅😅 yes it was a labor of love! We did hunt the Taylor Highway in fall 2021, but the bou never showed up… same thing later in the fall of 2021 when we went up the Steese (the bou were all hanging out in the no hunt portions of the Elliott).

[@devin197601]

Great video. I would have left the velvet on the horns. All you have to do to preserve the velvet is pack them in Borax for a couple weeks to dry out. Love the content

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for the positive feedback!! This was the earliest in the season we’ve ever hunted.. he definitely wanted to keep the velvet at first but it was honestly just something we hadn’t researched in advance 🤷🏼‍♀️ If we ever took one in velvet again, we’d be much better prepared before setting out for the field!

[@thomasjosephson4428]

Good video, I’ve hiked out to that area before (slightly different route) we camped at 3 miles out and hiked out the rest of the distance the next day. Find the steepest ridge line and walk that. It works best. Or get a bow cert!

[@wanderblest]

We’ve definitely talked about doing a spike camp 2.5-3 miles out for future trips! And the ridge lines are definitely where it’s at, unless you’re bow hunting like you say 😅

[@johnblackie314]

Congratulations on your Caribou ! Beautiful video work. Awesome Memories ! Love the Team Work ! This is what I want to come to hunt in Alaska. What boots do you recommend for hiking and hunting the tundra ? Keep on keeping on ! Stay Safe !

[@wanderblest]

Hunting caribou is an awesome adventure! In 2022, we both upgraded to Kenetreks hunting boots. They are pricey, but it’s an investment to stay dry, warm, and safe, as they offer awesome support and stability in treacherous conditions.

[@jorgequinones991]

Now hunter 😆 nice video.

[@wanderblest]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

[@pavalleyboy]

Such a awesome video I enjoyed watching... what time of year were you guys out there me and a couple buddy’s are thinking of doing this in 2023

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We were there in mid August 😉

[@AlaskanBallistics]

Finger Mountain is so cool.

[@wanderblest]

One of my favorite sights along that road!

[@grupo701caseriadevenado]

Nice 👍

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching!

[@ryanrichardson7744]

Absolutely love the video! It’s got me planning my first hunt in Alaska now. Do you mind if I ask what kind of jacket Brandon is wearing when setting up the tent and how you like it? Looks like one of the Cabela’s jackets, I’ve been sorting through their different models trying to pick out my camo and rain gear to prepare for the Alaska weather!

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Yes, Brandon’s wearing a Cabela’s jacket-I don’t know if they have the same model now (he bought his in 2018ish) but the current Cabela’s Instinct Barrier Goretex jacket in true timber vsx camo looks like the same thing. If you skim through my hunting playlist, I have a five min video on all of the gear we pack for our hunts 🙃

[@ryanrichardson7744]

@@wanderblest Thank you so much!

[@thomasadventures7359]

My friends and I did the same hunt a few years ago.. Five miles in tundra is miserable

[@wanderblest]

It really was... that being said, we're probably going again next year 🤣

[@robertstafford4480]

Fun video to watch. Down to earth and relaxed. A very human perspective rather than what you see sometimes. What are your thoughts on the rifle hunt? Did it seem like opportunity was readily available or do you feel had you not got the one when you did, it may have been slim? I've been so back and forth with bringing both my bow and rifle or just rifle. Most swear by archery. But I know competition can be tough at times. With the bugs, roundabout when did you go? Early August?

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for the feedback! Thoughts on the rifle hunt - extremely physically challenging but from the two times we've been on the Dalton, we feel like it's worth it to get away from the crowds hunting the road with bow. That being said, I don't know if there are any better odds with rifle than archery, as the caribou do whatever they want and could be anywhere on/off the road. We just like being away from the hunting pressure. We will definitely be doing the rifle hunt again (but we know better how hard to train now 🤣)!

[@robertstafford4480]

Ahhh, the decision continues! Part of me wants to just go for it. Thank you for the fast reply! Will be my first time going.

[@Alan-cw8vy]

Wonderful couple you are. I have never hunted up there. Would like to soon. Drive from Palmer here. Thanks for all the links. I will make good use of them. God Bless. Just great Video. Good advice about using a bow instead of walking 5 miles. Wonder if you can use crossbow? Probably.

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Doing it with bow would definitely be easier 😅 as far as I know, they don’t allow cross-bows for archery only hunts 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@TheRyantanner]

awesome video! I plan to do this same hunt next year, curious what you both thought of the number of animals you saw and if you would've timed the trip differently knowing what you know now

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching! We probably would have gone a week or two later-both to hopefully increase the number of animals and also so that he wouldn’t have had to deal with velvet! Happy hunting ✨

[@TheRyantanner]

@@wanderblest exactly what I was looking to know! so when would that have been? last week of August? or sept 1st?

[@wanderblest]

I have to leave some level of mystery 🤸🏼‍♀️

[@TheRyantanner]

@@wanderblest lol fair enough

[@jebpayne1710]

Awesome video! I'm from PA and im trying to plan a caibourl trip to the north slope so this was helpful! I just dont know where along the haul road (26B) i want to hunt. How did you decide where to pull over and walk in to hunt? Any tips would be appreciated!

[@wanderblest]

Hey there! Thanks for watching and commenting! Honestly, we did what you’re doing-watched as many videos as we could on KZbin for ideas and then we went on Google Earth to cover as much ground (virtually) as we could. That gave us a good idea of the terrain (especially rivers for water sources). Best of luck!

[@OURICO45]

What rifle and cartridges did you use in your hunting? Nice video thank you for sharing.

[@wanderblest]

Thanks for watching!! Brandon used his Montana Rifle Co. .300 WinMag-same rifle he used on our moose hunt (check out the video I posted recently if you haven’t seen it yet kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5TYlH-soJWHqJI)

[@anthonyauch3815]

Based on your experience, what time of the year would be best to go? Was this in august or September ?

[@wanderblest]

This was in August-we like August for the (mostly) predictable weather, but September would have been nice for letting the bou’s antlers get bigger (they’re still growing in August) and for avoiding velvet (they start shedding their velvet in the beginning of September). Hope that helps!

[@johngutormson9619]

Does anyone say what the costs are expected in a start to finish hunt?

[@wanderblest]

Definitely more expensive than a trip to the store! Since we’re residents, we only had to pay $70 for a hunting license (harvest ticket is free for residents). Then we probably spent $600 in gas, $200 in food, and then about $1000 in gear (which will last us for years to come). We processed the meat ourselves at home, but spent about $50 in vacuum bags and freezer paper. Hope that helps!

[@wanderblest]

Subscribe here: kzbin.info

[@kkeen2010]

What hunting gear did you use?

[@wanderblest]

I just posted a video of our packing list! Video description has a full list including links - kzbin.info/www/bejne/foqaYZynpbidZ5Y

[@greghertzberg6220]

Pizza, not gonna happen.

[@wanderblest]

😅😅😅