{"id":2237,"date":"2022-04-27T21:13:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T21:13:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=2237&#038;fishpig=1651093003&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:54","slug":"planning-a-caribou-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a Caribou Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_2247\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2247\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2247\" title=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/AlaskaTundra.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2247\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Planning a Caribou Hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#Witnessing_a_caribou_migration\" >Witnessing a caribou migration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#Planning_a_Caribou_Hunt\" >Planning a Caribou Hunt<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#Let_the_Research_Begin\" >Let the Research Begin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#The_Budget\" >The Budget<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#Who_to_Take\" >Who to Take<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#Getting_There\" >Getting There<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/#What_to_Take\" >What to Take<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Witnessing_a_caribou_migration\"><\/span><strong>Witnessing a caribou migration<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Planning a Caribou Hunt Witnessing a caribou migration should be listed as one of the natural wonders of the world. A herd can <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/best-places-to-see-wildlife-in-the-usa-this-summer\/\">travel<\/a> a few thousand miles per year moving from their summer to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-keep-your-feet-warm-in-winter\/\">winter<\/a> range and back, finding new food sources and avoiding predation. In fact, many scientists believe that people first crossed the now-submerged Bering Land Bridge into northwest Alaska following the caribou.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So not only is it amazing to witness the migration, should you be so lucky, it\u2019s also amazing to get a chance to hunt these nomadic animals, should you be so lucky. Here\u2019s what planning a caribou looks like, including figuring out what and who to take with you on the adventure.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_a_Caribou_Hunt\"><\/span><b>Planning a Caribou Hunt<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A quick note on planning a caribou <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/binoculars-for-turkey-hunting\/\" title=\"Binoculars for Turkey Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"736\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a>. If you\u2019re an experienced hunter with a slightly above average sense of adventure, a DIY hunt may be for you. On the other hand, there are reputable guides who can help you <a title=\"Hunting Safely in Bear Country\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/hunting-safely-in-bear-country\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safely get in and out while allowing you to have an incredible experience during the hunt<\/a>. Whether to go it alone with a few <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-best-rifle-rounds-for-hunting-whitetail-deer\/\">hunting<\/a> buddies or hire someone who knows the land and the animals is totally dependent on your comfort level. For the sake of this article, we\u2019re going to talk about planning a caribou <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"737\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> for yourself and a few friends, without a guide.<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Let_the_Research_Begin\"><\/span><b>Let the Research Begin<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A caribou <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a>, especially a DIY hunt out into Interior Alaska, takes a lot of research. Even though we won\u2019t use a guide, we\u2019ll still need to rely on someone to provide transportation in and out of the Interior. That\u2019s after figuring out where to go. And a budget. So, let the research begin.<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Budget\"><\/span><b>The Budget<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Obviously, we must figure out our budget and what we\u2019re willing to spend on the entire excursion. This includes traveling to Alaska, purchasing licenses, getting shuttled out onto the tundra, unexpected, weather-related hotel stays and meals, ensuring there\u2019s enough food and the right <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/18-turkey-hunting-gear-essentials\/\">gear<\/a> to live comfortably for a week, getting out of the Interior, and safely home. If successful, we must <a title=\"How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transport and process meat<\/a>, which can get pretty expensive. Then, there could be a taxidermy bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_to_Take\"><\/span><b>Who to Take<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Perhaps what\u2019s not so obvious is deciding who to take on this adventure. Your best friends and closest hunting buddies are probably the first choice. But consider what the trip will entail. Between hunting and maintaining a camp, there\u2019s going to be a fair amount of physical labor involved. Conditions can get cold, windy, and rainy in a hurry. The last person we want in camp is a lazy whiner.\u00a0 Everyone must be willing to endure whatever Alaska throws their way.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Around camp, food must be prepared and properly stored. Your entire hunting party needs to be privy to the possible dangers of hunting in Alaska where grizzlies live. Laziness would be a deal breaker. As would inattention to detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even if it\u2019s a best buddy who has the potential to ruin a trip for any of the above reasons, cross him off the list. Having to shoulder somebody else\u2019s workload for seven straight days can strain even the strongest friendships.<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2248\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2248\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2248\" title=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Bear-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/04\/Bear.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2248\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Planning a Caribou Hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So don\u2019t be afraid to approach mutual friends and acquaintances who you know are tough and hard working. Everybody on the trip should be willing to put in the effort to ensure the safety and well being of the entire hunting party. You\u2019ll have a better time because of it and walk away from the trip with great memories and strong bonds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_There\"><\/span><b>Getting There<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Figuring out where to go and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"382\">how to<\/a> get there go hand in hand. There are several distinct caribou herds of varying sizes in Alaska, any of which you may <a title=\"Choosing a Youth Hunting Rifle\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/choosing-a-youth-hunting-rifle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">choose to hunt<\/a>. Then there\u2019s the outfit you hire to fly you into and out of the bush, which is another part of the equation that can help influence this decision on where to go and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/illuminated-reticle-battery-installation-2\/\" title=\"Illuminated Reticle battery installation on your TRACT TORIC 34MM 4-25X50\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"511\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">how<\/a> to get there.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One thing to note is that bush pilots fly not only hunters and anglers into the Interior, many of these outfits provide sight seeing trips as well. So a reputable bush pilot outfit is going to know migration patterns and cycles. Most will require that a hunting party is at least two people. Then we\u2019ll need to know what to take based on their weight requirements.<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Take\"><\/span><b>What to Take<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From boots to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-the-impact-ballistics-calculator-helps-shooters\/\">optics<\/a>, all gear needs to be rugged for whatever the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/rifle-scopes-and-extremely-cold-weather\/\" title=\"Rifle Scopes and Extremely Cold Weather\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1596\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extremes of the Alaskan weather<\/a> and landscape. If we didn\u2019t mention gear in the \u201cBudget\u201d section we\u2019re doing so here because purchasing the best money can buy will be worth it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_1344\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1344\" style=\"width: 582px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1344\" title=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90.jpg\" alt=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" width=\"582\" height=\"72\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90.jpg 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-600x74.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/12\/TRACT_BRAND_728X90-150x19.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Planning a Caribou Hunt<\/figcaption><\/figure><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A great pair of broken-in boots is paramount. As is your clothing, knowing that it could be sunny one minute and a torrential downpour the next. Take a tent that doesn\u2019t leak and has enough room for you to comfortably sleep and hang out. On some days when the rain won\u2019t quit, you may find yourself spending time in the tent rather than hunting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the bush pilot is scheduled to pick up seven days after drop off, take enough food and fuel (for the cook stove) for 10. Depending on weight requirements, getting creative with meals never hurts. So practice beforehand. Who knows, perhaps we should be so lucky to have fresh caribou meat while we\u2019re out there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As for all the big game animals in North America, none are as nomadic as the caribou. They\u2019re built for travel with hooves that <a title=\"How to Keep Your Feet Warm in Winter\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-feet-warm-in-winter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keep moving across the soft ground in summer and deep snows of winter<\/a>. Some <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunters<\/a> have witnessed a heavily populated tundra one day and total absence of life the next; that\u2019s how quickly they can pass through. Like anything involving hunting, timing is everything. Should you choose to go, may your timing be perfect.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Planning a Caribou Hunt | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2265,2273],"tags":[2381,2382,2383,2384,2385,2386,2387,2388,2389,2812,2813,2844,2845,2846,2847,2848,2849,2852,2899,3032],"class_list":["post-2237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rifle-scope","category-tractoptics","tag-best-12x-binoculars","tag-best-all-around-deer-caliber","tag-best-all-around-deer-hunting-caliber","tag-best-all-around-deer-hunting-rifle-caliber","tag-best-all-around-deer-rifle-caliber","tag-best-all-around-hunting-caliber","tag-best-all-around-hunting-rifle-caliber","tag-best-all-around-rifle-caliber","tag-best-ammo-for-deer-hunting","tag-hunting-calibers","tag-hunting-calibers-for-deer","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber-chart","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber-for-deer","tag-hunting-rifle-calibers","tag-hunting-rifle-calibers-by-size","tag-hunting-rifle-rounds","tag-hunting-rifle-sizes","tag-long-range-rifle-scope","tag-rifle-scope"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2237"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11406,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2237\/revisions\/11406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}