This Years Float Hunt

[Tikaani]

Hope everyone is doing well. Just returned from seven days in the Brooks Range float hunting for moose. We were supposed to be there for two weeks but a 60" bull saw things differently. We flew into one of the Forks of the Koyukuk River with a Beaver on floats. We have done this hunt before and enjoy it for its solitude, we never see a soul or any human activity.
 
These big bulls in remote areas are a lot of work, in this area it is required that the meat remains on the bone until you get it home. This bull was across the river and once quartered and bagged was rope winched to the bank and shuttled across to camp, hung and covered. Floated out 25 miles the following day (total float is about 70 miles), set up camp and emptied the raft, hung the meat and cleaned the raft of all the blood, loosing my raft to bears would be disastrous. Next day repeat the day before until you reach the take out point. Got him home and butchered, 450 lbs of meat. 

Make no mistake though, I would not trade this for anything.

Living the Life
John

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[pitw]

My, we do have different ways of gathering moose meat.  Yours is more romantic but mine is a lot easier.
Good job as usual.

[Hawks Feather]

Thanks for the pictures here and in the second post. 450 pounds of meat is pretty awesome. The chance of having a bear decide that it would rather have the meat than allow you to have it is a different story.

[Okanagan]

What a trip!  Love it!  Thanks for the pics. 

[nastygunz]

what is that strapping lad in the middle packing in that chest holster?

[JohnP]

I remember when I killed my first, and only, moose.  When I walked up to it I looked at my knife and then the moose and thought to myself "what in the hell did I just do."

Thanks for all the photos John I really enjoy them. 

[Tikaani]

what is that strapping lad in the middle packing in that chest holster?

It is a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan, 44 Mag.

[nastygunz]

Ruger Rules!

[nastygunz]

Ihave a Ruger GP-100 .357, one chunk of steel!

[nastygunz]

Kenai Chest holster if my eyes do not deceive me.

[Tikaani]

Ruger Rules!

I carry a standard Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 mag. w/7.5" barrel. I think he had the holster made in Fairbanks.

[nastygunz]

we have girly bears here, I usually carry my Glock 17, 18 rounds FMJ 9mm. Ive bagged 3 deer with my GP100.

[coyote101]

Looks like great fun, John.

Pat

[FinsnFur]

Ruger

"living the life" is right. I envy you.
450 lb of meat is a sweet deal. Thanks for sharing that trip with us, definitely looks like an enjoyable experience.