Hunting Trips

Unguided Alaska Moose Hunt #OI-RAA1

trophy unguided moose hunts

Hunting Trip #OI-RAA1

Unguided Alaska Moose Drop Hunt

Our unguided moose hunters have enjoyed tremendous success on this hunt over the years.

These DIY moose hunts aren’t for everyone. They can be physically demanding at times, so we recommend the hunters be in good condition when they arrive. However, if you’re the type of hunter this appeals to, the area houses some exceptional bulls. If that all sounds like too much, we do offer some incredibly successful guided moose hunts in this area as well. In fact, if you have the budget for a guided moose hunt, we DO recommend that you go that route.

  • Airport pickup in Bethel, AK. Float plane to camp.
  • 11 days hunting.
  • Unit 18, Yukon Delta.
  • High densities of moose.
  • Moose tags are are over-the-counter.
  • Hunting Season is September 1 – 30 for any bull. No antler restriction. Any bull can be taken.
  • Trophy quality is amazing with 55″ to 65″ bulls taken regularly.
  • Success rates are 80% and opportunity rate is 90 to 100%. (Success is slightly higher on the fully guided hunts)
  • Black bear, wolf and wolverines are possible, so get your tags.
  • Option to add a brown bear on the fully guided hunts.
  • You CANNOT fly and hunt on the same day.
  • Moderate to Difficult hunts. Thick spruce with tundra and bogs. It can be hot, it can be cold and there will be bugs. Walking on tundra is difficult.
  • Only US citizens are eligible for the unguided hunt.

More Resources for this Hunt

Moose hunting camp

Camps and Expectations

  • Unguided hunters are responsible for setup and teardown of their camps.
  • Camps will vary, with some more wet than others. Comfortable hip boots are a must! Low impact camps are recommended, as you are in the heart of moose county. Most hunters take their bulls within close proximity of camp.
  • The hunting area is 40×70 miles.
  • 2 hunter minimum per camp.
  • Any legal weapon. Great archery hunt.
  • Trophy class bulls are common
  • Fly into field by float plane or plane equipped with tundra tires. You are limited to 50 lbs. of gear (does not include weapons, ammo, water, or food).
  • Some camps will have boats provided if they are needed.
  • Hunters are responsible for satellite communication devises. i.e. SAT phone, inReach, etc.
  • Hunters are responsible for all trophy/meat field care and packing. Meat and horns must be ready for pickup at original drop area.
  • It is required that ALL meat is taken out of the field. Bone is required to be left in quarters, rib meat can be cut out. It is the hunters responsibility to review the F&G regulations.
  • Antlers may NOT be removed from the kill site until ALL salvageable meat is removed (state law).
  • Bring high quality game bags for your meat.
  • Once notified, and schedule permitting, the outfitter will pick up meat and horns for transport back to the hangar.
  • Early extraction is common due to the high success rates. It is important to realize that schedule and weather dictate early pickups. Hunters need to be mentally prepared that it could take several days. The outfitter will never risk someone’s life to get them out of the field.
  • Alaska tundra can be very physically demanding, it is important to arrive in good shape.
  • Pre and post hunt logistical correspondence can be expected in regards to travel, tags/license, equipment list, recommended gear list, meat/trophy care and shipping.
  • Hunters can rest assured knowing they will be placed in areas that are most productive without other hunter pressure.
This unguided, DIY hunt for moose not only has a great price point, it’s also a great experience.
Alaska-Yukon bulls are the heavyweights of the moose hunting world.

Most Hunters Choose the “Outfitted” Camp and Food Option

With this option, the outfitter will provide camp, supplies and food for the drop camp hunters.

Camping Equipment Provided for Two Hunters:

  • 1  4-man Guide Model Tent
  • 2 cots
  • 1 tarp
  • 2 chairs
  • 1 cook set
  • 1 lantern/ mantels
  • 2 collapsible water containers
  • Dish soap
  • 1 stove/ 4 one pound propane bottles
  • 4 rolls toilet paper
  • 1 box matches
  • 2 lighters
  • 6 garbage bags
  • 2 sets of silverware, plates, bowls and glasses
  • 2 rolls paper towels
  • 1 box quart size Ziploc bags
  • 1 coffee pot
  • 6 Salt for capes

Breakfast Supplied for Two Hunters:

  • 1 large container of Egg Beaters or 18 eggs
  • 2 lbs. bacon or breakfast sausage
  • 1 jar instant coffee
  • 3 quarts box Milk
  • 1 box pancake mix
  • 1 bottle of syrup
  • 1 box instant oatmeal
  • 1 box hot chocolate

Lunch Supplied for Two Hunters:

  • 2 loaves bread
  • 1 jar jelly
  • 1 jar peanut butter
  • 20 assorted candy bars/ granola bars
  • 2 lbs. sandwich meat turkey or ham
  • 1 lb. cheddar cheese
  • 6 cans mixed fruit cups
  • 10 packages ramen noodles
  • 10 packages powdered drink mix (2 quarts each)  lemonade/orange

Dinner Supplied for Two Hunters:

  • 1 box red beans and rice
  • 2 boxes macaroni and cheese
  • 2 instant packages of rice
  • 2 instant packages of pasta
  • 2 cans chili
  • 2 cans soup/stew
  • 4 cans vegetables
  • 3 packages mashed potatoes
  • 1 package wieners
  • 4 lbs hamburger meat
  • 4 cans chicken
  • 1 lb polish sausage

Condiments Supplied for Two Hunters:

  • ketchup / mustard
  • salt / pepper
  • 1 bottle vegetable oil
  • coffee mate/sugar
  • 1 bottle squeeze butter or 2 sticks butter
  • Miscellaneous spices and mixes
Packing out a huge moose
Packing out a huge moose is work! But it’s worth it.

Hunting Strategies

These strategies are either ones that we used or other hunters used while we were up there. All of which were effective under the right circumstances. Take them with a grain of salt. It was the common consensus from all hunters coming out of the field that calling and hunting near camp were the most effective tactics, within half mile at most.

  • Positive attitude and open mind are the most important tactic of all on an unguided hunt.
  • Stay patient and book extra days if you can (we booked 14 days September 13-26).
  • Call and rake trees at the correct times (don’t over call).  Call morning/evening, still hunt the day for bedded moose. This one can be tricky, wind must be absolutely right if you are going to try to still hunt a bedding area. We didn’t try it but some guys did with great luck.
  • Call near camp in the evening and check for bulls in the morning (this worked for dad’s bull).
  • Call from same locations for long periods, bulls can take days to come into the calls.
  • Use the wind for setup.
  • Glass and call from elevation/vantage-points. Climb trees if you must.
  • Find travel routes, natural funnels/corridors, and pinch points.
  • Glass for cows in the morning, move to their location later in the day to draw the bull out.
  • Stay in stealth mode, even in camp. Maintain a low presence. You don’t want to make it known you are there.
  • Split up and hunt separate locations to cover more ground (only if you are comfortable being separated).
  • Paddle around the lake edge and get out periodically to check open areas and nearby lakes.

float plane

Travel Information

  • You will fly to Anchorage, AK (ANC), where you will catch a flight to Bethel.
  • Your host will meet you at the airport.
  • It is important when booking your tickets to Bethel that you arrive early in the day that you are scheduled to go into the field, or the night prior. Arriving later in the day may not allow you enough time to fly out to camp.
  • It is important to prepare for flight delays. Weather is a major factor, and the outfitter will never risk someone’s life to get them into or out of the field. If such conditions do exist, be patient.
  • You will be dropped off at your camp via float plane or a plane equipped with tundra tires.
  • We recommend departing Anchorage the day AFTER you are scheduled to be extracted from the field.
  • Hunters are responsible for pre and post lodging. The outfitter will assist with room reservations.

Hundreds of pounds of moose meat

Shipping Meat and Trophies

Antlers and meat/capes can currently be checked on Alaska Air.

It is the hunter’s responsibility to verify. If you are taking meat home with you, meat/cape boxes can be purchased from the outfitter. Boxes can be checked on as luggage and must not be over 50 pounds. Excess baggage fees will be charged by the airlines for additional pieces of checked baggage on Alaska Airlines. Bring a roll of bubble wrap, a roll of packaging shrink wrap, packaging tape, and then scavenge cardboard to wrap your skull.

Another option for meat is to have the outfitter arrange air cargo of the meat to a processor in Anchorage, as well as air cargo the skull/antlers and cape to Knight’s Taxidermy. This is more convenient, but also the most expensive option. 

Meat can also be donated to local citizens or to the food bank.

You must complete a transfer of possession form (get one from the outfitter) . Partially butchered quarters of meat are not accepted for donation. Remember, it is the hunter’s responsibility to see the meat is properly donated or boxed for your flight home. The outfitter does not provide boning or boxing. The outfitter has an area in the hangar for deboning meat.

We were all able to make it happen and connect on our first Alaska moose. I actually passed on a couple bulls a little bigger than mine but I wouldn’t have traded that for the extra time in the field and the encounters that we had. 

Booking Information

Interested in booking this trip? If you have not yet received pricing please request it here, and be sure to reference the trip number at the top of this page. Please note that reservations are not considered finalized until agreed upon deposit is received. This ensures agreed upon dates and current pricing. Quality outfitters are in high demand so let us know right away, as some trips do book years in advance.

Hunt Includes:

  • Logistical assistance.
  • All transportation after arriving in Bethel, AK
  • If you choose the “outfitted camp” the hunt will include all camp equipment and food.
  • One bull moose.
  • Black bear, wolf and wolverine can be taken without additional trophy fees. Appropriate tags required.
  • Call in for an early take out if you tag out early.
  • Meat and trophy transport back to the hangar.

Not Included:

When you’re ready to book, if you haven’t already ask your Outdoors International Consultant for updated pricing.

If it looks good, your consultant will write up a booking agreement for you. Remember, our service is free to you. There are no added costs.

Photos from this Hunt: