It was quite the adventure going caribou hunting this weekend! The weather cooperated: really warm (maybe 20-30) and no wind. The trail was pretty bumpy from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik (40 mile drive) especially Foothills. Man I dreaded going back over them on the way home. But after Shaktoolik it was pretty smooth sailing.
The only problem I had was my sled came loose from my snow machine twice. The drive from Unalakleet to Iglutalik was about 4 hours. My shackle came loose twice. The first time I was on the trail between trees and I kind of freaked out because I didn’t want to block the trail for other hunters. Luckily, I was able to back up 200 yards or so to my sled and found both pieces of my shackle and reconnected and got out of the trees. The second time I was out in the open and one of my hunting partners was driving behind me. I lost both pieces of my shackle, but luckily he had an extra one. I was extremely lucky to go up with two very prepared hunters.
The only problem I had was my sled came loose from my snow machine twice. The drive from Unalakleet to Iglutalik was about 4 hours. My shackle came loose twice. The first time I was on the trail between trees and I kind of freaked out because I didn’t want to block the trail for other hunters. Luckily, I was able to back up 200 yards or so to my sled and found both pieces of my shackle and reconnected and got out of the trees. The second time I was out in the open and one of my hunting partners was driving behind me. I lost both pieces of my shackle, but luckily he had an extra one. I was extremely lucky to go up with two very prepared hunters.
From then on, it was smooth sailing. The drive was peaceful and I didn’t get cold. We got to caribou country and started scouting out the land to find herds. My hunting partner, Wade, spotted a good-sized herd of about 50 so we started out for them. Because I have never gone out hunting before, my heart started racing and so did my mind. I couldn’t believe I was actually there and seeing caribou for the first time. It was amazing.
We got to the herd and Jeff started chasing them. He drove so hard that he must have hit a bump and his snow machine tipped over and so did his sled. I was going to stop by him to help him, but he waved me to go after the herd so I did. He was able to get his rig back up pretty fast. The herd got away that time. You have to see how skiddish they are. They are so fast and split up in like 4 directions.
We got to the herd and Jeff started chasing them. He drove so hard that he must have hit a bump and his snow machine tipped over and so did his sled. I was going to stop by him to help him, but he waved me to go after the herd so I did. He was able to get his rig back up pretty fast. The herd got away that time. You have to see how skiddish they are. They are so fast and split up in like 4 directions.
So, we pulled back together and started driving after one group of the herd. Wade must have caught a few because he stopped and Jeff went after a big group of about 15 or 20. I saw 3 caribou running off towards the hills and some willows. They looked a little easier to go after and I figured the willows might slow them down, so I chased them. I was about 100 yards behind them so I stopped and shot and reloaded and shot again and they kept running, but one started to slow down and I watched it slowly fall to the ground.
I couldn’t believe it. I actually killed a caribou! So, I got brave and started chasing the other two. I got like 50 yards behind them and stopped and shot again. They kept running but one of them slowed down to a walk and eventually went down. I pulled up beside it and shot it in the head to make sure it was dead. I wanted to go after the 3rd caribou, but was scared to catch too much because I did not know how to butcher and didn’t know how many caribou Wade and Jeff got. I stood beside my second caribou, unsure what to do. I took a few pictures of course for memories, then I drove to one of my partners.
Jeff had caught five. I was impressed. I asked to watch him butcher, but it ended up being us butchering 3 caribou together. Wade came over to us with his sled tied down. He had caught three caribou and had them all butchered so he butchered the last of Jeff’s caribou and helped me with my last caribou.
Jeff had caught five. I was impressed. I asked to watch him butcher, but it ended up being us butchering 3 caribou together. Wade came over to us with his sled tied down. He had caught three caribou and had them all butchered so he butchered the last of Jeff’s caribou and helped me with my last caribou.
I was so intimidated about butchering, but really it wasn't as bad as I thought. Wade showed me how to get the tongue if the caribou had lock jaw. Jeff showed me what was what inside the caribou's cavity. My gram wanted me to bring heart, liver and tongue back. Wade is a speedy butcherer. One day I might butcher half as fast as him. :)
We ended up seeing another herd of caribou after we finished butchering and Wade teased saying I should go after them. LOL! It was already after 4 pm and we still had to drive home. Now, I kind of wish I did. Would be nice to have extra meat to send out to be made into hot dogs and sausage.
We ended up seeing another herd of caribou after we finished butchering and Wade teased saying I should go after them. LOL! It was already after 4 pm and we still had to drive home. Now, I kind of wish I did. Would be nice to have extra meat to send out to be made into hot dogs and sausage.
All-in-all, it was an amazing experience. I loved it so much, that I would like to to go hunting again this weekend, if the weather permits.
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