Author Topic: Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy  (Read 1197 times)

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Offline Moose-Hunter

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« on: December 31, 2004, 02:52:03 PM »
What's usually the best time to hunt for grizzly? First two weeks of April, or is that too soon?

Offline Daveinthebush

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Not much help
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2005, 11:49:22 AM »
Sorry but not much help.  I was up there the last weekend of Ptargiman last year on the Paxson side.  Lots of snow!  I did not think one could bury a Scandik long trac.

About the first week of April one person from Valdez shot a grizz just south of Glennallen up on the slopes.  Snowgo required.  I suppose it all depends on how brutal our winter is.  We were seeing bears out somewhere about mid April last year.  Really turned on around the second week of May.

As soon as I see any out I will let you know.  I was scouting for bait staitions yesterday and will be again tomorrow.
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Offline summitx

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2005, 10:11:40 PM »
Moose-hunter
 we would head up to the denali right after the arcticman I think it was after the second weekend in April

Offline Moose-Hunter

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2005, 03:59:35 PM »
Thanks for the responses.

summitx,

I believe you shot a grizzly up there in April last year or the year before? How was the road conditions on the Denali Hwy and how far did you travel, on road and off?

Offline Daveinthebush

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What tool
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2005, 04:35:56 PM »
Are you going to bow hunt or gun hunt?  Just curious.
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Offline Moose-Hunter

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2005, 01:07:45 AM »
Dave,

I don't have a bow, but that will change this spring after my bear hunts. I'm gonna go down to Fletchers (sp?) Archery and get fitted for a bow (looking hard at the Hoyt's) and start up a membership there, or whatever. If time allows, I'm hoping to do a bowhunt for moose in the Eklutna Lake area this fall, but that will all depend on how much practice time I get during the summer to shoot the bow.

But on my spring grizzly hunts, I'll be using my 338 Win. Mag. or my 358 Norma Mag or the new 375 H&H that I currently have on layaway.

So many choices . . .  :-D

Offline Daveinthebush

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Fletchers
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2005, 02:11:51 AM »
Fletchers is excellent.  You might spend a little more but the expertize of the owner is Excellent.  He had my BowTech tuned and shooting perfect in less than ten minutes.  Since I am so far away, he even taught me everything he was doing just in case I had to make field repairs.

You have a .358 Norma Mag!!!  Now I'm jealous :cb2::yeah:

I am actually going up north today to scout for bear stands.
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Offline Sourdough

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2005, 09:52:09 AM »
Last year I flew the area either the last week of March or the first week of April, can't remember.  Anyway grizzlies were out on the southern slopes that had melted off, eating the dried grass.  We had an early breakup last year.  during that time there was too much snow for a 4-wheeler, and too many dry areas for a snowmachine.  Lakes and streams were too soft to cross, but not open enough for a canoe.  In other words the bears were virtually inexcessiable at that time.  We went down the first week of May, there was still a lot of snow drifts that had not melted off, blocking most of the trails, too deep to cross on a 4-wheeler.  We dug our way across two drifts, then decided that was too much work.  Had a good time fishing, caught lots of Lakers, had to turn them loose, too early.  Still had a good time, just unable to get to the areas where the bears were.
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Offline Moose-Hunter

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2005, 09:46:49 PM »
Dave,

Yup. The 358 Norma Mag is my favorite rifle I have in the safe. Here it is:




Sourdough,

We're you flying over the Denali Hwy? I've only hunted up that way once a few years ago for caribou near the McClaren (sp?) River area. I sold my snowmachine (but have access to another one) and I do have a four-wheeler.

Offline Sourdough

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #9 on: January 10, 2005, 08:10:38 AM »
Yes:  I flew directly over the Denali Highway.  Also the area North of it.  The McClearen river area is a good place.  I like to hunt behind Moore's hunting camp, that's a good area too.  In fact Jimmy Moore keeps up on where the bears are in that area, and will tell people where to look.  Jimmy wants them taken so the Caribou will come back.  He feel there is too many in the area.
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A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.

Offline Moose-Hunter

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #10 on: January 10, 2005, 01:49:07 PM »
Sourdough,

Is there a way I can get a hold of Jimmy Moore?

Offline Sourdough

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Spring griz hunting off the Denali Hwy
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2005, 10:13:13 PM »
Jimmy lives in Anchorage, I believe he is in the phone book.  If you can't get in touch with him that way get back with me.  Rog
Where is old Joe when we really need him?  Alaska Independence    Calling Illegal Immigrants "Undocumented Aliens" is like calling Drug Dealers "Unlicensed Pharmacists"
What Is A Veteran?
A 'Veteran' -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve -- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.