Alaska for $25 a day??

[Frog123]

Hey Dave,


Since this is your stomping grounds I thought I'd ask you about this one. I just read in one of my hunting mags that you can do a self guided trip for as little as 25.00 a day by staying in govt. public use cabins. Any truth to this??



Frog

[BW]

Frog,

Actually, the USFS cabins start a $25, and top out around $45 a night.  Some have wood stoves, but many have oil stoves, and you have to bring your own fuel.  So that adds to the cost.

Plus, most are only accessible by boat or plane, so that adds cost too.

Still, at least down here in the pan-handle, the cabins are well used and apprectiated.

There are State owned cabins up north, and I don't know the deal with them.

[Daveinthebush]

I tried to answer this earlier, hit the submit icon and poof!  The reply was gone forever.

YES: There are cabins but like the previous post, prices vary and then there are transportation costs to the cabin.  You would have to rent a charter and during fishing season you'ld probably pay top fare to get there.  You would be stuck with deer and black bears only without a guide.

REALITY:  Transportation, lisence fees, food, getting here and back, transpoting the meat and hides.....is going to cost you.


REALITY: The cheapest way might be to do a road hunt, out of a camper.  You'ld have to review the regs. well and then only moose and black bear would be the prey.  You need a guide for grizz and goats.

REALITY: Hunting up here ain't easy. One screw up and your up a creek without a paddle.  As I once told a guy I took moose hunting when asked what would happen if the motor quit; "There are four more villages on the Yukon before we reach Russia."  He oppted to return before dark.  Guess he didn't like Russian women.

So I guess the statemen is close to truthful if made 10 years ago.  Concerning staying at a cabin.  Otherwise I don't think your going to do it.  I could do it, but I have my own boat and camping gear already here.

[Yukon Jack]

If you do try to stay in the cabins, they (USFS) open the reservations for them 6 months in advance and they fill up very quickly.  Make sure you reserve the cabin well ahead of arriving up here or you may be out in the cold.

[BW]

Yukon Jack,

You speak the truth!  When it comes to certain cabins, at certain times, you gotta be ready 180 days out.

Get out a calendar, and count the days out.  I'm getting ready to pounce on a cabin for a hunt October 15th.  I'll pay for a couple extra days up front (like around the 12th) to make sure I get the reservation.

That means I better book it tommorow!

[Winter Hawk]

I suppose you can do it, if you are willing to back pack or have another way to get off the road system.  If you came to Prince of Wales Island and are willing to camp in a rock pit from which you can hike into the high country for deer, it might be possible.  But that assumes that you are already here and aren't including the cost of license and tags.  Travel, even if you drive and pitch a tent alongside the road will set you back for ferry costs.  I take it back.  No way, unless you are a resident and already live in the hunting area.

-Kees-