Wolf Killer,

The Dalton Highway (Haul Road) is one of the better DIY options for caribou that doesn't involve a fly out, but there are some things to consider. The 1/4 mile restriction was removed in early '04, but 5 miles either side of the Dalton is archery only!!! Some guys think no problem, I'll just hike 5 miles across that big golf course and get outside of the corridor. If you've never walked 5 miles of wet tundra you're in for a real treat. It's some of the most awful stuff you could ever try and traverse. If you do tag a 'bou 5 miles out then you're really in for a treat getting it all back. Remember all of the meat has to come back before the antlers can come out. The AK State Troopers love ticketing non-residents for wanton waste too. Most rental car companies won't allow you to run a vehicle up the Dalton so be prepared to spend big bucks to rent a truck in Fairbanks. Remember that because it is a road accessible hunt in a state with very few roads the Haul Road gets a lot of hunting traffic in the fall. Expect to see camps anywheresmooth enough to pitch a tent, especially from late August through late September. I wouldn't go any later than that unless you want to learn a whole new definition of cold. If you go before the first of September bring plenty of DEET bug spray, and two headnets. The mosquitos will drive you insane if you don't. It's 494 miles one way from Fairbanks to Deadhorse so bring at least two spare tires and plenty of extra fuel. Something I would recommend is renting a raft in Fairbanks and floating down the Sagavanirktok (Sag) River that parallels the Dalton. A lot of the caribou will hang out on the gravel bars and it gives you the option to hop back and forth across the river. Remember that the Sag won't get you outside of 5 miles so that would have to be an archery hunt, or a float/hike. Pristine Ventures (Larry Bartlett) rentsa variety of rafts in Fairbanks and Larry's a great resource for hunting info. Pick up a copy of Larry's book "Caribou Hunting: A Guide to Alaska's Herds" if you want some good info. It's a great resource. You may also want to look into a DIY hunt for the Western Arctic Herd out of Kotzebue.Tons of caribou in that country, and a lot fewer people, but it would require a flyout. That's my 2 or3 cents worth. If you have any other questions just ask.

AK Jeff