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The majority of Alaska's big
game hunters consider the Grizzly / Brown
Bear to be the prime hunting trophy
currently offered by the State. This
exceptional trophy animal is found through
out most of Alaska. However, it is found in
greater hunt-able numbers in the Rainy Pass
area than in almost any other area. It is
not uncommon to see more than 20 bears in a
single day in the Fall hunting season.
The interior Grizzly Bear is some what
smaller than the coastal Brown Bear.
Probably this has to do with the richer food
source available to the coastal Bears which
feed on the abundant salmon runs. However,
with the current high density of Bears in
the Rainy Pass area several are being taken
each year that measure between 8 and 9 feet
squared. These are big bruins that can weigh
between 500 and 700 pounds. Truly
outstanding interior Grizzly Bears. They
traditionally are found feeding on the King
Salmon and Red Salmon runs on the Skwentna
River and Happy River during late July and
August. In mid August they start to
supplement their diet with wild Blue Berries
that are found in abundance on the mountain
side meadows.
A large white mane with a slender white
stripe extending back to the flank gives a
bull Caribou its regal appearance. A large
bull can have a set of antlers that are
massive and impressive. In fact they can be
breathtaking. For many years these animals
have not been held in very high esteem by
sportsmen from around the world. However,
they can provide a wonderful hunting
experience for the hunter who appreciates
its natural beauty and enjoys the high
alpine terrain that this animal inhabits.
Alaska's Caribou are primarily a mountain
animal and are often observed while hunting
Dall Sheep. Many times these sure footed
creatures are located above the Sheep and
will be perched right on the top of the
area's highest mountain peak.
Barren ground Caribou are the nomads of the
North and are constantly on the move to find
new areas with better food sources. The
herd's movement can be extensive and
unpredictable. In fact, areas that have had
excellent hunting for years may suddenly be
abandoned as migration routes change and new
areas that have been void of these animals
will just as suddenly have large Caribou
populations. The Rainy Pass hunting area has
experienced some of these problems during
the last ten years. Good bulls are still
available and during the last several years
the population appears to be increasing
slightly.
The best way to hunt Caribou is to combine
it with a hunt for a Dall ram. They inhabit
the same areas and many good bulls have been
taken incidentally during the Sheep hunts.
For the hunter wanting only a Caribou, it is
best to spend most of the time hunting the
higher mountains and concentrate on the
Passes. It is also possible to be dropped by
super cub on some of the higher gravel bars.
Caribou have a habit of traveling the river
beds at higher elevations.
These beautiful trophy Caribou bulls with
white manes are striking in appearance and
make a great addition to every hunter's
trophy collection. In most cases it takes
skill and dedication to bag a truly
outstanding trophy bull.
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