Alaska has about 9,728 officially named rivers, creeks, and streams.
Many of these rivers are not suitable for novice rafters. Many others are not suitable for finding both Caribou and Moose and even more of them do not offer suitable pick-up points or drop-off points, generally lakes at their headwaters.
There are also rivers with hunting restrictions of some sort associated with them. The list of rivers is growing shorter, however, you can still find the combinations you are looking for. As stated earlier, we have LOTS of rivers. Do your research now and be serious about your planning. This ain't no deer hunt!
There are 28 boroughs in Alaska. Each have many different rivers in them. I am going to discuss rivers in the Dillingham Region. This region is a pristine area of Alaska that will offer all NR hunters a first class Alaskan experience. It is remote, has beautiful mountains, fishing and healthy populations of Moose and Caribou. Black Bear also frequent this same range. Grizzly and Brown Bear are also present.
However, you will not be entitled to take a Grizzly/Brown Bear without a guide. If you are thinking - "I had to shoot" a grizzly/Brown Bear- DON'T. You will be subjected to a lengthy Fish and Game inquiry and after that is over, they will confiscate the Bear hide and skull. SO, avoid doing that. I'll write more about avoiding encounters with Grizzlies/Brown Bear in another post.
Two of my favorites for NR hunters are the Mulchatna River located in Game Management Unit 17B and Chilikadrotna River located in Game Management Unit 17B. Unfortunately, these two river drainages were closed to non-residents for both Moose and Caribou in 2009. This has been the case for two-three years now and that may change this fall. I'll keep you posted!
Chilikadrotna River is 55 miles long and located in Game Management Unit 17B. Its headwaters are in Twin Lakes, in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Special restrictions are outlined in our Hunting Regulations for the initial 6-8 miles of this river.
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It has class I and III water. Nothing to serious to negotiate though. The natural scenery of Alaska and the sparkling water of this river is truly an Alaska adventure. Landing on a turquoise lake(Lower Twin Lakes)with towering mountains around you, you blowup your raft, load up and secure your gear, and you're off on an adventure of a lifetime. Some 55 miles later, you flow into the Mulchatna River.
Mulchatna River is 160 miles long and located in Game Management Unit 17B. The Mulchatna River is located in Southwest Alaska. Its headwaters are in Turquoise Lake, in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The 24 miles of the river within the park are designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and special hunting rules apply there as well. Aside from scattered cabins, the Mulchatna River is wild and undeveloped. Moose, Caribou, and Bear are found in this river system. Caribou herd sometimes do not show up till late fall in this area, not always though, and there are small bands of bulls that are usually well ahead of the herd during September..
All five species of Pacific Salmon spawn in the Mulchatna River. Major tributaries include the Koktuli and Stuyahok Rivers. The Mulchatna joins the Nushagak River just south of the village of Koliganek. The Nushagak then empties into Bristol Bay. If the season does open for NR's this fall, give yourself plenty of time on this river. This would be a long and adventurous trip.
More about Alaskan rivers that you CAN hunt in the next blog. There are some rivers you can fly into and float out to the highway system miles away. These can save you a big chunk of change!
