Alaska's big game is the stuff of bowhunting legend. It's the rare archery hunter who doesn't dream of traveling to Alaska in search of bowhunting adventure. Unfortunately, most have convinced themselves that bowhunting Alaska is beyondtheir financial means. These concerns are well founded. Guided Alaska hunts are some of the most expensive around. Single-species hunts for mountain goat, Dall sheep and brown bear can run anywhere from $9,000 to $14,000. The price of a fully-guided hunt for even Alaska caribou could finance a multi-species archery hunt in southern Africa.

The floatplane is the 4WD of the north. The venerable de Havilland Beaver--made in the 1950s--is the best of them, able to haul heavy loads and take off and land short.

After 10 Alaska forays of my own I can assure you, with advanced planning and by saving a few extra bucks you can afford to hunt Alaska on your own. While the Alaskan quarry already mentioned requires a guide by law, many highly-popular species do not. Choose the incredibly-gorgeous Barren Ground caribou, impressive Alaska/Yukon moose, abundant Sitka blacktail or silky-furred black bear. These Alaska species can be legally and successfully bowhunted unguided, at considerable savings.

Reality Check
Now, "considerable savings" shouldn't be confused with cheap. Alaska's an expensive place to operate, even when on your own. The best hunting normally involves aircraft and bush flights are pricey--something to the tune of $375 an hour, including turn-around time. The best game country is normally found two to three hours from civilization. Too, although Alaska's often labeled a "hunter's paradise," game can prove relatively scarce. There are exceptions when luck and timing are right on, but there's a whole lot of country up there without any game at all. Moose, in particular, typically afford low population density due to harsh environment and size, lest they eat themselves out of existence. Caribou, though often found in large herds, migrate by their own whims. There might be 10,000 caribou over a distant ridge, but if they fail to arrive during your stay there's no reaching them. Sitka deer and black bear are normally the exception, abundant in prime habitat and easier to bank on.

Finally, Alaska weather is some of the most inhospitable and unpredictable on earth. It's not uncommon during a 10- to 14-day stay to sit out as many days as you hunt. Rain arrives inches at a time, pushed horizontally by ripping winds. You live in rain gear--and sometimes hip boots--even on "nice" days. This is especially true during the prime months of September and October. When it's nice out biting insects drive you nuts.

A float trip down a lonely river is one of the best ways to see lots of country, remain mobile and experience real Alaskan adventure but is extremely demanding and comes with added expense, dangers and much hard work. During a float trip arriving at the pickup point on time is priority one, lest your ride leave without you. In all seriousness, failure to arrive at an appointed time can cost you big money in an extra flight.

Time is everything in Alaska. Bowhunting in general is time consuming, but you must also make allowances for Alaska weather down time. This also makes weather delays on both ends of your hunt commonplace. Booking anything less than 10 days is a mistake. This is no place for tyros. Alaska bush can kill the unprepared. There's also a lot of work to be done in simply camping, eating, and hopefully, packing meat. Most importantly, statistics show that non-resident, unguided hunter success is normally quite low. This is especially true of moose, do-it-yourself success sometimes falling as low as 10-percent, depending on area. Aside from terrain familiarity, this most often hinges on mobility, because not only do many outfitters have aircraft handy for regular reconnaissance, but boats or ATVs allowing them to cover more ground. Still, a non-guided Alaskan bowhunt can be arranged for as little as $2,000 to $2,500, door to door.