2012 Unguided Caribou Drop off Hunting Trips:
We transport your party either to ridge-tops, river-bottoms or lakes with Piper Super Cubs. Due to baggage compartment weight limits on the Super Cubs, your gear cannot weigh more than 60# Total per person. This is an aircraft limit and cannot be exceeded! The limit includes all gear (backpack, sleeping bags, tent, fanny packs, salt, etc.) Fanny packs cannot be worn as they interfere with the seat belt system in the aircraft. These weight limits enable us to put you in areas where other aircraft cannot land and limits competition from other hunters.
Base of operation is Happy Valley Alaska and all prices are based of you arriving at Happy Valley. Happy Valley is located on the Dalton Highway 80 miles south of Prudhoe Bay Alaska. If you wish to fly into Prudhoe Bay and have us pick you up at the Airport and drive you to Happy Valley and return you to Prudhoe Bay this can be arranged. Cost for this service is $300.00 RT* per person, *min of 2 persons*.
These prices are for Air Transportation from Happy Valley and return to Happy Valley only, per person.
Super cub base rate for 2012 are as follows:
CARIBOU:
$2,200.00 per person; min 2 persons.
Each person is allowed a max weight of #60 lbs of gear.
Maximum weight for passenger plus gear is 300 lbs. This is the maximum weight that we are allowed to haul in the super cub. Any passenger over 300lbs will not be hauled in the super cub.
This price allows each hunter to take (2) caribou, wolves and (AK resident only Grizzly Bear in season)
If you exceed your maximum allowable gear of 60# per hunter going in, an additional trip can be arranged for $600.00 per R/T trip. A maximum of 200# of gear may be carried and it must physically fit in the super cub. Several small bags or boxes are much better than one or two large ones.
Keep in mind this is only a 5-7 day trip so bring only what you need (what you’ll use) and do your best to keep the weight & bulk to a minimum.
We strongly suggest you rent an Iridium Satellite phone. This phone is a lifesaver. If there is an emergency, you will be forever grateful that you had the phone.
We will schedule your hunt by telephone reservation but do require a deposit. Please read and understand our hunter deposit policies. Your dates are not confirmed until your deposit and signed contract are received.
A deposit equal to 50% of the base rate of your hunt is required to guarantee your hunting reservation. As soon as we receive your deposit, you are locked into that date and hunting spot. We will work with you as much as possible to move your date within the same year and/or to move you to a different spot if it is available.
Deposits are for the individual hunter and the upcoming hunting season. If you cancel your hunt for any reason the deposit cannot be transferred to the next year’s season. Substitutions of hunters within the party are allowed, but if a hunter drops out his deposit is forfeited. As an example, if a reservation for four hunters is made and one hunter cannot hunt but has a new hunter take his place the deposit will move to the new hunter. If he cannot find a new hunter to replace him in the party then his deposit is forfeited.
ARRIVING HAPPY VALLEY:
It is highly recommended that you drive up to Happy Valley this is your most cost effective means to get to our base camp. In addition to being cost effective it is a great drive over some beautiful country. Rental vehicles are available in Fairbanks. If you drive up this also makes bringing your camping gear and hunting equipment easy and taking your trophies and meat home with you easy to do. Hauling your trophies and meat will save you money and time.
Plan your trip to arrive the morning of the day you are scheduled to fly out. This will allow us the most time to get you out to your hunting area. At times we must wait for the weather to clear or frost or snow to melt off the wings before we can start flying. If such conditions do exist, be patient. We ask hunters to adhere to the above schedule as the availability of facilities and accommodations in Happy Valley are limited!
WEATHER / FLYING:
Weather is a variable that no one can control. We would like you to be aware that weather conditions may prevent us from being able to fly on any given day. Such instances are rare, but can occur. All flying is weather dependant. We want you to be mentally prepared for bad weather, and know we make every effort to stay on schedule and get everyone in and out of the field both timely and safely. If bad weather does not allow us to fly, it causes us to get backed up. Consequently, there may be fairly long periods of inactivity interrupted by moments of hectic pandemonium! In these instances, when the weather clears there is often much to be done in short order. Safety is always our first and main concern. We utilize pilots with extensive experience. Be mindful that the weather has to be acceptable at both ends of the flight -just because the weather is "beautiful" at your location, does not mean the other end has the same weather.
We are not responsible for food and hotel accommodations, nor the loss of hunting days or rescheduling fees of commercial airline tickets incurred due to the inability to fly due to bad weather. As you fly to camp, you should have the opportunity to view the surrounding area. This will be very helpful in giving you the "lay of the land."
While in the field be mindful of the weather. You are in a remote area, and weather issues can be life-threatening. Keep you tent closed up while away from camp - winds can destroy unsecured flaps and leave you without shelter. The weather can change quickly and bring precipitation; keep raingear with you when you are away from your tent, and secure camp supplies from the elements prior to departing camp for the day.
We make every effort to put you in game rich areas; however your success is directly related to the effort you put into the hunt. While it does happen, the likelihood of shooting a trophy caribou from your tent is very rare. The game is out and about in all types of weather, so you may as well be also.
PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS:
On the day you are to be flown out, have your gear packed and ready to go. Do not pile gear/meat/antlers on the runway area. Keep gear assembled off to the side; the pilot may not be able to see these items as he taxis to your location. Depending on the weather, you may need to keep a tent for shelter (please have it readied to be taken down timely). Stay near your camp, and be attentive to air traffic. Pick up times are weather dependant and not time specific. If the plane comes to get you, and you are not at camp, or ready to go; the pilot may not be able to wait for you. You will be responsible for any missed flights, or additional charter fees in such cases. We will make every attempt to get you back to town with ample time to prepare your gear before departing. In the rare event of inclement and unflyable weather, don't panic. Remain with your camp and know that you will be picked up as soon as the weather breaks. Such instances are very rare, but can occur.
IN FIELD COMMUNICATIONS:
Your hunt is being conducted in a REMOTE wilderness area above the Arctic Circle. Communications are very limited in such remote areas. There is no cell phone service from the field,. We strongly recommend that all unguided groups rent an Iridium Satellite phone. This will allow you to keep in contact with us in case of an emergency or if something important is needed. You can do this by going to our web site or online and typing in Satellite phone rental. Contact numbers will be given to you in Happy Valley. Take extra precautions while doing even routine tasks — for your own personal safety. Your camp location is accessible only by small aircraft, and this access is completely weather dependant. Unless you can attract someone's attention, your ability to make contact outside of camp is VERY REMOTE without a satellite phone.
WATER:
Water in the Arctic is quite safe to drink from the rivers in the area. You should bring plastic water containers to fill up in the nearby river, spring or lake. Water does not need to be boiled before drinking. This area does not have pollution or Giardia like many other areas. For your peace of mind, we recommend bringing a filtered water bottle, or Clorox to add to the water to kill any bacteria. This will allow you to drink from any source of water that you come across. It is very important to stay hydrated when hunting -drink plenty of fluids constantly.
LUGGAGE/GEAR INFORMATION:
Weight is limited to 60#s gear per person, not including their weapon. We do not transport hard sided weapon cases into the field. Also do not use extra large bags or the large coolers or hard sided suitcases.. ..they do not fit well into the small aircraft. Charter fees on a per case basis will apply to overweight and/or oversized items being transported into/out of the field.
CLOTHING:
Lightweight, warm, and waterproof. Synthetic materials work best due to their drying and wicking capabilities. We suggest you do not bring any clothing made of cotton. Cotton is slow to dry, does not wick moisture, and is heavy when wet - field translation: you will be cold, wet, and miserable in cotton. A few pieces of proper clothing are better than multiples of the wrong stuff... Blaze orange is NOT required in Alaska.
FIELD CARE OF TROPHIES:
If you plan to keep the capes from your trophies we recommend you consult your taxidermist for caping and fleshing instructions. We do not provide this service for unguided hunts. Horns must be cut from the skull and capes removed from the head, we will not fly antlers or capes attached to the head. We also recommend splitting the skull caps on all Caribou, this makes them easier to load in small aircraft. If they are not split and do not fit in the airplane you may be charged additional fees to fly them on the outside of the airplane. They can be easily put back together by yourself or your taxidermist, and you will save hundreds of dollars on packing and shipping Fees.
We recommend you consult with your taxidermist for instructions on caping and fleshing if you do not know how to do these important tasks. Non-guided hunters this is your responsibility. Heads must be caped in the field, as well as fleshed and the ears, lips and nose turned fleshed and salted. We also recommend splitting the skull caps on all Caribou this makes them easier to load in small aircraft. They can be easily be put back together by yourself or your taxidermist, and you will save hundreds of dollars on packing and shipping Fees.
MEAT CARE:
All edible meat must be salvaged. Non guided hunters are responsible to pack all edible meat, (see Fish & Game Regulations book), back to the runway at their camp (including rib and neck meat). Meat of the front and hind quarters and ribs should remain on the bone until removed from the field (or eaten)., (this allows less surface area for bacteria to attack) It is solely each hunter's responsibility to assure the quality and condition of his or her game meat and trophies. Deltana Outfitters will not accept any responsibility for damage, loss, or spoilage, under any circumstances! At camp keep your meat out of direct sun and a short distance away from your camp. Set the meat so it can cool, and allow air to circulate around it. Do not put meat in a pile - it will quickly spoil. Antlers, May NOT be removed from the kill site until ALL salvageable meat is removed (state law).
For people that drive up wishing to take meat home with them, wet lock boxes can be purchased from Alaska Airlines in Fairbanks; Boxes can be checked on as luggage. Boxes must not be over 50 pounds. Excess luggage fees will be charged by the airlines for additional pieces of checked baggage on Alaska Airlines.
For those of you wishing to donate meat, you must complete a transfer of possession form. Meat can be donated to local citizens or to the food bank in Fairbanks. Partially butchered quarters of meat are not accepted for donation. Remember it is the hunter's responsibility to see the meat is properly donated or boxed for your flight home.
Please call or e-mail me with any questions.
Ralph Miller
Office 907-895-5006
Cell 907-378-9959
