Itcha's

[.330 Dakota]

Hey guys, anybody got info on the best (easiest) way to access the Itcha's for caribou?

[tinhorse]

Everybody I know has done so on horse. Also lots of moose as well.

[guest]

Full day ride by horse or Fly in, no ATV during hunting season.
Cool place.
CT

[srupp]

Last fall seen a couple ...3 ?? really decent bulls..in the western valley before the top....one was AMAZING...my one hunting partner has 2 planes on floats really close by @ Charlotte Lake..Nimpo...hmmm may be time for a cariboo hunt...

srr

[Marlin375]

Full day ride by horse or Fly in, no ATV during hunting season.
Cool place.
CT

Yup, a full day will get you to Itcha Lake and another to get you into the Caribou. We did it 2 years ago, very cool place with some awsome topography and geology,

Don't try and do it in less than 2 weeks, it is alot of work wrangling horses and no time for a holiday - 2 weeks gives you time to do both. PM me and I will share some more details.

[LYKTOHUNT]

Two of us are going in on horses from the Nazko side and from what I am told by the fellow I am going with who has been in a few times it is a long days ride in from where you park the truck.

[BromBones]

You can come in from the north side off the Kluskus FSR as well.

Might not be the easiest way, but it's do-able. Nice country to ride a horse through.

[Rod]

One LONG day going in from the Nazko side, we do it in two and it is still a long time in the saddle, make sure you get some hours on the trail with your horses in the weeks before you leave your mounts and your legs will thank you for it..

I have seen plenty of people have good luck flying in from Nimpo and I think it is about $500

Some really nice boo up high, hunt the edges glassing up and especially down, the big boys like to rest in the brush that lines the valleys..

Never seen much moose sign but there are some serious sheds in that country so maybe they move out before Sept 1 when I have been in there.

[Marlin375]

Never seen much moose sign but there are some serious sheds in that country .

That is an understatement....we were riding along a basin trail that was littered with huge paddles, it was like a shedding ground.

[.330 Dakota]

Sooo...SRUPP, Any idea on what a plane ride in there would cost?
I live in Lac La Hache so a drive to Nimpo is no big deal for me.

[.330 Dakota]

OOps didnt see Rods post ...he says about 500 bucks
Thanks Guys

[waistdeep]

hey 375 want to do that trip again?

[LYKTOHUNT]

One LONG day going in from the Nazko side, we do it in two and it is still a long time in the saddle, make sure you get some hours on the trail with your horses in the weeks before you leave your mounts and your legs will thank you for it..

I have seen plenty of people have good luck flying in from Nimpo and I think it is about $500

Some really nice boo up high, hunt the edges glassing up and especially down, the big boys like to rest in the brush that lines the valleys..

Never seen much moose sign but there are some serious sheds in that country so maybe they move out before Sept 1 when I have been in there.
Yes he said it took him 12 hours. He was leading some other folks in and from what I understand they were less than impressed with the pace.I am pushing for two days and I think I will win. He is getting old and decrepit:)

[LYKTOHUNT]

You can come in from the north side off the Kluskus FSR as well.

Might not be the easiest way, but it's do-able. Nice country to ride a horse through.
I have heard that is it better and what about the issues of having to leave your truck all by itself for a week, do you think it will still be there when you get back if you know what I mean.

[Marlin375]

hey 375 want to do that trip again?

They say the second time is a charm:mrgreen:.

You can tighten up your sneakers and strap on your knife and take off after the elusive boo, Jay and I will fish at 12pounder lake and wait for moose to walk by:wink:.

[BromBones]

I have heard that is it better and what about the issues of having to leave your truck all by itself for a week, do you think it will still be there when you get back if you know what I mean.

I've never had a problem, and have yet to hear of anyone else either.

The trail - if you followed the old Pan Philips way - would take you in between the Itcha/Ilgachuz ranges. Some huge meadows with plenty of good horse feed. Lots of bears as well.

[jayrod]

Long trip......:eek: This picture sums it up for me. waistdeep and marlin375 know what I'm talking about.


http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2102/189/21/502148007/n502148007_1401824_4078.jpg

[waistdeep]

Damn we gotta do that again :)

[Viking]

I would think the best way in there on horse back would be to follow the cut line from Bazeko forest road. About 35-40 km from the road to the cabin by the lake.
From Titetown Crossing to the north end of the park via the grease trail and Home Ranch it is about 160km and maybe 20-30 km less from Kluskus rd.

[waistdeep]

West from Naskco about 60 k then 60 k into the area by horse, beautiful country no doubt about it but one heck of a ride..

[BromBones]

Have heard/read there is a small group of Cali. Bighorns in the Itchas - anyone ever seen sheep up there?

[mod7rem]

Three of us went in there 2008 season, flew out of nimpo. One flight in and two out with 3 caribou cost us just over $600 each. Beautiful country, lots of trails, VERY BUSY. Two different outfitters border itcha lake, and there was a steady stream of horse groups coming in. We got our bou's in 4 days and got out. We went first week in sept, but if I was to go back I would go later, when they start to move around more. Hunting Itcha was like hunting in a park. Guys who have been there would probably understand. I cant see going there again, I prefer hunting caribou in the north.

[Andrews]

would first week of october be late to head into itcha?

[srupp]

No...not too late as far as weather goes..hmmm that band of sheep does in fact exist but not exactly there..so no..most northerly band of Calis in existence..and yuppers I have seen them myself..advantage of helicopters and constant flights through that area...

cheers

[Andrews]

Thanks srupp but wanted to look for bou not sheep; I understood that caribou migrate thru itcha area and accordingly if we headed in in early oct I wouldn't want them to have moved on by then.

[srupp]

there are more caribou than most think...and some really good mass on some also...
Steven

[Andrews]

Still up there in oct ya figure sruppp?