Rainy Pass & Buffalo

[cub_driver]

I have a friend that ask me to fly him through Rainy pass in search of buffalo. He was lucky enough this year to drawn a permit and has his sights set on taking a nice bull with his bow and arrow. Has anyone been up that way and spotted any animals? I have never searched for them before any ideas as to where to look would be a great help.

Cub_Driver

[jk]

The closest that I have personally seen buffalo to the area you mention is Egypt Mtn. There are reports of them around Rohn but most good areas to spot and stalk is closer to Farewell burn. PM me if you want, I I can give you some ideas as to where to go to see allot of animals to chose from.
How many years did your friend put in till they won their permit?

[StewartB]

My Irondog buddies said the trail was covered with Buffalo sign between Nicolai and Rohn, a little closer to Rohn. They were more interested in avoiding animals than finding them, but they said the sign was fresh.
SB

[Ursa Major]

I've seen them from the middle of the Farewell burn down to Rohn. I'd suggest starting to look along the river drainages and moving up to the areas along the trail where the grass has become exposed. A couple of hours of looking by air will probably find them. Getting to them might be another issue. Getting within bow range might be a hassle if they aren't in the timber.

[Crash]

We ran (snowmobiles) into a herd (Feb. 14th) on the small lakes SW of egypt mountain. They left the lake and ran down the trail in front of us for a ways before jumping off the trail and onto the meadows (swamp) next to the trail. Crash

[labdad32]

I guess you are talking about this spring? I have seen those critters all the way from Hell's Gate to near Nikolai. I have seen them taken, and hauled them out of, just about everywhere in-between. If I was bow hunting I would look upriver from Farewell Lake along the deep trails they have in the timber, or, downriver from Submarine Lake up on the bluffs or in the burn. When I lived in Farewell that's where I saw them the most. They tend to move a lot, especially with all the traffic this time of year. Have access to get a four-wheeler in there? Can get a 206 in around many places there, especially if the lakes are clear. Good luck

[Jon B.]

Y'all are talkin' "buffalos". As in American Bison? Is this in Alaska? You got bison n Alaska?

I'd a' never thunk. Learn sumpin' new every day here!

Jon B.

[cub_driver]

Thanks for the advice I will try to fly up there on friday.

Jon B. yes we have American Bison in Alaska they where transplanted up here many years ago and the heards have grown to huntable numbers. There is even a bison ranch on Kodiak island.

Labdad

Where did you live in Farewell? I bought my cub from Stan Frost builder and owner of the Lodge just wondering if you know him and if so how is he doing.

Cub_Driver

[funseventy]

Talk to Gene at AvAlaska. I hauled a bunch of snowmobile gas for him and his dad and he now knows a few tricks of the area.

[labdad32]

I lived in Farewell from April or 1979 to April of 1981. We used to visit Stan once in a while and he would come to visit or spray for mosquitos with the Cub. Borrowed a 24" tire on a wheel once when I blew out one of the old ice grip Goodyears up the Windy Fork. Last I heard Kathy was running the show but do not know how Stan is doing. That was a two year paid vacation!

[ground loop]

How can any thread on this subject not mention old "dewey" at the strip in Farewell. Always a good source of info, cookies and way to strong cowboy coffee. Is he still alive?

[cub_driver]

Ha, I thought someone would bring up old Dewey I have not seen him for over ten years.

He has helped many stranded travelers and ground loop your right about his coffee :o .

Cub_Driver

[Ursa Major]

I haven't seen Dewey in a couple of years. I don't think he is caretaker for the FAA buildings at Farewell anymore. I hear he has a place of his own on Sheep Creek. Anybody know if he is still there?

[ground loop]

A close friend of mine did his hunt with a guide in the area. His name is John Runkle, I believe. He works well with in state hunters. He had positive things to say about the experience. Snow machines were provided. I am not sure if you need to contact him out of Nickolai or McGrath.

[labdad32]

The last time I saw John Runkle he was still living in Nikolai. John is Philip Esai's son-in-law. Philip and John used to (may still) have a camp on the drainage south of the Windy Fork they used to call Silvertip, but that's not the official name. I think John Latham still has his camp on Sheep Creek that he guides from but has not historically had anything to do with Bison hunts.