What's around the next bend of river? That's a question that many hunters ask themselves as they float through Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge. These hunters know that, at any moment, a moose may appear on a gravel bar or in the trees along the river's edge. Each fall, the moose concentrate along the river corridor, and floating remains the best way to hunt them here. Permits -- which require registration for subsistence hunters and a lottery for sport hunters -- are issued to limit pressure on the moose. This system yields some of the best moose hunting in the state. This is also an area where many hunters go without a guide. Boats are available for rental in nearby communities, and access to the rivers is fairly easy. There is no fly-in hunting along the river corridor. Many hunters find floating the river an enjoyable way to hunt, and seeing a bull moose emerge from a river is an exciting experience. Of course, the real work begins once a moose is down: Hunters should be prepared for the difficult chore of butchering and packing North America's largest big-game animal.