Alaska Bush Adventures
There are many unknowns for one who has never hunted for Big Game in Alaska. Some of which could be very costly and may ruin your once in a life time Alaskan experience. Just as if we were to hunt in your state, there would be many things we could not even imagine that could make or break our hunting experience there. Even as large as the state of Alaska is, there are many places where some big game species have received a huge amount of pressure and have been over hunted for decades by local hunters and the outfitters who operate closer to large communities. This is only one of many types of issues that can affect the outcome of a hunting trip. Even if you find that our services are not what you are looking for or we may be fully booked already, we will still share what we can in order to help you to avoid some of the undesirable pitfalls in hopes you can have a more desirable outcome when hunting in Alaska.
Fair Chase Hunting in Alaska
We provide this insight to all of our clients prior to booking a hunting trip with us. We want to make sure everyone is well aware of the advice the Fair Chase Letter affords when hunting in the Alaskan Wilderness.
Sport hunting in Alaska is not like any of your local travel agency’s tours that have a plan laying out all agendas that rarely vary from the described program. Sport hunting adventures just doesn’t work that way. You might say fair chase sport hunting has open itinerary-lots of plans, strategies and ideas that are likely to change daily or even hourly. Everything may go as planned …or nothing will!! Surprises, confusion, delays, disruptive weather conditions, disappointments, risks of death or terror, disease, hazards and sudden unexplainable changes are likely at any time. However, this is precisely what creates the challenge, the excitement, the memories, and the sense of perseverance, accomplishment and victory! Alaska has less big game per square mile than any of the lower 48 states. There are no guarantees of any kind. You must accept this fact, or don’t go. The success of your hunt should not be solely based on the harvesting of your animal. You will find it different with varying standards, but that is what sport hunters thrive on and is part of why they go. Because they understand that the game they may harvest is only a small part of the overall hunting experience. It is all a part of fair chase and adventure. Fair chase is real hunting! This type of Sport hunting may not be for everyone.
Hunting for Alaska’s big game trophies may require more than one hunt to harvest your animal. A lot of unexpected physical effort or hardship and walking will be required, even on the simplest type of hunts. In some cases, the arrangement may not be all that you wanted or expected, but the hunt is what it is. Uncontrollable circumstances can occur which are beyond anyone’s control. Surprises, confusion, delays, disruptive weather patterns and conditions, steep and rough terrain, high water flood conditions, shallow water conditions, braided river systems, major or minor log jams, dead falls, over hanging sweepers, dangerous under water formations in rivers, streams or waterways you may travel on. Equipment maintenance, mechanical issues and breakdown problems difficult to solve or repair and sudden unexplainable changes happen and are likely at any time.
Outfitted Equipment & Gear List for the Unguided Hunters Moose float hunt supplied provisions
Frequently asked Questions with Answers
Logistical support and consultation before and after the hunt.
A full Itinerary covering the logistics of your hunting trip from the time you arrive in Alaska until you leave for your home.
Suggested personal equipment list.
Unguided Moose hunter hunters outfitted/supplied equipment/gear list.
Hotel/lodging recommendations for when you arrive in Anchorage and when you returning from the field.
Information on how and where to get your harvest tickets for moose, purchasing your big game locking tags, hunting and fishing licenses.
Scheduling of all bush plane air charters flights to and from the base camp/point of outfitting in the field.
Recommendations of local taxidermists and expediting services in Anchorage.
Information on how to become a “known shipper” to use air cargo/freight services to ship your antlers, capes & meat at a fair cost to your final destination.
Guided hunts have fully outfitted and well stocked 15′ x 20′ wall tent base camps with 120/220 volt generators with an on demand hot water shower system, 6 man extreme weather tents with cots and sleeping pads for the guided hunters.
A wide variety of nutritious meals, non alcoholic cold & hot beverages and a through food list for the 3 daily meals for all of our clients.
A refrigerator/freezer unit to keep the food fresh.
Iridium satellite phone service is available for client’s to use at our base camp locations.
Guided clients will hunt using Jon boats, with 40 hp jet outboard motors and 8 wheel drive Argos.
Jon boats, with 40 hp jet outboard motors and 8 wheel drive Argos for in the field transportation.
Professional licensed guides and trophy care for our guided clients while in the field.
Unguided moose and caribou hunters will receive a “provided equipment” list with a detailed account of the equipment & supplies that are needed for each type of hunting trip.
Non resident and/or non resident alien big game tags, hunting & fishing licenses.
Your personal round trip bush plane air charter expense from Anchorage to the point of outfitting in the field and back to Anchorage.
Hotel rooms in Anchorage before & after the hunt.
Ground transportation while in Anchorage
Freight/shipping expenses to get your antlers, capes & meat from Anchorage to your final destination.
Trip Insurance (highly recommended)
Ripcord trip travel protection by Redpoint can provide quotes
Securing your license and tags
Nonresident and nonresident alien hunters hunting for moose, must get a moose harvest ticket & purchase the appropriate metal locking big game tag before hunting an Alaskan big game animals. Immediately after the kill, the tag must be affixed & locked on the animal. The tag must remain on the animal until the animal is prepared for storage, exported, or consumed. For animals such as bear, in units where the meat is not required to be salvaged, tags must be locked on the hide. A big game tag may be used for a species of equal or lower value. For example, if you purchase a $1,000 brown bear tag, but do not take a brown bear, and take a moose instead, you may use the bear tag on the moose, since the moose has a lesser tag value.
Upon harvesting your moose, you must also notch the day and month on your harvest ticket immediately. Once retuning to town, you will need to complete the required information on the harvest report and with its pre paid postal stamp mail back to the Ak. Department of Fish & Game.
There is no lottery or drawing system for hunting / fishing licenses and big game tags (other than Bison) in game management unit 19 & our guide use areas.
You can purchase your tags & licenses online from the state of Alaska and must be done in advance of your flight out to the field to hunt.
Harvest tickets are provided by the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game at no cost.
Nonresident big game tags and hunting license fees
(In our guide use & game management areas)
Big game hunting license – $160
Brown bear/grizzly – $1,000
Moose – $800
Black bear – $450
Wolverine – $350
Wolf – $0
NONRESIDENT ALIEN TAGS
Brown Bear/Grizzly – $1,300
Moose – $1,000
Black Bear – $600
Wolverine – $500
Wolf – $0
In addition to hunting for big game, there is exceptional fresh water sport fishing.
nonresident 7-day sport fishing license $70.00
nonresident 14-day sport fishing license $105.00
Big game tags are not to be confused with harvest tickets which are required when hunting for moose, caribou dall sheep & deer. They are free & available at the Alaska Department of Fish & Game.
Big game tags must be attached or fastened & locked on the fastened or attached, & locked on a harvested animal around one of the antlers of a moose, caribou or sitka deer, or to the hide of a bear, wolf or wolverine & immediately after the kill and must remain there until the animal is prepared for storage, consumed or exported.
Of course! However, it’s entirely up to you as the Client, whether or not you wish to leave a tip for your Guide. Our Guides work hard to insure you have a successful and enjoyable hunt. Each person values another person’s service differently and a generous tip for a hard working guide is always appreciated and the standard in the hunting industry. While each person must determine what amount to give, a 10-12% of the hunt cost is the Industry standard & will be greatly appreciated.
It is common that clients will express appreciation by tipping the camp help/packers for their efforts too.
Contact us today and schedule your Alaska hunt!
Office 480-657-3174
Cell 623-703-0130