FAQ

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 effect 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.

Big Game Hunting in Alaska is by its nature a potentially dangerous and strenuous sport. By making it clear for our Clients what one may expect while Fair Chase Hunting in Alaska’s Wilderness it will prepare you better to partake in a rewarding and a positive experience.

Fair Chase Hunting in Alaska

Please read this information thoroughly and take it serious as you want to be prepared mentally and physically for Sport 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 advise 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.

Success rates on some hunts or certain species are higher than others. Book what your time and income can handle without skimping. Sport hunting anywhere is seldom a bargain. Your mental and physical stamina are important and must be considered. Wild animals and horses can be dangerous, just as all terrain vehicles, boats, planes, the weather, mountains, streams, rivers, the Alaskan environment, weapons and your fellow man could be. Imperfections of man, beast or equipment are a part of the hunting adventure. High standards are admirable, but ailing, inflexible, hard to satisfy or difficult people with a history of problems, hard drinking or complaining who can’t accept these realities should not go.

Life is too short for all of us to risk having someone spoiling this potential life-long memory. Leave your tape measure, personal problems and all difficult, finger pointing people behind. The service we provide may not be up to what some expect. No gourmet cooking of meals, instead it will be basic meals supplemented with freeze dried food products. Sanitary kitchen conditions are important, but they may be rustic, spartan in wilderness settings at best and not restaurant fine dining style conditions. If you cannot accept that you should not go on these kinds of trips.

Alaskan Big Game Hunting is strenuous, and will humble most hunters. If you are not in shape or your basic shooting skills are lacking, please be able to take responsibility for your short comings rather than blame others for failure when it results in lack of success in harvesting your trophies. If you cannot accept your own short comings and if you feel the need to point blame at everyone but yourself for lack of success when you are not mentally or physically prepared for this kind of adventure, please don’t come to just to complain about what you were told to expect. Only then to blame your Guides instead of accepting like a Man, that you were aware that Alaskan Big Game Hunting is challenging and real is Fair Chase style hunting.

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 anyones 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.

When using any kind of mechanical equipment on your hunt, preventative maintenance is required often and occasional repairs will need/have to be done. If you choose to utilize any equipment such as, but not limited to airplanes, boats, all-terrain vehicles, or camping gear, you will need to allow the time needed to perform maintenance and repairs on equipment when it its required.

The obstacles in Alaska big game hunting which you encounter daily are what distinguish fair chase sport hunting from fenced ranches; game farms, feeder or bait stations and many different types controlled shooting/hunting. What one sees as a dream hunt may be a nightmare to another. Alaska Bush Adventures L.L.C. uses various types of camps and methods, depending on the situation. We may discuss several options when you are booking your hunt, yet you and your guide may and will use other methods at any time. Big game animals, weather, hunting success and luck are unpredictable. It is an adventure and experience where success is not measured only by the quantity or quality of game taken. —– Hunting is the pursuit!!!

by Hugh Les Krank, President of Alaska Bush Adventures

Outfitted Equipment & Gear List for the Unguided Hunters Moose float hunt supplied provisions

Frequently asked Questions with Answers

WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED WITH THIS ADVENTURE

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 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.

Transportation by a bush plane service for your big game meat and antlers to Anchorage from the field.

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.

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 fully outfitted moose float hunts and the barren ground fly out spike camp hunting trips are supplied with quality camping equipment, cooking & eating utensils, nutritional food & nonalcoholic beverages. The unguided river float hunts for Moose are supplied with rafts, oars, rowing frames, all rafting safety equipment and much more tack.

Unguided moose and caribou hunters will receive different “provided equipment” lists with a detailed account of equipment/supplies for each type of hunting trip.

ADDITIONAL COSTS BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR ALASKAN HUNT

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 fastened or attached, & locked on a harvested animal around one of the antlers of a moose, caribou or stika 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.

DO GUIDES RECEIVE GRATUITIES

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.

Office 480-657-3174

Cell 623-703-0130

5531 West Northwood Drive Glendale, AZ 85310

alaskabushadventures@gmail.com

480-657-3174

Alaska Bush Adventures

Fair Chase Hunting in Alaska

Outfitted Equipment & Gear List for the Unguided Hunters Moose float hunt supplied provisions

Frequently asked Questions with Answers

Alaska Bush Adventures