We have worked with this excellent outfitter for about 12 years. He has 35 years of experience in Alaska. All hunts are strictly fair chase, and being in good physical condition is a NECESSITY for a Kodiak Island hunt, as climbing up and down the many high hills, pushing through willows, up and down tree choked draws, etc., is a frequent thing.
Remember you start out at sea level, so climbs can be several thousands of feet up and down. While elevations are not extreme, it is physically demanding to push up those 2,000 to 3,000 foot hills from sea level. This is true for both his bear hunts, his goat hunts and for his Sitka blacktail deer hunts! Bear numbers have been on a steady upswing on Kodiak for at least the last 7 to 10 years, and it appears bear numbers may be at or close to all-time highs! This is the time to go to Kodiak!. He guided one of our clients in 2014 to a 10 foot plus bear on the fall hunt. He took a client for the handgun world record in 2010. In 2017 a client took a 10’ 10” monster with a 29.5” skull!
He has a 2,500 square foot newly improved lodge with full time electric, hot showers and laundry. He also has spike camps. The lodge has plenty of room and you will be warm and comfortable. He provides all in-field transport, trophy care, and is a very dedicated guy who wants his clients to succeed. If you want a great hunt at a relatively modest cost, then he deserves your most serious consideration.
His duck hunting is often world class, with a huge variety of waterfowl – a collector’s dream hunt. And he has world class fishing from his charter boat. He knows Kodiak like few people do, and he produces and works his tail off for his clients!
His duck hunting is often world class, with a huge variety of waterfowl. A collectors dream hunt. And he has world class fishing from his charter boat. He knows Kodiak like few people do- and he produces and works his tail off for his clients!
BROWN BEARS:
This is one of the world’s best and most classic bear hunts – and this guy produces bears that consistently exceed 9’, and he can average 9.5’ in a good year!! And of course the 10 footers are there as well. It’s a draw hunt for his brownie area, with around a 75 to 90% chance of drawing and with a kill rate in the 90% range every year! Bears average nine to nine and a half feet. He guided a client in 2010 to the NEW WORLD RECORD BROWN BEAR with a handgun. It squared 10’2″ and was 28 14/16 SCI. Bear numbers on Kodiak are at an all time high. Most of his bear hunts are backpack hunts, going out and living right where the bears are. He also does a couple of hunts based from the lodge each spring.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 15th FOR SPRING AND FALL BEAR HUNTS. You must also have a contract with an outfitter, with a deposit paid on the hunt, before you can apply. Draw odds in the fall are very high – 80% to 100%, for Spring a bit lower but still high. If you want to do the bear hunt, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN GET YOU INTO THE DRAW! YOU ARE VERY LIKELY TO DRAW THE FIRST YEAR YOU APPLY! IF NOT, HE WILL ROLL YOUR DEPOSIT OVER TO THE NEXT DRAW.
A couple of other things to keep in mind is that he will allow you on a fall bear hunt to add a Sitka blacktail for $2,000 – a nice bonus and a new species for many hunters. He also has some superb sea duck hunting. About 10 species of ducks are available, including Harlequin, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Scoters and Longtails.
Here are some of the testimonials:
Great camp, great food, and great experience.” – Dave Sporcik, Former President SCI Maine
“I have hunted nearly 80 days per year since 1984 all over the world and this guy is one of the best guides I have been fortunate to hunt with.” – Jeff Meyerl
“He is and has the most ethical, professional guide operation I have hunted with worldwide. I recommend him to others without reservation.” – Rom Dryden, Former President SCI Arizona
ALASKA HUNTING REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSES AND LOCKING METAL TAGS
GO TO THIS WEBSITE: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.main
At the top of the page are three colored blocks, the last of which says: “Buy Licenses & Locking-Tags”
BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN TO GO TO THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE LICENSE OPTIONS — AND FIND: BIG GAME TAGS. MANDATORY TO HAVE THESE ON YOUR PERSON OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE FIELD! NOT EASY TO FIND THE LOCKING TAGS ON THEIR WEBSITE- BUT MUST BE BOUGHT!!
BIG GAME TAGS:
The following state tags must be purchased for each animal in addition to acquiring the proper hunting license before hunting big game. Tag holder must carry metal locking tag and big game tag record with them in the field. The tag shall be affixed and sealed to the antlers or cape in such a manner that it cannot be removed or reused
Kodiak Brown Bear
Dates: ROUGHLY LATE APRIL INTO MID MAY FOR SPRING BEAR.
FALL BEAR ROUGHLY LATE OCTOBER
Price: 10-day hunt $19,000 backpack/tent camp hunt, $22,000 lodge hunt. Add Sitka Blacktail $2,000 (fall only)
MOUNTAIN GOATS
These hunts are consistently at or very close to 100% opportunity each year. Hunts are done in October for their heavy winter hair. Elevations are between 2,000 feet and 3,500 feet, lower than many goat hunts. But, on this hunt you are starting at sea level, and anyone considering this hunt should be in excellent physical condition. We think his goat hunts are a good value, given the very high success and the included Sitka deer. Draw odds vary, and the odds of drawing a tag vary from 25%. It’s a 7-day back pack hunt (7 days of hunting, plus 1 night at the lodge before and after the hunt). His goats are excellent trophies in their heavy winter coat. THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 15. You must also have a contract with an outfitter, with a deposit paid on the hunt, before you apply.
Kodiak goat hunting is exceptional (goat areas 471, 472, 473 and 476). There is a reason more goats are harvested from Kodiak than any other unit in the State!
Here are some comments from a recent client:
“More like a lifelong hunting mentor that has been there and done that. He is an incredible outfitter. Excellent accommodations, top of the line equipment, and guides that will do whatever it takes to put you on the goat you are looking for. Extremely accommodating and will make your trip exactly what you want it to be.
Be physically prepared to work hard to earn your trophy and the experience associated with it. Quality gear is a must and don’t underestimate the conditions that Kodiak Island will throw at you. I want to go back every year.”
Dates: October 1-24 Approx.
Price: 7-day hunt $13,000
Non-Hunter $3,000. Float plane approx. $450 r/t
BLACKTAILS
He has a great Sitka blacktail deer hunt as well, with ducks and fox are also possible. He has taken the Alaskan Professional Hunting Associations biggest deer award for 7 out of the past 12 years. He also has the #3 world record. We think his deer price is a bargain! You may have seen Larry Csonka of football fame hunting with this outfitter for blacktails on TV. Shots can be quite long, and shooting sticks or a bipod can be a big help with the wind whipping. For a smorgasbord, add in some sea duck hunting. You may even be able to do some halibut and salmon fishing from his 40’ charter boat, which is big, warm and comfortable.
Sitka Blacktail Deer, Sea Ducks, and Fox
Dates: November 4-11, 11-18 Approximately
Price: $5,000; 2×1 (one buck per hunter)
We get requests for do it yourself Sitka hunts on Kodiak and, in all honesty, we are not big fans. First of all, Kodiak sea and land weather can be just awful, and life and death situations occur every year. Kodiak has lots of steep terrain, and fighting snow drifts, sliding down mountain sides, camping in miserable conditions, etc., is just not a whole lot of fun. They get lots of rain, so being wet constantly is a fact of life. We think it is smarter to go guided and get warm and dry each evening. On a DIY, if a sudden storm pops up, very likely a boat cannot get to you due to big waves, and if it does reach you, getting on board from shore can be very dicey. Add in the brown bears, and we much prefer our DIY clients to consider Prince of Wales Island and forget Kodiak unless you go guided. If you really want an unguided Sitka hunt, and a good one, then do Prince of Wales Island through us (ask for our Alaska #17). No brownies, not likely to be stranded, good success, and lots of quality deer if you put the effort in, especially in August and September back-packing into the high country for a day or two. And cheaper than Kodiak. But, we very much like this outfitter’s guided Sitka hunts, and we think they are a relative bargain. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST ON KODIAK.
SEA DUCKS:
More than 10 species are available here, with hunts usually over decoys, although pass and jump shooting are also used. Based out of their modern lodge, this hunt provides lots of action with all the comforts. The duck hunting continues to be nothing short of world class and is included on all fall hunts. There are literally thousands of sea ducks in the bay each fall. This is a collector hunt with Harlequins, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Surf, Common and White Wing Scoters along with Old Squaw and Blue Bills making up most of the shooting. You hunt over decoys and also drift for pass shooting. This is a great hunt all based out of a warm comfortable lodge.
More than 10 species are available here, with hunts usually over decoys, although pass and jump shooting are also used. Based out of their modern lodge, this hunt provides lots of action with all the comforts. The duck hunting continues to be nothing short of world class and is included on all fall hunts. There are literally thousands of sea ducks in the bay each fall. This is a collector hunt with harlequins, Barrow’s goldeneye, surf, common and white wing scoters along with longtails and blue bills making up most of the shooting. You hunt over decoys and also drift for pass shooting. This is a great hunt all based out of a warm comfortable lodge.
Sea Ducks
Approx. Dates: November 18-23, 23-28
Price: 5-day hunt 2×1 $3,500
Saltwater Fishing – Salmon and Halibut
Dates: May 16 – September 15, Sunday-Friday
Price:5 days, 5 nights $3,500
Included:
• In-field transportation by whatever means necessary
• Plenty of great food
• Comfortable accommodations
• Expert field care of meat and trophies
• Licensed, experienced, and insured guide
• Professional dedication to a quality outdoor adventure
Not Included:
• Transportation to/from outfitter’s main camp/lodge, including charter from Kodiak City (approx. $450 r/t)
• Overnight meals and accommodations in Kodiak City inbound/outbound
• Licenses/tags/permits. YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO OBTAIN, INCLUDING THE METAL LOCKING GAME TAGS!
• $150 per person Conservation Fee
• Meat processing
• Taxidermy
• Shipping of trophies
• Tips
All hunts require a 50% deposit at time of reservation. Additional approx. costs (subject to change):
Non-Resident Hunting License: $85
Brown Bear Tag: $1000
Deer Tag: $300
Goat Tag: $600
GETTING THERE
You will fly into Kodiak City at least one day before your scheduled arrival in hunt camp. The next day you will depart for camp via charter flight (outfitter will provide details). Charter is approx. $450 r/t, split between passengers.
