Best Alaska Moose Outfitter?

[AKBorn]

3/5ths of his list is on the very good list in my opinion. Happy to be good friends with two of them. Add in the recommendation for another great friend Stan by Murphy and a few others not mentioned and you have a very solid list to talk with.

Thanks Nick, good info. And my apologies to PNWGator if my first post sounded more negative than intended.

 

[wildwilderness]

“Best” for one may not be for another.

Need to prioritize your definition of “best”- do you want 100% success rate? Do you want the biggest moose possible? How difficult of hunting environment or least amount of work? Accommodations? Food?

Don’t forget the NWT has Ak-Yukon moose and allows Helicopters!

 

[jfclingman]

“Best” for one may not be for another.

Need to prioritize your definition of “best”- do you want 100% success rate? Do you want the biggest moose possible? How difficult of hunting environment or least amount of work? Accommodations? Food?

Don’t forget the NWT has Ak-Yukon moose and allows Helicopters!

All good points. Honestly, looking for the biggest moose possible with a reputable outfitter. I'm relatively young and in good shape, so not concern with amount of work. And just fine eating Mountain House in a spike camp for every meal.

 

[wildwilderness]

All good points. Honestly, looking for the biggest moose possible with a reputable outfitter. I'm relatively young and in good shape, so not concern with amount of work. And just fine eating Mountain House in a spike camp for every meal.

The other thought is Kamchatka, Russia has historically killed huge moose. With the recent political climate a hunt there might be a good deal nowadays with good trophy potential with the lack of pressure lately!

 

[jfclingman]

The other thought is Kamchatka, Russia has historically killed huge moose. With the recent political climate a hunt there might be a good deal nowadays with good trophy potential with the lack of pressure lately!

Not interested in Russia!

 

[Djacker]

PM this type of information…damn.

His post specifically requested an Outfitter, NOT a DIY transporter...

Know you both want to be helpful, but you’re NOT! SMH

Why should I pm this info? Nothing stated says where these people do business.

 

[Hunt30]

PM this type of information…damn.

His post specifically requested an Outfitter, NOT a DIY transporter...

Know you both want to be helpful, but you’re NOT! SMH

Apparently God’s Country Aviation is some sort of secret? if so, you’re the only one who thought that. Great guys, but certainly very well known.

 

[ARK08]

When I was looking into moose hunts in Alaska, Papa Bear was one of the highly recommended outfitters. They have a 90s success rate and I believe their opportunity rate was 100% last year. Some guys passed up some smaller bulls looking for a bigger one. They fly you in and drop you off with all of the equipment including a boat. The price for something like that isn’t cheap though. I want to say it was around $20,000 for a hunt with them. Lots of info on moose hunting on the Rokslide forum.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Honestly, looking for the biggest moose possible with a reputable outfitter. I'm relatively young and in good shape, so not concern with amount of work. And just fine eating Mountain House in a spike camp for every meal.

Gana River Outfitters https://www.ganariver.com/gana_photo_gallery/moose/
Ravens Throat Outfitters https://www.ravensthroat.com/alaskan-yukon-moose-hunts/
Stan Stevens Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters https://www.mmo-stanstevens.com/hunts/#moose

I have personally hunted with Gana River Outfitters, which borders Stan Steven's concession. I saw huge moose on both. Ravens Throat I have not seen their concession, but I follow them on social media and see their kills, and hear great things about them from guides in the industry. You really can't go wrong with any of the NWT outfits for sheep, moose, or caribou

Gana River would be my first call, for a traditional hunt. I know SSMMO uses helos, not sure about RT

 

[Nate21]

I'd also 2nd God's Country Aviation. I hunted with them last year, great outfit. I believe he is booked unit 26 and not taking reservations for 27 yet. Like said above, it really depends on the type of hunt you want. Good luck!

I have a hunt planned with them for the late sept hunt in 2026. Would love to hear anything about your hunt and if you did it again, what you would want to know to be prepared for it. I’m taking my son as the other Hunter.

 

[Robinhood21]

Apparently God’s Country Aviation is some sort of secret? if so, you’re the only one who thought that. Great guys, but certainly very well known.

Yeah they're no secret and seems odd as most people are looking to do a DIY hunt because of cost savings. Gods Country has got to be the most expensive DIY moose hunt going right now as it tips the scales at $25,000 The majority of guys are going to run the other way from that.

 

[william schmaltz]

Yeah they're no secret and seems odd as most people are looking to do a DIY hunt because of cost savings. Gods Country has got to be the most expensive DIY moose hunt going right now as it tips the scales at $25,000 The majority of guys are going to run the other way from that.

I’d recommend people go with Isaac over 90% of the guided hunts in the state. His success rate and size over the last 5 years are matched by very few guide operations (most of which operate in the same wilderness area). When you service an area that only allows 6 hunters per operating permit, you need to price accordingly to make that pencil out and be worth your time. And as a hunter, that means you get to hunt a very hard to reach area that with obscene moose population that only allows 6 hunters per permit. Guides are the only others that can pencil out accessing the area, and they’re all charging an additional $15k. Because of how it’s managed, it’s one of the few areas you don’t have to worry about someone getting dropped in on top of you.

 

[BRWNBR]

Tony Lee - Westwind Guide Service
Sam Fejes - Fejes Guide Service
Gary Butch King - Wildman Lake Lodge
Shoemaker’s - Grizzly Skins of Alaska
Jonah Stewart - Johns’s Alaskan Outfitters.

Know almost all these guys personally and have guided for some of them.
Tony isn’t guiding anymore. And the next two in line I would skip in a heartbeat. The bottom two are good people.

But what the op is looking for is kinda vague. Top notch outfit that eats mtn house but has big moose. Not sure what top notch means, I’m hoping it just means honest hardworking…

So basically a guide who works and there’s potential for a big bull. So many people forget they are purchasing a hunt. Not a moose. Moose are all born the same size. And a big moose is a big moose no matter where In the world you are. No one outfitter has them all cornered. I see big bulls 10 min from anchorage every fall.

I’d suggest talking to as many outfits as you can. Ask questions like who would be my guide? How much moose experience does he have? What’s your success rate? Can I have unsuccessful references?
As those guys if they would go back even if they didn’t get a moose…then you’ll know if the outfit was top notch.

 

[BRWNBR]

I’d recommend people go with Isaac over 90% of the guided hunts in the state. His success rate and size over the last 5 years are matched by very few guide operations (most of which operate in the same wilderness area). When you service an area that only allows 6 hunters per operating permit, you need to price accordingly to make that pencil out and be worth your time. And as a hunter, that means you get to hunt a very hard to reach area that with obscene moose population that only allows 6 hunters per permit. Guides are the only others that can pencil out accessing the area, and they’re all charging an additional $15k. Because of how it’s managed, it’s one of the few areas you don’t have to worry about someone getting dropped in on top of you.

He has access to a lot more country that just the permitted area that has 6 tags I would imagine. Transporters basically have no limitations. He also is a part 135.unless regs have changed, to charge a flat rate he has to be a transporter. Part 135 has to charge a hourly rate I believe.
So he can drop people on state land until his maule tires wear out. There’s no limit to the amount of clients legally. Logistics and timing are all that would limit him.

 

[Theringworm]

AKBorn nailed it on the head. Though the list of 5 PNWGATOR provided is a great starting point, seasons and success rates vary significantly year to year. On top of that so do the guides that work for these outfitters, which in my opinion, is a HUGE factor on the hunt. I have hunted with one of the 5. Had a great trip, a great guide and killed a great bull. I have talked to two hunters that have gone with the same Outfitter since I did, and did not have the same experience. Weather, guides etc…..it all has an impact. Base your decision on recommendations and talk with past clients, both successful and unsuccessful. There are other names that I would add to that list, none of which I have hunted with but ones that I have heard first accounts about or seen harvest data from. Research is vitally important. While the moose in the NWT may not be as monstrous as the Alaskan/Yukon, they are still big and dang near every Outfitter in the NWT all are stand up operations with excellent concessions. All 3 recs from Doc Holliday would be no brainers. Good luck.

 

[medvedyt]

if it was in the yukon i would have asked: boat, argo, fly out, horses i imagine that will set up already what you want to do.

 

[Sako76]

I booked a 2026 fly-in fully guided hunt with Canoe Bay Outfitters. They have a main camp, inland tent camps and two river/boat camps. This was booked through Jack Atcheson Booking Agents of Montana. I’ve had several dealings with booking agents and they all sucked! Keith Atcheson seemed like the real deal, very knowledgeable, honest, a lot of experience and contacts and no high pressure to book. He asked me what I wanted and he provided several outfitters to talk to directly. Reviewing outfitters on my own was driving me crazy! Brown bear is available as an add on!

 

[twtays]

I have a hunt planned with them for the late sept hunt in 2026. Would love to hear anything about your hunt and if you did it again, what you would want to know to be prepared for it. I’m taking my son as the other Hunter.

My son and I are also going in late September 2026 with Gods Country. We should share notes, dates etc.

 

[Nate21]

My son and I are also going in late September 2026 with Gods Country. We should share notes, dates etc.

You bet. Shoot me a text sometime 479-430-4zero3four.