Kotzebou Golden Eagle

[FSUhunter1010]

This goes back a few year but wanted to see if anyone has been updated or refunded. Just before the closure we gave Golden Eagle $6000 to reserve transportation for a caribou hunt. We had heard rumors of the closure but they assured us that it wouldn't happen. We called and they said we have nothing to worry about, this happens every year. Well, the shut down went through and they told us they would not be taking in hunters. This is what we have been told the last couple years as well.

We had heard very good things about Golden eagle but that sure doesn't seem to be the case. Not sure how much money they took and provided no services??? But in the past year they did purchase a new 10 passenger Otter. Thier argument is that a contract was signed but they directly told us that the closure would not happen and to send money to reserve spot. Beware when scheduling and don't trust what is said.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

We booked with them in April 2021 for a 2022 hunt. I just consider that money gone now. I understand the closure is out of their control, but what irks me is the complete lack of any communication about it or any alternative plan. Last email we received was in January of 2023. Lacks professionalism.

 

[joe22657]

In the same position, since the deposit was non refundable assuming we aren’t getting it back

 

[Dkhunter12]

Same for 4 four of us in 2022.

 

[LongWayAround]

You would think they could fly us around in that Otter we all bought them.

Absolutely no communication. No follow up. No "we haven't forgotten about you." No attempt at all by them.

They did offer to take us fishing... Not what I'm in it for

For an operation that was very reputable, they sure seem to have decided they had enough revenue without hunters.

 

[FSUhunter1010]

They definitely lack integrity. Obviously the ones that speak highly of him live in and around Alaska. The out of staters that he “committed” to he couldn’t care less.

The service he provided us was two emails in 4 years for $6000 and that was to tell us he wasn’t going to do what we signed the contract for.

 

[mcseal2]

I had a good experience in 2020 I wrote about here. That was before the closures. Sorry to hear that others have not had the same experience since I named them in the article and post I put up. As demand increases for the Alaska experience and opportunities decrease, I don't have the answers. I'm glad I started going up there when I did so I will at least have the memories if I can't make the hunts a reality someday.

I feel like it is sort of a perfect storm that tags are getting harder to get in the lower 48 States at the same time opportunities in Alaska are decreasing. I can understand the different sides of the argument as a resident and non-resident. States like Colorado are changing regulations to favor high predator populations through ballot initiatives. They are moving away from over-the-counter tags as well. Programs like this, point creep, cost, lots of factors are changing the hunting landscape. I keep trying to plan one good trip a year and remind myself to enjoy the experience no matter the results. Covid brought a lot of people back to the outdoors too, which is a positive in my opinion for hunting's future, but it also brings more competition for the same resource. Have to keep improvising and adapting.

 

[FAAFO]

Unrelated but you should see their new hangar.