Outfitter/guide question list

[Silvereagle50]

I’m looking to make a list of questions I should ask an outfitter/guide. I would appreciate any and all thoughts on this.
I’m looking at going on a Dall Sheep hunt most likely in Alaska. It looks like I could go on a hunt there easier (don’t have to draw a tag) and cheaper (sorry but on a teacher salary, I have to look for the most affordable options).

If you know of any lists that already exist, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks ahead for your comments

 

[docdb]

I’ll start off, I’ve been on 6 Dall hunts in Canada and Alaska and harvested 5 rams. These hunts have been the pinnacle of my hunting career, I wouldn’t trade anything for the experiences. Things I would like to know from a prospective guide:
1) am I the only hunter hunting with you?
2) if I am not the only hunter, who is hunting me? Is there an assistant guide? The point is, you may have scheduled a mega-dollar hunt with the cool guide you’ve heard all about, and only see him on day one when he farms you out to the assistant guide.....not not necessarily a bad thing, but something you should know
3)what’s the hunting pressure like? How many Supercubs were parked where you were hunting last year? How many other hunters spotted?
4)Can you have names and numbers for ALL the hunters from the year before? Call ‘em!
5)Honestly this never crossed my mind until it happened to me.....two weeks before leaving, guide gets really sick, and calls on the sat phone to cancel.
What happens in this situation?
Don


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[adventure907]

I know this isn't exactly what you are asking, but the outfitter that I work for here in Alaska is one of the more reasonably priced outfitters in Alaska, and not to mention, one of the best in the business. Might be worth it to check out his site and give Matt a call.

tokmanagementarea.com

 

[Reburn]

I havent been on a sheep hunt yet but many many other guided hunts all over the world.

1). Evertything that was said above.

2). Gear Lists - read the list and speak to the head guide about it. Understand what is on the list and why its on there. We got bit hard on a cold bay Alaska waterfowl hunt when we showed up with 3mm boot foot waders to hike 2 miles each way through the tundra. We needed breathable waders but were not told to bring them. We also took 50% too many shells.

3). This goes back to #2, Be VERY careful using a booking agent. There are some great ones out there and there are alot of really bad ones. If you use a agent make sure to speak to the guide directly on the phone not relayed emails and if the agent wont let you contact directly just cancel the hunt. When dealing with backcountry hunts so much can go wrong and your hunt can get miserable or have to quit because your geared wrong.

4). As it relates to backcountry. Is food supplied? Who supplies? Who packs what? Who packs out animal?

5). Trophy Prep? Transportation?

6). This mostly relates to out of country. Guns? Permits to the country you are going to? Ammo Limits? Dont forget your 4457 form by CBP.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/323/~/traveling-outside-of-the-u.s.---temporarily-taking-a-firearm,-rifle,-gun,

You dont want to have to pay import taxes on your own weapon coming back in. We needed these when we went to iceland. We dont take our shotguns when we go to argentina.
6A). Shouldnt be an issue on a big game hunt but there are places in the world you just dont want to take your firearm. Such as argentina. If your using a lodge or guide supplied firearm ask the brand and model so you know.

 

[Silvereagle50]

Ok guys. this is great so far. I've asked this question on another forum and have got nothing but irrelevant comments basically.

Please keep them coming.

I was really thinking that some of you guys that have been out guided hunts would have some ideas as to what to ask.

At this point, I'm mostly looking for questions that I need to ask when trying to pick out the outfitter to use. Of course, any and all questions to ask once the outfitter is chosen will be helpful as well.

 

[Ray]

Ask the guide about the animal population in his area. How was the winter/spring icing conditions? How have the past five to six winters and springs been? Mating age - meaning legal sized - rams spend their fall energy procreating and then have to struggle all winter on meager food sources. A late winter or early spring storm can wipe out a lot of mature rams and lambs. Dead rams in the spring mean fewer rams to hunt in the fall. Lots of dead lambs in the spring mean fewer rams to hunt 7-8 years down the road. If a guide is not tracking this info, I would be a little wary of them.

Also need to ask about the kind of terrain to expect to be hunting in.

 

[wantj43]

I’ll start off, I’ve been on 6 Dall hunts in Canada and Alaska and harvested 5 rams. These hunts have been the pinnacle of my hunting career, I wouldn’t trade anything for the experiences. Things I would like to know from a prospective guide:
1) am I the only hunter hunting with you?
2) if I am not the only hunter, who is hunting me? Is there an assistant guide? The point is, you may have scheduled a mega-dollar hunt with the cool guide you’ve heard all about, and only see him on day one when he farms you out to the assistant guide.....not not necessarily a bad thing, but something you should know
3)what’s the hunting pressure like? How many Supercubs were parked where you were hunting last year? How many other hunters spotted?
4)Can you have names and numbers for ALL the hunters from the year before? Call ‘em!
5)Honestly this never crossed my mind until it happened to me.....two weeks before leaving, guide gets really sick, and calls on the sat phone to cancel.
What happens in this situation?
Don


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

All great and must "ask" questions. Number two is especially important as although in Alaska the non-resident hunter must be accompanied by a licensed guide or assistant guide for dall sheep, it is not required that the accompanying guide have every even seen let alone hunted dall sheep. I would just add to make certain you and the guide are on the same "page" about what you hope to harvest as a trophy.
Best of luck on your hunt.
Joe

 

[DoubleBroomedMountainRifles]

Questions to ask prospective outfitters in Alaska:

-Are they on a Federal Concession
-Success rates
-Violations of AK state law convicted of recently/overall
-Actual Hunt days as compared to total hunt day amounts (how many are travel days to and from)
-Percentage of the guides that they employ that are actual Alaska residents compared to non residents. Seems crazy to think that the laws of Alaska make non residents be guided for Dall sheep but you can be legally guided by a Non Resident.
-Amount of time the actual guide you’ll hunt with has been in the country you will be hunting whether that be guiding or personal hunts for Dall’s
-Amount of other commercial outfitters in area. In Alaska unless on a federal concession; there can be an UNLIMITED number of commercial guides selling an UNLIMITED number of sheep hunts in NON DRAWING PERMIT hunt areas. Keep that in mind.
-Amount of Resident hunt pressure
-Size/age of rams overall average over time
-At least 10 references both successful and non successful
-Amount of physical abilities required to be successful on hunt....all Dall hunts are not created equal on physical ability
-trophy care and forwarding companies available
-in Alaska you will most likely need 1 business day to seal your rams horns if you want it to accompany you home. This is done at AK Dept of Fish and Game offices for the most part.
-how much time is required prior to hunt beginning in arrival city to get licenses etc
-once you book ensure you get the actual guide contact info who will be guiding you. They may have special requests for gear to bring that the outfitters might not mention. That is very important to get that as you are with this particular guide more then the contracting outfitters. It is nice to build a friendship prior to showing up at the base camp as well.

If an outfitter can honestly answer all these questions with a favorable response, their costs are normally $3K-$5K more expensive. But it is well worth the costs. Even if you have to save an extra year.



Lots of good outfitters in Alaska. Most good ones are booked up till at least 2021. Aaron Bloomquist of Alaska Outfitters Unlimited or Joey Klutch of Aniackchak Guide service. Both have federal concessions in the north eastern Brooks Range. Those above questions you could ask these guys this and get favorable and truthful answers.

Who to stay away from!! Lots in Alaska. Buyer beware!

Good luck. Do your homework prior to booking. Vet your outfitter on this site as there are a lot of people who have hunted or have heard about Alaska sheep guides.

 

[Silvereagle50]

I have just started this journey. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since as a kid sitting in the den of some very close friends to my family and staring at a RM big horn on the wall.
I’ve always considered it as out of reach once an adult with family and bills. But now I’m determined to try and get it done.

I was in OKC this past weekend at the Backwoods Hunting and Fishing Show and talked to a guy there.

It was Shawn Stone that runs Alaska’s Greatland Outfitters. Talked to him for a good bit. He seemed upfront and honest.
So if anyone knows anything good or bad about this guy please let me know.
I’m not saying I’m for sure going to book with him (I’ll look around more) but his prices were pretty reasonable I thought and cheaper than most I guess.
I realize I may get better for more money, but I’ll be stretching just to get to his amount. So I may not have a lot of choice in this.

 

[kaboku68]

There is presently a shortage of teachers in Alaska. There are sheeping hunting opportunities that are well beyond what a guided hunt can offer you. Why don't you go to the Alaskan Job Fair and come on up.
We can always use more hunters in public schools.

 

[DoubleBroomedMountainRifles]

Great post Thomas!

 

[Silvereagle50]

There is presently a shortage of teachers in Alaska. There are sheeping hunting opportunities that are well beyond what a guided hunt can offer you. Why don't you go to the Alaskan Job Fair and come on up.
We can always use more hunters in public schools.

LOL... I guess that would be a possibility. Not sure my family would like that and I'm pretty sure I'd have to go without my wife (she is a teacher as well) since her daughter has given us two grandchildren.
Plus I'm on the downhill slide here. I need to stay here in Ok. for 6 more years to get the full retirement. Be kinda hard to leave that. Plus I have the best job possible right now. All I teach is Dr. Ed. all day now.

 

[I_am_Waz]

So Mike - Did you ever get to Alaska with Shawn?

I met Shawn at the LeHigh Valley SCI banquet a few weeks ago and I also felt he was up front and honest. In fact I have spoken to several References who also endorse him.

Like you, I am trying to scrape together the funds since I didn't get a sheep the last time I went ... but if I can just get my wife to let me go just one more time....

Gene