Owner of Deadhorse Outfitters LLC charged with outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license

[AK_Skeeter]

From the local newspaper:
Big game hunters told troopers in September 2021 that they had rented equipment from Deadhorse Outfitters LLC at mile 366.5 of the Dalton Highway. They reported that they rented drop camp equipment for approximately $300.
Callison, 44, was charged on June 22, 2022, and July 8, 2022, with felony perjury, four counts of misdemeanor outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license, and violating probation conditions.

Callison pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of misdemeanor outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license.
Judge Ben Seekins sentenced Callison to one year of probation and a $20,000 fine.

 

[VernAK]

Thanks Skeeter!

We recently had a Chinese Nationalist guiding also.

 

[j_volt]

$20k for renting some equipment???

 

[S-3 ranch]

Damn , I recommend that outfit to someone who didn’t want to charter a plane to fly out

 

[Alaska2025]

I looked into them at one point. Something about them smelled pretty fishy, and I decided to avoid them.

 

[AKBorn]

$20k for renting some equipment???

I think the $20k fine was for "felony perjury, four counts of misdemeanor outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license, and violating probation conditions."

 

[AKBorn]

From the local newspaper:
Big game hunters told troopers in September 2021 that they had rented equipment from Deadhorse Outfitters LLC at mile 366.5 of the Dalton Highway. They reported that they rented drop camp equipment for approximately $300.
Callison, 44, was charged on June 22, 2022, and July 8, 2022, with felony perjury, four counts of misdemeanor outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license, and violating probation conditions.

Callison pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of misdemeanor outfitting or advertising a big game hunt without a license.
Judge Ben Seekins sentenced Callison to one year of probation and a $20,000 fine.

Thanks for posting this AK Skeeter, good to get these guys out in the open.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Thanks Skeeter!

We recently had a Chinese Nationalist guiding also.

That was a wild story. They also offered paid female companions for their hunters.

 

[Alaska2025]

That was a wild story. They also offered paid female companions for their hunters.

Seriously? I'd love to read that story! lol Have any links to news articles?

 

[j_volt]

That was a wild story. They also offered paid female companions for their hunters.

Is he still booking? Asking for a friend

 

[WeiserBucks]

Seriously? I'd love to read that story! lol Have any links to news articles?

Illegal Bear Outfitter Offering Prostitution and Gallbladders Busted in Sting Operation

In a strange wildlife-related sting operation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to indict two Fairbanks, Alaska, residents for operating an illegal outfitting business involving bear hunting, prostitutes, and gallbladders. According to a criminal complaint filed with a U.S. District...

www.themeateater.com

 

[Alaska2025]

Illegal Bear Outfitter Offering Prostitution and Gallbladders Busted in Sting Operation

In a strange wildlife-related sting operation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to indict two Fairbanks, Alaska, residents for operating an illegal outfitting business involving bear hunting, prostitutes, and gallbladders. According to a criminal complaint filed with a U.S. District...

www.themeateater.com

Crazy stuff!!

 

[RyanT26]

From my understanding where they got into a bind was a “transporter” cannot rent equipment to the people they are transporting.
This guys wife, son, or best friend, could rent out equipment and all is well. He does it and it’s a misdemeanor. Seems like a silly technicality, but rules are rules I guess.

 

[YellCoAR]

I meat him last year. Seems like a nice guy. He was very helpful to us and did not expect a dime. The lines between a transporter and guide seem pretty strict. I am willing to bet he continues to get his self in trouble more trying to help people than make money off them.

 

[YellCoAR]

By the way anyone know the difference in cost between a guide license and a transporter license?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

By the way anyone know the difference in cost between a guide license and a transporter license?

License fees are equal (the same) for transporters and contracting guides.

 

[AKjon]

From my understanding where they got into a bind was a “transporter” cannot rent equipment to the people they are transporting.
This guys wife, son, or best friend, could rent out equipment and all is well. He does it and it’s a misdemeanor. Seems like a silly technicality, but rules are rules I guess.

This is interesting, because they are still advertising equipment rentals with their DIY hunts under the Deadhorse Outfitters name

*edit* disregard. I wasn't looking close enough. It does appear they spun off the gear rentals into a separate business (although they only rent gear to their clients) "Deadhorse Outfitters Rentals LLC" vs "Deadhorse Outfitter LLC" All about dotting I's and crossing T's I guess. $20k lesson learned.

 

[Novashooter]

Man that sounds way too harsh for the crime, but with such a short clip I probably do not know much of the real story. Even if there were some probation conditions, which are not stated, renting out some camping equipment is considered outfitting? If I rented a tent of mine to some hiker going to Alaska I would be committing a felony?

 

[RyanT26]

Man that sounds way too harsh for the crime, but with such a short clip I probably do not know much of the real story. Even if there were some probation conditions, which are not stated, renting out some camping equipment is considered outfitting? If I rented a tent of mine to some hiker going to Alaska I would be committing a felony?

I am not an expert on this ………or really anything, but it is my understanding the problem lies with Hook being the transporter as well as owner of the rental company.
You could rent equipment to whoever as long as you don’t transport them into the field.
He is no longer an owner of the rental company, so hopefully he can keep his name out of the headlines.

 

[Novashooter]

Ok, that makes more sense. I didn't realize he also did transporting. That might explain the previous probation.