What outfitter would you most recommend:

[Catag94]

For a Nonresident who would like to go after a 10’+ Brown Bear? I’m assuming Kodiak, Unimak, or the AK peninsula.

 

[300 win mag]

10 ft brown bears are not as common as people think,your best bet would be on the peninsula,decades ago there were many more and could be found on kodiak and other areas.also this type of hunt would be fairly pricey dependent on who you book with.you can still find 10 footers on parts of kodiak but not to the level of the peninsula.believe me when i tell you any bear over 9 foot for myself is a shooter bear is hide is of good quality.phil shoemaker and his son and daughter are top shelf,henry tiffany,phil byrd,lance kronberger,cabot pitts have good areas.also mountain monarchs of alaska near cold bay.down there is also where henry tiffany is located,dave leonard is owner of mountain monarchs.below cold bay is near the izembek wildlife refuge.the further down the peninsula you go the closer to the aleutian islands.with ocean on either side there is good nutrition for these bears.anyway if it were me and finances were no issue i would hunt with phil and family,lance kronberger,

 

[wyosteve]

If you can draw an Unimak tag, get in touch with Rod Schuh if he's still doing those hunts.

 

[Catag94]

If you can draw an Unimak tag, get in touch with Rod Schuh if he's still doing those hunts.

Thanks. Rod is on my list as I hunted sheep with him years ago. I am
In Kodiak today headed back to ANC and plan to try to talk with him.

 

[WRO]

Lance kronberger, Phil shoemakers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TXHunt]

I would be talking to Phil Shoemaker for what you are looking for.

 

[VernAK]

I've sent four friends to Phil Shoemaker in the past few years, and they all came away with nice bears

 

[Catag94]

I appreciate all the responses and everyone who has replied with names and recommendations. Here is my condensed list at this point:

Matt Thoft- Peninsula
Lance Kronberger - Kodiak or Peninsula
Rod Schuh - Peninsula
Justin Dubay (if I Draw a Unimak tag)

I spoke with Phil and Taj who I think would be awesome, but Taj literally suggested I talk with Matt and Emily Thoft.

Other names that I think would be good are:
-Rob Jones - now has a concession and I hunted sheep with years ago when he and -Rod were partners.
Richard Guthrie, who I’m told has a great area.
-Phil Byrd
-Cabot Pitts

However, from my research, the names that rise to the very very top are the short list above.

Anyone have any specifics they’d shared about each of those?

 

[Theringworm]

300 Win Mag covered most of them above. I just recently went through this decision process. I won’t say being dead set on a 10’ bear factored into my consideration (but that is the dream) however going with an accomplished outfitter with a great reputation and excellent trophy harvest history was. Your list basically mirrored mine, with the exception of you considering several more than I. I always wanted to hunt Kodiak, but that reality is slim as I have no prior history with an outfitter that has a concession there. From my research, most hunters are repeat clients and trying to break into that cycle can be tough, especially with a very accomplished outfitter. Drawing a tag on Unimak probably isn’t in the cards either. So, I am going to the Peninsula.

I ultimately was down to Phil and his family or Lance. I had great communication with both. Both have years of experience and success. Surprised Taj suggested someone else unless you are wanting to go soon. I know he was booking for Spring 2030 when I talked to them back in January. You can’t go wrong with either. I ended up booking with Lance. Not sure you can go wrong with any of the ones you are considering though.

 

[Catag94]

300 Win Mag covered most of them above. I just recently went through this decision process. I won’t say being dead set on a 10’ bear factored into my consideration (but that is the dream) however going with an accomplished outfitter with a great reputation and excellent trophy harvest history was. Your list basically mirrored mine, with the exception of you considering several more than I. I always wanted to hunt Kodiak, but that reality is slim as I have no prior history with an outfitter that has a concession there. From my research, most hunters are repeat clients and trying to break into that cycle can be tough, especially with a very accomplished outfitter. Drawing a tag on Unimak probably isn’t in the cards either. So, I am going to the Peninsula.

I ultimately was down to Phil and his family or Lance. I had great communication with both. Both have years of experience and success. Surprised Taj suggested someone else unless you are wanting to go soon. I know he was booking for Spring 2030 when I talked to them back in January. You can’t go wrong with either. I ended up booking with Lance. Not sure you can go wrong with any of the ones you are considering though.

Cool. When are you going with Lance?

 

[Theringworm]

Spring 28'

 

[Catag94]

Spring 28'

Sweet. That’s my planned hunt too. I’m leaning toward Matt but either way, I hope to run into you and compare experiences.