This dedicated outfitter started guiding when he was 19 years old. By the time he was 26 he had his own operation and was a Master guide at the young age of 33. With 25 years and 300 plus bears under his belt we dare call him a bear expert! It’s a family run operation where you receive top quality and service as the only client in camp. Unlike some of the bigger commercial camps you’ll become a name rather than a number. His work has been featured in Bear Hunting Magazine, Professional Hunter Magazine, Outdoor Life as well as several TV shows.
“Competence, Preparation. These are the thoughts which come to mind regarding hunting with this outfitter. He is one of those individuals who is truly skilled in what he does, and hunting with him you reap those benefits. You don’t hunt with someone who just enjoys the outdoors, but otherwise has another calling in life. You get to hunt with the master himself. My hunt with him was memorable on multiple accounts and I hope to have the opportunity to hunt with him again. One thing is certain: you will be hunting with someone who knows what he is doing, knows the area, and will extend himself (and likely you also) to the fullest to harvest an outstanding animal”—Jim W.
Hunt Nation has worked with him and indeed, our own Hunt Nation consultant John Pomazi took a monster Brownie with him, giving him high marks for ability, efforts and results. Here is a picture of that brute of a bear!
BROWN BEAR
This outfitter offers a baited hunt in Unit 16B, across Cook Inlet. Some bait sites are accessible by airplane and others by boat. Most baits have motorized access to within a hundred yards. There are no hills or backpacking required. Setups are comfortable, and physical requirements are few.
He can accommodate two hunters at a time, provided they come together. You won’t be hunting with
strangers and he won’t have any other clients in the field – one hunt at a time and full attention is the priority.
2023 Client Fred St. reports after taking his 9’brownie: “This guide is the whole package. His knowledge of the area and the animals along with frequent scouting help keep you motivated. Not my first brown bear hunt but the best. The communication with the Guide/Outfitter was the best of my hunts and what they all should be like. I understand the challenges of the open season and remoteness but in the offseason they should be in touch and responsive. This guy is.”
If one brown bear isn’t enough for you, you are in luck. They have baits in areas with a 2 brown bear and 5 black bear limit! And no draw! If you are interested in an extended stay with multiple bears, they can make it happen.
“I’ve done 2 baited bear hunts with him. We’ve taken 2 brown bears and 1 black bear. With this outfitter you’ll get 110% effort to get you on bears. He is the guide, cook and skinner. He is the real deal in AK hunting.” Bob M.
Blinds are located less than 100 yards from baits. Generally, you will sit in the blind from 7pm to 7am. Blinds are comfy, giving the hunter and guide plenty of room, and an opportunity to get some shut eye if needed. Normally this outfitter has 4 active bait sites spread out over a 200-mile area, ensuring different bears and fresh un-hunted areas. The following is what you can expect when sitting on a baited brown bear bait:
There’s a silence. An eerie quiet that lays heavy in the bush. You shift your weight in the chair, leaning forward peering out into the dusk. You can feel it, you’re ready. A mosquito flies by and you inadvertently swing at it, missing. You refocus. There. A brown bear has materialized out of the bush and is feeding on the bait. You don’t know how he got there, but he’s there. It’s go time. Your heart races like you’ve never imagined. Two seconds prior you were at full rest, now your adrenaline has kicked in and your moment has emerged.
On the baited hunts this outfitter reports a 90% success rate on bears 8’+. These are 7 full hunting days with virtually 24 hours of daylight so lots of opportunity to hunt.
GRIZZLY BEARS
This outfitter also offers grizzly bear hunts in the Talkeetna Mountains of interior Alaska, and bears are abundant there. Glassing valleys rich with blueberries and migratory routes is a surefire way to encounter these nomadic bears.
The unit this outfitter hunts is open to grizzly bear year-round. However, the best times for hunting are May, June, August and September when bear hides are still at their prime.
A variety of hunting methods can be employed, from float hunting remote salmon streams, to backpacking spike camps over miles of tundra for a change of scenery, or setting up a comfortable base camp and hunting from proven vantage points for the day.
Colors vary greatly from blonde to dark chocolate to silver and range in size from 7’ to 9’+. Rifles in the .30 caliber range are best, and the .338 is also very well-suited for grizzly bear hunting. Be prepared for shots at less than 200 yards. Black bear can be incidentally taken free of charge on any grizzly hunt, and wolves are free of charge for hunts that take place after August 10.
“I planned a grizzly bear hunt on short notice. His knowledge of his grizzly hunting area is very good and we were covered up in bears on day 1 and I took my bear the same day. I would highly recommend this outfitter to anyone considering a bear hunt.” Joe G
Each day will involve walking 3-6 miles and glassing from vantage points that offer the best chance at locating bears. Hunters should be in decent physical condition and be prepared to carry a small daypack of approximately 25 pounds. If the hunt is booked as a backpacking adventure hunters should be prepared to carry all of their hunting gear and a small tent (provided). An average weight of 55 pounds.
Black Bear are free harvest as an incidental while hunting grizzly at no extra charge. The client is responsible for having the necessary tags. This outfitter does not offer any guided black bear hunts that are not in conjunction with grizzly hunts. Black bears in the area range from 6’-7.5’, a few near 8’ have been sighted. While black bears are FREE to add to any hunt, these are NOT combo hunts. Black bears are considered an incidental take. Once the grizzly has been harvested the hunt is considered over.
2025 PRICES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL DEPOSIT IS RECEIVED)
Baited Brown Bear – 7 days, $20,000 per person 1×1 or $15,000 per person 2×1. Black Bear Trophy fee of $2,000.
Grizzly Bear – 8 days, $18,000 per person 1×1. Black bears free.
Included in Hunts:
• Transportation from Anchorage or Kodiak to field
• Home cooked meals
• Comfortable accommodations
• Expert field care of trophies
• Licensed, experienced Master guide
Not included:
• Transportation to Anchorage or Kodiak
• Overnight meals and or accommodations in Kodiak or Anchorage
• License/tags/permits
• Meat processing
• Taxidermy
• Shipping of trophies from Kodiak or Anchorage
• Tips
A couple of important things to remember:
On all hunts beside Kodiak this outfitter does his own flying. No dependence on 3rd party contractors and worrying about their schedule and when you are going to make it into the field.
You are his only client on any particular hunt. His whole focus is on you and your hunt!
All his camps are no alcohol and no smoking. No exceptions!
