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 two types of brown bear hunts. Draw hunts on Kodiak Island and baited hunts in western Alaska. First the Kodiak hunts:
These brown bear hunts are conducted on the eastern shores of Kodiak island. The emerald island known world wide for its trophy potential. A short 40 minute flight will put you in the heart of brown bear country. Miles of jagged shoreline and alder-cloaked hillsides will beckon you from the float plane.
Hunts take place from a heated-tent style base camp complete with home style meals (not freeze dried!) and personal 1×1 guide service. Glassing throughout the day is the best way to locate these bears in their habitat. The longer daylight and receding snowline of spring make for fantastic brown bear hunting conditions. During fall hunts the bears move less and feed more. Heavily gorged on the salmon from local stream they spend large parts of the day sleeping on the hillsides. Spring hunts are conducted in late April and early May, fall hunts start October 25th and run into mid November.
Bears average around the 8.5” foot mark but can reach sizes well over 10 feet. Hunt Nation’s John Pomazi, secured himself a 10’6” boar, with an estimated live weight of 1500 pounds! We strongly encourage hunters to not settle for smaller bears. We aim for 9’ or better bears and believe with patience that size bear can be found.
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.”
Being a draw hunt ensures that limited numbers of hunters will be in the field, ensuring quality hunts and some high caliber bears. Be sure to prepare well in advance when planning a Kodiak brown bear hunt, since the drawings are held 6 months before the season begins, hunters need be prepared to enter the drawing well in advance. This is an all inclusive hunt which includes the air charter from Kodiak to camp, food, fuel, trophy prep, tents, cots and guide service. Hunters are responsible for flight to Kodiak, any lodging in Kodiak, as well as personal gear, sleeping bag and cost of license/ tags.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOW DECEMBER 15 FOR BOTH SPRING AND FALL BEAR HUNTS. Apply between Nov 1 and Dec 15. You must also have a contract with an outfitter, with a deposit paid on the hunt, before you apply. Draw odds for the fall hunts are high – usually 60+% – and about 50% for spring. If you want to do the bear hunt, MAKE SURE YOU CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY SO WE CAN GET YOU INTO THE DRAW! IF YOU DON’T DRAW, THE OUTFITTER WILL ROLL YOUR DEPOSIT OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR.
GRIZZLY BEARS
Grizzly bears are abundant in the Talkeetna Mountains of interior Alaska. Glassing valleys rich with blueberries and migratory routes is a sure fire 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’s 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’s are also very well suited for grizzly bear hunting. Be prepared for hunting condition 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.
BAITED BROWN BEAR HUNTS
These hunts are conducted in several regions of Alaska. Some are accessible by airplane and others by boat. Set ups are comfortable, and physical requirements are few. Most baits have motorized access to within a hundred yards. There are no hills or backpacking required.
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 full attention and priority.
If one brown bear isn’t enough for you, don’t worry you are in luck. They have baits in areas with a two brown bear and five black bear limit! 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, insuring 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.
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!
2025 PRICES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL DEPOSIT IS RECEIVED)
Grizzly Bear 8 day $18,000 1×1. Black bears free.
Kodiak Brown Bear 10 day 1×1 $25,000. Add Sitka deer on fall hunts for $2,000
Baited Brown Bear 7 day 1×1 $20,000 2×1 $15,000
Black Bear Trophy fee of $2,000
Add a second Brown Bear for a daily rate of $2,000
