Situated on the “quiet side” of the Wrangell Mountains in the greater Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, this family-owned and operated outfitting company remains one of Alaska’s finest for single specie hunts targeting Alaska-Yukon moose, Dall sheep or interior grizzly bear. More than 60 years of outfitting and flying charter services through this spectacular region have earned this family one of the most trusted reputations among Alaskans and in the hunting industry. In-fact, Hunt Nation’s own Derek Amadio has hunted here twice; once in 2010 for Dall sheep, taking a beautiful 9-year-old ram, and again in 2020 for Moose, again successful taking a fantastic 64” bull.
They offer low-volume, authentic Alaskan big game hunting experiences in August or September of each year with experienced, seasoned guides. They own and operate the aircraft used in every hunt, eliminating the dependency on third-party flying services many other outfitters rely on. This allows them the flexibility to relocate clients, particularly on sheep hunts, to alternate areas as needed during the hunt at no extra cost. All bush flights are included in each hunt package.
Dall Sheep
This outfitter has a special concession permit to hunt within the park area, and this area as well as the greater mountain region continues to support one of the largest populations of Dall sheep in Alaska. That said, sheep numbers, statewide, have been low the last few years. For that reason, a maximum of only two (2) sheep hunters will be taken each year for the foreseeable future. This is to ensure each hunter has the best-possible chances of taking a mature, legal ram, each with the support of the outfitter’s full resources. Tags for non-residents are purchased over the counter. Legal rams must meet one of the three criteria in this area for harvest; they must be broomed, at least eight years of age, or they must be full curl. Typical rams harvested on this hunt will range from eight to 10 years of age with horns measuring from 34” to 38” with occasional trophies breaking 40.” Any legal, mature ram in this area is considered a good trophy and clients are not encouraged to pass on such animals. Dozens of prime sheep areas are scattered throughout the outfitter’s guiding territory and accessed by modified super cub on tundra tires. Most of these wilderness landing strips are very discrete and offer close proximity to the prime sheep habitat, cutting down on hiking time each day. A few select landing areas are located high up on mountain plateaus, allowing clients to hunt from the top down. Still, clients need to be in very good physical condition for this hunt, not only to increase the odds of success but to enjoy this experience to its full potential. Shots average 250 to 400 yards.
Historically, these sheep hunts have offered very high success rates with the majority of clients getting an opportunity on a mature ram during their hunt. That said, the population of sheep and the number of legal rams on the mountains have cycled up and down over the years. As of this writing, overall numbers remain low, and for that reason, the outfitter does not feel comfortable taking more than two hunters per season until the population can improve. Over the last three years, opportunity at mature, legal rams have been 100% with a success rate of 6 out of 7. During the 2022 season, three hunters were taken and all three hunters took rams. In 2023, two sheep hunters were taken and each of the two hunters had opportunity on a legal ram. One ram was harvested, and the second hunter passed on a legal ram early in the hunt, and left without taking a ram after having only five days of favorable weather. In 2024, two hunters were taken, with each hunter taking mature rams. Those who arrive both physically and mentally prepared who are willing to hunt hard for the full duration of the hunt should have the opportunity to come home with a trophy they can be proud of, but finding mature, legal rams is not as easy as it once was, which is why this outfitter invests significant planning into every hunt.
For the 2026 season, 13 days of hunting are now included, with a 15-day schedule, giving extra time to help ensure success. Plan to drive approximately 5.5 hours via rental car from Anchorage to the main lodge the morning of day one, arriving in the early afternoon, with plenty of daylight left to check your rifle’s zero, transfer your gear into the airplane, and fly out into the field to meet your guide (weather permitting). Although some locations offer the comfort of small cabins, most locations will use portable tented camps for maximum mobility should a relocation be required. These camps are comfortable with cots, propane stoves, and real food. Expect to hunt as many as 13 full days or until a ram is shot. This is not a backpack hunt. Hunters and their guide will leave their camp each morning with only what they need for the day, returning to that camp in the evening. If the outfitter feels “spiking out” may be required, we will let you know prior to your arrival so that appropriate gear can be taken. Over the last 14 years, no client has needed to spike out, but anyone considering this hunt must be as flexible as possible to maximize their own success.
Moose
Over the last few years, the number and quality of bulls in this outfitter’s area are perhaps the best they have experienced in decades, making this one of the best choices we offer for a trophy Alaska-Yukon moose. A maximum of only five hunters are taken each year, giving each hunter a low-volume 1 on 1 experience with high individual attention.
There are two options for this hunt. The first option is are hunt dates of September 8-17th that rely on aerial scouting and mobile tented camps. With this option, hunters generally enjoy more favorable weather, while targeting bulls prescouted by aircraft. Only two hunters are taken during this date, and in 2024 the outfitter took a 69” and 75” bull over this period. Two hunters were taken over these early dates in 2023, and they each killed 65” bulls. This early date does not use any of the cabin locations, and hunters should expect comfortable tented camps with cots, propane heat and real food. These camps are kept mobile in the event a relocation to an alternate area is needed.
The second moose option is to hunt over the later dates of September 21-30th during the peak of the moose rut after most other units in Alaska have closed to non-resident hunting. Only three hunters are taken over this period, with each hunter flying out to one of three remote cabin locations, each in prime rutting areas, and each grandfathered into this area before it became a protected preserve. These cabins are very rustic, but offer a great level of comfort with wood burning stoves, bunks, a small kitchen area and a table to sit down at, especially if snow is experienced. This is also one of the physically easier moose hunts we offer, with each of these cabins located in close proximity to glassing and calling areas, and all three in the heart of prime rutting locations. With each passing day in late September, new bull moose tend to show up in these select areas, minimizing any need for relocation.
Success rates are excellent, with most hunters taking a bull by day six, and nearly everyone having opportunity. Bulls taken on this hunt have ranged from the high 50’s into the mid 70’s in antler width, with realistic expectations in the 60” to 65” most years. In 2024, five hunters took four bulls, with the one hunter choosing to shoot a grizzly instead of a moose. The bulls taken in 2024 were 60, 66, 69 and 75” in antler width. In 2023, only three hunters were taken, and all three took bulls measured from 60” to 65”. In 2022, four groups took three bulls with all four having opportunity. In 2021, three 1×1 guided hunters took three bulls, and two hunters who shared a guide (2×1 by request) took one bull.
Another benefit to this outfitter’s area is the fact this is a hard ground area. Although slip-on waders are often needed for stream crossings, this is a hard ground area, eliminating the need to wear waders on a daily basis as many other areas of Alaska will require. Shot distances average 200 to 350 yards, but this can vary to more than 400 yards to as little as 50 yards or less if a bull can be called in. Use the rifle you are comfortable with, but we recommend .30 caliber magnums for this hunt.
Interior Grizzly
The bear population in this area is stable, and non-resident hunters may take one bear per year, whereas other areas in Alaska only allow non-residents the harvest of one bear every four years. Interior grizzlies are smaller in size than their over-fed coastal brown bear counterparts, but for what they lack in size they make up for in coloration, with beautiful blonde and brown contrasts. Although not typically as physical as a sheep hunt, those who pursue grizzly need to be prepared for long hours of spotting, followed by fast-paced, adrenalin-spiked stalks to get into shooting position before the bear is out of sight. Larger caliber rifles, including the .300, .338 and .375, are recommended, with shots averaging 100 to 150 yards.
Camp and Accommodations
As noted above, several moose and sheep areas offer rustic cabins with wood stoves, plywood bunkbeds with foam sleeping pads, a small kitchen area, a table to sit down and relax at, and plenty of room to dry out any wet clothes. All other hunting locations will use portable tented camps that must be flown into the field. These include standard camping items including tents, sleeping cots, camp chairs, propane stove and real food.
Travel
Clients will first fly to Anchorage (ANC) and overnight at a hotel. The following morning, they must take a rental car and drive approximately five and a half hours to the outfitter’s main lodge. The driving directions are easy to follow and scenic. The first five hours are paved highway, with the last 45 miles on gravel road with several small stream crossings better-suited for AWD or 4WD vehicles. Clients should plan their arrival at the main lodge for the early afternoon hours the day prior to the actual start of their hunt. Once at the lodge, the rental car will be parked and left for the duration of the trip along with any equipment items not needed in the field. Rifles will be checked at an on-site 100-yard rifle range before hunters and their gear are transferred into the outfitter’s own plane and flown into the field the same afternoon (weather permitting) to meet their guides to start hunting the following morning. Any accommodations and meals at the outfitter’s main lodge either before or after the hunt are included. Observers are welcome to come along and stay at the main lodge for the duration of the hunt at a discounted rate of $150 per day with all meals included. The main lodge offers basic WIFI, TV, hot showers, laundry, freezers, and good food, and great conversation with some of the best people you will find in the hunting industry.
Trophy/Meat Shipping
Hunters who are not taking meat and/or horns/capes/antlers home with them on the airlines may donate any unwanted meat to the outfitter. We recommend Alaska Trophy Expediters (aktrophyexpediters.com) for those who prefer to have their trophies shipped, and if needed, the outfitter can assist with trophy transport to Anchorage at the end of the season.
Pricing for 2026
All hunts include 1×1 guiding, all flights from the main lodge into the field, any necessary relocation during the hunt and meat fly out.
Dall Sheep; 15-day schedule with 13 hunt days: $38,000
• August 20-September 4 (SOLD OUT)
Moose; 12-day schedule with 10 hunt days: $32,000
• September 8-17 (SOLD OUT)
• September 21-30 (SOLD OUT)
Interior Grizzly Bear: Please Inquire
• August 26-September 4 (1 spot)
2027 RATES (now taking pre-booking reservations)
Dall Sheep (13 hunting days): $TBD
• August 20-September 4 (2 spots)
Moose (10 hunting days) TBD, est. $TBD
• September 8-17 (2 spots)
• September 21-30 (1 spot)