Alaska Hunting Trips & Bear Hunting: FAQ - Page 2
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The game laws change often, is there any way I can keep up with them? Yes, visit Alaska Department of Fish and Game at www.state.ak.us/adfg/wildlife/wildmain.htm

Weather often affects bush flights in Alaska. Are tickets available to me that allow last minute changes? Yes, please check out our Links and Resources.

What kind of gloves to bring? Take several pairs of cotton work gloves along for all hunts. GoreTex gloves are also nice to have.

What is the best binocular size for your country? 10 X 40 and 10 X 42.

Do I need a scope on my rifle? It is a good idea unless you are an expert shot with iron sights up to 250 yards. African-style express sights like on my .416 Rigby at 50, 100 and 200 yards are excellent, but 99% of the hunters have scopes. All of our Alaska hunting guides have open sights.

What do I do with my moose antlers? The easiest way to take your antlers with you is for us to split them with a saw between the beams. They can be "cradled" or nested and all the tines can be wrapped with cardboard. You take them right with you. If you desire them to remain intact we can wrap all the tines in cardboard but you may need to ship them airfrieght from St. Michael to destination if your aircraft is full. In fall '99 all 6 hunters took their antlers with them whole.

If I want my moose caped is that a problem? Certainly not, it adds a lot of time in the field but no sweat. Every year more and more hunters are opting for European or skull mounts but to us it is totally your choice. A moose cape for a shoulder mount weighs more than an average bear hide. We totally salt them for you and again, most often they need to go airfreight to destination. Again, D&C in Anchorage is an excellent company to care for your hides, dry them, re-salt them, and send them to wherever you desire when ready.

Are caribou antlers and capes handled the same? Yes, but they weigh a lot less and the chances of taking them with you all the way home are greater.

What do I do with my bear hide and skull from bear hunting trips? We field prepare them and make arrangements for you to have them sealed by ADF&G on your way home BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STATE. This is the law and no unsealed bear skull or hide may be taken out of state. If ADF&G can't do it in Nome, D&C Expediters in Anchorage will seal your bear, even at the airport, for a nominal cost. They also offer fine taxidermy work.

What is the ideal caliber for grizzly bear hunting? .375 on up, but .338 is totally acceptable.

What is the ideal caliber for Moose? 30 caliber and up.

What is the ideal caliber for Caribou? .270 on up

What is the ideal caliber for wolf/wolverine? .223 on up

Do I need to bring my own snacks? No, unless you have personal preferences.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag? No, we provide them as well as sleeping pads.

Will I wait in camp for other hunters to collect their trophies before hunting? ABSOLUTELY NOT, we never overbook and never have. The only thing that could keep you grounded is the Alaska weather, and this is why we hunt with ATV's and not with aircraft

Are you insured? Yes, for years with Alaska Business Insurance in Anchorage.

Will I ever sleep on the cold, hard ground? Possibly. We go where the game is, and at times we will put up a spike camp for a day or two where we have noticed animal movement, for example, just before dark or very early in the morning. In these cases we always have a tent, cookstove, food, sleeping pads and bags, and you will not be uncomfortable.

Do I need to bring my pistol? No, you are always with a guide.

What is your policy on the hunting guide backing up the hunter? In Alaska on a guided hunt once an animal is wounded the responsibility for killing it cleanly transfers from the hunter to the hunting guide. If your bear, moose or caribou is in the open and presents itself for more shots without reaching cover, we do not fire, you do with our great encouragement. (Hurry up and shoot again !!! ) We cover this scenario in detail and constantly remind our Alaska hunting guests in the field as conditions vary. If you wound an animal and it is getting away to cover, or especially charging you (bear, moose), we will open fire

CAN I bring my pistol? We discourage it simply because of math. By far the greatest number of hunting accidents involve sidearms. For the same reason no one, including your guide, will ever chamber a round until the final stalk. If you simply MUST bring a sidearm we can deal with it.

Will I ever be in a dangerous situation on your Alaska hunting trips? Yes, driving from your home to the airport to fly up here !!! Dangers are mostly weather related, like storms that create heavy seas or whiteouts/blizzards in the winter. Our policy is that no matter how badly you want to be somewhere else, if it's not safe, we don't go. Over 30 years experience living year-round RIGHT HERE has taught us this. Moose are equally as dangerous as bears, since we hunt them in the rut. There is no question that stalking a moose or a grizzly is dangerous. Just the fact that they do kill each other in battle attests to this.

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