Alaskan hunting laws

[Mekaniks]

I am an Alaska resident and I have done lots of DIY hunts. Caribou, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Deer, Moose. But...last year I also took a guided goose/crane hunt. Here is my AH report https://www.africahunting.com/threads/usa-goose-shack-guide-service-delta-junction-alaska.40201/
I didn’t take a Guide because I had to, or that I was just being lazy.... the reality was that I needed a Guide on this particular hunt to be successful . And I have booked with them again next fall.
Sure as a resident I could go try to do it myself, and who knows maybe even have some successs. But these guides actually work their asses off to make clients successful and kill birds. They have rights to private property because the land owners are not keen on everyone running over their ground, and the guides take care of them.
I could also go to Texas and hunt geese DIY, but no way would I risk all the unknown, when I can just hire a Guide and be succesfull while having a good time...
Hunting in Alaska is awsome, just follow the rules, take your best shot at being successful and have a good time.

 

[geoff rath]

Dang it, you Ak "locals" make my feet itch, just reading about it. Myself, an another Aussie mate have discussed hunting Alaska, big Brownies in particular, and understand the risks, and costs (our BIG preventative factor). We have the rifles to suit and hopefully enough fitness for the hunt.
It'd be like coming out here for Water Buff; transport costs, local knowledge, huge distances, and legal access all come into play. NZ can be the same if you want to chase huge deer, and Africa for D/G hunting. So, I live vicariously, reading the great reports, and checking out the photos. Thanks so much to ALL who post.

 

[Say Man]

I am an Alaska resident and I have done lots of DIY hunts. Caribou, Brown Bear, Black Bear, Deer, Moose. But...last year I also took a guided goose/crane hunt. Here is my AH report https://www.africahunting.com/threads/usa-goose-shack-guide-service-delta-junction-alaska.40201/
I didn’t take a Guide because I had to, or that I was just being lazy.... the reality was that I needed a Guide on this particular hunt to be successful . And I have booked with them again next fall.
Sure as a resident I could go try to do it myself, and who knows maybe even have some successs. But these guides actually work their asses off to make clients successful and kill birds. They have rights to private property because the land owners are not keen on everyone running over their ground, and the guides take care of them.
I could also go to Texas and hunt geese DIY, but no way would I risk all the unknown, when I can just hire a Guide and be succesfull while having a good time...
Hunting in Alaska is awsome, just follow the rules, take your best shot at being successful and have a good time.

I liked your report for hunting geese and cranes in Delta. I used to do that several years ago on a regular basis till moose hunting took over September and haven't been back since. Really enjoyed those times in the blind calling in geese and getting some cranes along the way. On my hunts I did it semi guided with blinds and decoys provided and had a great time especially watching the Bison walk around the blind. Thanks for linking the report.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A couple other comments on the high price: The hunting seasons are relatively short in Alaska, certainly compared with Africa where you can hunt 9 or 10 months out of the year. Also, Alaska has a high cost of living, so the resident guides need to make enough to put food on the table, a roof over their head and pay the heating bill. The guide I hunted with shared some of the details on what all he did to make a living in Alaska. Spring bear season is 20 days, but it's only every other year and alternates with the fall season. So a guide gets about 20 days of bear hunting at about $300/day plus tips. Works at commercial fishing for for a couple of months and makes the bulk of his income, about $30k. In the fall, a couple months caribou and moose hunting. During the winter months (Nov-Apr) handy man work around town or goes to the lower 48 for misc work. So I think you can see, the guide isn't getting rich by any means.

Looking at the outfitter, there are lots of equipment, logistics, insurance, etc. My bear outfitter, Wildman Lake Outfitters, has to fly 4 different planes (2 Supercubs, 1 Beaver, 1 Piper Navajo) the 500 miles from Anchorage to the hunting/fishing camp. Fuel for the planes and generators has to also be flown in (that is really expensive!) All the groceries have to be flown in, also really expensive. Marketing costs are substantial too. Several weeks in Jan and Feb, they have to travel the DSC, SCI and other shows and this means hotels, the actual show fees, etc.

 

[FLhunter7]

Wow Mekaniks I've only ever seen sandhill cranes in the southern most parts of Florida and they are there all year round so I didn't even know they were migratory especially all the way up to Alaska. I mostly understand why guides cost so much although some are just grossly overpriced I could go to Africa hunt cape buffalo get taxidermy done for it and still have 7000$ left over. I'm just saying I personally don't think this is the governments place to step in and tell people what to do, if your worried about overcrowding do a draw just like every other state with similar problems.

 

[Red Leg]

Wow Mekaniks I've only ever seen sandhill cranes in the southern most parts of Florida and they are there all year round so I didn't even know they were migratory especially all the way up to Alaska. I mostly understand why guides cost so much although some are just grossly overpriced I could go to Africa hunt cape buffalo get taxidermy done for it and still have 7000$ left over. I'm just saying I personally don't think this is the governments place to step in and tell people what to do, if your worried about overcrowding do a draw just like every other state with similar problems.

If the hunts are selling then they are not over-priced. That is basic economics 101. It is that simple. The hunts I can't afford are because I am "under-incomed" not because the Lord Derby outfitter (who is booked two years in advance) is over charging. If the quota doesn't sell, it gets offered at a discount on short notice. If the hunts aren't selling, then the price comes down - witness lions in South Africa.

 

[sierraone]

The hunts I can't afford are because I am "under-incomed" not because the Lord Derby outfitter (who is booked two years in advance) is over charging.

My quote of the day!!!!

 

[FLhunter7]

They are selling because they have a total monopoly on brown bear hunts in Alaska. Its like saying that since joe smoes shop is the only place around that sells milk but charges 20$ a gallon for it people with money will still buy it because they like it and have the money for it. When Irma came through here there where cases of water selling for a 50-100 dollars and guess what they where selling until the cops came it because they were price gouging in a time of emergency.

 

[ack]

Just read this today============https://www.adn.com/outdoors-advent...e-weather-rescued-in-alaska-range-and-mat-su/

 

[FLhunter7]

Just goes to show how mother nature in indiscriminate in her fury those people are lucky they made it out alive. They have to say thank you to that guide who took the time to help them out of there.

 

[cmnhunt]

If the hunts are selling then they are not over-priced. That is basic economics 101. It is that simple. The hunts I can't afford are because I am "under-incomed" not because the Lord Derby outfitter (who is booked two years in advance) is over charging. If the quota doesn't sell, it gets offered at a discount on short notice. If the hunts aren't selling, then the price comes down - witness lions in South Africa.

I guess I'm up in the air about your comment and agree and disagree on points. In one way I think people should sell their hunts for what they want no doubt. I think that FLhunter7 is trying to point out that government is purposely keeping opportunity away from people who can't afford or don't think an animal is worth paying 20, 000 dollars for. I just see that if they keep going down the same path, that the few people that can afford the hunts won't be enough to justify keeping those seasons when ever the public votes on it like in BC. ( I know the fish and game board votes on that but the future is always not what we imagine)I hope you see kind of what I said. Fine line though as we all wish it was the 1960's and people were outfitting sheep and Moose right from Eagle River(North of Anchorage).

 

[Red Leg]

I guess I'm up in the air about your comment and agree and disagree on points. In one way I think people should sell their hunts for what they want no doubt. I think that FLhunter7 is trying to point out that government is purposely keeping opportunity away from people who can't afford or don't think an animal is worth paying 20, 000 dollars for. I just see that if they keep going down the same path, that the few people that can afford the hunts won't be enough to justify keeping those seasons when ever the public votes on it like in BC. ( I know the fish and game board votes on that but the future is always not what we imagine)I hope you see kind of what I said. Fine line though as we all wish it was the 1960's and people were outfitting sheep and Moose right from Eagle River(North of Anchorage).

When and if that happens the prices will come down. Economics 101.

 

[K-man]

How is this any different than a Stone sheep hunt in BC? It's the only place in the world you can get one, they keep the quota fairly low, and prices are hitting $40K. Not complaining, just out of my price range. May go get 2 dall sheep and dye one of them gray, call it a Fannin. LOL

 

[FLhunter7]

Wow 40k for a sheep. You guys are coming up with good points and I do understand the pricing now, I just wish the government didn't have to stick it's nose into everything.

 

[cmnhunt]

When and if that happens the prices will come down. Economics 101.

Sure will. The prices will be non existent because the hunts will be outlawed. Kind of like polar bear hunts in AK. Outfitters don't charge anything for those.

 

[1dirthawker]

Sure will. The prices will be non existent because the hunts will be outlawed. Kind of like polar bear hunts in AK. Outfitters don't charge anything for those.

part of the reason we have brown bears, and california doesn't, is that they are managed. same with actually hunting grizzly in western states.

first, the government gets involved in everything! it sucks, but thats just the deal. like when they say only natives can hunt seals, walrus, (marine mammals) etc. government rules, not mine.

one can always go to siberia/russia and hunt their brown bears, i wonder what it costs to hunt russian brown bears? i bet its a lot and the hunting is not as good.

wish i could hunt argali sheep, but, need $30,ooo plus to play that game. why? they work cheap, it shouldn't cost that much to hunt them, they are probably overcharging for them!!!!

i wonder what it costs to hunt a snow sheep/ram in russia? a lot i bet, are they over charging? Elephants? rhino? the truth is, cape buffalo and south african lions are a pretty good deal for dangerous game. one outfitter on this site was having a screaming deal on lion hunting. way cheaper than brown bear, why? likely because of the Cecil thing and the canned lion controversy prices on lions have come down a lot.

when i started guiding in 2001 brown bears were around 15-18000, sheep around 10K. everything costs more, and i suspect that everyone makes more money now than they did in 2001, by a fairly similar margin.

 

[Velo Dog]

Can you guys buy me a motor yacht?
A Nordic Tug would do nicely.
All I can afford is a kayak.

Seriously though, since I cannot afford to hunt Lord Derby Eland, I have hunted Cape eland instead.
Same goes for sable, so I hunted gemsbok.
Bongo? Forgetaboutit, so nyala will have to do, etc., etc.

 

[sierraone]

Can you guys buy me a motor yacht?
A Nordic Tug would do nicely.
All I can afford is a kayak.

I would love to be "invited" on an Alaskan hunt from a live-aboard motor yacht!

You saw what Red Leg posted, you're just under incomed!

 

[cmnhunt]

Can you guys buy me a motor yacht?
A Nordic Tug would do nicely.
All I can afford is a kayak.

Seriously though, since I cannot afford to hunt Lord Derby Eland, I have hunted Cape eland instead.
Same goes for sable, so I hunted gemsbok.
Bongo? Forgetaboutit, so nyala will have to do, etc., etc.

If I were you, I'd probably hunt 2-3 times a year at Khomas. They have some nice pics of trophies. And a pretty nice camp what I've seen. If you want a yacht, I know a guy that has one for cheap... used. I doubt I could get an outfitter to sell me a used Lord Derby Eland though.

 

[geoff rath]

@sierraone, "underincomed" sums up a whole hunch of us, I fear ...