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 Why
is it so
expensive to
hunt in
Alaska?
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When one
starts to
pay ten to
fifteen
thousand for
a hunt it is
definitely
expensive.
However, in
Alaska most
of the good
game areas
can only be
accessed by
airplane.
When you
consider the
costs of
flying all
building
materials,
supplies,
equipment,
horse feed,
and even
horses out
into the
wilderness
the costs
are
enormous.
Then the
hunt must be
outfitted
properly by
providing
quality camp
equipment,
experienced
guides,
fresh meats
and produce,
and well as
to provide
regular camp
checks for
safety via a
satellite
phone or
with visual
airplane
check. It is
the goal of
the
professionals
working with
Alaska
Professional
Guides, Inc.
to provide a
quality
hunting
experience
that the
clients
deserve and
should
expect and
to do it at
a fair
price.
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What
kind of
physical
condition
should I be
in to hunt
in the Rainy
Pass area? |
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It is not
necessary to
be in top
athletic
condition.
However, you
need to do
some
exercising
and be in
very good
physical
condition.
You should
start by
walking or
running 2 or
3 times a
week and
doing some
normal
exercising,
such as deep
knee bends,
and stair
climbing.
Then
lengthen
your walks
or runs,
increase
your
exercises,
and start
carrying a
little
weight in a
back pack.
Even better
start taking
some hikes
in the
mountains if
you can. The
guides are
professionals
and will go
at your pace
and assist
you in every
way they can
to help you
in the
field.
However,
your hunt
will be much
more
enjoyable if
you come in
good
physical
condition so
that you can
make a quick
stalk, if
necessary,
on your game
once it is
sighted.
Nothing is
more
frustrating
than to lose
an
opportunity
for an
outstanding
trophy
because you
were not in
good enough
condition to
get into
position in
time to take
the animal.
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On
the
equipment
list you
have
included
ankle
fitting hip
boots. What
are they and
do I really
need them?
Where can I
buy them? |
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Ankle
fitting hip
boots are
designed to
fit snugly
and
comfortably
so that you
can walk for
distances
without
getting
blisters on
your heels.
The guides
generally
wear them on
all of their
hunts,
including
those in the
sheep
mountains.
The problem
is that
Alaska is
covered with
bogs,
marshes, and
streams.
Even in the
sheep
mountains,
you will
encounter
swamps and
numerous
streams that
have to be
crossed. You
can find
them in
Cabela's
catalogue or
buy them in
most of the
sporting
goods stores
in
Anchorage.
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What
caliber
rifle do you
recommend? |
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In general,
the ideal
rifle for
Alaska is
the .300
magnum. With
lighter
bullet
weights it
is good for
sheep at
long ranges
and by using
heavier
bullet
weights it
can handle
the big
bears. If
you are only
hunting
grizzly or
brown bear
the .375
magnum is
recommended.
In Alaska
you will
encounter a
lot of
moisture so
a fiberglass
stock is
ideal. Plan
to bring a
minimum of
two boxes of
ammunition.
Three boxes
are even
better. You
never know
when the
scope with
be knocked
out of
alignment
and you will
need to
re-sight
your rifle.
If you are
shooting a
.300 magnum
think about
sighting it
in to be
dead on at
300 yards.
When you
shoot at any
animal out
to 400 yards
you should
be in the
kill zone by
aiming
exactly
where you
want to hit. |
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Do
you hunt
with horses? |
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Most of the
hunts that
are
conducted in
the valleys
for Moose
and Bear are
done by
horseback.
It makes the
hunt so much
easier to be
able to
cover
difficult
ground and
get into
position
with the
horses, then
make the
final stalk
by foot.
Horses are
also used in
the
mountains
for many of
the Sheep
hunts. This
allows the
hunter and
guide to
move freely
and change
territory if
the Sheep
have moved
out of the
area.
Remember to
remove your
rifle from
the scabbard
if you stop
for any
length of
time. Horses
seem to love
to roll on
the most
expensive
rifle. A few
Sheep hunts
are done by
back
packing. On
these hunts
a super cub
airplane is
generally
used to drop
the guide
and hunter
on a gravel
bar as close
to the Sheep
as possible.
Usually a
hike of
three to
seven miles
is required
to get into
position to
hunt.
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Do
I need to
bring a
pack? |
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Generally,
you will
only need to
bring a
comfortable
pack that
will hold
your
personal
effects. It
should have
a large
enough bag
to handle
your
spotting
scope and
camera,
lunch and
water
bottle, and
any personal
items that
you need.
Remember, it
is best to
dress in
layers and
your pack
will hold
the clothes
that you are
not wearing.
If you are
on a drop
hunt for
Sheep a good
back pack is
required. It
should have
a sturdy bag
that is
large enough
to carry 35
pounds. |
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What
type of
sleeping bag
should I
bring? |
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You should
bring a
sleeping
bag, and a
pad to go
under it, in
which you
can sleep
warm and
comfortably.
Temperatures
will rarely
be less than
20 degrees F
or minus 5
degrees C.
However,
sleeping
bags are
generally
rated for
survival and
not for
comfort so
you will
normally
need a bag
rated for
colder
weather than
you expect
to
encounter.
Dry clothing
and a good
nights sleep
are
essential
for an
enjoyable
hunting
experience.
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What
type of rain
gear do you
recommend? |
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For hunts at
Rainy Pass
Lodge you
can normally
get by with
a good
quality
gore-tex
rain suit.
However, for
the Brown
Bear hunts
on the
Alaskan
Peninsula
you should
have the
best quality
rain suit
that is 100%
water proof.
Since your
hip boots
are water
proof a
three
quarter
length coat
will provide
good
protection
and will be
easy to put
on and take
off, as
opposed to
rain pants.
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Where
should I buy
my hunting
license and
big game
tags? |
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Your hunting
license and
big game
tags will be
available
for you at
Rainy Pass
Lodge or in
your base
camp on the
Alaska
Peninsula.
As a result,
tags are
available if
you should
decide to
add an
animal to
your hunt at
a later
time. Big
game tags
must be in
your
possession
before you
can hunt for
that
particular
specie.
However, any
tag of equal
or greater
value can be
used. For
example, a
Brown Bear
tag can be
used on any
animal that
you can hunt
at Rainy
Pass Lodge
or the
Alaska
Peninsula.
Once
purchased
big game
tags are
non-refundable.
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Do
you
guarantee
that I will
be
successful
in taking
the animal I
am hunting? |
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Your
guarantee is
that you
will be
placed in a
traditionally
good hunting
area with a
professional
guide who
will be
dedicated to
help you be
successful.
It would
serve no
purpose to
have you
camped in an
area that is
void of
game, and
that will
not be done.
In short, if
there are no
game animals
in the area
you will not
be there
either. In
addition to
being
unethical,
in the State
of Alaska it
is illegal
to guarantee
that the
client will
be
successful
in taking
his trophy.
Success or
lack of
success can
be
determined
by many
factors such
as weather,
physical
condition,
patience,
determination
and being in
the right
place at the
right time.
Although
success is
high, and it
does not
happen
often, it is
possible to
return home
without your
trophy.
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What
are your
hunting
camps like? |
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At Rainy
Pass Lodge
one hunter
is usually
scheduled to
hunt out of
the main
Lodge. This
a deluxe
hunt and yet
one with
great
populations
of Grizzly
and Black
Bear and
huntable
populations
of Caribou
and Wolves.
Over night
excursions
can be
conducted
from the
Lodge for
Dall Sheep.
There are
also several
small log
cabins
within
riding
distance of
the Lodge
that are
situated in
good
traditional
game
country.
Spike camps
are used for
hunting Dall
Sheep.
Excellent
quality
tents are
used to
provide the
best
protection
from the
weather that
is possible.
These camps
are small
and portable
so that they
can be moved
easily. A
woman will
be given a
separate
tent while
the men will
generally
share the
tent with
their guide.
The Moose
camps are
set up with
more deluxe
amenities
because they
are
permanently
placed in
good a good
game area.
Each day the
hunter and
guide will
ride out
from camp
and use a
vantage
point to
glass for a
trophy Bull
as they
prepare for
the rut.
The camps on
the Alaska
Peninsula
use the best
high quality
tents that
are
available on
the market
today. These
tents are
designed to
keep the
hunters dry
in the worst
of
conditions.
The
Peninsula is
known for
its bad
weather.
However,
this is
where the
biggest
Brown Bears
on earth can
be found. If
you come
prepared
with good
quality
clothing
this will be
a great
hunting
adventure.
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What
kind of
weather can
I expect
during my
hunt? |
| In the
Rainy Pass
hunting area
you can
experience a
variety of
weather from
bright hot
sunny days
to rain and
wind and
even some
scattered
snow showers
in the
higher
elevations.
During a 12
day hunt one
generally
can expect
some rain
and fog and
a few days
that are
cloudy with
the sun
shining
through. The
ideal
weather is
an overcast
sky with a
few
scattered
fog banks
and an
occasional
rain shower.
The animals
prefer
cooler
weather and
move about
better with
these
conditions.
The
temperatures
will range
between 20
degree F
lows and 60
degree F
highs. On
the Alaska
Peninsula
expect the
worst kind
of weather.
Be prepared
for blowing
wind and
rain and
even some
hail and
snow
showers. The
wind will
generally
blow from 15
to 45 miles
an hour but
don't be
surprised if
you
experience
winds of
over 100
miles an
hour. Be
prepared and
dress
appropriately.
The big
Brown Bear
thrives in
these
terrible
conditions
and are
often seen
feeding and
roaming
about in the
worst of
these
storms. |
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Should
I bring a
spotting
scope and
binoculars? |
| One of
the most
important
pieces of
equipment
that you can
take on a
hunting trip
is a good
quality pair
of
binoculars.
The guides
prefer Zeiss
or Leica. If
your
binoculars
are 10 power
that is
generally
sufficient
and a
spotting
scope is not
a necessity.
Each of the
guides will
have a
spotting
scope. If
you prefer
to have your
own by all
means bring
one. |
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What
safety
procedures
do you
provide in
the hunting
camps? |
| All of
our
professional
licensed
guides have
received
instructions
in first
aide and are
certified to
provide CPR
and advanced
first aide
care. A
first aide
kit is
available in
every camp.
Every camp
also has a
satellite
phone to use
in case of
emergencies
or a hand
held radio
that is used
to
communicate
with the
base camp or
the airplane
that checks
on each camp
every
several
days. There
are medical
facilities
within a two
hour flight
in case of
serious
accidents.
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Do
I need any
permits to
carry my
rifle into
the United
States? |
| If you
are not a
citizen or
resident of
the United
States you
will be
required to
have a
permit to
import
firearms or
ammunition
into the U.
S.. ATF Form
6 is
available on
this website
or at
www.atf.treas.gov.com
along with
instructions
and
information
for
completing
it. You are
also
required to
have a
current
Alaska
Hunting
License when
you apply
for this
permit. For
assistance
in filling
out this
form or
obtaining a
current
Hunting
License
please
contact us
at our
e-mail
address.
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Will
you book my
hotel room
for me? |
| The
hotels in
Anchorage
provide a
small
discount for
the guides
and
outfitters
who book
their
clients with
them. It is
not a
problem for
us to book
your room.
You will
only need to
provide your
schedule of
arrival and
a credit
card number
so the room
can be
guaranteed.
If you
prefer to
book your
own room a
link has
been
provided
that shows
the names
and
locations of
several
hotels in
Anchorage
that we have
found to
provide good
service and
that cater
to hunters.
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What
is the
procedure
when I
arrive in
Anchorage? |
| When you
arrive in
Anchorage
you should
already have
your hotel
room booked
and have all
of the
information
necessary to
take a
courtesy car
to your
hotel. We
are happy to
meet clients
who are not
as familiar
with the
language and
need
additional
assistance
in getting
to the
hotel. The
next day a
staff member
will contact
you and
assist you
in getting
to the
charter
plane for
your flight
to Rainy
Pass Lodge
or for your
continued
commercial
flight to
the Alaska
Peninsula.
When you
arrive at
the Lodge or
the
Peninsula
Base Camp
you will be
greeted and
taken to
your
quarters.
Your guide
will show
you around,
answer
questions,
and help you
get situated
and prepared
to hunt the
next day.
You will
want to
sight your
gun in and
organize for
your first
day of
hunting. At
this point
all of the
necessary
paperwork
will be
completed
and your
hunting
licenses and
tags issued.
On Sheep
hunts,
depending
upon time
and weather,
an attempt
will be made
to get you
into camp on
that same
day. |
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What
happens if I
cancel my
hunt? |
| When you
send a
deposit you
are giving a
guarantee
that you
will come to
hunt at
Rainy Pass
Lodge or the
Alaska
Peninsula.
When I
accept your
deposit I am
giving a
guarantee
that I will
hold a space
for you. As
a result, if
you must
cancel your
hunt your
deposit will
be
forfeited.
In some
cases an
exception
will be made
if you find
an
acceptable
hunter to
replace
yourself. In
this case,
your deposit
will be
refunded
immediately
upon receipt
of a deposit
from the
substitute
hunter. |
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What
is a normal
tip to give
to my guide? |
| Tipping
is a very
personal
subject and
it is
difficult to
give a good
clear
answer.
However, the
guide's tip
is generally
dependant
upon the
quality of
service he
renders and
upon any
special
efforts he
made to help
with the
success of
your hunt.
Success is
not
necessarily
dependent
upon the
number of
animals
taken but
more on how
enjoyable
your hunt
was and what
efforts your
guide made
to provide a
good quality
hunting
experience.
Tips
generally
range
between $200
and $600
with an
occasional
tip being
over $1000.
Again,
tipping is
very
personal and
it is left
completely
up to your
discretion.
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Who
takes care
of my
trophies and
how do I get
them to my
home town? |
| The
guide is
trained to
field care
for your
trophy. This
includes
skinning,
turning the
lips and
ears, and
salting the
hide to seal
the hair. In
this
condition
they are
green and
are
generally
wet as the
salt draws
the moisture
from the
hide. If you
provide a
water proof
bag your
trophy can
be taken
back with
you on the
airplane.
However, if
they are
lost or
delayed for
any period
of time they
will spoil
in this
condition.
Clients have
experienced
this before.
It's a shame
to lose a
large Brown
Bear after
all the
expense and
effort of
taking it.
Also, if a
bear or wolf
is going
international
it will need
to have a
CITES permit
which will
take several
days to rush
through.
Another
alternative
is to send
the trophy
to an
expeditor
who will
completely
flesh and
dry the
hide, take
care of all
the
necessary
Veterinary
Documents
and CITES
Permits, and
send the
trophy to
your
taxidermist.
This is a
more
expensive
alternative
but the best
one to
insure that
your trophy
arrives in
good
condition at
its final
destination.
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How
do I book a
hunt with
your
operation? |
| Once you
decide you
would like
to hunt with
our
operation
send an
e-mail or
give us a
call so that
any
additional
questions
you have can
be answered.
The
different
hunt dates
can be
discussed
and the hunt
selected
which best
meets your
needs for
the animal
selected
within the
time periods
that you
have
available to
hunt. A 50%
deposit is
needed to
confirm your
hunt. You
can mail a
check,
direct
deposit into
any one of
our accounts
in Germany,
Spain,
Switzerland,
or Alaska,
or wire your
deposit to
any of these
same banks.
Once the
deposit has
been
received a
letter and
contract
will be sent
to confirm
your booking
with our
organization.
Bank account
information
is listed on
a separate
link for
your
convenience.
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