1. Final Destination
Anchorage or Cordova will normally be the point of entry for hunters traveling to Alaska, having to take a domestic or a taxi flight closer to the hunting area. However, considering the size of Alaska, twice the size of Texas and 365,000 miles of rivers this may not be a fixed rule. The final itinerary will mostly depend on the type of hunt booked by the client.
2. Hunting Areas
Due to the wide spectrum of hunting possibilities and its size, Alaska is usually divided by regions, each of which include 26 different Game Management Units (GMU). Depending on what hunters are looking for, one region might be better than another and will offer premium hunting around one primary species. There are 5 different hunting regions:
Region 1: The Panhandle, Yakutat and Cordova areas, which include GMU 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Region 2: The Kenai Peninsula, North Gulf Coast, Prince William Sound, Kodiak and Afognac Archipielago, which include GMU 6, 7, 8, 14(C) and 15.
Region 3: Eastern Arctic, Eastern Interior and Central Interior areas, which include GMU 12, 19, 20(A), 20(B), 20(C), 20(D), 20(E), 20(F), 21, 24(A), 24(B), 24(C), 24(D), 25, 26(B) and 26(C).
Region 4: Interior, Anchorage, Susitna Valley, Bristol Bay, Alaska Peninsula, and the Aleutian Islands, which include GMU 9, 10, 11, 13, 14(A), 14(B), 16, and 17.
Region 5: Western Arctic and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta areas, which include GMU 18, 22, 23 and 26(A).
3. Accommodation
Due to the remoteness of most hunts taking place in Alaska, these are normally conducted from spike camps. The outfitters we work with are prime operators who usually have a main camp including all the accommodation facilities to ensure a comfortable stay before heading to the outdoors. Depending on where the hunt takes place, both hunter and guide are transported by a small aircraft to the hunting ground, usually the day before the hunt starts. Spike camps are portable, and everything must be left intact after the hunt. Tents are 8x8 feet and will most times be equipped with portable heaters and cots.
4. Hunting Season
Most Alaska hunting seasons begin in August and September and end by October. However, seasons in some areas continue into the winter months where certain populations are large enough. Bears, for example, may be taken in either fall or spring in some locations. To have a better understanding of the season, please refer to the corresponding hunting programs.
5. General Comment
With 1.7 million sqkm, Alaska is one-fifth the size of the entire United States offering wilderness and unique hunting opportunities. For that reason, Alaska’s hunting reputation is justly deserved. In terms of wildlife, Alaska has over a dozen species of big game animals and although densities are scarce, meaning there is no game behind every bush, hunting Alaska’s wilderness will bring powerful memories to anyone pursuing a “Last Frontier” experience.
It is true that huge moose occur here and that vast caribou herds dominate the landscape at certain times of the year. Numerous mountain ranges support populations of Dall sheep and mountain goats, and Sitka black-tailed deer thrive in the coastal forests. Muskox roam through the western and arctic coastal wilderness. Large numbers of black and brown bear can also be found in Alaska, some of which are truly huge boars.
Though many areas in Alaska offer the opportunity to take more than one species on the same hunt, it is unlikely to have a premium place for multitude species. Hence, for hunts where one intends to take more than one species, it is very important to plan the hunt around one primary species and let everything else come in after that. At Camino Real Hunting Consultants, through a couple of prime outfitters, we have been able to put together what we found is the best available combination hunts which will match the hunter’s interests.
Most of the hunts that we arrange in Alaska, occur in the vast and remote areas across the state where road systems are limited or non-existent, which means that clients will usually have to get to these places by aircraft. This is one of Alaska’s main use of transport and all the outfitters we worked with have its own aircraft fleet. All aircrafts are inspected regularly to ensure a proper maintenance through the year and stick to all security measures, being the number one priority. With some exceptions applicable to deer and bear hunting in some of the GMU, it is against the law to hunt or help someone else take big game until 3:00 am the day following the day hunters have flown in, unless flown on a regularly scheduled commercial airplane. For this reason, hunters will be normally flown to the hunting ground the day before the hunt begins.
Apart from a few hunts taken from the boats or fixed cabins, 95% are conducted on foot and from spike camps. Working with some of the most reputed Alaskan outfitters ensures that hunters will be provided ultimate equipment including 8x8 feet individual tents with portable heaters and cots. Guides will do their very best, within the confines of the law, to make every Alaskan adventure successful, comfortable and enjoyable. However, be sure expectations of Alaska hunting are realistic. Early winter weather, long walking distances, low animal densities and far distance from help urge hunters to be both mentally and physically prepared to accomplish a hunt like no other.
6. Included
Transfer from/to airport
Daily rates
Trophy fees
Full board accommodation during the hunt
Licenced guide on 1x1 basis
Camp equipment
Airplane transportation
Field trophy preparation
Arrangements for shipment of trophies
Hotel arrangements
7. Not included
Flights
Additional trophy fees
Licences and fees
Game tags
APHA fee
Sales and bed tax
Dip & pack, Taxidermy and trophy shipping
Veterinary certificates and export permit if required
Packer
Insurance
Accommodation and meals before and after the hunt
Non-hunters / observers
Hire of rifle and ammunition
Gratuities
Personal costs