Fall 2015 Alaska Peninsula Brown Bear Hunt

Treemantwo

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I have a last minute opening for a 10 day 1 on 1 Alaska Brown Bear Hunt for October of this year on the Peninsula. I'm going to make this as fair as is possible by structuring the hunt as follows: The hunt is priced at $7,000.00 plus $6,000.00 trophy fee and hunter will be responsible for his/ her bush flights. The trophy fee is to motivate YOU as well as make you feel more comfortable. I'm motivated by your success ! The final arrangements and details can be worked out, but I am willing to invite the hunter to be in the field prior to the start of the 10 day segment to take advantage of additional days that may be available if the previous hunter tags out early. This will also leave some room for weather days that the Peninsula is known for. Client will fly into Anchorage and then take commercial flight into Illiamna. Our success rate is 100% for Fall of 2013 and Spring of 2014 in this area. One hunter saw multiple grizzlies each day, missed a bear, and left the field after 5 days due to a family emergency.
This is a great hunt......in a super area......if you've been researching brown bear hunts then you know how unique of an opportunity this is. Most are successful within a 4 day period. The trophy fee will be deemed payable upon a shot opportunity or the wounding of a bear. I'm a very reasonable guy who loves to hunt and enjoys success even more so expect to hunt hard every day for 10 days and visit your taxidermist when you leave the bush !
I may consider a 2 on 1 Father and Son, daughter, wife, or friend who has been dreaming of a brown bear hunt and wants to share in the adventure. If so, we can discuss the details, but it too, will be structured on a trophy fee basis. Whether this be a 1 on 1 or 2 on 1 my motivation is your success and your being next year's advertising ! I don't expect this offering to last long......

Sincerely,
Derek Harbula
Alaska Registered Guide #1354
 
Weather delays,.... no sh^T. In that country you can have weather delays alright.

Hope someone can jump on the offer.
 
This is a great offer. If someone is dreaming of an AK Brown Bear hunt you better jump on this, it won't get any better.:A Way To Go:
 
  • This is a great price! Just a question - Who determines a "shot opportunity" especially if 6K is on the line....
 
I'm going to make this as fair as is possible by structuring the hunt as follows: The hunt is priced at $7,000.00 plus $6,000.00 trophy fee and hunter will be responsible for his/ her bush flights.
How much is the bush flight? I have been researching a bit for the past year and some guides have planes and cover the flight.

The final arrangements and details can be worked out, but I am willing to invite the hunter to be in the field prior to the start of the 10 day segment to take advantage of additional days that may be available if the previous hunter tags out early.

This sounds great, even time to get acclimated sounds good! And isn't there something about not being able to hunt the day you fly? Or is that in Canada?

This all brings up a burning question I've had... My only experience with guided hunts is 4 Africa deals... where you get your full hunting days and travel to and from camp is not counted against you. So a traditional African 10 day hunt is 11 nights in camp. How does this work in Alaska?

if the previous hunter tags out early.
So when you tag out on a bear, are you done and leave camp? Or can you hang out and hunt something else? Fish? What else is there? I've seen other hunts advertised where you can add a second bear or a moose or even black bear and/or wolf/ wolverine, etc. for an additional trophy fee..... Seems like if you pay for 10 days one should be able to hunt or at least fish for the remaining days.... Please explain in detail. And are there other hunting options available on the same trip for additional animals?

This will also leave some room for weather days that the Peninsula is known for.
I assume this is why you might need to leave camp early, or might be delayed in the hunt... What happens if your hunt is ruined by bad weather? I assume that is a distinct possibility, especially late in the season. Is the hunter just out of luck or is there another option offered?

What is the best time of year to hunt this area? When do the seasons start and stop?

Our success rate is 100% for Fall of 2013 and Spring of 2014 in this area.
What was your success for fall of 2014 and spring of 2015?
  • This is a great price! Just a question - Who determines a "shot opportunity" especially if 6K is on the line....
I second that question? What if you see an ok bear the first day and want to pass for a better one? Is that trophy fee due just because you found a bear? Males only or do females count?

Derek in addition to these questions, can you tell us more about yourself and your outfit? Do you have a web site with more info? Are you a one man show serving as outfitter and guide? What is your camp like, how tough would it be for a woman in camp? Bush bathroom or? How long have you been guiding? What size bears have you been taking? Anything else you can add and certainly some pictures would be great!

Thanks in advance.
Bob
 
  • This is a great price! Just a question - Who determines a "shot opportunity" especially if 6K is on the line....

K-Man, that's a very good question , and probably the reason not many, if any guides will offer their hunts on a trophy fee basis. So, as far as shot opportunity is concerned if I had to break it down into yards I think 250 yards would be fair. Most of our shots are much closer, but far too many hunters are not in shape to close the distance or lack the necessary skills. I've heard it all........seen it all.....and on the phone everyone is a triathlete until it comes to crunch time. My opinion is that you should at least be able to hit the kill zone on a brown bear at that distance......every time. So, in anticipation of additional questions regarding the trophy fee let me also say that the hunter is expected to hunt the full 10 days with weather being a judgement call on my part. I'm not guaranteeing 10 hunt-able days; no one can on an Alaskan hunt. The client is expected to NOT refuse to go on a stalk. A wounded bear satisfies the earning of a trophy fee. The hunter needs to demonstrate to me prior to booking this hunt that he/she wants hunt, hunt hard, and take a bear.......at least as much as I do ! I've had hunters quit after 1 day and I've seen them quit in less than 5 days on 10 day " hunts of a lifetime". They walked away from fulfilling what they said was a lifelong dream without the necessary effort to do the deed. Why ? Alaska can be overwhelming I guess to the sportsman, but not the outdoorsman.
The best I can say is .......expect to hunt hard for 10 days, help me earn the trophy fee, and go home with a bear and great memories.
 
How much is the bush flight? I have been researching a bit for the past year and some guides have planes and cover the flight.



This sounds great, even time to get acclimated sounds good! And isn't there something about not being able to hunt the day you fly? Or is that in Canada?

This all brings up a burning question I've had... My only experience with guided hunts is 4 Africa deals... where you get your full hunting days and travel to and from camp is not counted against you. So a traditional African 10 day hunt is 11 nights in camp. How does this work in Alaska?


So when you tag out on a bear, are you done and leave camp? Or can you hang out and hunt something else? Fish? What else is there? I've seen other hunts advertised where you can add a second bear or a moose or even black bear and/or wolf/ wolverine, etc. for an additional trophy fee..... Seems like if you pay for 10 days one should be able to hunt or at least fish for the remaining days.... Please explain in detail. And are there other hunting options available on the same trip for additional animals?


I assume this is why you might need to leave camp early, or might be delayed in the hunt... What happens if your hunt is ruined by bad weather? I assume that is a distinct possibility, especially late in the season. Is the hunter just out of luck or is there another option offered?

What is the best time of year to hunt this area? When do the seasons start and stop?

What was your success for fall of 2014 and spring of 2015?
I second that question? What if you see an ok bear the first day and want to pass for a better one? Is that trophy fee due just because you found a bear? Males only or do females count?

Derek in addition to these questions, can you tell us more about yourself and your outfit? Do you have a web site with more info? Are you a one man show serving as outfitter and guide? What is your camp like, how tough would it be for a woman in camp? Bush bathroom or? How long have you been guiding? What size bears have you been taking? Anything else you can add and certainly some pictures would be great!

Thanks in advance.
Bob

The bush flight should be $1,200.00 and yes, some outfitters do include that cost in the price of the hunt......and the competition charges $16,000.00 to $22,000 for those hunts. There is no hunting on the day or days that you fly and this the law in Alaska. This hunt is being conducted on The Alaska Peninsula, Unit 9. For our purposes the season runs from October 1- 21st. Typically, the only other game available is wolf and wolverine, with a tag required for wolverine. When you take your bear the hunt is deemed complete and I would make arrangements for your flight out of the bush to Illiamna. This is a brown bear hunt with no fishing opportunities to speak of and any other game is incidental PRIOR to taking a bear. The weather in general, let alone for suitable flying, changes quickly in October and prudence dictates that you fly out of the field at the 1st good opportunity.
A hunter can pass on any bear that they feel they would like to improve upon, but if I present you with an opportunity at an 8' or better bear I think I've earned my fee. I didn't hunt this past spring, but the spring of 2014 we were 3 for 3. We took an 8.5' and two bear over 9'. Larger bear are always seen, but they got that big for a reason. The fall of 2013 we were 2 for 3 with the one hunter missing on a bear and leaving on the 5th day due to a family emergency. He would have been successful on day 6 or 7 as we saw many more stalk-able bear after he left.
We target boars, but we are bear hunting. An 8' or better bear is a bear. If a hunter's idea of a trophy is nothing less than a 9'6" or 10 footer he really needs to reevaluate his idea of what defines a great hunt. It is against the law to shoot sows with cubs or a cub. I've had hunters......we all have......who come into camp seeking a 9 or 10 footer only to be humbled by the weather and exertion required to put on a successful stalk. By day 3 they would have considered "A Bear" "Any Bear" as a trophy ! Please understand that I hunt hard. If there's 11 hours of glassing light I'm glassing for 13.......and you're at my side the whole time !
I am not a one man show, but I will be guiding this hunt. I've been guiding in Alaska for approximately 11 years and recently became a partner in an established outfit. This is not a lodge hunt so expect "bush bathrooms". I don't think a woman would have a hard time on this hunt as I never outpace the client. My concern would be if she would want to remain alone back in camp while we were hunting on any given day. Expect a tent camp.....expect miserable weather......expect a great time !
Bad weather days can't be controlled and loosing 2 to 3 days is not unusual. This would be the norm anywhere in Alaska and the Peninsula is certainly no exception. I may offer the hunter the option to come in early and overlap the previous client for just this reason.
To comply with the rules of posting here, feel free to give me an email address and I can answer questions there and on the phone. I hope that answers of few questions anyone who may be interested.
 
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Derek;
Bugger trying to figure the web site out isn't it;) But it works really well once you start to get it;)

There are a couple ways to "quote"... You can click +quote and then Reply on the bottom right side of the message.. or click all the +Quotes you want and then go to "Insert Quotes below left of where you type your message, then delete or remove the ones you don't want, etc.

OR just highlight by click and drag, then release and it will pop up with a little "quote" and "reply", simply click the reply and try that, then reply and go get another if you want before you "Post Reply".
 
I understand the will and ability to continue hunting ten days in Alaska. I also feel you should be able to whack me on the head with my own rifle if I miss a brown bear kill zone at 150 yards. Charging me for a missed shot is a bit tough, though. Still, 13 K for a brown bear hunt is a good price.
 
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I understand the will and ability to continue hunting ten days in Alaska. I also feel you should be able to whack me on the head with my own rifle if I miss a brown bear kill zone at 150 yards. Charging me for a missed shot is a bit tough, though. Still, 13 K for a brown bear hunt is a good price.

K- Man, I understand what you are saying, but look at it this way, every other outfitter I know of is charging $16,000 to $22,000.00 and those are not with trophy fee options, and are not guaranteed in any way. With them a hunter can miss all they want over the course of a 10 day hunt and the price is still $16,000 +. If a hunter so chooses I will offer another option........$12,000.00 plus $1,200.00 bush flight for the same 10 day hunt. Client can shoot any legal bear or hold out for that 9 or 10 footer......And, we see them every hunt. That hunt is conducted with the same effort as your success is my success.
 
Oh, and I'm a much better hunter and guide than I am a techie ! I screwed up including the quotes ! Sorry. :(
 
Oh, and I'm a much better hunter and guide than I am a techie ! I screwed up including the quotes ! Sorry. :(
No problem, I was not trying to criticize, just trying to help.

I'm still a bit uncertain about the whole issue @K-man brought up.... I get the impression you really want to have a satisfied client and a lot depends upon, well a lot of things! And some of those, heck many or most, are out of your control. Maybe we cannot get this all figured out on a forum, I know it can be difficult to get your exact intent across..... I think our concerns are how to interpret what you are saying... let me try to help.

I think and hope your intention is that providing a hunter puts in a good effort, if it is the first day or even early in the hunt and he passes on a 8' bear, you have technically given him the chance and have earned your fee... However you would continue to hunt another 9 days, weather permitting, to try and get a better one..... But if you don't get one, you expect to be paid the full price as the chance was there that first day. Is this mostly correct?

If you intend to say that after you put the client on a 8' bear, and he passes early in the hunt, you are packing up and sending him home and billing the full amount... We don't need to discuss this any further.
 
No criticism taken. I meant to include the quotes and think I have a better handle now....Maybe.
If a hunter passes on a bear he will still get to hunt what remains of the 10 days. Yes, it will be deemed that the trophy fee has been earned at that point, but we will continue to hunt hard to find the bear of the client's choosing. On a fixed price hunt you can pass on every bear you see right up to the 10th day with any outfitter in the business. Remember, they're getting paid in full regardless. My success this year is next year's client and I am going to do my best to coach and encourage the hunter to be successful despite weather and sore muscles.
 
Yea sore muscles will feel better after you get home a few days. But a nice trophy and memories should last a lifetime!

What weather should one be prepared for? Insulated Muck boots or do you need the big Pack boots with removable liners? Or do you need hip boots? Some pictures would really be helpful.

I'm probably terribly spoiled by hunting Africa... Those outfitters have packing lists and clothing/equipment suggestions on their web sites. And lots of pictures of past trophies as well as camp and Veld or environment pictures... So you get a good idea of what to expect. For the most part day fees are separate from trophy fees and trophy fees are only paid if an animal is taken or wounded. Of course your going to have opportunity at many trophies on most hunts, even an elephant or lion hunt done early will likely have opportunity to take other game for trophy fees only and certainly a hunter is welcome to continue hunting for all the days he booked. And the day fees with the good old traditional outfitters is paid on hunting days only. So a 10 day hunt includes 11 nights. And one usually hunts for the intended species first, then fills up remaining days pursuing secondary animals. Opportunities will be taken as they present themselves, but often one does not want to take a shot at lesser critters while hot on the trail of a buffalo or elephant!

I suppose you don't own the critters so the trophy fee is more of your total compensation for your efforts and expenses... In Africa, the animals all have a monetary value and someone is being paid for it, so the trophy fee is directly connected to killing an animal.
 
Now this has my ears up and alert! Please post some pictures of what can be expected sir.
 
On my hunt in the spring of 2014 I was able to get away with thigh high muck boots. This hunt took place in a Unit 9 both inland and on the coast. ( 20+ days) it's essential to bring hip boots or lightweight guide waders as it's normally a wet environment. That spring of 2014 the temperature averaged 65 + degrees and I don't recall a drop of rain for 20 days. It was like the Bahamas and conditions were not ideal for bear movement. We took two bear over 9' the 1st day, and an 8.5' on the 5th after passing on opportunities. I mention this because I don't care what the conditions are.....we don't hunt with the attitude that game isn't moving. One's mindset must be to hunt harder as the days progress. Umhhhhhh, maybe that's just one more reason to have an enthusiastic guide.....:)
 
I recently became a partner in an established outfitting business whom I've worked for since being licensed 10 + years ago. I'm very excited with the direction we're going and the new opportunities that have presented themselves. Photos, gear list recommendations, and more information can be seen by going to the website....which I believe is against the rules to mention here. The name of the business is Revelation Mt. Outfitters.
 
Derek,

When I do a search I see your name associated with Revelation Mountain Outfitters. And you mention you are partners now in an operation. Is this the operation through which you are offering this hunt? If you are unable to guide the hunt, what happens?

If so, I see some concerns raised back in 2007 - 2008 with some clients not having a clear understanding as to how the hunts are conducted. Your clarification of these points up front is important so that as you say "this year's client is next year's client". Opportunity could very well be up to interpretation. 20 yards in thick cover might be opportunity whereas 200 yards in the rain on the beach may not. Who defines that and how?

Some of the other outfitters on this site provide a bullet list of what's included in the price and what's not. I think it would simplify the presentation and provide clarity if you could do that.

Included
$7,000
8 days hunting plus arrival and departure days - 10 days total
Food, lodging - tent, skinning and delivery of hide to local taxidermist or freight company
Professional guide services

Not included
Airfare to Illiamna
Bush pilot to camp - estimated at $1,200
Trophy on bear opportunity, wounded or recovered - $6,000 payable upon completion of hunt

Other
Hunt is deemed complete upon harvesting a brown bear. Due to weather risks, after harvesting a bush pilot will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

I think you get my drift. I agree with your range of prices. Unit 9 along the coast should give someone a great opportunity at a large bear. Unfortunately for all of the Alaska guides, most hunters believe a large brown is 10 feet or more whereas most will be in the 9 foot range.

Hope this helps in some way.

John
 
Hi John. We do have other guides available, but I am guiding this hunt. If something catastrophic were to happen to me we can postpone the hunt til Spring or a mutually agreeable date. The best I can say is that there are 3 sides to every story, sometimes 4. You are not likely to get a clear picture from the client who: brings a 32 lb gun into camp for a 10 day bear hunt.......Who's conditioning prevents him from climbing 1 flight of stairs........Who doesn't know what Mt. House is on sheep hunt......lands on a gravel bar wearing sneakers and carrying a suitcase......Buys gear at Walmart and can't figure out why it fails. I think the biggest complaint a guide, any guide, might have is the inability of the client to be able to shoot the firearm they bring PROFICIENTLY. Where do I begin to critique the two hunters that didn't know how to chamber a round in their $4,000 rifles ?? That skill set you need to bring to camp as I can't do it for you. One got his bear, the other lasted 1 day and put a dent in my success rate.
I don't think it's proper that I get into MY complaints of, or critique specific clients by year here on this forum. Not all hunts go smoothly, but I can't be held responsible for the weather or pilot delays due to unflyable conditions.....And yet, I have been. If you choose to bring your 32lb custom rifle please be prepared to pack it yourself or we can hire a packer.
As far as what constitutes a shot opportunity......20 yards thick brush.......200 yards in the rain.....we have both in Alaska and all the time. Hunter ethics are of paramount importance to any guide since it's us who must go into the alders for a wounded bear. A good guide will coach you to an ethical shot.
 
Thanks for the response as it provides the insight I was looking for. Good luck with the hunt.
 

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