The Importance of Researching Your Outfitter

[Mtn_Infantry]

Saw/heard about this earlier. While it happened here in the US and not in Africa, I think it highlights the importance of properly researching your outfitter and speaking to plenty of references before booking.

Press Release​

Alaska Sues Clint Miller dba Alaska Wilderness Outfitter for Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices and Obtains a Temporary Restraining Order​

August 28, 2025


(Anchorage, AK) – Today, the Alaska Department of Law obtained a temporary restraining order against 48-year-old Wasilla resident Clint Miller, dba Alaska Wilderness Outfitter, who operates a big game hunting guide service out of Holy Cross on the Innoko River. Palmer Superior Court Judge Jonathan Woodman issued the order following a complaint by the Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit alleging that Miller defrauded consumers of more than $660,000 by taking advance payment for guided hunts that never happened.


“Many dream, save and plan for years to go on a big game hunting trip of a lifetime in Alaska, yet for most of Miller’s clients, those plans and dreams ended in disappointment and considerable financial loss after last-minute cancellations without refunds. Clearly this is an unacceptable business practice and a huge disservice to all of the reputable hunting guides who are unfairly tainted by Miller’s actions,” said Assistant Attorney General Helen Mendolia.


According to the complaint, Miller promises his clients the opportunity to go hunting for moose but cancels the hunt at the very last minute and refuses to provide refunds. The complaint alleges that between 2019 and 2024, Miller collected at least $660,350 from his clients for hunting services he has not provided.


The lawsuit also alleges that the few clients who go into the field are subjected to dangerous conditions without sufficient fuel or guides. The temporary restraining order prevents Miller from taking payments from new customers unless and until Miller satisfies the court that he can provide safe, legal hunts for existing customers. The order also requires Miller to preserve assets for the payment of consumer restitution.


The Attorney General’s Office discovered this unfair and deceptive conduct because Miller’s customers filed consumer complaints. If you experience any unfair or deceptive conduct, please fill out a consumer complaint form or call the Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit at (907) 269-5200.

Press Release - Alaska Sues Clint Miller dba Alaska Wilderness Outfitter for Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices and Obtains a Temporary Restraining Order

Alaska Department of Law

law.alaska.gov

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Yeah, I saw that story in Venatic. What a slimeball.

 

[Scott CWO]

He should be drawn and quartered.

 

[Altitude sickness]

He still has a license?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

There are lots of good outfitters in Alaska and unfortunately, a few not so good ones. My advice is to check references before booking. Talk to actual hunters who paid for their hunt and see what they have to say. Also do a Google search to see if there is or was litigation involving the outfitter.

This is straight off of the Alaska State Government website:

Alaska law requires a big game guide to possess a current active guide license. You can check on guides and their licensing in several ways. A printed list of licensed Alaska guides is available for $5.00 payable to the “State of Alaska.” The list includes all currently licensed master guide-outfitters, registered guide-outfitters, the areas where they are licensed to operate, as well as a list of all currently licensed transporters. If you are interested in obtaining the licensed Alaska guide-and-transporter list or wish to check the status of a guide’s license, contact the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. You can also look up guides and/or transporters by using the Professional Licensing Data Retrieval System. Another source of information is the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, which represents many guides and outfitters.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Allowing this guy to continue operating? Not in jail cell for fraud?

 

[Hogpatrol]

Started his shenanigans in 2019 and people were still booking with him in to 2024? SMH. Like my pop used to say "Some people just have to learn the hard way".

 

[A Frame66]

This guy is a POS!

 

[Muskox]

There are lots of good outfitters in Alaska and unfortunately, a few not so good ones. My advice is to check references before booking. Talk to actual hunters who paid for their hunt and see what they have to say. Also do a Google search to see if there is or was litigation involving the outfitter.

This is straight off of the Alaska State Government website:

Alaska law requires a big game guide to possess a current active guide license. You can check on guides and their licensing in several ways. A printed list of licensed Alaska guides is available for $5.00 payable to the “State of Alaska.” The list includes all currently licensed master guide-outfitters, registered guide-outfitters, the areas where they are licensed to operate, as well as a list of all currently licensed transporters. If you are interested in obtaining the licensed Alaska guide-and-transporter list or wish to check the status of a guide’s license, contact the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. You can also look up guides and/or transporters by using the Professional Licensing Data Retrieval System. Another source of information is the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, which represents many guides and outfitters.

I think there are a lot of very average guides and outfitters globally.

There are a few really good ones.

There are a few really deluxe companies, that offer a top product for a top price.

There are a few decent outfits offering a good to great product for a very fair price.

When I consider my own luck on outfitters, I think I am in the 30% for outfitter induced challenges or failures, or just absolute shit experiences out of all my hunts.

There are a couple of agents that I have worked with that have given me 100% failure, so they don't get used anymore.

Alaska is a huge bloody challenge. I have only hunted on my own in Alaska, but Alaska seems to be the place for the most epic failures.