If you've tried to hunt Alaska on your own, you probably already know how important it is to enlist the aid of a good hunting transporter - an air charter service that specializes in hunting. After all, Alaska comprises some 600,000 square miles. Even if you set aside the danger of getting lost or losing your life in all that territory, simply figuring out where to hunt is a daunting task for most non-residents. Enter Mike McCrary of Alaska Bush Sports. Although Alaska Bush Sports is a relatively young company, McCrary has 22 years experience in the hunting business. He has been a pilot and guide; worked in aircraft maintenance and commercial fishing; and has hunted, fished and trapped extensively on his own. He has literally thousands of hours of bush flying and guiding experience, and that means he knows where camps need to be placed. Ultimately, though, what sets McCrary's company apart from other transporters is his commitment to low volume, high quality drop camps. "When I take clients into the bush, they get their money's worth," McCrary told me at press time. "I do all the flying myself and have strict limits on the number of camps I drop."
McCrary's rates are not the lowest in Alaska by any means, which is good in that it allows him to be flexible and go the extra mile when needed. Take what happened last fall when McCrary arranged to set up a moose drop camp for some friends of mine. He had a specific spot in mind. However, when he flew into the area, he did not see the numbers of moose he expected. So, he kept flying most of the day until he found a pocket of moose, including numerous mature bulls. These two hunters eventually killed dandy moose, including a 68-incher! McCrary can range up to 200 miles from King Salmon, he says. And he lets clients stay in the field as long as they like. Most of his caribou hunters stay in the field for five to seven days, and he recommends moose camps be planned for 10 to 14 days.........(continued)
