HuntingReport.com
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
8794 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
May 10, 2012 to May 17, 2012 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
United States Alaska 9 |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Brad Saalsaa; Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding. PO Box 9382; Ketchikan; AK; 99901; Tel. 907-247-4868; Email: bsaalsaa@kpunet.net; Web www.weguidealaska.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Rick Petersg |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bear, Brown - Availability: Weather - bears still in dens |
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Wolf - Availability: |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Weather kept bears in den and also prevented relocation (high winds) |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Good |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Fair |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Fair |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Fair |
| Quality
of Food: |
Fair |
Trophy
Care: |
N/A |
| Name
of Airline: |
Pen Air |
Airline
Service: |
Fair |
| Airline
Comments: |
Pen Air often has challenges getting all the gear/luggage on the same flight. Also, weather caused flight delays |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$19500 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$500 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1200 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$500 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Weather (cold and high winds) was a major issue. We saw zero bears during the hunt. The first I spotted was from the air flying out of camp back to Cold Bay. While my guide Rick was knowledgable, he had not previously hunted the area and seemed reluctant to venture very far from camp. In summary, I probably can't provide a very fair assessment other than to note that weather can really mess up a hunt that had been highly anticipated. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
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| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Wool clothing, Cabelas dry plus stocking foot waders to break the wind and stop moisture. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
no |
| Why? |
Weather limited my ability to accurately assess. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Greg Kurdys |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 269-686-1948 - 2267 Preserve Blvd | Portage | MI | USA | 49024 E-mail: g.m.kurdys@gmail.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
NA - deer, elk, black bear S. Africa - plains game |
| Physical Condition: |
Average |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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Brad and I discussed and he knows I was disappointed. We plan to talk about a hunt in Fall 2013.
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|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
7367 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
April 25, 2009 to April 29, 2009 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
United States Alaska Prince of Wales Island |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
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| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Brad Saalsaa; Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding. PO Box 9382; Ketchikan; AK; 99901; Tel. 907-247-4868; Email: bsaalsaa@kpunet.net; Web www.weguidealaska.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Jim Wehinger |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
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Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Bear, Black - Availability: Did not see one or any signs. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Did not see a bear or any signs of any. We were told there were "a few bears out" two days before we left. Alaska had a late winter, but guide should have told us that bears would not be out. Could have rescheduled the trip or at least saved the time and travel expenses. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Fair |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Poor |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Good |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
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| Name
of Airline: |
American Airlines and Alaska Air |
Airline
Service: |
Good |
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$4850 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
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Amount: |
$310 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
No bears. Still hibernating. Guide did not scout and misrepresented bears being out. Should have been given the opportunity to reschedule or at least cancel and save the lost time and travel expenses. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Pretty country. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
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| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Poor/nonexistent scouting and limited hunting area. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Mike Coker |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 903-581-1196 - 3025 Concord Place, Tyler, TX 75701 E-mail: mikecoker@tyler.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Extensive. I have been hunting for over 35 years. First trip to Alaska. |
| Physical Condition: |
Average. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
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| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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Guide said he would like to have us back at no charge, but we have not heard anything since the offer. At this point, we will go with some other guide due to lack of confidence and follow through.
Rebuttal from Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding:
Here is what I can tell you on the hunt from my end. Mike and his hunting friend Dave Pickens came this spring for our first hunt. The early hunts have historically had few bears out, but we have always seen quality bear, and been able to take them. This year southeast Alaska had an extensive amount of very late snow, and the number of bear out and about were very few. I did see some bear before they arrived for the hunt, but there was still considerable amount of snow at even low elevations, and as you went up in elevation, the snow depth raised quickly. Therefore there were only very few bear out. Unfortunately we did not locate any bear during that hunt. We did hunt hard, but the reality is that is why it is called hunting. This was a fair chase spot and stalk hunt, not a guaranteed harvest. I told both Mike and Dave that I did feel poorly that they did not get their bear, and also that I even felt worse that we had not been able to see any bear. Over the years we have been doing these hunts, I have never had such a situation arrive. Mother Nature certainly threw us a curve ball. As such I did explain to them that I would like to have them back to get their bear, and that I would follow up with them after the season. Since that time I have been in contact with Dave Pickens, and asked that they give some thoughts to dates, and that we could figure out some options to get things set up this summer. That's where we were at, so I was surprised with Mike's disappointment. Certainly I will follow-up with them, as I want them to be happy not only with the hunt, but also with future hunts with us. Sincerely, Jim Wehinger
Rerebuttal from Mike Coker:
We have heard from Jim, but only to say that he would be getting back with us to try to set up a hunt next year. We have not received any specific proposal in spite of several promises to do so. It is already late to try to book a hunt for next year with a reputable guide. We booked with Jim in April, 2008 to hunt in May, 2009.
Both Dave and I realize and support the concept of fair chase. I don't consider it a fair chase from the hunter's side when the game is not even there to hunt.
My biggest complaint about Jim is that 2 days before the hunt he said he saw a few bears out. When we arrived, he said that he had only been to the hunting area for the first time that year a day or two earlier and that a boat captain reported seeing a bear. He had not personally seen any bears or done any scouting to see if they were out.
Part of being a good guide is scouting the area. No scouting was done. Not only did we not see a bear, we did not see a single sign, no tracks, scat, grazing, etc... If we had known this, the hunt could have been postponed or at least we could have cancelled the trip and saved the travel expenses and lost time from work.
Jim is a nice guy, but he did not do his job and has failed to follow up. We all make mistakes, but there has been no effort by Jim to correct his.
Please publish the report and this letter. This is a hunt I looked forward to going on for the first 49 years of my life, and I do not want others to have a similar experience.
Mike Coker
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|
Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
 |
| Report
ID: |
6689 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
May 14, 2008 to May 17, 2008 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
United States Alaska GMU 9D |
|
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Brad Saalsaa; Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding. PO Box 9382; Ketchikan; AK; 99901; Tel. 907-247-4868; Email: bsaalsaa@kpunet.net; Web www.weguidealaska.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
Brad Saalsaa |
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Butch Manasse; Butch Manasse Outdoor Adventures. PO Box 20403; Cheyenne; WY; 82003; Tel. 307-637-5495; Fax: 307-637-6059;Email: butch@worldwide-hunts.com; Web www.worldwide-hunts.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Bear, Brown - Availability: Abundant - Trophy Size: 10 fet with 27 inch skull. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Wolf - Availability: None seen, as expected. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Old bear with a perfect unrubbed hide. Saw seven other bears, all of which looked healthy, with good coats. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Excellent |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
Excellent |
| Condition
of Camp: |
Excellent |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Excellent |
| Quality
of Food: |
Good |
Trophy
Care: |
Excellent |
| Name
of Airline: |
Alaska Air and Peninsula Air |
Airline
Service: |
Fair |
| Airline
Comments: |
Peninsula Air isn't great about getting baggage on the same flights as their passengers. Had a couple of flight delays with Alaska. |
|
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
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Amount: |
$16700 |
| Trophy Fees: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
$85 for license, $500 bear tag, $30 wolf tag. |
Amount: |
$615 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$1700 |
| Charter Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Tips. |
Amount: |
$1500 |
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
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| Highlights
of Hunt: |
Three hour stalk over the tundra and up an avalanche chute to make a over 300 yard shot. Seeing four mature boars in three days of hunting. |
| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Good non-breathable rain gear (Impertech), breathable stockingfoot waist waders with lugged boots. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
Yes |
| Why? |
World-class hunting area, great outfitter work ethic and excellent guide game-spotting ability. Aggressive outfit: bring your hiking legs. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
Larry Barnes |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 775-833-0202 - PO Box 6343, Incline Village, NV 89451 E-mail: mountainside@nvbell.net |
| Hunting Experience: |
Western US, Africa, Canada, Alaska. |
| Physical Condition: |
Still good enough to hike the mountains (needed for this hunt). |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
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|
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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Another hunter took an 11 foot 2 inch Boone and Crockett bear from the same spike camp a few days before I got my 10 foot bear. Great area, great outfit. Two dedicated aircraft available for relocations.
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Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding Hunts |
Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.
|
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DATE
AND PLACE OF HUNT |
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| Report
ID: |
5376 |
Weapon
Used: |
Rifle |
How
Hunt Was Conducted? |
Guided |
| Date
of Hunt: |
September 9, 2005 to September 15, 2005 |
| Place
of Hunt: |
United States Alaska Unit 23 |
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OUTFITTER,
GUIDE AND BOOKING AGENT DETAILS |
 |
| Outfitter
(or safari company): |
Brad Saalsaa; Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding. PO Box 9382; Ketchikan; AK; 99901; Tel. 907-247-4868; Email: bsaalsaa@kpunet.net; Web www.weguidealaska.com |
| Personal
Guide (if any): |
|
| Booking
Agent (if any): |
Brad Saalsaa; Alaska Wilderness Charter and Guiding. PO Box 9382; Ketchikan; AK; 99901; Tel. 907-247-4868; Email: bsaalsaa@kpunet.net; Web www.weguidealaska.com |
Trip
Arrangements
(if self-guided): |
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| License
Required: |
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|
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GAME
DESCRIPTION |
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| Major
Game Animals Taken: |
Caribou - Availability: Scarce - Trophy Size: Fair to good. |
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| Game
Sought But Not Taken: |
Wolf - Availability: None seen. |
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| Game
Condition Comments: |
Very few but good condition. |
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SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor) |
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| Quality
of Outfit: |
Poor |
Guide/PH
Ability: |
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| Condition
of Camp: |
Good |
Condition
of Equipment: |
Fair |
| Quality
of Food: |
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Trophy
Care: |
Poor |
| Name
of Airline: |
Alaska Wilderness Charters |
Airline
Service: |
Poor |
| Airline
Comments: |
Put 12 hunters in one camp - no midweek check - late getting us out. |
|
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COSTS |
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| Hunting
Fees: |
$1850 X 12. |
Amount: |
$1850 |
| Trophy Fees: |
|
Amount: |
$0 |
| Permits/Licenses: |
$325 X 2 and wolf $30. |
Amount: |
$680 |
| Commercial
Airfares: |
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Amount: |
$861 |
| Charter Airfares: |
Included. |
Amount: |
$0 |
| Other Costs: |
Food and extra baggage charge. |
Amount: |
$0 |
|
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SUMMARY
REMARKS |
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| Problems
of Hunt: |
Misrepresentations: Promised two camps, dropped all in one camp. Promised two flight checks, none, all meat spoiled. Promised a move if animals were not there, no move after one day with 12 hunters in same camp, caribou moved out. Seven caribou for 22 tags. Late getting us out of camp, no meat - no antlers. Blamed weather, but other planes flew everyday but one. |
| Highlights
of Hunt: |
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| Equipment
Recommendations: |
Hip boots. |
| Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend? |
No |
| Why? |
Misrepresentation of hunt. Never seen Mr. Saalsaa all week. |
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HUNTER
INFORMATION |
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| Hunter
Name: |
James J Davis |
| Contact
Information: |
Tel. 847-394-4216 - 913 S Wapella, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 E-mail: hunterjim9@aol.com |
| Hunting Experience: |
Extensive. |
| Physical Condition: |
Fair to Good. |
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IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt) |
 |
| Notified Outfitter? Yes |
Notified Personal Guide? |
Notified Booking Agent? Yes |
| Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? Yes |
| If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought? |
Full reimbursment X 12. |
|
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ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL |
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