Transporter Northern Air Trophy
Hunt Date
Hunt Type Caribou
How Supported Unguided Drop
How Equiped Personally Outfitted
Home Location Alabama
Hunt Review NORTHERN AIR TROPHY SUCKS!!!!!
Matt, his brother and Julie will never see any of my money again and if I can persuade others NOT to use them then I have succeeded!!
This was written after a Sept. 2006 hunt....
Just returned yesterday from a VERY DISSAPPOINTING Kotzebue caribou bow hunting trip. I had arranged with a well know transporter/guide/outfitter service for a seven day hunt. ( I actually got the name and recommendations from this forum ) This was unguided and non-outfitted, all I needed was a ride into a good caribou hunting location. They dropped me off late on Saturday, September 16 and I began hunting the following day. I hunted 2 days and didn't see a single caribou. I was getting worried. Well, half-way through the third day, still without seeing any caribou, I phoned my transporter and asked if being moved was an option. They said yes they would come get me the next day before noon. The next morning ( 4 days into the hunt already) I packed up my camp and took everything to a gravel bar awaiting pick-up. Noon came and went and they had not showed. Around 3 or 4 pm. I called them and was told they were not flying because of wind, but if it calmed-down they would be there later that day or by noon the following day. I know weather is a major factor in Alaska, this was NOT my first Alaska hunt, but I saw other planes flying all day long. I had been sitting on the gravel bar all day waiting on these guys and couldn't hunt for fear of being away when they did come. Dark came and my 4th day of hunting was over without seeing a caribou. I didn't set my camp back up, thinking I would be picked-up the following morning. I slept under a tarp that night. Next day came, noon came, no sign of my ride. I called them about 3pm. and was assured that I was being moved that day, dark came and they did not. I was fit to be tied at this point, another day wasted, wasn't able to hunt for fear of being away again. I decided they were just not going to come and move me. I set my camp back up. Now I am 5 days through my hunt and still no caribou and have actually hunted only 3 of the 5 days, 2 days have been spent sitting on the gravel bar waiting on a ride. On the 6th day of the hunt I had given up on the move, I tried calling them but there was no answer. I figured if I was going to have any chance of actually seeing any caribou I would have to journey out further. I hiked around most of the day seeking caribou, again none to be found. Around 4pm. I was heading back towards camp when I saw my plane land on the gravel bar. I took off as fast as possible to catch him. When I got there he was heading back to his plane and I laid into him pretty hard about the hunting experience he had provided me so far. His answer was that he had been busy the last couple of days doing other things but would move me now if I wanted to. I was 6 days into the hunt and I only had one more day to hunt but did want moved. He took me to a place where I WISHED I had been put originally. There was caribou everywhere! He said that if I wanted to extend my hunt to call him and let him know, I told him I would call IF I wanted to extend, I was scheduled to be picked-up Sept. 24, this was Sept. 22 when he dropped me off, so I had 1 day to hunt. The next morning I was out early chasing caribou, I had a blast. I pulled my bow back on 3 different animals but just couldn't get the shot I was looking for. It was a GREAT day! I came back to camp that evening and was considering calling and extending my trip a day or two but couldn't justify the additional time off from work or the fees the airline would charge for rescheduling. My hunt was over. Out of my 7 day hunt I had actually chased caribou 1 day. Early the next morning I packed my camp and went to the gravel bar awaiting pick-up. Well it didn't come...I called about 6pm. and was told that they assumed I wanted to extend my hunt and hadn't planned on picking me up but if I wanted out that day they would be there. Again, no show. If I had know they weren't coming I could have hunted instead of sitting around waiting all day. I spent the night on the gravel bar sleeping under a tarp. Next day, 9 days into my 7 day hunt they did pick me up around 2pm. I was so mad about the entire ordeal I had little to say because none of it would be good. They offered no apology or explanation about how they treated me during the last few days. The people I used for my trip have been in business for years and I know they can't treat everyone like I was treated or they couldn't stay in business. Sorry this was so long but I needed to tell my story. Just a side note. I found the locals of Kotzebue to be friendly and helpful, I recommend the Bison Street Store for food and lodging (great people). Also, I know some on here give complaints about the State Troopers but I had one land and check me during one of my three days sitting a gravel bar and he was a nice fellow.
email kyoung@adt-it.com
Name Kenneth Young
Transporter Northern Air Trophy
Hunt Date Sept.10-Sept 20 2006
Hunt Type Caribou
How Supported Unguided Drop
How Equiped Personally Outfitted
Home Location Alaska
Hunt Review They gave us exactally what we paid for. Put out the tarp and he checked in that afternoon.
I found them to be very friendly ( didn't know them from Adam before this)and helpful. My take on your experience is maybe you seemed like you didn't want much conversation. As I watched them work with others they certainly were busy and didn't have much time to BS..till the day was over then they relaxed.
email iluvatar@aptalaska.net
Name Dan Sloan
Transporter Northern Air Trophy
Hunt Date 9/17/06-9/24/06
Hunt Type Caribou
How Supported Unguided Drop
How Equiped Outfitter supplied
Home Location Arizona
Hunt Review Overall I would rate them as very adequate, with a few exceptions. They do not communicate with their clients very well. The pilot (owner Matt) would not talk to us when he would come in, and barely, once inside the plane. Juile was nice, but could not or would not commit when we were getting into the field. The equiptment was very good, along with the food. I dont think they planned for 6 eaters, because we were out by the time he returned Sunday to pick us up. Not a problem, but we were out of propane also, so we couldnt have even cooked caribou. Demand a contract that specifies a mid week check. Do not count on laying out the tarps for a pick up, he ignored them for almost 3 days. TAKE A SATELLITE PHONE!
The problems with the Troopers was the fault of the camp, not the outfitter. But I think it did have something to do with how we were treated by the outfitter.
email jll3317@cox.net
Name Jerry Laird
