Westwind Guide Service and Alaska Caribou Camps

Introduction

Welcome to Alaska, home to some of the finest big game hunting in North America and the world. At Westwind Guide Service you will experience one of the most dynamic and beautiful wilderness adventures of a lifetime. We have been in the guiding & outfitting business in Alaska since 1979. Our areas have produced some world record trophies. Yours could be next!

Hunting Area

Our permanent main camp is located 90 miles northwest of Iliamna in a very remote part of southwestern Alaska in the Alaska Range. Our hunting area is Game Management Unit (GMU) 17b & 19b, both of which are game-rich and very productive.

Aircraft

Most outfitters in Alaska are dependent on planes or boats. Those of us who rely on planes usually own a Piper Super Cub, which has proven to be the best short-field bush plane ever made. Due to the remote location of our camps, our Super Cub is fitted with large tundra tires that allow us to fly into even more remote areas to scout for game or to deliver hunters to drop/spike camps. Our safety record speaks for itself with 27 years of accident free flying and we have owned the same Super Cub for over 25 years. We also have a Cessna 185 equipped with tundra tires that we use for hauling cargo and making meat hauls. These aircraft are for the exclusive use of our guests.

Animals

Moose

Our moose hunts have been very successful over the years and have resulted in trophies from 50" to 72" racks. Alaska now requires a minimum of 50" on any moose in our area. This is good because it will allow more bulls to grow to truly trophy sizes before they are harvested.

Our guided hunts have enjoyed a remarkable 90% success and unguided hunts 40%. Why? Much of the success between taking a trophy bull or not is, first, being able to vocally call the animal into a position for a clear shot.

Units 17b & 19b have historically had healthy populations of moose and caribou. In fact, there's a very high bull-to-cow ratio. There's also a large number of bulls over 50" in these areas. During a typical 10-day hunt, for instance, you should see anywhere between 3 and14, or more, bulls. Some will be in the low 50" range; some under 50" and others over 60". Plus, every year we always manage to take at least one monster over 70".

Please understand that the big bulls aren't standing in the open like magazine articles make them out to be. They're here, all right, and they're big. But you have to work to get them. And being real patient becomes important. We can't emphasize it enough.

Brown/Grizzly Bear

Someone once said hunting grizzly bear in Alaska is 98% boredom and 2% sheer terror. While this statement is true in some instances, it is not the general rule. Hunting grizzly bear does require a great deal of patience, resilience to inclement weather and a great deal of glassing. But make absolutely sure you have a big enough gun and know how to shoot it accurately. We suggest something in the .300 Magnum class, or larger. The best time to hunt grizzly/brown bear is in the spring. We do offer fall hunts, but they generally are not as productive as the April/May hunts which has a 45-day season. Spring is very productive because this is the time large males will just be emerging from their dens. Our success on spring brown bear hunts is 85%
NOTE: We have taken 42 spring bear hunters in 4 years and taken 37 bears, one of which is the new #1 SCI Grizzly taken in 2001. Plus, our hunters account for 7 of the top 10 SCI grizzlies (as of the 2001 season).

Black Bear

We also have a healthy population of black bears, and big ones, but most hunters aren't interested in them. It's not uncommon to see black bears in this area in the 8' range, which is big by any standard. We encourage you to buy a tag, just in case you have an opportunity to shoot one. We have enjoyed 75% success on guided hunts in taking very large black bears and about 50% on unguided hunts. Almost all were over 6 feet and some almost 8 feet, which is a very big black bear, and bigger than some grizzlies. Many of our moose and caribou hunters like to hunt them by just buying a tag. No trophy fees.

Wolverine

There are large numbers of these nasty tempered animals in this area and we encourage you to get a tag and take one. They make great pelts for a trophy room or a full mount.

Wolf

Fall 2002

Wolves are overly plentiful in this area and we encourage you to get a tag and take one or two. They have even been taken with a bow. While wolves are on the endangered species list in the lower 48, they aren't in Alaska. Although they are good in helping cull the weak & sick animals, they also prey on young moose and caribou calves, which we would like to prevent. If you'd like to have a nice timber wolf pelt, we encourage you get a tag. . In unit 17 you are required to have a $30.00 tag for each wolf. However, in Unit 19 no tags are reguired.

Types of Hunts

Guided Hunts

Each hunter will be with his/her own guide for the entire time of the hunt. Our guides are very competent and capable woodsmen. They have their own territories where they learn the habits of the animals. Because they are in their area so often, this usually yields good results. The most effective way of hunting big game in Alaska is by foot and seeking a good vantage point and glassing. When sitting and glassing you will see game. All our guides have a working knowledge of trophy judging, firearm safety, first aid, camp cooking & care of meat.

Unguided Outfitted Drop Camps

These hunts are great for an Alaska adventure at an affordable price. We furnish all the basics and try to fly out every 2-3 days, weather permitting, to check on you. These hunts eliminate the cost of guides and packers for the do-it-yourself hunter, and are very popular with bow hunters. They are fully equipped. (See our price list for a complete listing of equipment and amenities.)

Hunting Seasons

Spring Brown/Grizzly........................March 15 - May 25
Fall Brown/Grizzly............................September 1 - October 10 Moose............................................September 5-20 Caribou..........................................August 1 - October 30
Black Bear......................................August - September 30 Wolf..............................................August 10 - April 30 Wolverine.......................................September 1- February 28

License Application & Tags

We mail out, in June, all the paperwork to purchase your hunting license license and big game tags from us and have them waiting for you upon your arrival in our main camp. Additional tags are available at our camp should you wish to take another animal during your hunt.

In addition to the $85 for a non-resident hunting license, the price for tags for the various animals are as follows:

Physical Condition

This really can't be stressed enough. The better physical condition you are in the more enjoyable your hunt will be. This country is rough and is like nothing you have ever experienced. A program of jogging, hiking (preferably in the boots you will be wearing so they will be well broken in), and running bleachers or cycling will help build up legs and lung tone. The country you will be hunting in is hills, tundra and bush. You should be able to hike 4 or 5 miles in the course of a day, if needed. Two weeks prior to your hunt wear your backpack with 25-30 pounds of gear in it while walking and climbing lots of steps or performing leg exercises.

Weather

All we can say is that we have lots of weather and a wide variety. Depending on the time of year we could have snow, rain, wind, fog, or a clear day or some of everything on the same day. At times charter planes can't fly. All we can do is be patient. There are always planes going down because someone couldn't wait or "had to get back". It's much safer to wait for the charter. When hunting, we do our very best to get you to the animals. If the weather is uncooperative with our schedules, we work around it as best we can.

Weapons

Rifles

Many hunters, when planning their first Alaska hunt, buy a new large magnum rifle. This is not a good idea. A .30-06 is adequate for hunting all Alaska game, providing you use the right ammo and are consistently accurate. A good hit with .30-06 will be more successful than a poor hit with an H&H .375 magnum.

We strongly recommend synthetic or laminate stocks. Alaska's climate can have a real adverse affect on wood. If you do bring a rifle with a wood stock, make sure it is glass bedded and all wood is sealed, including the wood under the recoil pad, under the butt cap and inside the magazine well. However, if you should have any serious problems with your rifle, several loaner rifles are at your disposal in camp.

Ammo? Don't bring a variety of loads. Bring one load. If you hand load, use new brass and don't load too hot. The few extra FPS are not worth a possible stuck case. The 180 grain bullet by Nosler, Barnes X, Swift, Trophy Bond are most widely used.

Pistols

A JDJ/Contender chambered in a .30-06 will do fine. However, .44 magnums are popular. And for those who wish to heighten their sense of self-preservation with a backup side arm, the .454 Casual will make any self-respecting grizzly think twice after absorbing a solid, 300 grain round.

Black Powder

These guns are getting popular here in the bush. A .50 or .54 caliber is preferred.

Bow & Arrow

We are getting more bow-hunters every year. Most use compound or re-curved bows with broad head arrows. These are true hunters in every sense of the word and should be admired for the challenge they take on with Alaska's big game.

Binoculars

Good binoculars are as important as your rifle or boots. The best brands we recommend are Leitz, Swarovski, Steiner and Zeiss. These glasses are expensive, but they last a lifetime. The most common mistake people make is trying to use compact glasses. Even the best don't gather enough light. The magnification of your glasses should be 7 to 10-power. Your objective lens should be at least 30 mm for 7 or 8 power and at least 40 mm for 10-power. The larger the objective lens compared to the magnification of the glass, the more light gathering ability.

What To Bring

Keep your equipment and clothes to an absolute minimum. Air taxis allow you 75 pounds of gear, including your rifle and ammo and they will weigh it. You cannot simply pay for extra baggage like you can on the airlines. If you insist on exceeding the air taxi's limit, they'll charge you for an extra seat, or in some cases, require you to charter an additional airplane. Your rifle will travel in a soft case from Iliamna to our main camp. Leave your hard case with the air taxi for safe storage until your return. Bring everything on the equipment list and plan for rain. The following list is what we recommend:

Guided Hunts

Sleeping Bag - Rated to -10° F. Cabela's has a model called The Summit, which we strongly recommend.

Ankle-Fit Hip Boots Moose hunts ONLY - These are also found in Cabela's catalog. They are described as contour ankle-fit hip boots. The importance of ankle fit hip boots cannot be over stressed. We recommend La Crosse, Ranger or Marathon. The boots need to fit very snug. On caribou hunts, hip boots are not necessary. Knee-high boots are more than adequate.

Rain Gear - A ¾ length jacket is best. Please bring only high quality rain gear such as Barbour waxed cotton or Peter Storm, Helly-Hansen Impertech, or Gortex. Quiet rain gear is recommended.

Rifle - With soft case & 40 rounds of ammo.

Back Pack - Medium to large soft pack for carrying your personal day gear. The reason we recommend this is that when your trophy is taken your guide will fill his pack with hide, horns or capes and you may end up carrying the small gear.

Binoculars - Get good ones. You will be using these the most and the better quality ones will help prevent eye strain, allowing you to glass more area.

Wool Pants & Shirts - 2 Pair.

Jacket or Vest - Wool or Polar Fleece-Type. - Layering clothing is better for adjusting to a given temperature. Temperatures can range from zero to 60° F.

Insulated Underwear - Polypro or Thermax tops & bottoms are recommended. Underwear that wicks sweat away from the body and dries quickly.

Wool Socks - 6 Pair.

Sock Liners - 3 Pair.

Camp Shoes - Rubber bottom, lightweight Pac Boots are good for the Fall. Heavy wool liners are needed especially for Spring Hunts.

Gloves - 3 - 4 pair of good quality and 1 pair of waterproof.

Hat - Get a good quality wool or Thinsulate hat with earflaps. Waterproof, if possible.

Bug Nets/Bug Jackets - Strongly recommended & worth every penny. A spare head net wouldn't hurt.

Black Magic Marker - A Sharpie Permanent Magic Marker, fine point. For writing on game bag tags. Regular ballpoint pens don't write well on the waxed surface of the tags.

Flashlight - With extra batteries. At night you will know what dark really means!

Personal Gear - Bath Towel, soap, etc.

Medications (with directions for use)

Please do not bring all your gear in a single "body bag". Large duffel bags will not fit in a Super Cub aircraft. Two or three smaller bags will work much better while in the field. If you run into problems with this, pack your smaller bags inside a larger one then we can take them out when you get in the field.

Summary

We have tried to present an accurate description of the types of hunts we offer. Because of the financial investment and personal dreams a hunt like this represents to you, we encourage you to contact our references and ask them about their experience with Westwind Guide Service. We may not be the largest outfitting & guiding service in Alaska, but we can offer you uncompromising efforts to give you the highest quality hunt ever.

If you do decide to book a hunt with us, we will send you a comprehensive packet of information that explains in great detail the best itinerary for getting here and returning, accommodations coming and going, air taxi schedules, meat handling in the field, meat and trophy transportation from the field, air cargo of meat/trophy to the butcher/taxidermist, etc.

After reviewing everything, if you have any questions regarding any part of our hunts, please feel free to contact us by phone, FAX or e-mail. Or, if you wish, check out our website at www.westwindguideservice.com or www.alaskacariboucamps.com

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Westwind Guide Service
P.O. Box 298490
Wasilla, AK 99629
(907) 373-2047

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