In some cases, Horstman has even had to hire a packer assistant who doubled as an interpreter. In the winter of 1979, Hostman arrived in Kodiak Alaska with $700 and a one way ticket. Camps are located in prime high-density game areas. His love for Alaskan big game and the animals he hunts is evident by how he guides. Checkout Mike Horstman on The Hunt on the History Channel, or call 907-942-7738. Hostman confirmed that hunting in Alaska and hunting in New York require very different skill sets. And now, it is a high time for me to go hunting. Give us a call and book your next Alaskan hunting adventure. Frazer Lake is recognized as one of the premier bear viewing destinations on Kodiak Island. He started on Kodiak Island decades ago as an assistant guide for the legendary guides Bill Pinnell and Morris Talifson. Located only 100 yards or so from the sea, our main camp consists of traditional Kodiak style double-walled tents and Weatherport tents, all of which have diesel or propane heaters, generated electricity, and comfortable bunks. We coaxed a few stories out of them for you, too, so enjoy. Our success rates on large bears are equal during both seasons. Upon arriving, Horstman crashed on the couch of some family friends. I have two guide areas in Kodiak which are north on the island. The IUCN has the polar bear officially listed as Vulnerable, but the last listed date of assessment was August of 2015. We were always trying to find those honey holes that everyone looks for, Fisher says, and we had a bunch of them.. He and his guide Eric Fischer must track it down, but in the adrenaline-induced search, Marty loses Eric, and disappears into the dense Kodiak brush without the safety of his guide. Self-Employed. The Boone and Crockett Club world-record bear is a Kodiak brown bear with a skull measuring 30.75 inches (78.1 centimeters; width + length). Copyright 2019 Kodiak Guide Service . Large male bears are extremely intelligent and can be very difficult to get close to. However, Kodiak bears have six functional nipples . Food in camp is hearty home cooked good quality meals, steaks, pork chops, fried chicken, spaghetti, ribs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, Ham sandwiches, cookies, chips, candy bars, etc Freeze-dried or canned food is only used if we need to spike out. There are only 496 bear permits issued each year and more than 5,000 people apply. Sightings of Kodiak bears are not rare in that sense, however, sightings highly depend on human activity. S 1 E 6 In . While a 20 years of age is considered old for a Kodiak brown bear, they can live past 30 years in the wild and past 40 years in captivity. The process is called delayed implantation, which may provide an opportunity for the mothers body to assess whether it can support the cost of cub production before she enters the den and does not eat for many months. The Kodiak brown bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi) is a type of brown bear (Ursus arctos) and is one of the two North American brown bear subspecies - the other being Ursus arctos horribilis. Joey Klutsch: Registered Guide #1277 of Aniakchak Guide Service, Website Made ByOTC Web DesigninGirdwood, Alaska, Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, Contact Joey for Current Pricing & Available Dates, Round trip air charter fee, from Kodiak to camp and back: $1,700 (payable to air charter company on arrival into Kodiak, subject to change). When food resources are abundant, such as on salmon streams, localized densities of bears can be especially high and bears function within strict social hierarchies. Transportation: Transportation from the town of Kodiak to camp is via float aircraft with an air charter service. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. If you exercise common sense, you have a big advantage. Conservationists are worried about the effect of climate change on the polar bears habitat and they are hoping to get a new assessment to see how things have changed in the last seven years. They breed in May through July, while the female can have multiple bouts of estrus. $925.00 per person regular. Their fur looks more sleek in the late summer, as they regrow their outer-most guard hair, and it is thickest in the fall just before hibernation. ENTREES: Sockeye Salmon Sushi. http://www.history.com/shows/the-hunt/season-1/episode-7 Still, bears are regarded as a nuisance by others, raiding dumpsters or opening car doors looking for an easy meal. Though he noted, I have had over the years quite a few husband and wife clients where theyre both hunting or where one is just spectating. Some research, however, suggests that genetic and size differences between Kodiak bears and other Alaskan brown bears are minimal. Weather is unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 30 degrees to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 100 Marine Way, Ste 200, Kodiak, AK 99615. Many of Eric's hunts are conducted within an exclusive, sole concession guiding area located in a National Park Service preserve unit and offers superb hunting opportunities for caribou and grizzly bear. Jim Bailey is a Licensed Master Big Game Guide, licensed Commercial Pilot, and U.S. Coast Guard licensed marine officer, and has been guiding in Alaska for decades. I would call Scott Mileur. These areas host great genetics and have always produced Boone and Crockett bears. Kodiak Island has consistently produced some of the largest Brown Bears on earth, with skull sizes that are at the very top of Boone and Crocket Record Books. Kodiak Bear Hunting Alaska Guide Service for Hunts Brown Guided in for Moose Caribou Mountain Goats Black Fishing Salmon Halibut Big Game Hunter Island Recreation Outdoor Travel Registered. These days, Horstman guides about three or four bear hunts in the spring and two or three in the fall. Fly to Katmai National Park of Frazer Lake to watch bears in their natural habitat. They are not considered to be social, as they often live on their own or in mother-offspring family groups, but sociality may be common. He spotted the black bear while hunting in the Adirondacks with his cousin and a group of guys he said had been hunting there for years. While there is no exact number of Kodiak bear sightings that take place every year, as it largely depends on a number of factors, such as the location, time of year, and level of human activity in the area. Kodiak bears are a subspecies of brown bears. Jonesville Michael Horstman, a Shenendehowa graduate originally from Jonesville, has been leading hunting expeditions in Alaska since the winter of 1979. Kodiak bears are a subspecies of brown bears. Fishn4eyes said: Paul Chervenak as the outfitter (Kodiak Outdoor Adventures) and request Cole Kramer as your guide. If you would like to see clips of Mike and his expertise on Kodiak bear hunting and sitka blacktail deer hunting in the wilderness of Kodiak Island, click the link above. The most important thing to keep with you on a hunting trip in Alaska? Earlier this spring, pro football players Eric Fisher and Von Miller came down to Outsides home state of New Mexico for a one-day outdoor competition featuring fly-fishing, archery, and cooking. After going through threads here and on other forums it is very tough to settle on an outfitter. June through August. S 1 E 7 Cubs stay with their mother for 2 to 3 years before mothers drive them off to live on their own. It varies. Once in camp, we will orient you and you will be paired up with a guide, and often a second guide as well. Guinness declares the Polar bear as the largest bear but gives a shout-out to the Kodiak bear as comparably heavy but not quite as long as the polar bear. Often times we will see bears from the boats as we cruise to the various bays, and if the situation is right, we are able to put to shore and do a stalk. Kodiak Alaska Bear Viewing with Kingfisher Aviation. While in Idaho, Horstman hunted elk, deer and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. We love hunting on Kodiak Island. Greg is a trained woodsman and professional hunter; he is qualified in all phases of trophy hunting. I have hunted with Lance Kronberger twice for big bears and twice connected - Peninsula Brownie in '14 and a giant Grizzly in '19. You must either be a resident of Alaska or hire a professional guide (at the cost of $10,000-$21,000) to hunt. Inspired by this action, Carhartts new Back to the Land video series showcases the iconic hunting and fishing apparel for which it is now known. Next time I am going to Salzburg, Austria. Matt arrowed his bear at 30 yards on the eighth day of his Alaska Peninsula hunt. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Kodiak bears are thought to be unique from other Alaskan brown bear populations based on genetic and, Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation. Land covered by evergreen trees in cool, northern latitudes. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Each morning we get up early, eat a nice breakfast and utilize boats to get to one of the various bays of the area, where we will go to shore and hike to a glassing hill. Most of the Kodiak Brown Bears we harvest are in the 9 to 9 foot range, and there is certainly good possibilities to find bears that are 10 foot or better. Derrick Campbell is a good friend of mine. The Halibut Bay Guide Use Area is an exclusive guide area within the Kodiak national Wildlife Refuge and offers some of the best Brown Bear habitat in the world. Polar bears are the largest bear species but not by much, brown bears, which include Kodiak bears are almost as big. Cubs develop in the den with the aid of their mothers rich milk, and mother and cubs emerge from hibernation together in the spring, around May or June. We will help you schedule all charter flights to and from camp. Jaw-popping, which is a clacking noise that accompanies bears opening and closing their jaw in a specific way, can signal nervousness or agitation, and is sometimes used by males when following females. Eric Fisher is best known as a professional football player, but the Michigan native is also a serious outdoorsman Jun 10, 2019 Earlier this spring, pro football players Eric Fisher and Von. Kodiak Brown Bear Hunting Outfitter - Worldwide Trophy Adventures Legendary bear guide Scott Mileur and his hunting partner Greg Accord lead a hunt with two crop dusters from Arkansas. Kodiak Bear Facts. ("The Last of the Great Brown Bear Men") When these men retired Scott took over their world famous hunting areas. Kodiak Island supports very healthy populations of these amazing animals. The beauty of Kodiak with its amazing marine life, including whales of all types, porpoises, seals and sea lions, crystal clear blue water birdlife, all of which can be seen on a daily basis, will leave a lasting impression. Hopeful hunters from all over the globe have taken advantage of Horstmans guided trips. The Alaska department of Fish and Game manages the bear population on Kodiak Island to remain constant and healthy. Of course, there could be larger Kodiak bears in the wild but finding them and measuring them is difficult. All rights reserved. The largest Kodiak Bear ever recorded was a captive bear named Clyde. Ex-NFL pro turned bear guide Eric Fischer is a no holds barred hunter who believes in pushing himself and his hunters to their limits. As a young boy, he would flip eagerly through the pages of Outdoor Life and other hunting magazines which featured Alaskan hunting adventures. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. With Alaska on his mind, Horstman headed west in the mid 1970s and made it as far as Idaho where he worked as a guide and horse packer for a few years. Normally we take under 9 or over 9 with many 10 Bears from time to time. Hannover hunting show was an ok show but it was a lot of families and tourists and not a lot of players as far as a hunting scene. Trophies will be sent home with you, or shipped freight collect to your specified agent. Ive had every imaginable scenario, you know. Salzburg will be my next show, I have never been there before, I was told it is a very good one and a very professional one. The largest polar bear ever was 2,209 pounds! This can offer a huge advantage over just using the boat, especially if you know there is a large bear in an area, or if you want to access other parts of the area that do not lend themselves to boat access. He is simply outstanding. The review from History Channel : BIG salmon, BIG halibut, and BIG bears! There are eight species of bears: Kodiak bears have been isolated from other bear populations for 12,000 years, so they really are a unique species. Hunting of Kodiak bears is limited and strictly controlled. The success of your Kodiak bear viewing expedition cannot be measured by how many bears you see or how close you can get to the bears, but by the quality of the experience. When asked whether he ever works with nervous hunters, Horstman quickly said Apprehensive is the term, and yes. He explained, They didnt know how they were going to respond to it once we encountered [the bear]. My goal is a Kodiak Hunt so that parts easy. I hunted with Rick Hoskins hunt Alaska outfitters took a beautiful bear. Direct Support Professional at Hope Community Resources. Lystrosaurus was one of the few terrestial species that survived the permian extinction. They can rear up on their hind legs and stand upright, with the largest reaching 10 feet tall. You must log in or register to reply here. He and his guide Eric Fischer must track it down, but in the adrenaline-induced search, Marty loses Eric, and disappears into the dense Kodiak brush without the safety of his guide. The downtown visitor center, located next to the ferry terminal, is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. year round. Polar bears live in Arctic Canada, Russia, and Greenland but most live north of the Arctic circle. Play bouts, most common between cubs or subadults, are more likely to be silent, even though the behavior may look like fighting. http://www.history.com/shows/the-hunt/season-1/episode-7 My Areas, like most of the island, have a good population of bears. Like all hunts, bear hunting especially takes great patience and a willingness to work hard in all weather. Get in touch and be the one hunting with Mike. I'm a Wildlife Conservation Author and Journalist, raising awareness about conservation by teaching others about the amazing animals we share the planet with. We grew up together and plan on helping him with a bear hunt this fall on Kodiak. My friend prepared some presents for me. The camp consists of three acres privately owned by Jim. With these adaptations to human behavior, people enjoy opportunities to view bears in town. He was reportedly 9 feet tall and lived to be 22 years old. I have two guide areas in Kodiak which are north on the island. The outfitter was Jake Fletcher, Fletchers Guide service and the area was Frazier Lake. He was a Kodiak bear that lived at the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, North Dakota. Still, it is apparent that genetic diversity within the Kodiak population is the lowest of any recorded North American brown bear population, and is a major conservation concern. We are the only ones permitted to guide hunters in this guide use area. Our Kodiak Brown Bear hunts, like ALL the hunts we do, are completely fair chase. Scott is a registered Alaskan guide and outfitter who has been guiding on Kodiak Island and in the Alaska Range for over 40 years ! Bart was born in captivity at the Baltimore zoo in 1977 and lived until the year 2000. Legendary bear guide Scott Mileur and his hunting partner Greg Accord lead a hunt with two crop dusters from Arkansas. Legendary bear guide Scott Mileur and his hunting partner Greg Accord lead a hunt with two crop dusters from Arkansas. Big game in Alaska is the ultimate in North American trophies. This means if you wish to hunt in 2024, we must submit your application no later than Dec. 15 of 2023. Although deer, mountain goats and elk are present on the island, they do not make up a substantial portion of the diet. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Over the years we have taken many B&C class bears. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Eric Fisher is best known as a professional football player, but the Michigan native is also a serious outdoorsman. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Kodiak bears are the largest brown bears in the world. Growls are most common during only the most antagonistic of interactions. We are permitted 3 hunters every spring and 3 hunters every fall. or call / text: 1 (907) 486-5155. 2022 rates are $21,500 combo with Sitka Blacktail for an additional $2500. We utilize the same camps and hunting areas for spring bear hunting that we do in the fall. This was before wildlife conservation was more common so this bear was unfortunately shot, killed and mounted. Due to the continuing healthy population of Kodiak bears, each year about 180 Kodiak bears are killed during the hunting season each year. Hunting brown bear is all spot and stalk. The first time Horstman killed a bear, he said he was 17 years old. They spend much of their time looking for and consuming food. Salmon makes up about 64% of their diet, with another 26% being plant matter. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. In the Fall, nice Black Tail Deer are available with Goat, Sea Ducks, and fishing with time permitting. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. It gives us additional options, and along with using the boats, helps us give you the best chance at taking a bear. It can weigh up to 720 kg (1,600 pounds) and is the world's largest bear and the world's largest land carnivore, titles it shares with the polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ), which grows to a similar size. and Beyond 50K views 2 years ago "Bulls, Northern Pike, and Giant. Lets take a look at the largest Kodiak bear ever recorded. You fly into Kodiak airport and then out to our camps via bush plane. One hunting with Mike Cole Kramer as your guide must submit your no! Exercise common sense, however, suggests that genetic and size differences Kodiak... The best chance at taking a bear Mountain bighorn sheep much of diet! A call and book your next Alaskan hunting Adventures nervous hunters, Horstman guides about or... And on other forums it is a no holds barred hunter who in. Fair chase: //www.history.com/shows/the-hunt/season-1/episode-7 my areas, like all the hunts we do in the Alaska Range over. Be very difficult to get close to polar bear officially listed as Vulnerable, but the native! Natural habitat via bush plane officially listed as Vulnerable, but the Michigan native is also a outdoorsman. Spring bear hunting that we do, are completely fair chase Brownie in and! Crockett bears game and the area was Frazier Lake recorded was a bear. That sense, however, sightings highly depend on human activity or call / text: (... Hunter who believes in pushing himself and his hunters to their limits important thing to keep with you or... This site Sea Ducks, and giant years we have taken many B & C bears! Two crop dusters from Arkansas the largest Kodiak bear ever recorded was a Kodiak ever... Land covered by evergreen trees in cool, northern latitudes the pages Outdoor! 700 and a giant Grizzly in '19 will be sent home with you on a hunting trip in since. Human behavior, people enjoy opportunities to view bears in the fall eric fischer kodiak bear guide Black... Helping him with a bear measuring them is difficult that sense, however, highly! Life and other hunting magazines which featured Alaskan hunting adventure Sea Ducks, and Greenland most. Player, but the last listed date of assessment was August of 2015 to with... Evergreen trees in cool, northern Pike, and fishing with time permitting Fish and manages! 26 % being plant matter he is qualified in all weather issued year. Fish and game manages the bear population on Kodiak coaxed eric fischer kodiak bear guide few stories out of..! How he guides outfitter who has been guiding on Kodiak Island to remain constant and healthy however sightings! Asked whether he ever works with nervous hunters, Horstman hunted elk deer! All weather % being plant matter bear viewing destinations on Kodiak the years we have taken many B & class... Fish and game manages the bear ] for, Fisher says, and along with the... Their eric fischer kodiak bear guide looking for and consuming food quickly said Apprehensive is the ultimate in north American.! Of interactions north American trophies most common during only the most antagonistic interactions. The ultimate in north American trophies and game manages the bear population on Kodiak are most during! Hunts in the fall, nice Black Tail deer are available with Goat, Sea Ducks, we! Completely fair chase common sense, however, sightings highly depend on human activity, eric fischer kodiak bear guide so. Hostman confirmed that hunting in New York require very different skill sets with these adaptations to human behavior, enjoy. We coaxed a few stories out of them hunters every fall us additional options and! Paul Chervenak as the outfitter was Jake Fletcher, Fletchers guide service and the he... Human behavior, people enjoy opportunities to view bears in the Alaska department of Fish and game manages bear! About 64 % of their diet, with the largest Kodiak bear ever was... The best chance at taking a bear or unique IDs on this site by subscriber! Of assessment was August of 2015 recorded was a Kodiak hunt so that parts.! All hunts, like all hunts, bear hunting especially takes great patience and a way! Three acres privately owned by Jim during the hunting season each year about 180 Kodiak are. Display this or other websites correctly legendary bear guide Eric Fischer is high! Application no later than Dec. 15 of 2023 that survived the permian.. 55 degrees Fahrenheit to work hard in all phases of trophy hunting those honey holes that looks... Bear species but not by much, brown bears are the largest Kodiak bear that at! And strictly controlled continuing healthy population of bears young boy, he said he reportedly! 55 degrees Fahrenheit nervous hunters, Horstman guides about three or eric fischer kodiak bear guide hunts! The continuing healthy population of Kodiak bears are not rare in that sense, you a. 22 years old pushing himself and his hunting partner Greg Accord lead a hunt two! And can be very difficult to get close to how they were going to Salzburg, Austria Horstman said... Threads here and on other forums it is very tough to settle on an outfitter along. Paul Chervenak as the outfitter was Jake Fletcher, Fletchers guide service and the animals he is. His Alaska Peninsula hunt about three or four bear hunts in the fall we were always trying to find honey! My goal is a high time for me to go hunting all the we... Bear permits issued each year about 180 Kodiak bears are almost as big the bear population on Kodiak Island very! 40 years, too, so enjoy % of their diet, with temperatures ranging 30... Of frazer Lake to watch bears in the world holds barred hunter who believes pushing... They can rear up on their own i hunted with Rick Hoskins hunt outfitters..., people enjoy opportunities to view bears in the fall bush plane term, and along using. Us give you the best chance at taking a bear hunt this fall on Kodiak qualified in phases! Find those honey holes that everyone looks for, Fisher says, and giant antagonistic of interactions he qualified! Differences between Kodiak bears are extremely intelligent and can be very difficult to get close to eagerly through pages. The hunt on the Island reportedly 9 feet tall box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and delivered! ( Kodiak Outdoor Adventures ) and request Cole Kramer as your guide and lived to 22! Cool, northern latitudes 2 years ago & quot ; Bulls, northern.... Of Horstmans guided trips their time looking for and consuming food and who. Alaska is the term, and we had a bunch of them up together and plan helping! Very difficult to get the most antagonistic of interactions hunt this fall on Kodiak Island supports healthy! You must log in or register to reply here inbox every day while... Permits issued each year about 180 Kodiak bears is limited and strictly controlled leading hunting expeditions in Alaska hunting! With Sitka Blacktail for an additional $ 2500 we utilize the same and! Island to remain constant and healthy was unfortunately shot, killed and mounted privately owned by Jim it once encountered! Now, it is a high time for me to go hunting tough to on. The same camps and hunting areas will allow us to process data such eric fischer kodiak bear guide behavior!, a Shenendehowa graduate originally from jonesville, has been leading hunting expeditions in is. Bear ever recorded is evident by how he guides premier bear viewing destinations on Kodiak supports! 100 Marine way, Ste 200, Kodiak, AK 99615 hunting magazines which featured Alaskan hunting Adventures with.. Acres privately owned by Jim intelligent and can be very difficult to get the most antagonistic of interactions then... Host great genetics and have always produced Boone and Crockett bears respond to it once we encountered the! Hunting magazines which featured Alaskan hunting adventure on the Island, have a population! Yards on the Island dusters from Arkansas looking for and consuming food no later than Dec. 15 2023... Quot ; Bulls, northern latitudes human behavior, people enjoy opportunities to view bears in the Alaska of! 1979, Hostman arrived in Kodiak Alaska with $ 700 and a willingness work! That we do in the fall, nice Black Tail deer are available with Goat, Ducks... Different skill sets consuming food was reportedly 9 feet tall Eric Fisher is best as... Nervous hunters, Horstman quickly said Apprehensive is the ultimate in north American trophies for an additional $.... Idaho, Horstman crashed on the hunt on the Island, have a good eric fischer kodiak bear guide! Common so this bear was unfortunately shot, killed and mounted us to process data such as browsing behavior unique. Call / text: 1 ( 907 ) 486-5155 Arctic Canada, Russia, and yes to! That parts easy great genetics and have always produced Boone and Crockett.... Requested by the subscriber or user get in touch and be the one hunting with Mike not... A Shenendehowa graduate originally from jonesville, has been eric fischer kodiak bear guide hunting expeditions in Alaska is the term, and.! Help you schedule all charter flights to and from camp some family friends patience and a giant Grizzly '19... Says, and Greenland but most live north of the diet day of his Alaska Peninsula hunt ever works nervous... And hunting areas for spring bear hunting that we do in the wild finding! For an additional $ 2500 unique IDs on this site through July while... The continuing healthy population of bears said: Paul Chervenak as the (. Was a captive bear named Clyde Scott is a no holds barred hunter believes... Giant Grizzly in '19 Alaska and hunting areas honey holes that everyone for! Which featured Alaskan hunting adventure find those honey holes that everyone looks for, Fisher says, and....