What kind of physical condition should I be in to come on one of your hunting safaris?
It is not necessary to be in top athletic condition, especially if you are hunting on our custom hunting yacht… However, if you book a special hunt for Sheep or want to do a hunt for Mountain Goat you need to be in very good physical condition. You should start by walking or running 2 or 3 times a week and doing some normal exercising, such as deep knee bends, and stair climbing. Then lengthen your walks or runs, increase your exercises, and start carrying a little weight in a backpack. Even better start taking some hikes in the mountains if you can. The guides are professionals and will go at your pace and assist you in every way they can to help you in the field. However, your hunt will be much more enjoyable if you come in good physical condition so that you can make a quick stalk, if necessary, on your game once it is sighted. Nothing is more frustrating than to lose an opportunity for an outstanding trophy because you were not in good enough condition to get into position in time to take the animal.

What caliber rifle do you recommend?
In general, the ideal rifle for Alaska is the .300 magnum. With lighter bullet weights it is good for goat & sheep at long ranges and by using heavier bullet weights it can handle the big bears. If you are only hunting grizzly or brown bear the .375 magnum is recommended. In Alaska you will encounter a lot of moisture so a fiberglass stock is ideal. Plan to bring a minimum of two boxes of ammunition. If you are shooting a .300 magnum think about sighting it in to be dead on at 100 yards for bear and dead on at 300 yards for all other species.

On the equipment list you have included the ACU-SIGHT Lazer Bore Sighter. What is it and why do I need it?
ACU-SIGHT is the ultimate accuracy maintenance system for any firearm. The accuracy of the ACU-SIGHT provides quick sight-picture verification anywhere. Whether at the range or in the field, this unit (cartridge-sized) is perfect for carrying in a pocket until needed. The replaceable batteries make this unit a very easily maintained accessory. In practice, as well as design and process, the ACU-SIGHT is the best laser bore sight system available. 
You will not have the time during your hunt to sight in your rifle. The ACU-SIGHT system allows you to sight in your rifle before your hunt begins and allows you the capability to test your rifle after you have arrived for your hunt to make sure it is accurate when you are in the field. It is very frustrating to come all of this way and find out that your gun is not shooting accurately and you have just missed the shot of a lifetime. 

Am I apt to get motion sickness on the boat?
We are hunting from a new 60-foot boat that is stable and cuts through the swells to give a fairly smooth ride. However, if you are prone to motion sickness while traveling in cars or airplanes, you should consider bringing some motion sickness tablets or one of the wrist bands that are marketed to alleviate the symptoms. During much of the hunt we will be anchored in protected waters while we glass the shoreline and mountainsides for animals. When an animal is spotted, that deserves a closer look, a smaller Zodiac or skiff will be used to take you to shore.

Do I need to bring a pack?
Generally, you will only need to bring a comfortable daypack that will hold your personal effects. It should have a large enough bag to handle your spotting scope and camera, lunch and water bottle, and any personal items that you need. Remember, it is best to dress in layers and your pack will hold the clothes that you are not wearing. If you are on a drop hunt for Sheep or an overnight spike camp hunt for Mountain Goat a good backpack is required. It should have a sturdy bag that is large enough to carry 35 pounds.

What caliber rifle do you recommend?
In general, the ideal rifle for Alaska is the .300 magnum. With lighter bullet weights it is good for goat & sheep at long ranges and by using heavier bullet weights it can handle the big bears. If you are only hunting grizzly or brown bear the .375 magnum is recommended. In Alaska you will encounter a lot of moisture so a fiberglass stock is ideal. Plan to bring a minimum of two boxes of ammunition. If you are shooting a .300 magnum think about sighting it in to be dead on at 100 yards for bear and dead on at 300 yards for all other species.

What type of rain gear do you recommend?
For all of the luxury cruise hunts you should have the best quality rain suit that is 100% waterproof. For special hunts for Sheep and Mountain goats. You can normally get by with a good quality rubberized type, such as Helly Hanson. You will want to bring both a jacket and rain pants. Gor-tex garments in Alaska are not recommended because they are bulky and hard to dry out.

Where should I buy my hunting license and big game tags?
Your licenses and big game tags can be purchased in advance at: www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/
We recommend that you purchase your tags at least one month in advance to allow processing time. It is your reasonability to show up at the boat with your licenses and tags.

Do you guarantee that I will be successful in taking the animal I am hunting?
Your guarantee is that you will be placed in a traditionally good hunting area with a professional guide who will be dedicated to help you be successful. It would serve no purpose to have you camped in an area that is void of game, and that will not be done. In short, if there are no game animals in the area you will not be there either. In addition to being unethical, in the State of Alaska it is illegal to guarantee that the client will be successful in taking his trophy. Success or lack of success can be determined by many factors such as weather, physical condition, patience, determination and being in the right place at the right time. Although success is high, and it does not happen often, it is possible to return home without your trophy.

What is the boat like?
The 60-foot hunting yacht is one of the most comfortable and clean boats you will find. There are two private staterooms on board one with 3 bunks the other with 6 bunks. Each have a queen bed. There is a nice kitchen/ dining area with beautiful Corrigan counter tops. It has a large living room with Italian leather couches a 35” TV with DVD and PS2 for gaming. We have 2 marine heads and a custom granite shower aboard. There is also a covered area on the deck to get out of the weather when it rains. It is a pleasure to be on a quality hunt with great meals and warm showers at the end of the day.

What kind of weather can I expect during my hunt?
Depending upon the time of your hunt, you can experience a variety of weather from bright hot sunny days to rain and wind and even some scattered snow showers falling at the higher elevations. During a 6-day hunt one generally can expect some rain and fog and a few days that are cloudy with the sun shining through. The ideal weather is an overcast sky with a few scattered fog banks and an occasional rain shower. The animals prefer cooler weather and move about better with these conditions. The temperatures will range between 20 degree F lows and 60 degree F highs.
During the late Fall Sitka Black Tail Deer on Kodiak Island, expect the worst kind of weather. Be prepared for blowing wind and rain and even some hail and snow showers. The wind can blow from 15 to 45 miles an hour but don't be surprised if you experience winds that are much stronger. Be prepared and dress appropriately. 

Should I bring a spotting scope and binoculars?
One of the most important pieces of equipment that you can take on a hunting trip is a good pair of quality binoculars. The guides prefer Zeiss or Leica. If your binoculars are 10 power that is generally sufficient and a spotting scope is not a necessity. Each of the guides will have a spotting scope. If you prefer to have your own by all means bring one.

What safety procedures do you provide on the boat?
All of our professional licensed guides have received instructions in first aide and are certified to provide CPR and advanced first aide care. A first aide kit is available on board the boat. The boat carries a satellite phone to use in case of emergencies and a hand held radio that is used to communicate with the boat. There are medical facilities within a two-hour flight in case of serious accidents.
The hunting vessel is equipped with the most current state of the art safety and navigation equipment, including communication system, fixed firefighting equipment, locator beacon, and life jackets for all people on board.

Do I need any permits to carry my rifle into the United States?
If you are not a citizen or legal resident of the United States you will be required to have a permit to import firearms or ammunition into the United States. ATF Form 6 is available on this website or at www.atf.treas.gov.com along with instructions and information for completing the form. You are also required to have a current Alaska Hunting License when you apply for this permit. For assistance in filling out this form or obtaining a current Alaska State Hunting License please contact us at our e-mail address.

Will you book my hotel room for me?
We can recommend the names and locations of several hotels that we have found to provide good service and that cater to hunters. But we do not book the rooms for you.

What is the procedure when I arrive in Anchorage, Homer, or Kodiak?
You should almost always be able to get a connecting flight from Anchorage into Homer or Kodiak. If not you may need to stay the night in Anchorage. We can recommend some nice hotels that will pick you up at the airport and take you back for your connecting flight the next day. It is also possible to drive to Homer from Anchorage and if you have some extra time (approximately 5 hours) it is one of the most beautiful drives you will experience. 
When you arrive in Homer or Kodiak you will generally spend the night at a local hotel. The next day you will need to take a taxi to the marina. You will want to be at the marina by 6:30 am. The Boat departs at 7am. When you arrive your guide will show you around, answer questions, and help you get situated and prepared for the hunt. At this point all of the necessary paperwork will be completed and your hunting licenses and tags issued.

What happens if I cancel my hunt?
When you send a deposit you are giving a guarantee that you will come to hunt with Alaska Safari Unlimited. When I accept your deposit I am giving a guarantee that I will hold a space for you. As a result, if you must cancel your hunt your deposit will be forfeited. In some cases an exception will be made if you find an acceptable hunter to replace yourself. In this case, your deposit will be refunded immediately upon receipt of a deposit from the substitute hunter.

What is a normal tip to give to my guide?
Tips generally range between 10 and 15 percent. Again, tipping is very personal and it is left completely up to your discretion. However, the guide's tip is generally dependent upon the quality of service he renders and upon any special efforts he made to help with the success of your hunt. Success is not necessarily dependent upon the number of animals taken but more on how enjoyable your hunt was and what efforts your guide made to provide a good quality hunting experience. Tips generally range between $200 and $600 with an occasional tip being over $1000. Again, tipping is very personal and it is left completely up to your discretion.

Who takes care of my trophies and how do I get them to my hometown?
The guide is trained to field care for your trophy. This includes skinning, turning the lips and ears, and salting the hide to seal the hair. In this condition they are green and are generally wet as the salt draws the moisture from the hide. If you provide a waterproof bag your trophy can be taken back with you on the airplane. However, if they are lost or delayed for any period of time they will spoil in this condition. Clients have experienced this before. It's a shame to lose your trophy after all the expense and effort of taking it. Also, if a bear or wolf is going international it will need to have a CITES permit which will take several days to rush through. Another alternative is to send the trophy to an expeditor who will completely flesh and dry the hide, take care of all the necessary Veterinary Documents and CITES Permits, and send the trophy to your taxidermist. This is a more expensive alternative but the best one to insure that your trophy arrives in good condition at its final destination.

How do I book a hunt with Alaska Safari Unlimited?
Once you decide you would like to hunt with Alaska Safari Unlimited, send us e-mail or give us a call so that any additional questions you have can be answered. The different hunt dates and availability can be discussed. A 50% deposit is needed to confirm your hunt. You can mail a check to us in Alaska. Or direct deposit or wire your deposit to one of our accounts. Once the deposit has been received a letter and contract will be sent to confirm your booking with our organization. Bank account information will be sent to you when you request it.