flatt_lander
Member
I was wondering if anyone out there has ever use Bushwacker Air for a sheep hunt up in the Brooks? What kind of service you had and your experience with them? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Than you!
Bushwacker Air???
- Thread starter flatt_lander
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S
shphtr
Guest
Bushwacker Air is, I think, a new air taxi operator for eastern Brooks. Last year may have been his first year operating there, so there may not be a lot of available hunter feedback. I talked to the pilot at the Sportsman's Show who seemed willing to put hunters where ever they wanted - assuming he thought he could land - not always a good idea. Many bush pilots are hesitant, for good reasons, to be the first person to "utilize" a remote landing site. I am not saying he is not competent - just doesn't have a known track record that I know of - perhaps others can provide more personal info/feedback.
goosepilot
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Talked to Bushwacker Air - Jeff mid February. He said he had a decent first year considering the weather and clients had pretty good success. He was optimistic about this year.
oakman
Well-known member
I spent about 15 minutes talking to him at the show. Seemed like a nice enough guy. I didn't ask many details about his operation, but he indicated to me that he would take you "anywhere" within a circle he had drawn on a map (basically anything on the north side of the range and east of the highway). I have a friend who is a pilot, and his rule is to never set down on an unimproved stip for the first time with a passenger in the plane. Seems like a good rule to me.
I'd be interested in hearing what previous customers (and 2011 customers) think. I'm already starting to hatch plans for 2012....
I'd be interested in hearing what previous customers (and 2011 customers) think. I'm already starting to hatch plans for 2012....
mossyhorn
New member
If you want to fly with him, you have to get to Kavik first. That's where he'll be flying out of this year.
JEFFSTER
New member
I hope to book with him for 2012, was going to this year but money happens. Being first in an area is kind of the first step to being in a good area aint it? JMHO sitting on my dads lap in an Ag Cat dusting fields in Eastern Wa. "yes that was long ago" I am no stranger to planes and boonie landings. Pilots don't want to die either so he isn't going to land and trash his bird or god forbid kill himself for a sheep hunter. When I do my sheep, I'm booking with him. Hope I chose correct but you pay your money and you take your chances in this wild country. good luck.
thenarwhal
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Bushwacker Air
Bushwacker Air
I flew with Bushwacker in September 2010 into the Brooks for a moose/caribou hunt. We had five guys and he flies a Supercub, so it involved multiple ferry runs with people and gear. Jeff is a nice guy and made us feel comfortable about the whole process. The plane is in great shape and well maintained. He was detailed and thorough with his inspection of the plane and very aware of safety issues. We planned to fly out of a small strip in the Brooks and by the time the entire group arrived, it was too late to fly out that evening. We stayed the night and prepared to leave in the morning. Jeff wouldn't fly until the light coating of frost melted off the wings, and since the strip was in the shadow of a mountain we waited a couple of hours for the sun to get up high enough to do the job. Struck me as a little overboard, but I'm not a pilot, and I guess there's no such thing as too safe. Our original destination was already occupied and Jeff worked with us to find an alternate drop spot. He was careful about balancing the loads each time and the flight itself was airliner smooth. We had great weather and he kept us low to see the sights on the way in and out. It was the first gravel bar landing and takeoff for three of our group and we expected some excitement, but in reality it was almost mundane. Smooth landing, smooth takeoff, smooth flight. No issues whatsoever. We killed three nice caribou bulls and he had to make extra meat runs on the return trip.
I would fly with Jeff again without hesitation. My only complaint is that I somehow wound up on the promotional video on his website, which is not really a complaint, but more of a surprise.
Bushwacker Air
I flew with Bushwacker in September 2010 into the Brooks for a moose/caribou hunt. We had five guys and he flies a Supercub, so it involved multiple ferry runs with people and gear. Jeff is a nice guy and made us feel comfortable about the whole process. The plane is in great shape and well maintained. He was detailed and thorough with his inspection of the plane and very aware of safety issues. We planned to fly out of a small strip in the Brooks and by the time the entire group arrived, it was too late to fly out that evening. We stayed the night and prepared to leave in the morning. Jeff wouldn't fly until the light coating of frost melted off the wings, and since the strip was in the shadow of a mountain we waited a couple of hours for the sun to get up high enough to do the job. Struck me as a little overboard, but I'm not a pilot, and I guess there's no such thing as too safe. Our original destination was already occupied and Jeff worked with us to find an alternate drop spot. He was careful about balancing the loads each time and the flight itself was airliner smooth. We had great weather and he kept us low to see the sights on the way in and out. It was the first gravel bar landing and takeoff for three of our group and we expected some excitement, but in reality it was almost mundane. Smooth landing, smooth takeoff, smooth flight. No issues whatsoever. We killed three nice caribou bulls and he had to make extra meat runs on the return trip.
I would fly with Jeff again without hesitation. My only complaint is that I somehow wound up on the promotional video on his website, which is not really a complaint, but more of a surprise.
thenarwhal
New member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 32
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Bushwacker Air
Bushwacker Air
I flew with Bushwacker in September 2010 into the Brooks for a moose/caribou hunt. We had five guys and he flies a Supercub, so it involved multiple ferry runs with people and gear. Jeff is a nice guy and made us feel comfortable about the whole process. The plane is in great shape and well maintained. He was detailed and thorough with his inspection of the plane and very aware of safety issues. We planned to fly out of a small strip in the Brooks and by the time the entire group arrived, it was too late to fly out that evening. We stayed the night and prepared to leave in the morning. Jeff wouldn't fly until the light coating of frost melted off the wings, and since the strip was in the shadow of a mountain we waited a couple of hours for the sun to get up high enough to do the job. Struck me as a little overboard, but I'm not a pilot, and I guess there's no such thing as too safe. Our original destination was already occupied and Jeff worked with us to find an alternate drop spot. He was careful about balancing the loads each time and the flight itself was airliner smooth. We had great weather and he kept us low to see the sights on the way in and out. It was the first gravel bar landing and takeoff for three of our group and we expected some excitement, but in reality it was almost mundane. Smooth landing, smooth takeoff, smooth flight. No issues whatsoever. We killed three nice caribou bulls and he had to make extra meat runs on the return trip.
I would fly with Jeff again without hesitation. My only complaint is that I somehow wound up on the promotional video on his website, which is not really a complaint, but more of a surprise.
Bushwacker Air
I flew with Bushwacker in September 2010 into the Brooks for a moose/caribou hunt. We had five guys and he flies a Supercub, so it involved multiple ferry runs with people and gear. Jeff is a nice guy and made us feel comfortable about the whole process. The plane is in great shape and well maintained. He was detailed and thorough with his inspection of the plane and very aware of safety issues. We planned to fly out of a small strip in the Brooks and by the time the entire group arrived, it was too late to fly out that evening. We stayed the night and prepared to leave in the morning. Jeff wouldn't fly until the light coating of frost melted off the wings, and since the strip was in the shadow of a mountain we waited a couple of hours for the sun to get up high enough to do the job. Struck me as a little overboard, but I'm not a pilot, and I guess there's no such thing as too safe. Our original destination was already occupied and Jeff worked with us to find an alternate drop spot. He was careful about balancing the loads each time and the flight itself was airliner smooth. We had great weather and he kept us low to see the sights on the way in and out. It was the first gravel bar landing and takeoff for three of our group and we expected some excitement, but in reality it was almost mundane. Smooth landing, smooth takeoff, smooth flight. No issues whatsoever. We killed three nice caribou bulls and he had to make extra meat runs on the return trip.
I would fly with Jeff again without hesitation. My only complaint is that I somehow wound up on the promotional video on his website, which is not really a complaint, but more of a surprise.
flatt_lander
Member
Thanks for the feedback guys! I did book a sheep hunt this fall with Jeff. He seems like a straight forward fellow and I'm really looking forward to the trip. I didn't expect alot of hunter feedback since he was kinda new to the Brooks, but it never hurts to ask. Thanks!
Skinny, he's located out of Fairbanks
Skinny, he's located out of Fairbanks
