Transporter recommendations Kenai Fjords area

[MaxBaglimit]

I drew a goat tag in the Kenai Fjords area (DG351) and was looking for transporter recommendations (either boat or float plane). Homer is closer geographically, but Seward isn't that far off. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Arctic_Beaver]

I actually drew DG352 last year, and spoke to Jose at Northwind Aviation and also emailed with Stellar Air. Both transporters are out of Homer. Jose was very knowledgeable and I would suggest you give him a shout first. I have heard many good things about his operation. I ended up hunting and taking a nice billy out of a registration area in PWS, so I did not need air transportation though.

 

[tlingitwarrior]

Jose @ Northwind. Don't look any further.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

Third vote for Jose!

 

[BucknRut]

Jose every time for me! He knows the air and whats beneath it around here.

And then stop at fish & game 1/4 mile up the road to report your kill!

 

[MaxBaglimit]

Jose has been a hard man to get a hold of this week. No response yet to phone messages and e-mail. I would really like to talk to him about this trip.

 

[alexander]

Jose has been a hard man to get a hold of this week. No response yet to phone messages and e-mail. I would really like to talk to him about this trip.

Trail Ridge Air. 907 248 0838

 

[Daveinthebush]

Jose has been a hard man to get a hold of this week. No response yet to phone messages and e-mail. I would really like to talk to him about this trip.

Some schools have spring break this week and maybe next. He may be traveling.

 

[Maverick940]

Jose might also be out west with Meekin and Keller and some others, working on that project out there. He used do a lot of that stuff. Could be that he's out there. Even still, if he wants your business, he'll get back to you at some point.

 

[MaxBaglimit]

Jose might also be out west with Meekin and Keller and some others, working on that project out there. He used do a lot of that stuff. Could be that he's out there. Even still, if he wants your business, he'll get back to you at some point.

He did get back to me. Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

 

[injun joe]

Another vote for Jose! He and his guys know what’s up, they’re safe, and it’s a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing they’re down there worrying about you when the storms roll through.

 

[stepa]

Bubbling the thread up to the top. It appears Jose has sold the business to someone named Scott. Can anyone recommend any additional transporters familiar with the area? Also, given the window, when is the best time to go? The assumption is that goats will be lower, later in the season (which ends Oct 1st for the Northwind operator) and the coat will likely be thicker. However, the weather will start taking a front-row seat. Is that the correct way to think about it? Thanks!

 

[majorbam]

Bubbling the thread up to the top. It appears Jose has sold the business to someone named Scott. Can anyone recommend any additional transporters familiar with the area? Also, given the window, when is the best time to go? The assumption is that goats will be lower, later in the season (which ends Oct 1st for the Northwind operator) and the coat will likely be thicker. However, the weather will start taking a front-row seat. Is that the correct way to think about it? Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken Northwind sold the business to Scott Jackson in 2020. Their operation is Destination Alaska Charters.

About | Destination Alaska Charters

I believe that's who flew my brother and me out in 2020 on a goat hunt (my brother paid for the hunt since it was his tag so I can't reference receipts at the moment to be absolutely sure). I'd recommend them and will be calling them for my son's fall 2023 goat hunt out of Homer.

As for when to go... it's a long season and if you look at the harvest stats on the ADF&G website many who draw the tag don't actually hunt... not sure why but I suspect they most likely prioritize other hunts and outdoor activities thinking they have enough time and then things get away on them or they've got a full freezer and don't want to fight the fickle fall weather.

There are pros and cons of early vs later hunt. One factor to think about is the possibility of black bears along the salmon streams and shoreline earlier in the season.

Also-- I'm not sure there is a significant difference in the goat hides from let's say a late August to an early October time frame in this part of the state-- but a local guide or others on this forum can weigh in on that issue. Or put another way, maybe the hair length on a later hunt isn't enough of a difference for me personally to choose a later hunt.

But it's a great tag and I'd definitely make every effort to get out there and enjoy the hunt regardless of what time of the season. I've had some of my most memorable hunting experiences chasing goats out of Homer.

Just FYI-- there are wolves on the back side of that peninsula... surprised to see one running past me on a ridgeline back in 2020.

 

[4merguide]

Also-- I'm not sure there is a significant difference in the goat hides from let's say a late August to an early October time frame in this part of the state-- but a local guide or others on this forum can weigh in on that issue. Or put another way, maybe the hair length on a later hunt isn't enough of a difference for me personally to choose a later hunt.

Years ago, I used to think that there couldn't be much difference in hides from early fall to early winter, until I became friends with a fellow guide that was also a taxidermist. He told me that for years he had been trying to kill a November goat so he could mount it life-size with a prime hide. I said to myself, November? Really? How much difference could there be? We ended up going on a registration hunt the first week of November on the KP. Unfortunately, that year the snow was just too fresh and deep to hunt even though we had snowshoes. My friend had the spotting scope and when he finally found the goats, he handed it over to me. I was blown away at what I saw. He was right. I've told this story quite a few times, but really the only way I can describe those goats is cotton balls with legs! After the goats shed in the spring the hides don't change much until fall. When that change takes place, it accelerates hair growth rapidly and the difference is pretty dramatic from week to week. You just won't find the long luxurious hide of a Oct.-Nov. goat on an Aug.-Sept. goat. To me, once I saw a prime life size goat rug from a late season goat, I knew I had to have one. Although I like the meat, a prime hide is the trophy to me. This is why I personally have only hunted my goat permits as close as I can to the end of the season. Of course, as you said, it's up to the hunter if he wants to take the chance of hunting in potential poor weather and a fine hide, or potential good weather and a much lesser hide. After seeing the difference between early and late season goats the choice was obvious for me. As I type this I'm looking at, although not quite what I saw the first week of Nov. years ago, an amazingly thick and long-haired goat rug from a billy I killed on Oct. 9. The hair on its back is 7" long and the undercoat is so thick you can't run your fingers through it. Of course, the choice is yours. Good Luck!

 

[stepa]

If I'm not mistaken Northwind sold the business to Scott Jackson in 2020. Their operation is Destination Alaska Charters.

About | Destination Alaska Charters

I believe that's who flew my brother and me out in 2020 on a goat hunt (my brother paid for the hunt since it was his tag so I can't reference receipts at the moment to be absolutely sure). I'd recommend them and will be calling them for my son's fall 2023 goat hunt out of Homer.

As for when to go... it's a long season and if you look at the harvest stats on the ADF&G website many who draw the tag don't actually hunt... not sure why but I suspect they most likely prioritize other hunts and outdoor activities thinking they have enough time and then things get away on them or they've got a full freezer and don't want to fight the fickle fall weather.

There are pros and cons of early vs later hunt. One factor to think about is the possibility of black bears along the salmon streams and shoreline earlier in the season.

Also-- I'm not sure there is a significant difference in the goat hides from let's say a late August to an early October time frame in this part of the state-- but a local guide or others on this forum can weigh in on that issue. Or put another way, maybe the hair length on a later hunt isn't enough of a difference for me personally to choose a later hunt.

But it's a great tag and I'd definitely make every effort to get out there and enjoy the hunt regardless of what time of the season. I've had some of my most memorable hunting experiences chasing goats out of Homer.

Just FYI-- there are wolves on the back side of that peninsula... surprised to see one running past me on a ridgeline back in 2020.

You are absolutely correct, they (Northwind) are, however, sent me on to another transporter as they are not comfortable dropping people off at the northern side of the lake. Top-notch folks, though - very honest and transparent,. Appreciate the tips, I will be looking out for bears and wolves.

 

[stepa]

Years ago, I used to think that there couldn't be much difference in hides from early fall to early winter, until I became friends with a fellow guide that was also a taxidermist. He told me that for years he had been trying to kill a November goat so he could mount it life-size with a prime hide. I said to myself, November? Really? How much difference could there be? We ended up going on a registration hunt the first week of November on the KP. Unfortunately, that year the snow was just too fresh and deep to hunt even though we had snowshoes. My friend had the spotting scope and when he finally found the goats, he handed it over to me. I was blown away at what I saw. He was right. I've told this story quite a few times, but really the only way I can describe those goats is cotton balls with legs! After the goats shed in the spring the hides don't change much until fall. When that change takes place, it accelerates hair growth rapidly and the difference is pretty dramatic from week to week. You just won't find the long luxurious hide of a Oct.-Nov. goat on an Aug.-Sept. goat. To me, once I saw a prime life size goat rug from a late season goat, I knew I had to have one. Although I like the meat, a prime hide is the trophy to me. This is why I personally have only hunted my goat permits as close as I can to the end of the season. Of course, as you said, it's up to the hunter if he wants to take the chance of hunting in potential poor weather and a fine hide, or potential good weather and a much lesser hide. After seeing the difference between early and late season goats the choice was obvious for me. As I type this I'm looking at, although not quite what I saw the first week of Nov. years ago, an amazingly thick and long-haired goat rug from a billy I killed on Oct. 9. The hair on its back is 7" long and the undercoat is so thick you can't run your fingers through it. Of course, the choice is yours. Good Luck!

Thank you!

Agree with your observations, I hunted them in early Sept and the hide was nothing to write home about. I've seen some Nov trophies and was blown away by the quality of the coat. The problem is the weather though, getting in and being able to hunt and get out that late. With 1 method of transport, I am a tad concerned about the logistics.

BTW, I think I've seen that Dall curl on Rokslide

@All
Folks - if anyone actually hunted the area and can share words of wisdom, please do. Thank you in advance!

 

[4merguide]

BTW, I think I've seen that Dall curl on Rokslide

Really? Do you mean mine or another mount with the lip curl?

 

[stepa]

I thought it was yours