Send this to your traveling companions.
ALASKA POLICIES
- Parker Guide Service operates on Tongass National U.S. Forest Service Land under an Authorized Special Use Permit. Parker Guide Service is an equal opportunity provider and employer. There is no need to put in for a draw. All hunts are allotted to us.
- In Alaska, a license is required to participate in hunting and trapping; sport, commercial, and personal use fishing; and sport fish guiding or hunting guiding. A number of different licenses are available at different prices for residents, non-residents, members of the military, and residents who are Disabled Veterans or who are age 60 or older.
- Parker Guide Service is a licensed vendor; however, licenses and permits need to be purchased and printed out online prior to the hunt. You can do this at the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game website.** We’ll send notification and updates on how to do this prior to your hunt.
TRAVELING TO ALASKA
Southeast Alaska resides in the Tongass National Forest, the largest coastal rain forest in the US. The cities of Sitka, Juneau, Petersburg, Ketchikan, and Wrangell and the mainland are located on a series of islands located in what is known as Alaska’s Inside Passage. There are only two ways to get to these cities; by plane or by ferry.
- Please arrive 2 days before before your scheduled hunt date, as the day before they fly out to the yacht on a float plane.
- The flight is not included in your hunt cost. Flight costs are based on a 185 Cessna, Dehaviland Beaver, and Otter. Prices will vary between $200 – $800 one way — depending upon on the number of passengers on board.
- Fly between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the day before your hunt date.
- You will fly in & out Juneau (JNU) and sometimes out of Petersburg for the Mountain Goat hunt. Alaska Airlines is our only year-round carrier, either via Anchorage or Seattle, either way it is about a 2-hour flight. Delta flies May through September. We recommend that you protect your hunt investment with travel insurance.
Travel Planning for Your Alaska Hunt
Most guests fly in two days before their hunt date, spend the night, and take a sea plane flight out to the boat the next day, the day before the hunt. Alaska law states that you can’t fly and hunt on the same day. We will be setting up your air charter to the yacht and will be in contact with you prior to your arrival. Flights are always dependent on logistics like weather and where the boat is anchored. We plan on flying you out to the yacht sometime between 1-4 pm the day before your hunt starts. This allows you to go sightseeing and also gather up any last minute essentials that you might require.
If you plan on purchasing alcohol, this can easily be purchased at this time. Please let us know if you are interested in any side tours such as a day fishing charter, spa treatments, nice restaurants in town, historical sites and local flair. We are happy to direct you in any way we can!
Purchasing restricted tickets is not recommended, as your party may want to change your return date.
Airlines that fly to Southeast Alaska:
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Air provides daily air service to Sitka, and the cities of Juneau and Ketchikan on comfortable 737’s. Alaska Airlines serves most major west coast cities and has new direct routes from Washington, D.C., Newark, N.J, and Boston, MA.
It takes about 2 hours to fly to Southeast Alaska from Seattle. When flying into Sitka, there is usually a quick stop in Ketchikan or Juneau first.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines also provides service to Southeast Alaska during the summer months. See their website for details.
Ferry to Southeast Alaska
Alaska Marine Highway
Alaska Marine Highway provides service to Southeast Alaska from the port of Bellingham, Washington. It can take 3-4 days to ride the ferry to Southeast Alaska. See their website for prices and schedules.
What to Pack for your Alaska Hunting Trip
The Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska, where you will be hunting, is an area surrounded by temperate rainforest. It rains about 90 inches or more a year, and the temperatures in the summer can range from in the mid 40’s to the mid 60’s. We will be hunting in lush forest land. You will be hunting on rocky shores, soft mountain meadows, spongy muskegs and thick growth forest.
Gear checklist
Below is our comprehensive list of what gear you need to bring on your Alaskan hunting trip.
Clothing: Bring layers of clothing such as t shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. You may want to bring a hat and gloves just in case.
Waterproof outerwear: Keep in mind that it may rain during part of your visit so you will want to have waterproof outerwear.
Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are a must.
LICENSE FEES
There are no refunds for licenses or tags once purchased.
We will have your hunting tags onboard for you upon arrival. Please make sure that your information is correct and call us with any problems.
Resident:
Alaska Resident per AS 16.05.415(a): “resident” means a person (including an alien) who is physically present in Alaska with the intent to remain indefinitely and make a home here, has maintained that person’s domicile in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license, and is not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country; a member of the military service or U.S. Coast Guard who has been permanently stationed in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license; or a dependent of a resident member of the military service or U.S. Coast Guard who has lived in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license. A person who does not otherwise qualify as a resident may not qualify by an interest in an Alaska business.
Per AS 16.05.415(b): A person who establishes residency in the state in accordance with the residency provision above remains a resident during an absence from the state unless during the absence the person (1) establishes or claims residency in another state, territory, or country; or (2) performs an act, or is absent under circumstances, that are inconsistent with the intent required under the residency provision above.
Nonresident:
A person who does not meet Alaska residency requirements as outlined above and is a resident of the United States; or an alien who has maintained a permanent place of abode in the United States.
Nonresident Alien:
A person who is not a citizen of the United States nor has lived in the State of Alaska for the preceding 12 consecutive months.
- US Nonresident annual hunting license $160
- Nonresident alien annual hunting license $630
Fees are subject to change and based on the going rate listed under the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game website.
TAG FEES
U.S. Nonresident Fees:
- Nonresident Brown/Grizzly Bear, $1000
- Nonresident Black Bear, $450
- Nonresident Goat, $600
- Nonresident Wolf $60
- Non-Resident Sitka Deer $300
Alien Fees:
- Nonresident Brown/Grizzly Bear Tag, $1300
- Nonresident Black Bear Tag, $600
- Nonresident Mountain Goat Tag, $800
- Nonresident Wolf $100
- Nonresident Sitka Deer $400
Fees are subject to change and based on the going rate listed under the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game website.
WOUNDED ANIMAL POLICY
- Alaska law states that any bear wounded and not recovered is considered your bag limit for that year.
- Please practice your shooting before your hunt. Guns will be checked & sighted in upon arrival to the yacht.
Our company policy is anytime there is any sign of an animal being hit or wounded, whether it is recovered or not, it is considered your bag limit for that hunt. We do everything in our power to prevent this as well as in the recovery process if needed.
p. 16 of the ADF&G Huting regulation states….”A person who has wounded game should make every legal effort to retrieve and sal-vage that game. Animals disturbed while hunting do not count against your baglimit; however, bears wounded in Units 1-5, and 8, and elk wounded in Unit 8 .This would count toward your bag limit for the regula-tory year.”
Our unit is unit 4. If there is evidence of blood/wounded bear then this would count as your bear and a kill irregardless if the bear is harvested or not.
COMPANY POLICIES
- We highly recommend Travel Insurance.
- No hunt is held without a deposit.
- A 50% deposit is required to book a hunt for the current year.
- A 1⁄3 deposit is required for bookings made for a hunt one year in advance.
- The second deposit up to 50% of your hunt cost is due December 1st before your hunt year.
- All deposits are nonrefundable unless a replacement is found for the same hunt date by the client, or if rebooked by us minus a 10% fee for costs incurred plus whatever discount is given to the new party to rebook the hunt.
- The final 50% deposit is due 90 days before your hunt begins. No hunt will begin without proper payment or held without a deposit.
- We do not take credit cards.
In case of failure of Client to make any of the hunt payments or in case of cancellation by Client, this contract shall at the opinion of Outfitter, be terminated and Client shall forfeit all payments made pursuant to this contract. If however, Client can provide a replacement acceptable to Outfitter, who in fact takes the place of the Client, Client is responsible to get payment for the hunt directly from the hunter replacing them. If no replacement is found, the Client forfeits the hunt deposit. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST CLIENT GET FULL TRIP INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THIS REASON. There are several good, inexpensive options found online for you to choose from.
WHAT’S INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
- Travel to/from SIT or JNU.
- Float plane charters to or from the Yacht.
- Alcoholic beverages (BYOB), gratuities, licenses & tag fees, and shipping of your trophy.
- Rifles are available to rent for $300 — Per hunt Per Person.
INCLUDED
- All guiding & processing of trophy prior to the expediter of choice, and accommodations and meals while onboard.
BROWN BEAR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Spring Brown Bear Hunts
Brown bears begin to emerge from their dens in the spring seeking food. The first thing to turn green in the spring in Southeast Alaska is the beach grass at the coastline so when the bears awaken they head straight to the beach to eat the fresh grass. This helps to know where to locate the bear for chances of a more successful hunt. Spring hunts can be enjoyed by hunters of almost any ability as they tend to be less physical than a fall hunt.
Fall Brown Bear Hunts
From August until late September, the brown bears will begin feasting on salmon in one of Southeastern Alaska’s thousands of salmon streams. This time of year, millions of salmon return to the springs to spawn. Brown bears feast on the high protein salmon to prepare for winter hibernation.
Brown Bear Hunting License and Tags
In order to hunt brown bear you must have an Alaskan hunting license, and the brown/grizzly bear tag. Parker Guide Service operates on Tongass National U.S. Forest Service Land under an Authorized Special Use Permit. There is no need to put in for a draw. All hunts are allotted to us. Please note, however, that many of our hunts are reserved a year in advance so plan early. License fees are in addition to the cost of your hunt with Parker Guide Service.
Basic Resident/Nonresident Brown Bear Hunting Rules
Hunters who do not reside in Alaska have some more regulations to follow than those that are Alaskan residents. (When you book an Alaska brown bear hunt or Alaskan black bear hunt with Parker Guide Service, we take care of these requirements for you.)
- Nonresidents must also purchase a locking tag in addition to their license to hunt the brown/grizzly bear. Harvest tickets and permits may also be required.
- Nonresident brown/grizzly hunters must be accompanied by a resident relative with second degree of kindred, or by a guide/outfitter. (Parker Guide Service is permitted by the US Forest Service to accompany nonresident hunters.)
- Nonresidents whom harvest a brown/grizzly bear and their guide/relative are both required to sign a sealing certificate or temporary sealing certificate.
- You may not transport or export any untanned bear skin or skull from Alaska until it has been sealed.
- You may not harvest a brown bear within a half a mile of garbage dumps or landfills. (This goes for both resident and nonresident hunters.)
- You may not take brown bear cubs or sows with cubs. (This also goes for resident and nonresident hunters.) A cub is defined as a bear in its first or second year of life.
- Legally a hunter can shoot only one brown/grizzly bear every four years, except for in select areas of Alaska where it is legal to harvest a grizzly bear every year. The season is more liberal in those areas because the bears are limiting the growth of the local moose or caribou populations.
Brown Bear Sealing Requirements, Taking your bear out of Alaska.
- All hides and trophies are cared for in a professional manner. Parker Guide Service will handle trophies to be sealed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Trophies will be sent frozen to our expediter in Anchorage who prepares them for shipping —either dried or tanned— to your taxidermist of choice.
- When hunting brown/grizzly bear you are required to salvage both the skull and hide of the bear killed anywhere in Alaska.
- Evidence of sex (penis sheath or vulva) must remain attached to a brown/grizzly hide until the hide has been sealed.
- Grizzlies from any location in Alaska must be sealed within 30 days of the date of kill.
- You should bring the hide and skinned out skull to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game or to a registered sealer to be examined and sealed. They will pull a small tooth from the skull to obtain age information on your bear. It is important that at the time of sealing the skull is not frozen solid so the tooth can be pulled. If you are interested in learning how old your bear is you can call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in late winter and they can tell you. They will need your name, location of the kill, and the date of kill. (Trophies will be frozen and shipped via Air Freight or Fed Ex overnight to our Expeditor in Anchorage, and once prepared and or tanned shipped to your taxidermist of choice.)
- Any unprocessed bear hide shipped out of Alaska to another state will need an export tag. These tags can be obtained from any Alaska Department of Fish and Game office, post office or commercial shipper. To take a bear out of the United States you will need a federal CITES permit. These are found at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fairbanks.
- This is some information to help you to get started on your brown bear hunting adventures. For more information about brown bear hunting with Parker Guide Service specifically you can contact us directly by calling (907) 747-6026 or emailing us.
It is important to note that this is in no way a substitute for the Alaska Hunting Regulations and that before you hunt you should look up more complete information. You can find detailed regulations in any of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game offices and at establishments that sell hunting licenses and tags.
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR INFO
HIDE & TROPHY CARE
All hides and trophies are cared for in a professional manner and are sent frozen to Alaskan Expediters, Inc., in Anchorage via Alaska Air overnight air freight. Here they are tanned or expedited to your address of choice.
They can be contacted at:
- Alaskan Expediters, Inc.
- Physical Address: 1901 West 48th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99517
- Mailing Address: 3129 Bozeman Ave, Helena, MT 59601
- Phone: 844-465-8136
- Fax: 406-443-1717
- Email: info@alaskanexpediters.com
- Website: www.monarchtaxidermyinc.com
You can trust Parker Guide Service with all your hide and trophy care needs.
FIGHT HUNGER IN ALASKA
Hunters: You can help fight hunger in Alaska
Hunters have donated thousands of pounds of wild meat to charitable organizations in recent years. Such donations of un- processed meat are legal and can represent a significant contribution to their programs. Hunters are encouraged to consider donating surplus or unneeded moose, caribou, or deer carcasses to Food Bank of Alaska. With prior notification, some air carriers will fly donated carcasses to Anchorage at no cost to the hunter. Check with air carrier(s) in your hunt area before taking the carcass to an airport for flight information and other details. Food Bank of Alaska will pay for processing costs in Anchorage. The finished product will be donated to shelters, soup kitchens, and more than 250 other agencies servingthe needy statewide. Use the Transfer of Possession Form on the inside back cover of this publication, or create your ownto donate the meat to Food Bank of Alaska. For further information on donating unprocessed game, call (907) 272-3663.
Parker Guide Service is happy to ship your wild game meat to The Food Bank of Alaska. We can arrange to do this after your hunt for black bear, mountain goats, and Sitka Deer.
CAPTAIN BRUCE FEATURED ARTICLE
Bruce was raised on a remote farm/ranch in Northwest Montana in the middle of a superb hunting and wildlife area. He has always loved working and living in the outdoors with the abundant wildlife. He began hunting at age 8 when he was allowed a single-shot 20-gauge shotgun. Scouring the back woods and thickets, he hunted ruffed grouse, waterfowl, pheasants and Canada geese with his German short hair retriever. Bruce frequently hunted by himself, occasionally accompanied by two older brothers. At age 12, his Dad took him on his first big game hunt in Eastern Montana.
The passion for hunting consumed him and he farmed so he could hunt. For several years, Bruce worked with local hunting guides to learn the business and at the age of 23 moved to Alaska to launch his guide career utilizing his extensive big game and bird hunting experience. His passion for hunting motivated him to become a Professional Hunter.
For four years, Bruce worked at construction and commercial fishing. Having harvested most of the Alaska big game, he was hired by a guide and got his first assistant Alaska guide license. After he obtained all the required licenses and permits to establish his own guiding business, he moved to Sitka, Alaska and rented a vessel to hunt costal brown and black bear, mountain goat, Sitka deer and wolf. All Parker Guide Service hunts are yacht-based. An 80-foot luxury yacht, Alaska Harvest, was designed and built to Bruce’s specifications to provide clients first class accommodations.
Captain Parker explains what sets his operation apart from others.
“A driving passion and priority for clients to succeed, while doing all this from a custom-built yacht. We provide our clients with a very unique hunting experience with accessibility for anyone wanting to hunt and be successful.”
Captain Parker states his firearms preferences for his Alaska hunts are .300 Ultra mag, .338 Win. mag and .375 H&H.
“I find the Ultra Mag loaded with a 180-grain Scirocco bullet to be one of the most incredibly accurate and deadly combos for what we hunt.”
Over the years, his clients have provided a wide range of experiences but Bruce counts his most memorable was
“getting several 80-year-old clients mountain goats and brown bears. Seeing the elation and appreciation on their faces was priceless.”
Parker Guide Service has been in business for 30 years. In addition to big game and bird hunting, six and seven-night custom arranged cruises through Alaska’s Inside Passage and four-day, five-night ocean fishing packages out of the Sitka area are also offered. Parker Guide Service is a member of Alaska Professional Hunters Association, a statewide professional hunting program that works with government entities in Alaska, providing hunting opportunities for all. Bruce is an SCI Life member and has exhibited at the annual convention since the early 1990s.
About Us
We have allocated permits with the USFS. We are USDA compliant, and equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate in any regard.
www.usda.gov/non-discrimination-statement
Parker Guide Service is lifetime members and proud supporters of the NRA, USAYESS (USA Youth Education in Shooting Sports), SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program), The Dallas Safari Club, Houston Safari Club, Midway Arms, Alaska Professional Hunters Association, and Safari Club International.