Anyone hunt with Unguided Alaska/Arctic Air this year?

[Pwr]

AT&T had service. Verizon did not, but hotel WiFi is decent.

 

[Jry7978261]

I paid a deposit on a transporter hunt with Unguided Alaska for caribou in September of 2025. Has anyone hunted with them this season? I understand that mid-season they changed their base from Kotzebue to Fairbanks. I’ve read a few less than encouraging trip reports on other forums regarding this season. It seems they were very overbooked and the communication between the pilots and owner wasn’t the greatest. I don’t know if I have any options anyway since my deposit was not refundable. I’m just trying to figure out what I might be getting myself into.

Hey Magnum Sherpa. Myself and 3 others are also booked with them for end of Aug. I was wondering if we could chat. I definitely have some concerns. And I kinda wanted to see how your experience to this point has been.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Hey Magnum Sherpa. Myself and 3 others are also booked with them for end of Aug. I was wondering if we could chat. I definitely have some concerns. And I kinda wanted to see how your experience to this point has been.

Certainly. Are you hunting out of Kotzebue or Fairbanks? We got switched to Fairbanks. I texted Gary about 3 weeks ago because I had some questions about the Fairbanks hunt (the website really only has FAQS for the Kotzebue hunt) but I’ve heard nothing back from him. I did however receive an invoice during that time telling me the balance of my hunt is due June 1.

 

[Jry7978261]

Certainly. Are you hunting out of Kotzebue or Fairbanks? We got switched to Fairbanks. I texted Gary about 3 weeks ago because I had some questions about the Fairbanks hunt (the website really only has FAQS for the Kotzebue hunt) but I’ve heard nothing back from him. I did however receive an invoice during that time telling me the balance of my hunt is due June 1.

Yes same thing, we got switched to fairbanks about a 6 weeks ago. We were told we would get update emails confirming our dates and where we were going but havnt gotten anything. But they are asking for final payment. Have zero documents in writing on where and what dates we are hunting was all just verbal...... .

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Yes same thing, we got switched to fairbanks about a 6 weeks ago. We were told we would get update emails confirming our dates and where we were going but havnt gotten anything. But they are asking for final payment. Have zero documents in writing on where and what dates we are hunting was all just verbal...... .

I think we got switched to Fairbanks around the end of March. I was told there would be a series of informational emails coming, but I’ve gotten nothing yet. I did get an updated contract confirming my dates and changing the hunt origination to Fairbanks. Did you use Russ and Outdoors International as your contact/booking agent? I may try to get in touch with them if I can’t get a reply from Gary. I have a bad feeling as well, but too much money is sunk into the trip at this point.

 

[Jry7978261]

I think we got switched to Fairbanks around the end of March. I was told there would be a series of informational emails coming, but I’ve gotten nothing yet. I did get an updated contract confirming my dates and changing the hunt origination to Fairbanks. Did you use Russ and Outdoors International as your contact/booking agent? I may try to get in touch with them if I can’t get a reply from Gary. I have a bad feeling as well, but too much money is sunk into the trip at this point.

I did not use outdoors international. But I have spoke with russ there when was having trouble getting any help after we originally booked. I have tried to call russ the last two weeks and left voice mails. No response. We are in the same boat. Alot of money invested and can't even get a phone call back on what's happening as far as dates and to get flights booked ect. Very frustrating

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

I did not use outdoors international. But I have spoke with russ there when was having trouble getting any help after we originally booked. I have tried to call russ the last two weeks and left voice mails. No response. We are in the same boat. Alot of money invested and can't even get a phone call back on what's happening as far as dates and to get flights booked ect. Very frustrating

It really is frustrating - definitely not how a business should be run. I’m going to try to be optimistic, do the things that I have control over, and hope for the best. Good luck and I hope you have a fun and successful trip.

 

[Dave N]

Sounds like you guys need to send a letter or email stating no more payments until they give you the info you need and asked for. Skeptical me thinking you're getting ripped off.

 

[cgasner1]

Probably a outfitter association you could reach out to

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Probably a outfitter association you could reach out to

He’s technically a transporter and not an outfitter, so I’m not sure.

 

[OverlordBear]

You guys are probably getting ripped off these transporters are just glorified taxis who don’t give a rip about the quality of the hunt and will just put as many camps as possible next to “easy runways” that at least was my experience with RAM AIR and Arctic Air out of Kotzebue AK. If you put it on a credit card you could dispute the payment as fraudulent if they don’t respond.