Gut punch - September caribou hunt cancelled

[RealMuddyboots]

I would try to find out who the two pilots were and reason why they can no longer provide services to Arctic Air.? Their response might be interesting. IE, if Arctic Air failed to uphold their legal obligations, then their position of hunt costs out of their control does not hold water nor protect them.

 

[Potsie]

I had a similar experience with Golden Eagle out of Kotzbue when the Sustinence Board closed that hunt.

We had a lawyer draft a letter, ended up getting our deposit back - many didn’t.

The advice about contacting the AK AG is valid, but I wouldn’t expect much help. If looking to take legal action move fast. If his business is tanking you’ll end up in a long line of creditors trying to get money.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Furthermore, little digging these guys were giant CF last year. If they were booking 2025 WITHOUT contracts in place, fraud is not a stretch. Everything I read smells like dead fish on exhaust manifold.

 

[Dave N]

Furthermore, little digging these guys were giant CF last year. If they were booking 2025 WITHOUT contracts in place, fraud is not a stretch. Everything I read smells like dead fish on exhaust manifold.

This may be worth mentioning in your letter. Don't know what 25% amounts to but good luck with getting it back! I would push hard.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

This may be worth mentioning in your letter. Don't know what 25% amounts to but good luck with getting it back! I would push hard.

I paid for 2 hunts, so about $3500.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Alaska Statutes

Alaska Statutes 2024

Might be worth determining if Arctic Air is in compliance with these statutes. Non compliance does not allow them to charge for their legal noncompliance. Your attorney can dig deeper.

Chapter 40. Responsibilities of Air Carriers.​

Sec. 02.40.010. Air carrier financial responsibility.

(a) A person who carries passengers or freight for commercial purposes intrastate in an aircraft shall procure and maintain security in the following minimum amounts:
(1) $150,000 per seat for bodily injury or death in a single occurrence; and

(2) $100,000 for property damage in a single occurrence.

(b) Evidence of security required under (a) of this section shall be filed with the department and must be
(1) a policy or certificate of insurance issued by an insurer acceptable to the department;

(2) a bond of a surety company licensed to write surety bonds in the state;

(3) evidence accepted by the department, showing ability to self-insure; or

(4) other security approved by the department.

(c) The department may authorize department personnel to enforce this section and may adopt procedural regulations necessary to implement this section. Upon finding a violation the department may issue a stop use order.

(d) A policy of insurance, surety bond, or other form of security may not be canceled on less than 30 days' written notice to the department. This requirement must be clearly stated in the policy or endorsement for an insurance policy submitted as proof of financial responsibility under AS 02.40.020(a)(1). The 30-day notice period is measured from the date on which the department receives notice.

(e) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000 for each day of violation but not to exceed $10,000 for each violation.




Sec. 02.40.020. Certification of compliance of air carriers.
(a) A person may not use an aircraft in air commerce before obtaining an annual certificate of compliance for that aircraft from the department. The department may issue a certificate of compliance for one aircraft or a fleet of two or more aircraft. The department shall issue or renew a certificate of compliance upon application and presentation of
(1) proof of financial responsibility required under AS 02.40.010;

(2) proof of compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements, and, where applicable, federal certification for scheduled airline service.

(b) The annual fee for a certificate of compliance for one aircraft and for a fleet of two or more aircraft shall be set by the department by regulation. The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date issued. The certificate shall be visible to boarding passengers.

(c) The department may authorize department personnel to enforce this section and may adopt procedural regulations necessary to implement this section. Upon finding a violation the department may issue a stop use order.

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000.




Sec. 02.40.030. Unsolicited communication prohibited.
(a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, in the event of an accident involving an air carrier providing intrastate transportation of passengers, an attorney may not initiate a contact with an individual injured in the accident or a relative of an individual injured or killed in the accident for the purpose of offering or discussing potential representation in an action based on the accident for personal injury or wrongful death within 45 days following the accident. In this subsection, “attorney” includes an attorney for an air carrier and an associate, agent, employee, or other representative of an attorney.

(b) During the 45-day period described in (a) of this section, an agent or representative of an air carrier or its insurer may not initiate contact with an individual injured in the accident or a relative of an individual injured or killed in the accident for the purpose of offering a final settlement of a claim.

(c) The prohibitions in (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to the activities that an air carrier or its insurers may undertake, or the obligations that an air carrier or its insurers may have to
(1) provide a passenger or the family of a passenger injured or killed in an aircraft accident with short-term physical or financial assistance; or

(2) meet the obligations of the air carrier under 49 U.S.C. 41113 (Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act of 1996).

(d) The attorney general or an aggrieved person may institute a civil action against a person who violates this section. In addition to injunctive and compensatory relief, a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 may be imposed for each violation.




Sec. 02.40.990. Definitions.
In this chapter,
(1) “air carrier” means a person undertaking to engage in air commerce, whether directly or indirectly, or by lease, contract, or any other arrangement, and whether over regular or irregular routes;

(2) “air commerce” means carriage by aircraft of persons or freight for commercial purposes or hire in intrastate commerce, including the carriage by aircraft of persons or freight that move partly by aircraft and partly by other forms of transportation;

(3) “aircraft” means a propeller, rotor, or jet-powered device used or designed for flight in the air;

(4) “commercial purposes” means activities for which the person receives direct monetary compensation and does not include activities incidental to and done in furtherance of the person's primary business;

(5) “department” means the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities;

(6) “freight” means commodities, articles, and cargo, of whatever nature or value, excluding garbage and trash.

 

[WapitiBob]

They hosed you and kept 25% of your money?!

Trained by Jim Shockey ?

 

[Dave N]

I paid for 2 hunts, so about $3500.

Yeah, I think paying a lawyer a couple hundred bucks to write them a nasty letter would be worth it.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Furthermore, little digging these guys were giant CF last year. If they were booking 2025 WITHOUT contracts in place, fraud is not a stretch. Everything I read smells like dead fish on exhaust manifold.

Trained by Jim Shockey ?

Lol, I don’t know anything about that.

 

[rjthehunter]

Yeah, I think paying a lawyer a couple hundred bucks to write them a nasty letter would be worth it.

This. Let them know legal action will be taken if a full refund isn't received within 30 days of said notice being shared. IE: August 18th. He'll probably fold and send you back the remaining amount to prevent a legal fight. Also, fugg that guy. I can't stand thieves.

Salvage the trip. Alaska is cool and I'm confident you can save it!

 

[Nunyacreek]

Who, exactly, is Arctic Air? I’ve seen the name “Gary” thrown around but their website doesn’t have any names on it.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Who, exactly, is Arctic Air? I’ve seen the name “Gary” thrown around but their website doesn’t have any names on it.

They operate under the businesses Arctic Air and Unguided Alaska. Gary Colbath is the owner/operator.

 

[glass eye]

Adak

 

[Deleted member 16864]

We are considering the Haul Road hunt as an option since we already have caribou tags purchased. I have watched videos on it and know about the 5-mile rule for rifle hunting, but not much else. I also don’t know much about moose hunting as a NR. That seems like a tough DIY hunt without some sort of air taxi.

That 5 mile rule can be a real bitch on the tundra.

 

[glass eye]

Adak is not complicated. If you got AK air miles you can get there for free. Get a local to drop you off at a trailhead and the hunt begins. Tussock isn’t as bad as the tundra. Steep hills and mountains though. No bears but you will have to hide your kill from eagles.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Have you had any discussion with Outdoors International (the booking agent you used for the hunt)? I would bet they might be able to provide more details on why the pilots "bailed out" from Arctic Air.

 

[buckbull]

I knew i read about that shyster.

Arctic Air ( Mike and Shiela Spisak ) & Outdoor International - Buyer Beware!

I want to post this message of 'what I've learned' and to assist others who may be planning an Alaskan Adventure. I will provide facts and try to abstain from injecting my opinion as these companies and the people operating them have really soured me after 2 years of planning and spending my...

forum.eastmans.com

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Have you had any discussion with Outdoors International (the booking agent you used for the hunt)? I would bet they might be able to provide more details on why the pilots "bailed out" from Arctic Air.

I have tried to get in contact with my booking agent at Outdoors International multiple times since this went down. I’ve made multiple calls, left a voicemail, and sent text messages. I’ve gotten nothing but radio silence. Next week I’m probably going to start bombarding their social media with details of this event. If I find myself at a sportsmen’s show in the future where they are exhibiting, I’ll definitely “hang around their booth” for awhile.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Adak is not complicated. If you got AK air miles you can get there for free. Get a local to drop you off at a trailhead and the hunt begins. Tussock isn’t as bad as the tundra. Steep hills and mountains though. No bears but you will have to hide your kill from eagles.

Thank you. I wasn’t aware of this option.

 

[txco]

Good luck with a crappy situation. Getting 75% of your deposit back is honestly amazing and I hope you get the rest. I was afraid youd lose it all when I started your post. I hate crap like this and the fact with hunt prices increasing, more bad actors coming out of the woodworks. Ill be up in Fairbanks in September, love to have a beer of our paths cross.