HUNT ALASKA WITH COTTONWOOD CREEK GUIDE SERVICE & REGISTERED GUIDE: RUSSEL DAVIS  ALASKA MOOSE, BLACK BEAR, BROWN BEAR, CARIBOU, DALL SHEEP & MOUNTAIN GOAT

I want to share a quality experience with a few dedicated hunters. I am registered guide # 754 and licensed to guide in units 6,8,9,13,14,16,19 and have been in the business since 1990 with six years prior guide experience. I am a guide because I love the Alaskan wilderness and because I love to hunt and want to share my experience with those who are of like mind and spirit. The fellow you talk to on the phone will be the guy you’ll climb the mountain with, share camp with and the friend that will take your picture with the trophy.

I have found that the very best trophies seldom hang around lodges and are usually found on the remote reaches of high mountain passes or in the thicker parts. For that reason, all of the hunts are out of comfortable base tent camps with spike camp forays for the hard to reach "big’ uns". This means you are paying for the hunt not the lodge.

ALASKA MOOSE
The area I hunt is in Unit 19, with one of the highest densities of moose in the entire state. The season is September 1-20 and September 1-25 depending on which unit we hunt. This is a river hunt and one should expect a 60" class bull. There is also excellent fishing at the same time. In 1988 when I was still an assistant guide one of my hunters took the #1 APHA / SCI moose.

BLACK BEAR
The size and fur of a blackie has to be seen to be appreciated. In the last 2 years a friend and I have taken four bears from one area that went 6’3, 6’8, 7’5 and 7’8. The skulls scored from 19.1 to 20, 5/16. This area would be an excellent spot for the bow or pistol hunter. We saw 22 bears in 5 days this last spring and 8 were in sight on one hill side. I guide for black bears in the late spring when they are just out of hibernation and their fur the best. In the fall they are an added bonus on other hunts. The way I like to hunt spring bears is to drift along fishing and glassing the hill side until we spot the one you want. Generally, the fishing is worth the trip. These are really fun hunts and put on primarily for my repeat hunters who are looking for a relaxing hunt with good fishing and a nice trophy.

BROWN BEAR
He deserves the capital letters. You will always remember your first close encounter with the Monarch of Alaska. Depending on the time of the year, we may hunt high up in the snow, to catch the big boars as they come out of hibernation in late April or sneak along the salmon streams in October for a taut nerve up close and personal experience. More laid back late spring coastal hunts are also productive. The hand deep thick fur of a coastal brown bear has to be seen to be appreciated. I prefer that you use a .338 or larger on these extra large brutes and a .375 H&H is the best if you can shoot it. For pure excitement nothing in North America can beat an Alaskan bear adventure.

CARIBOU
The rapidly increasing Mulchatna herd is estimated to be in excess of 100,000 animals. The Alaska Barren Ground Caribou is the largest of the species and can weigh over 600 lbs with antlers to match. We hunt the migration trails in mid August through the October rut. A magnificent white manned bull with a 4 foot high rack is the center of attraction in any trophy room. A caribou is an excellent addition on a combination hunt for sheep, moose or bear.

DALL SHEEP
Hunting the majestic Dall Ram is an almost spiritual experience. This is my personal favorite as just being in the high country and watching these beautiful animals is a never forgotten adventure. I take great pride in guiding for older rams so you need to be in good physical condition. We will hunt out of spike camps in the rams own backyard. That way we only have to make the high climb once and we will be where they live. I like the plastic mountain boots (Koflach or Asolo) to protect my feet and I highly recommend them. A flat shooting rifle in the .270 .30-06 class is adequate unless you want a mountain grizzly as well. More gun might be appropriate for those bruisers. I guided in Units 13 & 14 for 1998. I plan to be able to guide in 14C State Park, a draw area with some of the largest rams of the entire state. The potential for a B&C sheep is a very good possibility.

MOUNTAIN GOAT
I believe the mountain goat is an under-rated trophy. He lives in some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. Inland he shares the mountains with bears and sheep but will be found in the most remote corners. A late fall hunt brings them down to more accessible areas but the weather is tough. A higher climb is needed for the early season hunts but the scenery of the high vistas are worth it. In 1988 as an assistant guide, I put one of my hunters on the #1 APHA/SCI mountain goat. The area I hunt for mountain goat is a draw hunt. The deadline is May 31^st. If drawn, a big billy is a definite possibility. There is also a late registration hunt in October.

When you book a wilderness hunting experience with Cottonwood Creek, you are not rushed back into the city once you collect your trophy. This is not only your hunt but your vacation, time to enjoy.