i got a phone call today, from an outfitter friend of mine who told me that Spiridon's area that they have had for the last 40 years was awarded on appeal to another kodiak outfitter by the name of "Hirsch" who appealed an earlier decision.

a factor in the decision to overturn on appeal was a # of complaints received regarding spiridon bear camp and the black eye they gave to the business and related negative publicity. time for a change.

This should effectively put spiridon bear camp out of business....at least for now.

interesting stuff, if this is true. has anyone heard anything about this?

what goes around, sometimes does come back around.

Cold Zero,
That is affirmative. On Thursday 7/29/04, the www.huntersbeware.com web site received an overload of E-mails advising us of this great news. Later that evening Jeff Hirsch himself gave me a phone call advising us that he had won his appeal and has the North Karluk guiding area for the next (10) years. I hope to talk to Jeff in length over the weekend. I am not sure if the decision was made by the ADFG or the USFWS or jointly. We congratulate him for his ethical persistance and wish him well in his new guiding area.

This sounds interesting - do tell - what is the story here? Rgds Ian

The story is that BillG missed his shot at a brown bear, and was mad at the guide, who didn't miss. He claims to be the great protector and defender of all non-resident hunters in Alaska, because he assumes they don't understand the rules he failed to grasp.

There has been no change in Alaska State law due to BillG's negative and very misleading website.

Bw,
Whats the matter grease monkey, some lube go flying off the pilots nuts onto your glasses. I don't see anywhere that laws were even addressed here, no laws were changed, nobody said they were!!!!!!!!!!!

BW: Knowing what the laws are regarding a guides duties and responsibilities and after reading BillG's website, it is clear that the guide did exactly what he was supposed to do. BillG's website documents exactly why the guide did what he did and why BillG was responsble for the death of the bear. It is just that BillG did not (and does not) understand the rules under which he was hunting. That is unfortunate.

It seems to me that BillG is an unethical hunter....he is willing to shoot wildly into the bush trying to kill wildlife, a Kodiak brown bear no less, but then will not take responsibility for the death of the animal he was specifically and intentionally trying to kill. That is unethical. It also sounds like he has some other problems as well. I think his ugly and personal remarks to you show exactly what level he operates on, which is a reflection of his character.

rwj,

Yep, your correct about Bills behavior. I can only imagine it was much the same way in the field, the day he screwed up his bear hunt. In fact, his statement about shooting the second shot out into the bush rather than at the bear, because he was angry, pretty wraps up that sentiment.

Yep, and to think he probably tries to even take credit with what happened with Spiridon. I belieeve he should take up the practice of law so he would know how he was legally responsible for that bears death. But then again, he would blame it on something else rather than accept responsibility for his rather poor shooting skills.

I think you guys probably have it all wrong. He is a lawyer ! Who else would act like this so long after the fact ? ( WAAAAA ) Big Bad Bill is a embarassment to our sport and our state. No matter how wrong a outfitter might be it would be hard to justify his actions.

Bill, are you a lawyer?

I think the guide was partly at fault but so was a Bill. I think the guide should be able to tell if the bear was hit and from the sounds of it shot before he even would have heard the bullet smack unless Bill reloads really slow it takes about 1/2 a second to chamber another round and the guide had already fired by then and he would not have heard the smack. Bill instead of firing into the brush because you were pissed off you should have been trying to anchor the bear and it would have been yours because the guide did not get it until the third shot. Now it sounds like the Outfitter could have offered you another hunt for free and Pay your air fair that would have been fair even if you would have waited a year to draw a tag or even two years I could except that but to offer a hunt for you with the tag being worked out I dont think I would have taken that deal either. Now Bill it sounds like you dont have a good track record with your shooting and I know everyone misses but if you are doing it alot on standing aniamls at a known range that is in you shooting ability with a rest you need practice. As for that Law about a clean miss is attempt wich makes the animals yours I think that needs some work.