I drew DX003 the Nunivak Island Spring musk ox hunt. I'm looking for feedback on transporters and guides. This is a list I found on the ADF&G website:

Abe David 907-545-8333
Ed Kiokun 907-827-2302
Ishmil Smith 907-827-2082
James Whitman 907-827-8620

(Added 2-20-17) Thanks everyone for the feedback. Between people on there, people on the Alaska Outdoor Forum, and general web searches I had enough positive feedback that I decided to book with James Whitman yesterday. I'm set for February 1-5 next year!

Just an FYI for those researching in the future. I ran into negative feedback on Abe David. I didn't hear anything about Ed Kiokun. I heard and found on the web several positive reports of Ishmil Smith. But far and away I found the most positive abundant feedback on James Whitman. Hence my choice.

Brett

Brett,
I'll let you know in a few weeks, I'm going with ,Ishmil. I hear good things about him.
Mike

Thanks Mike!

Brett

Brett, I sent you a PM.

Tim

Friend of mine drew that tag ~five years ago and he hired James Whitman and invited me along. We have nothing but great recommendations for James. He's been running hunts for 30? years and has it dialed in. Real nice guy, clean lodging, good food and the locals were real kind to incoming hunters.

Congratulations on drawing the tag!

Thanks everyone!

Brett

Congrats on the draw Brett! Good hunting!

Abe David 907-545-8333
Ed Kiokun 907-827-2302
Ishmil Smith 907-827-2082
James Whitman 907-827-8620

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Between people on there, people on the Alaska Outdoor Forum, and general web searches I had enough positive feedback that I decided to book with James Whitman yesterday. I'm set for February 1-5 next year!

Just an FYI for those researching in the future. I ran into negative feedback on Abe David. I didn't hear anything about Ed Kiokun. I heard and found on the web several positive reports of Ishmil Smith. But far and away I found the most positive abundant feedback on James Whitman. Hence my choice.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:
Abe David 907-545-8333
Ed Kiokun 907-827-2302
Ishmil Smith 907-827-2082
James Whitman 907-827-8620

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Between people on there, people on the Alaska Outdoor Forum, and general web searches I had enough positive feedback that I decided to book with James Whitman yesterday. I'm set for February 1-5 next year!

Just an FYI for those researching in the future. I ran into negative feedback on Abe David. I didn't hear anything about Ed Kiokun. I heard and found on the web several positive reports of Ishmil Smith. But far and away I found the most positive abundant feedback on James Whitman. Hence my choice.

Brett

I hope the weather allows you to get to the Island.

James recommended February as a good month for weather so that's when we went. It could be c-c-c-cold but the weather is not as volatile as earlier or later. We lucked out and it wasn't much colder than zero while there and we were only delayed one night in Bethel due to poor vis.

Hope you get a good weather window! Here's a teaser...

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:
Abe David 907-545-8333
Ed Kiokun 907-827-2302
Ishmil Smith 907-827-2082
James Whitman 907-827-8620

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Between people on there, people on the Alaska Outdoor Forum, and general web searches I had enough positive feedback that I decided to book with James Whitman yesterday. I'm set for February 1-5 next year!

Just an FYI for those researching in the future. I ran into negative feedback on Abe David. I didn't hear anything about Ed Kiokun. I heard and found on the web several positive reports of Ishmil Smith. But far and away I found the most positive abundant feedback on James Whitman. Hence my choice.

Brett

I hope the weather allows you to get to the Island.

Should be ok. I have office coverage for a few extra days incase the musk ox and weather don't get the same itinerary I have.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by PWS:
James recommended February as a good month for weather so that's when we went. It could be c-c-c-cold but the weather is not as volatile as earlier or later. We lucked out and it wasn't much colder than zero while there and we were only delayed one night in Bethel due to poor vis.

Hope you get a good weather window! Here's a teaser...

Thanks! That's kind of why I wanted early. Seems like it will be colder, but more stable weather. We'll see.

Brett

Brett, Your Brooks Range gear will be suffice in those temps, I wore mine, along with an Arcteryx shell last year at Nelson Island, high pressure with great sunshine and temps were barely in single digits along with 40-50 mph winds during the day, sub zero at night, bring a good pair of ski goggles, I'm sure you'll be on a sled, or something to protect those eyes from that bright Alaskan sun. Good luck Buddy , Take a bunch of pics.... Anyways I'll see you several times before you go next year.

something to give you perspective.

Brett, I went in Feb; the only issue I had was keeping my goggles from fogging up and of course at -20 that would quickly freeze. I'm sure some of the AK folks that ride sleds a lot would have some tips to help or eliminate this problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:
Brett, I went in Feb; the only issue I had was keeping my goggles from fogging up and of course at -20 that would quickly freeze. I'm sure some of the AK folks that ride sleds a lot would have some tips to help or eliminate this problem.

Never had problems with icing goggles as long as I wore a separate neoprene face gator.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:

quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:
Brett, I went in Feb; the only issue I had was keeping my goggles from fogging up and of course at -20 that would quickly freeze. I'm sure some of the AK folks that ride sleds a lot would have some tips to help or eliminate this problem.

Never had problems with icing goggles as long as I wore a separate neoprene face gator.

Man, that would have been a simple fix - wished I had known.

Thanks, Jim.

My buddy and I hunted Nunivak this year with James Whitman and could not have had a better time. The logistics went very, very smooth from touch down to take off...could not have been better. Pre-hunt communication with James was spot on and constant. James is the only registered guide on the island so he can hire other assistant guides to help out. We did a transported hunt. Could not have been better and one helluva adventure.

Thanks for the info everyone! I'm really looking forward to this one!

Brett