I wanted to let you know about my newest area that we'll be opening in 2009 - our Umnak Island reindeer camp. I've been looking for years for areas that I felt would be as good as the camps that I already have, and that you've experienced ... my Vancouver Island bear territory, Yukon moose area and Saskatchewan whitetail areas. Now I've finally found exactly the areas I was looking for, areas that offered exclusivity, arguably the best hunting for that species and spectacular scenery and adventure.
I did a recon hunt in the area last fall (08) to see if it was a place I wanted to represent and it far, far surpassed my expectations. The trophy quality is world class (more of that in a minute), and my feeling about the scenery is that it is one of the most beautiful places in the world that almost nobody gets to visit.
Long story short, I've just signed the contract with APICDA Joint Ventures Inc. to have exclusive sales and marketing rights to this area! APICDA Joint Ventures Inc. (Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association) is charged with developing the sport fishing and hunting industry related opportunities to enhance the long-term social and economic viability of the coastal communities and their residents in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. After many hours of discussions, we came up with a long-term plan that allows us to maintain excellent trophy quality on Umnak Island as well as providing training and development opportunities for the coastal communities. It’s a “win-win” for all of us – hunters get access to world-class trophy animals, and we get the chance to help with much needed community development. It is a model I am really excited about and I am looking forward to a long relationship with APICDA Joint Ventures Inc. throughout the areas they serve the local communities.
BACKGROUND
This hunt takes place on Umnak Island, which is located more than 1,000 miles west of Anchorage, but still a part of Alaska, out on the Aleutian chain. The animals there were introduced sometime around 1914 and roam freely over the 80-mile length and 20-mile width. Hunting will be conducted from the main lodge using ATV's to get to the field and then stalking on foot for trophies. The trophy quality here is second, to none and the natural beauty is breathtaking.
These animals have, for all intents and purposes, never been hunted for trophies, and only minimally for food by the native Aleuts who live on the islands.
The two animals I took in the area last fall were both monsters. One scored 511 SCI points (the second biggest ever taken according to edition XI of the SCI all-time record book). The second caribou I took scored 464 SCI points (top 10, according to the SCI record book), and these two bulls weren't even the biggest ones I saw during my stay. I believe that in the next two years one of our hunters will take an animal that will score over 600 SCI points!
COST
$10,200 for one trophy reindeer with 2x1 guiding (all guiding conducted by registered Alaskan guides) or $16,200 for two trophy reindeer with 2x1 guiding, duck hunting (common and king eider, Aleutian teal, mallard, Eurasian widgeon and harlequin), all accommodations in modern lodge, food, beverages, transportation to/from Nikolski airport and trophy caping. After you are done hunting trophy reindeer/caribou, you can enjoy world-class duck hunting for some of the most rare and highly sought-after sea ducks in North America.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP
Because we are limiting our clients to a select group of 12 in 2009, interested hunters to let us know asap. I’ve got the television show about this hunt slated to air eight times between July 1 and Dec 31 this year. Plus our largest North American hunting publication has a feature article on this hunt coming out in August of this year.
No guarantees, this is still a real hunt in a brand new area, but if you want a chance at a world-class reindeer/caribou, I think hunting in my newest hunting area will be your best chance. If you are interested in checking out this beautiful corner on the world, please call my new VP of Sales, Dan Goodenow, at 248-613-7549. You can also send Dan an e-mail at: dgoodenow@jimshockey.com
Dan has been working behind the scenes to set everything up in this area, so he can get you all the details you’ll need to have a great hunting adventure. He'll also be in camp the whole three weeks this fall making sure everything runs smoothly. Dan will also be shooting video for my TV show - if the footage of the hunts he records is good enough for my television show, you might just end up on the Outdoor Channel!
