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What our
previous hunters are saying...
Dear Bob,
I'm sending you
some pictures of my hunt, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
They are full of memories that I'll treasure the rest of my life.
My experience far exceeded my expectations. Ron was an incredible
guide, I enjoyed his company greatly. Camp was comfortable, the
food was wonderful (thanks Barb), and your son Jared did a super job
of taking care of all our other needs. Thanks for a great hunt.
Sincerely,
Dan P.
Colorado
Dear Bob, Barb,
Cody and Jared,
It's hard to
believe that my Alaskan adventure has come and gone and now it's
almost year 2000. I hope everyone enjoyed having me as a client as
much as I enjoyed being one. I really feel that we made a special
connection between all of us….
Your friend,
Paul S.
West Virginia
PS Please send
several newsletters, I want to frame them.
Dear Bob,
I want to take
this opportunity to thank everyone from Alaskan Mountain Safaris.
My guide, Lewis worked very hard and as a result, I had an enjoyable
fair chase hunt. I will never forget the day when we saw all "Grand
Slam" animals (including gray wolf) and we ended the day by just
sitting back and watching a beautiful sow grizzly and her white
cub. A hunt that I will always remember was when Barb called my
moose out of the timber and I was able to take the shot. Camp food
was delicious and Jared's moose roast was excellent. His name is
often mentioned when I tell my teenagers of al his hard work around
camp.
Again, thanks for
the hunt of a lifetime!
Sincerely,
Mario H.
Back to Top
We just wanted to
thank you for making our first trip to Alaska a memorable one. Lon,
Rita, Verna, and I had never been to Alaska and you and your crew
made it a trip of a lifetime.
The
transportation, accommodations, food and camaraderie were second to
none. This does not even take into account the hunting enjoyment we
had. We have hunted most of the western United States and found
Alaska to be "Unique" like most of its individuals.
We did not
necessarily come to fill every tag we bought but rather came to hunt
hard, see game, and cover some country. All these goals were
attained and then some. Lon's bear and my ram will be trophies we
will proudly display for years to come.
We have sung your
praises to everyone who will listen and would love to come back and
visit you again soon.
Have a great
2001.
All the best,
Bill O.
Oregon
Bob, Barb & all
Bill and I have
talked on the phone numerous times after coming home, and we can't
stop agreeing on the fun we had, the animals we seen, experiences we
shared but most of all, the new friendships we made…..Now that I am
home I keep looking through my pictures remembering it was a great
time, Bob. Your and your guides deserve the highest praises.
Bill and I were
very happy with our trophies and there is no doubt in my mind we
could have done better with different weather but that is all
right. Hunters accept those challenges and deal with the outcome.
We all know it is part of the game. We also hope that at no time
we made you feel pressured to show us game constantly. Even with
the bad weather we seen a tremendous amount of animals and some
beautiful country off and on.
My wife had a
great time with everything but the horse ride, but now she can even
laugh about that where she tells stories to her friends. Rita and I
often make the comment after eating supper "now if we only had a Bob
story to listen to." We all loved those stories Bob, and everyone
else too. I feel I still owe you for all you have done. …
We are very
impressed with the way you "take of the animals and their
environment." You took me back to the way my Dad felt about animals
and the land. He said you never really own anything, you just take
care of it for the next person, and I can tell it's the same way you
feel.
At the airport I
wanted to tell you how grateful I was to you and your family, but
I'm not very good at writing and even worse when I try to talk, so I
just shook your hand, watched you walk down the hall, and left me
wondering when will I see my new friends again?
We do want to
come back to Alaska again but don't know when we'll be able to do
that. We will give you a call one of these days to surprise you.
Thanks again Bob, you and your family are welcome at our fire
anytime.
Your friends,
Lon & Rita
(Wyoming) Bill & Verna (Oregon)
Dear Bob, Barb,
and family,
Thanks for the
great hunt, great scenery, and great hospitality. Your staff are
all top notch, everyone of them went out of their way to make it a
enjoyable & memorable trip. Even though the weather was often less
than favorable, they did what ever it took to make it a successful
hunt. I went away wit not only a hunt of a lifetime, but also I'd
made new friends for a lifetime.
Thanks again,
Dale T.
Oregon
Back
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I haven't written
before now because I have had a difficult time deciding what to do
about my Alaskan exposure. The entire event was an out-of-culture
experience for me and I haven't decided how I can get more of it.
We arrived back
in Denver after the spring grizzly hunt in time for Geoffrey's high
school graduation. The first thing he did was to go to the jeweler
and have his grizzly claw mounted in a silver base to hang on a
chain around his neck. This has kept him occupied many times
telling the details of the hunt.
On our spring
grizzly hunt, my son Geoffrey and I spent time together creating a
memory that will last a lifetime. The thrill of the hunt, the
excitement of the chase, and the rush of the conquest all combined
to expand into a profound appreciation for Nature, like never
before. Even afterwards during our few hours in Anchorage, we came
into contact with customs, history and artifacts which were new to
us. My wife especially appreciated the jewelry items made out of
woolly mammoth tusk. How unusual! As for you, Jared, your wife
Barbara and even Cody after my conversation with him, you made us
feel very comfortable just as if we were family members. Thanks for
giving us a hunting thrill of a lifetime and extending the hand of
Christian fellowship.
Very truly yours,
Dan and Geoffrey
W.
Colorado
My Grandfather told me since I was 6,
stories of how great Alaska is. So, for the last 32 years I
have dreamed of the Alaskan Wilderness. It took me 15 years to
get my "ducks lines in a row" but I made it to Alaska! Thanks
to Bob, Barb, Ron, Heath and Jared I did not just see Alaska but, I
got to experience the wonderful Alaskan Wilderness as it truly is.
In 16 days with the Fithians I saw
moose, caribou, Dall's sheep, a black fox (painfully I must say),
2 wolverines in one week, grizzly bear, black bear, and some of the
most beautiful country in the world. Not to mention I was
fortunate enough to clean a grizzly bear and black bear skull that
Bob and Ron skillfully helped me harvest!!! I never dreamed of
seeing all the animals I did. Let alone having the opportunity
to get an Alaskan back bear and Alaskan grizzly bear.
Thank you Fithians. Your kindness,
knowledge, goodness, and sincerity made this "a trip of a lifetime."
Due to your gracious efforts my life will never be the same. While I
will be in wild and wonderful West Virginia, a large part of me will
be in God's wonderful creation "Alaska"!!!!!
Fithians, you helped make my Alaskan
Wilderness Experience truly "A Dream Come True."
God Bless You All,
Dave S.
West Virginia
Bob & Barb,
Thank you for another great hunt & even
more important are the memories! You made a lot of dreams come
true for Lon. It may have started from business but you & your
family are considered close friends and dear to our hearts--for that
I thank you.
Be Safe & Good Luck
Your Friend,
Bill O.
Oregon
I want to thank you again for the great time I had on
our recent spring Grizzly Bear hunt. My definition of a great hunt
encompasses the total experience of having good company in the field
and in camp, hunting remote and scenic country, seeing a variety of
wild game, and having the opportunity to harvest a mature, prime
specimen of the animal being hunted. Our hunt provided all these
experiences in full measure, leaving me with many indelible
memories.
Here are a few of the more memorable highlights.
-
Seeing grizzlies on 10 different days
-
Watching a mother grizzly lay on her back, allowing
her cub to climb onto her belly and nurse
-
Seeing full-curl Dall sheep rams raking their horns
on trees
-
Rooting for the tiny baby moose that was trying to
get to its feet for the first time in it’s life.
-
Spotting different wildlife on a daily basis,
including grizzly bear, black bear, moose, bison, Dall sheep,
caribou, fox, coyote, snowshoe hares, and dozens of species of
birds and small animals.
-
Experiencing the “thrill of the chase” when a very
speedy and hungry coyote almost run down a group of Dall sheep
ewes.
-
Having a grizzly walk up to within 100 yards of us
on the open tundra.
-
Finally finding the monster bear “Joe Louis,” after
we had already bagged one.
Of course, the climax of the trip was harvesting the
big grizzly. Since I was hunting with the 454 Casull revolver, I
needed to get close to the bear….but 20 yards was almost too close!
Everything worked out okay, and the bear is a magnificent trophy…a
mature boar with 4 inch long claws, and a head large enough to fit
my head within the jaws! His hide squared out at 8.25 feet, and the
skull measured 23 5/8 inches…an exceptional specimen.
My entire hunt was a very enjoyable experience.
Your easygoing nature, appreciation for the outdoors, and knowledge
of the Alaska flora and fauna made the quieter hours pleasant and
informative. When it came to spotting and hunting the bears, your
willingness to put in long hours plus your many years of prior
guiding experience proved to be a very effective combination. I
never doubted that we would be successful in bagging a grizzly, and
it was gratifying to pass up opportunities on some smaller adult
bears early in the hunt, in hopes of finding an exceptionally large
boar later on…which we did.
P.S. The lucky hunter who bags “Joe Louis” will have
trophy of a lifetime, and one which will certainly score high in the
Boone and Crockett Record Book!!!
Jim S.
Colorado
I want to take this
opportunity to thank you for a terrific hunt, The hunt for the Dall
ram through 4 days of rain, fog, low clouds, and creeks at flood
stage remains the highlight of my hunt. Greg was a great guide and
hunting companion. I appreciate your willingness to travel 21 miles
(in 1 day) across the tundra to look for that big caribou when warm
weather kept the bulls in the mountains. The eight black bear,
seven grizzlies, six very nice moose, black wolf, peregrine falcon,
and gyr falcon we saw added immeasurable to the quality of the
hunt. I look forward to a return trip in the future.
Gene S.
Oregon
I hunted with Robert of Alaskan Mountain Safaris on a
21 day hunt in August and September. I have nothing but good to say
about the hunt. I hunted several days with Robert and Barb then 12
days with Greg his #1 guide. In 21 days I took 2 bears, a black one
seven foot, and one 6 ˝ foot. A 37 ˝ inch 10 year old ram heavy
horned, a nice caribou scoring 378 and a 65 ˝ moose that scored
224. The food was good, service was excellent. I had a cracker
jack of a good time looking forward to next time. I would not
hesitate in booking again.
Happy Hunting,
Ralph S.
Missouri
Once again I would like to say thank you for
another fantastic hunting adventure. The “Emerald Valley” will
always be a very special place to me. From the rocky peaks to the
foothills and lowlands, the diversity and abundance of game is
truly a hunting paradise.
I appreciate all the effort and hard work by you and
your family to ensure a very enjoyable and successful trip.
Two trips and six trophies speak for itself. Thanks
again for memories that will truly last a lifetime!
Jim R.
Colorado
Just wanted to thank you and your family for the hunt
of a lifetime. It was fantastic. Your concern for my comfort,
safety, and putting me on trophy animals was greatly appreciated, as
well as following all rules of sportsmanship and fair chase. I’ve
been lucky enough to hunt most of my adult life all over North
America, and I must say that my two-week hunt in
Alaska
was second to none. What started out as a trip of a lifetime, I
hope will end up as the first of many. The whole experience—the
bush plane ride with Bobby Woods, the scenery, the camp food,
accommodations and camp life, (I especially enjoyed your two sons,
Cody and Jared, which T.W. and I nicknamed the Wright Brothers
because of their interest in airplanes) just came to a most
memorable time. I also want to say that my taxidermist was very
impressed with the condition of my capes.
Thanks again, Robert, for everything. I still get a
chuckle when I think of the name tag that Barb put on my Eddie Bauer
duffle bag. Remember, my trip will not be complete until you and
your family come and stay with us in South Texas when you come to
San Antonio for the sheep convention. Please use me for a reference
anytime.
G.W. A.
Back to Top
Dear Bob, Barb, Cody and Jared
After waiting 19 months and then having the 10-day
hunt go by so fast seems like a dream. I came back with a lifetime
of Alaskan memories and some new friends.
The plane ride into base camp until the plane ride
out, was packed with exciting experiences that I relive over and
over daily. If I’m not showing the pictures and talking about it
I’m daydreaming about it.
Your friendship, food and accommodations were
excellent. I’ve highly recommended you to all my friends that have
been interested in an Alaskan hunt. Your knowledge of the country
and animals was a learning experience for me.
I’m honored to have set camp records, so Bob tells
me. From the dangerous climb and having my custom rifle misfire 7
out of 10 times, crossing raging rivers, working and walking hard
for my 38 ˝ inch Dall Sheep that we almost walked away from, seemed
like just another day in the life of “Jeremiah Bob”.
Bob and Barb I appreciate your hard efforts and
concerns on going after the Caribou “twice” and trying to find a
black bear…The Emerald Valley has such vast and beautiful sights.
Glassing about the hills and never knowing what you’ll see is just
amazing. It makes coming back to Colorado and hunting dull and
boring.
I’m looking forward to my Dall sheep and Caribou
being up on the wall to admire and cherish for many years to come.
Thank you all so much for a very enjoyable Alaskan
hunt.
Sincerely,
Rick
T.
Colorado
I just wanted to write and
thank you for a fantastic 14 day hunt of a lifetime. Your
dedication to the hunt was greatly appreciated and the
accommodations were second to non. Please thank my hard-working
guide Ron for all his efforts which contributed to my successful
hunts and also Don and Alice for the wonderful food and all-around
hospitality.
The beauty of Emerald Valley
will always be remembered with its golden eagles, Dall sheep, moose,
caribou, grizzlies, and many species of small game. It was a real
joy to live among them for the short time I was in Alaska.
I thank you for the outstanding
and professional job exhibited in the caping of my Dall sheep,
grizzly and caribou.
I would highly recommend your
team to any future client and will not be back to Alaskan Mountain
Safaris soon enough to get my moose. I thank you again for the
memories that will truly last a lifetime.
Sincerely,
Back to Top
After my Dall sheep hunt in 1995, I told Bob
Fithian that it was the best hunt of my long career. Now that
I’ve completed a mountain goat hunt in the waning days of October
1998, I can say that he has shown me the ultimate in hunting.
First it was the most physically challenging hunt of my life. Of
course this is why I wanted to hunt goat in the first place. It
is a very physical hunt because goats live in the inhospitable
area above tree line. The stark, white beauty of their
environment combined with the uncommon beauty of the animal in his
winter coat makes Mountain Goat hunting the ultimate outdoors
adventure. After an arduous day climbing Billy Goat Mountain we
reached our floating cabin dead tired. Yet Bob found the energy
to cook us a gourmet dinner. As with the seep hunt Bob left no
detail to chance. We saw a lot of goats and we did a lot of real
tough climbing. But everything was well planned and skillfully
executed. Ken Vlasoff and his nephew Lewis were very competent
guides. Ken’s fishing boat was in great shape and was a
comfortable way to hunt and glass the high peaks. While the Dall
sheep hunt was truly outstanding the goat hunt was the ultimate
hunting challenge. To Bob, Ken and Lewis I say thanks for the
most challenging hunt of my career.
Best regards,
John L.
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