Dear Bob:
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.
All the best,
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.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Dear Robert,
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
Colorado
Dear Robert and
family,
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,
Craig W.
Greetings from Oregon!
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.
Redmond, Oregon
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 , 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 sheep 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.
California
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.
St. Louis, Missouri
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 "talk 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,
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.
Loveland,
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 in a row but, I made
it to Alaska! Thanks to Bob, Barb, Ron, Heath, & 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 sheep, a
black fox (painfully I must say), 2 wolverines in 1 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 a 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 black bear and
Alaskan grizzly bear.
Thank you Fithians. Your kindness, knowledge, goodness, & 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
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.
Colorado
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
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’
Comments
from our clients through the years!