Alaska Bush Adventures - Testimonials!

"I am an OB-GYN in Mississippi and it is very hard for me to get free to hunt. After a long hard search, I chose Alaska Bush Adventures based on personal recommendations, web based photos, price and a nice phone friendship with Les Krank developed over a few months. Also I wanted at least a chance at more than one animal.

The hotel suggested to me was fine and, it turns out, necessary because it had a game freezer. My suggested equipment list was good. Suggestion: take a pair of camp shoes and a good pair of wool gloves. After a talk with Les I took a Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA in .338 Winn Mag that performed well. (I hit the bulls-eye at 145 yards but Ryan, Les's son didn't!)

The camp was fine. Food was good. We had great Spring water to drink. Showering was problematic, but the wife didn't come! We floated the Hoholitna River in boats. On the first day at I was with Ryan and I heard a moose in the bush and convinced (or I was begging?) Ryan to go to a gravel bar on the opposite side. As I got out Ryan yelled and pointed at a "Big Bull!" The bull came out and sauntered across the river as I set up for the shot. Ryan finally got his look and yelled for me to shoot just before he finished the crossing. The moose wheeled about and took three more .338 shots at 150 yards to the opposite chest and dropped. He was 62 inches and a real trophy! It took a whole day to clean him. My Friction Forged Diamond Blade knife worked great but I had to hide it from Ryan after that!

We hunted over the carcass for six days after that from blind on the opposite side of the river but the big brown bear wrecking and burying it would not come out during the day. Finally we moved far up river. We took an Argos up into the hills (hint: practice bull riding.) We saw a huge bear and Ryan put us in perfect position for a 40 yard shot but I blew it waiting for Ryan to tell me to shoot like the PH's in Africa do. Won't do that again! Two days later a smaller but gorgeous bear pops out on hundred yards from camp and with good luck we out waited him. I dropped him with one shot! See the video!

I had a great time, good company, adequate food (you're in the bush!) and a few beers. Saw some game. Took my shots. Made friends. Sweated. Stank. Showered rarely. I had great hunt! Ask for Ryan and try to keep him humble- if you can. Call me if you can catch me."

Jim Holzhauer

"Just a little note to thank you for the great experience I had in Alaska.. This was a trip of a life time for me. It was something I always wanted to do. I could tell that your outfit has been doing this for a long time by all the equipment you had for us to use. The jet boats and argos were well maintained and fun to use. It also made the hunting easier since we could cover more ground than walking. My guide ( Jake Auston ) was the best, he worked very hard to get me on some animals. He has the eyes of an eagle and he never got tired of scouting for me. A couple of days my binoculars were fogged and they did not work so Jake had to do most of the glassing. The tent and cot were warm and dry and the food was great (I gained 5lbs on the trip). I also seen a lot of animals and I shot a 6'8" black bear. Too bad the moose were a little short but it was fun stalking them (got with in 40-50 yards of 3 moose). I have memories that will last me for a life time and can't wait to see my hunt on video."

Mike Gies

"I and my friend, Larry Brady, completed an 8-day caribou hunt with Alaska Bush Adventures from the 17th to 24th of August 2006. We both enjoyed our trip immensely in spite of the extremely inclement weather - the rivers in the area were completely flooded well over their banks - and the fact that we didn't shoot any caribou.

The campsite on the S. Fork of the Hoholitna River was nearly under water when we first arrived and the water continued to rise during our first couple days in camp until it was over 1.5 feet deep in the mess tent and the sleeping tents all had water in them. As you can imagine, the flooded rivers also made hunting more difficult than normal. As I mentioned previously, neither of us bagged any game. The entire "take" for the trip was one Grayling I caught from the river bank our last morning in camp.

Many might consider our trip a disaster at best and a nightmare at worst. But in spite of the conditions and the failure to bag a caribou, I can rarely ever remember spending a more pleasurable week afield. I have traveled the world, but have some of my fondest memories of that week in Alaska. The scenery was simply breathtaking and we saw a host of wildlife to include moose, 6 grizzly bears, eagles, ground squirrels, ptarmigan and literally hundreds of caribou. However, the main enjoyment of the trip was the spirit in which all three of us; myself, my friend and our guide Ryan Krank, managed to not only endure the hardships, but enjoy the wilderness, Mother Nature's twists and the camaraderie we shared.

Whenever you undertake to hunt in wild places you must expect that regardless of the skill of those involved or the degree of preparations taken - things will not always go as planned and there will be challenges. Things happen that are beyond anyone's control. It is how well the people involved handle those challenges that determine the quality off the experience - and we enjoyed a quality experience. Our guide worked tirelessly on our behalf, whether it was making a hot meal after a hard day of hunting or repairing/maintaining the Argo ATV or showing us game. I couldn't have asked for more - other than perhaps better weather.

Although my schedule rarely permits long trips for pleasure, I look forward to my next opportunity to once again book a hunting trip with Alaska Bush Adventures."

John M. Kroft

"Dear Ryan,

I would like to provide you with this brief summary of my experience with Alaska Bush Adventures of an eight day caribou hunt from August 17 - 24, 2006.

The weather was terrible with considerably more rainfall than had been experienced in that area for years, the base camp we were to hunt out of was soon flooded when the river overran it banks, the boat we were to use to move around and return was washed away, yet we had an extremely enjoyable time. Mr. Ryan Krank did everything in his power to make our hunt successful, enjoyable and comfortable. While our stay was not comparable to eight days at the Hilton Hotel, it was in a very remote area of Alaska subject to all of the unexpected conditions that are part of what makes an Alaska adventure an adventure.

Our base camp on the South Fork of the Hoholitna River flooded shortly after we arrived, our feet were in standing water in the mess tent, and our bed cots were about just slightly above the water when we went to bed.

I repeat that although weather conditions were "Alaska messy," causing hunting to be limited and difficult, my hunting companion and I enjoyed the trip immensely. I credit this to two factors: first, we arrived knowing that weather would be unpredictable and lodging and eating conditions would be what could reasonably be provided in a remote area; second, Mr. Krank did everything a responsible and experienced outfitter could do to make our hunt experience pleasant and enjoyable.

I have made several trips to Alaska, most of them to remote areas. In my experience, Mr. Ryan Krank is the best outfitter I have used. I would not hesitate to recommend him to others and have done so to many of my friends.

When you hunt in remote areas such as the Hoholitna, things happen that are unexpected and beyond the control of the hunter and the outfitter, regardless of skill, experience and preparations taken. Whether the experience is a successful one or not depends to a large degree on the attitudes and expectations of those involved. Alaska Bush Adventures, in the person of Ryan Krank, met our expectations and made our experience a successful one, in spite of extremely difficult circumstances. He worked tirelessly providing a hot meal in the mornings before leaving camp (even with a flooded mess tent), maintaining equipment, and scouting the areas we planned to hunt.

I will be more than happy to provide additional information, if it is needed for any reason. My contact information is provided below."

Larry H. Brady

"My son Leroy (age 44) and I (age 71) had dreamed about going Caribou hunting in Alaska for a long time. Last year in January 2006 we stopped dreaming and started putting our hunt together. After numerous inquiries of guiding outfitters we settled on Alaska Bush Adventures operated Les Krank and his son Ryan. I spoke to Les on the phone a few times and he filled us in on what to expect and what to bring; and he helped with travel and lodging arrangements. Everything went smoothly and Ryan and Doug Peoble met us when our float plane landed on the Hoholitna River near their main camp. Unfortunately, the area had recently flooded and Ryan and Doug performed the Herculean task of having the camp dried out and in ship-shape condition by our arrival. I was amazed at the cheerfulness of our guides despite all the hard work they had endured. The camaraderie was really enjoyable throughout our stay and I thought the baby wipes in the outhouse was a nice touch. The Argo we used to get into the rough country was truly amazing and we saw approximately three hundred Caribou, only a few young Bulls among them (the older Bulls had not started migrating yet), however, Ryan wouldn't give up and found us some decent Bulls and Leroy and I ended our hunt on a very happy note. The camps were very comfortable with many amenities and we had a great time. Will we do it again? You Bet! The sooner the better."

Linver Kroll

"I have hunted with Alaska Bush Adventures twice. Once in 2005 for caribou and in 2008 for black and brown bear. In both instances I was guided by Ryan Krank. I found him to be knowledgeable and experienced in guiding. I was impressed with the logistical support the outfitter had in the bush. The equipment needed during the hunt was available minus the items outlined in the equipment list provided prior to each hunt. The food that was served was adequate. In the main camp breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon and pancakes. Lunches were different types of lunch meats and cheeses with fresh bread. Dinner was ground meat, potatoes, noodles and canned goods. It was also supplemented with fresh caught fish and game. In spike camp the breakfast consisted of oatmeal and the other meals were freeze dried backpacker meals which were delicious. Snacks were provided with fresh fruits, granola and candy bars. The quality and abundance of the food provided was above what I had anticipated for a back country hunt. A shower and a latrine were in each main camp. On both trips, mechanical problems were experienced with either the boat motors or the argos. In each incident the problems were repaired and my hunt was not impacted.

On my 2005 hunt I got a small caribou on the next to the last day. The hunting conditions were not ideal due to weather and animal movements. I felt that my guide did put in 100% effort during the entire trip. Even though the animal I got was not as big as I had hoped I enjoyed myself during the trip and I felt that I worked very hard in order to take that animal. My second hunt was originally booked for September 2007. A week before I was scheduled to leave the trip was canceled by Les Krank. Due to unforeseen problems with guides, he felt that he could not provide a satisfactory hunt to me for that year. This trip was rescheduled for 2008. I feel that this cancellation was a sign of the outfitter's integrity. An unscrupulous outfitter would have allowed me to hunt in 2007 anyway, thus fulfilling the contract even though I would not have had a good hunt. In 2008 I took a black bear and a brown bear. Again I was impressed by my guide's abilities and I ended up having the best hunt of my life to date. I have had two positive experiences with this outfitter and I plan on returning for future hunts.

I have read some negative reviews posted on web sites concerning this outfitter. I have not experienced anything that these posts describe. I feel that perhaps some of these individuals were not prepared for the harsh conditions that are experienced in Alaska. Alaska is an environment that is different and harsher than what is experienced in the lower 48 states. Alaska Bush Adventures advertises and sells hunts that take place in the remote bush of Alaska. In these areas comforts like beds, running water and refrigeration do not exist. For some people this is a foreign concept. They are used to comfortable beds and luxurious meals served in great lodges. In remote Alaska the hunting is fair chase against some of the most challenging conditions to be found. Alaska is not for everyone and for some it is far beyond their physical and mental limitations."

Bernie Davis

"I had a great time hunting with Dan and Ryan on my 12 day trip. Dan and Ryan were professionals who cared about our success and comfort. They seldom asked for assistance although both Jim and I were happy to help when possible. The more we helped the more time we had for hunting. There were 2 hunters in camp, myself and a doctor from Mississippi named Jim. All are new friends. We hunted out of two river camps approximately a two hour boat ride apart. The lower camp we concentrated on Moose. The upper on Grizzly. Both Jim and I got a moose and a grizzly. Jim got a 63 inch moose on the first day of the hunt. I got a 52 inch moose on the 7th day. On the 9th day I shot a 7 1/2 foot grizzly. Jim got his 7 footer on the last day of the hunt. The food was very good, especially after we got the moose. The camps were comfortable. We had a great shower at the upper camp. Recommend the same shower for the lower camp. I would highly recommend Alaskabush for the hunter who likes adventure and a true wilderness hunt. These guys care about your success and know what they are doing. I'd go back in a heartbeat."

John Maditz

I just want to write you and say thanks again for a wonderful experience for both me and my son Adam. I now hunted with you and Alaska Bush Adventures in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 2005 I got a nice Caribou and a 64 1/2" Boone and Crocket moose. The moose is world class and I proudly display it at Sportman's Warehouse in Albuquerque right above the customer service counter. Everyone in Albuquerque admires it. In 2006 Adam got a nice Caribou and had an excellent hunt and stalk. In 2008, we went on an "adventure" up Wolf Creek off the Hoholitna and my son killed a 58" Moose that we proudly display above the fireplace at our lake house in Texas. With each moose, I had over 450 pounds of meat processed in Anchorage and shipped to my door via FedEx. Last year we did the flyout from the Chukawon camp and killed a very nice black bear. I am writing to you because the bonding experience you and Alaska Bush Adventures provided to both me and my son is fabulous and neither one of us will ever forget it.

I do have to say that if anyone else is considering a hunt with ABA, they should realize several very important things. First, it ain't the Ritz Carlton or the Hilton. You are in a very remote part of Alaska where everything has to be flown in. This in itself creates significant limitations on what you can and cannot have. The camps are comfortable, the equipment and the food is acceptable. The fresh caught Silver Salmon is plentiful and wonderful. The guides, Les, Ryan, James and Roy are all very knowledgeable and experienced and work very hard to get you to the animals and shots at them. Weather can be (and usually is) a major factor and beyond the control of anyone. I recall in 2005 we had the remnants of a typhoon blow in from the Asian coast. The river rose three feet overnight and we were in camp for three solid days, however, I still got my moose. The most important thing to stress is the physical requirements of the hunt. I continue to underestimate this every year I have hunted with you. Last year we hiked for hours on the fly out trip and got to a point where we were facing a very significant up hill climb. Les, looked at me and said in his past experience only 30% of the guys would make the climb. I was exhausted and told him that I was not in that 30%, but my son and Les made the climb and got a shot at a black bear. The lesson here is if you want to be successful you have to be in excellent shape and please don't let others underestimate this.

Les, I want others to know that I never met you before I hunted with you in 2005, however, over time we have become good friends. I, like everyone else, initially found you on the internet and took a chance. As it turns out, it was a good decision because I have been back three more time and I have more hunts planned with you in the future.

I am sure that you get a lot of guys that expect the sun, the stars and the moon and walk away disappointed. I am not one of those. I feel that you treat everyone right and I have no reservations in recommending you to other prospective hunters with the only caveat to then hunters being - GET IN SHAPE!!!!!

Jeff Jesionowski

Hello, my name is Jorge Bartolome and I'm from Spain. As for almost everyone, my dream was to enjoy a great adventure, a real truth, to feel part of nature, enjoying its best and where better to do all of these that in "The Last Frontier".

After consulting several offers I decided to contract with Ryan and Lester, through "Sahel safaris" company in Spain too.There might be a right decision, they are wonderful people and they have a team and perfect ways to enjoy the journey in all its glory. So that you can get an idea, I will relate briefly my trip.

After many hours of travel I arrived in Anchorage but my luggage with all my clothes and ammunition didn't arrive. The next day, I get to the base camp after a couple of "exciting" flights. Once there, they put at my disposal all sorts of clothing, thank you very much James, to equip me and I left the same day to the camp flyer. At the end, I was lost in the middle of nowhere, ten days ahead to enjoy and be hunting. The main goal, the grizzly bear, and then the black bear.

Early next day, and almost from the tent Ryan and me saw an excellent moose, and I had the good luck to share with him my hunting, he as a professional, almost from the same place that we saw our first grizzly which it would become "my first bear" that I could bring down in only one shot with the Ryan's 375. The same day in the afternoon we saw a good specimen of black bear and after the entry and 3 shots with my 7mm and a munition, which fortunately I could buy in Anchoraje, the bear went into the bush after being all afternoon track on heavy blood trail, we had to return by the lack of light, to my despair Ryan comforts me telling me that there are more bears but I answered that this is perfect but I want that bear.

With the new day, at the track again and after a couple of hours we got back to the bear sighting, here begins one of the hardest days I could live in my life as a hunter, after several more sightings and runs and more runs after the bear, I could finally knock it off too far from the camp, so we had to leave the piece behind and go back to the camp as desired to replenish forces because we spent too much time without food and with a very considerable effort, we had just enough time to come back with light , so we would return the next day for the trophy, this time more than deserved. That same day, we could see another very good moose but the priorities were different....

The next day we returned for the bear and between go and return we spent the day, because on the way back we took a good storm, and since up to the sixth day, I could not enjoy my lugagge, we were very wet.

The fourth day dawned foggy and we couldn't leave not too early into the morning, but we could see 13 grizzly bear!

On the fifth day, with less time and with no dry clothes, we decided to return to the base camp but we still enjoyed another 9 gizzlys ina good ride in the morning, however, Ryan's nicknamed is "long legs" and I can vouch it. Able to walk standing in a tent, enjoy a good fire, dry completely the clothes.....are things that you never know how much can you became to miss.

The sixth day after a big breakfast we prepare to up the river, the plan was to raise as much as possible using the motor boat for then carried away by the current, while we enjoy whith the salmon fishing, I got my two, the most incapable of fishermen, we recorded the shores in search of bears, we got to see two along the river but we couldn't get any, the experience and the day were great, if we add that Ryan is a great guy and every day we understand each other a little more, despite my English and his Spanish, I have no words.

On the seventh day, against all odds we didn't rest a bit and after tracing the river we went to the summit with the aigles, some amazing vehicles that can take you to the end of the world, are a lot of bears abound there and we can see grizzlies, black and even a caribou. I get a good black bear, my first male, the eighth day elapses similar and I do with my last black bear and I made the quota, it was a pity because I have still two days, and is eager to hunt bears to stop a train. More than satisfied I spent these two days to rest and fishing salmon and more fishes, a delight. Certainly an experience more than recommended, there everything is pure nature, and of course exceptional and wonderful people.

Jorge Bartolome

Hola, mi nombre es Jorge Bartolome soy de España. Como para casi todos mi sueño era poder disfrutar de una gran aventura, una autentica de verdad, poder sentirme parte de la naturaleza, disfrutar de todo su esplendor y donde mejor para poder realizar todo esto que en "La ultima frontera".

Despues de consultar varias ofertas me decidi por contratar con Ryan y Lest ,mediente la empresa "Sahel safaris" de España tambien. No pudo ser una decision mas acertada, son unas personas magnificas y tienen un equipo de personas y medios perfectos para poder disfrutar del viaje en todo su esplendor. Para que podais haceros una idea os relatare brevemente mi viaje.

Tras un muchas horas de viaje llego a Anchorage pero mi equipaje con toda mi ropa y la municion no llegan. Al dia siguiente llego al campamento base tras un par de vuelos "emocionantes". Una vez alli ponen a mi disposicion todo tipo de ropa, muchas gracias James, para equiparme y salie el mismo dia al campamento volante. Por fin estaba perdido en medio de ninguna parte con diez dias por delante para disfrutar y estar cazando. El pricipal objetvo el oso grizzly y luego oso negro.

Al dia siguiente a primera hora y casi desde la tienda de campaña pudimos ver un excelente moose, Ryan y yo ya que tuve la enorme suerte de poder compartir con el mi caceria el como profesianal, y pacticamente desde el mismo sitio vimos nuestro primer gizzly que se convertiria en "mi primer oso" al que pude abatir de un solo tiro con el 375 de Ryan. El mismo dia por la tarde avistamos un buen ejemplar de oso negro y tras la entrada y 3 tiros con mi 7mm y una municion que por degracia pude comprar en Anchoraje, el oso se interno en la espesura.

Tras estar toda la tarde pisteando el rastro abundante de sangre tuvimos que regresar por la falta de luz, ante mi desesperacion Ryan me consuela diciendome que hay mas osos y yo le respondo que eso es magnifico pero yo quiero ese oso. Con el nuevo dia otra vez al rastro y tras un par de horas consegimos avistar de nuevo al oso, aqui comienza uno de los dias mas duros que he podido vivir en mi vida de cazador, tras varios avistamientos mas y carreras y mas carreras tras el oso al fin pude abatirlo lejos muy muy lejos del campamento, tanto que tuvimos que dejar alli la pieza tan deseada para poder vover a reponer fuerzas, ya que llevavamos mucho tiempo sin comer y con un esfuerzo mas que considerable, teniamos el tiempo justo para volver con luz, asi pues regresariamos al dia siguente a por el trofeo esta vez mas que merecido. Este mismo dia pudimos ver otro muy buen alce pero las prioridades eran otras....

Al dia siguiente volvimos a poe el oso y entre ir y volver se nos paso el dia porque en el camino de vuelta nos cogio una buena tormenta y ya que hasta el sexto dia no pude gozar de mi equipo la mojoda fue importante.

El cuarto dia amanecio con niebla y no pudimos salir hasta bien entrada la mañana aun asi cosegimos avistar hasta 13 osos grizzly!

En el quinto dia con peor tiempo y ya sin mas ropa seca decidimos volver al campamento base pero aun pudimos disfrutar de otros 9 gizzlys en un buen paseo de mañana, no obstante a Ryan le apodan patas largas y puedo dar fe de ello. Poder andar de pie en una tienda de campaña, disfrutar de un buen fuego ,secar totalmente la ropa.....son cosas que nunca sabes lo que se pueden llegar a hechar de menos.

Sexto dia tras un gran desalluno nos disponemos a remontar el rio, el plan consiste en subir todo lo posible usando el motor para despues dejarnos llevar por la corriente ,mientras pescamos salmones, hasta yo consigo hacerme con dos siendo el mas incapaz de los pescadores, registramos las orillas en busca de osos, consegimos ver dos a lo largo del rio pero no consigo ninguno, la experiencia y el dia simplemente maravillosos si a esto le sumamos que Ryan es un tio estupendo y cada dia nos entendemos un poco mas, apesar de mi ingles y su español, no me quedan palabras.

En el septimo dia contra todo pronostico no descansamos y tras remontar un poco el rio nos dirigimos a las cumbres con los aigles, unos vehiculos sorprendentes que te llevan al fin del mundo, alli abundan los osos podemos ver grizzlys, negros y hasta un caribu consigo un buen oso negro, mi primer macho, el octavo dia trascurre similar y me hago con mi ultimo oso negro devido a que he hecho el cupo una pena porque me quedan dos dias, ganas de cazar y hay osos para poder parar un tren. Mas que satisfecho dedico estos dos dias a descansar y pescar truchas, salmones y otros peces hacen las delicias de cualquiera. Sin duda una experiencia mas que recomendable, alli todo es estupendo naturaleza pura, gente excepcional.

Jorge Bartolome