GreenNDark Timber
Lil-Rokslider
I’m planning a DIY moose hunt in Alaska with my brother for 2020 or 2021 depending on availability of an air transporter. I originally planned on doing this hunt a few years ago. I spent a ton of time researching and narrowed my choice of air transporters down to two different services. My second choice pilot offered me a spot mid-summer for the following year while my first choice pilot said he wouldn’t book me until October after his repeat clients had committed. I held out for my first choice and when October rolled around his repeat clients booked all available spots and my 2nd choice guy was booked up by then too. I felt like the guy holding out for the homecoming queen and I was stuck without a date to the dance.
A few months later I found out my wife was pregnant with twins and I had to hit the brakes on Alaska for a couple years. Now that the kids are a bit older I’m ready to make this hunt happen.
I pulled up my spreadsheets with all my old info and started dusting them off. I decided I would use the info I’d gathered previously but I’d start from scratch also just to see if I’d missed anything or anything new had popped up. After a lot of digging and phone calls I landed back on the same two transporters but also discovered a 3rd that I’d use as a Plan C. After calling all three, I got the same common response I’d heard from almost everybody originally: “Give me a call after season and I’ll know what repeat guys are coming back and get you on a list for any openings”
I’ve decided this time around I’ll take the first available spot I can get and although I’m the client, I really feel like I need to persuade them much more than vice versa. I’ve been thinking of ways to not just get on their list but to make sure when they do have an opening I’m on the top of the list and they say “this is the guy I want to take”. I understand that taking their repeat clients is much more of a sure thing for them and much less risky. They know what they’re getting and they know what to expect. With a new guy, they have no idea. I’m considering putting together a resume of sorts and emailing to all three transporters.
A few of the things I want to highlight: I’ve done multiple 10-14 day backcountry backpack hunts and have the mental fortitude to do it successfully, I have the skill and experience to butcher and pack out an animal of that size, I won’t be calling them asking for an early flight out because I’m home sick, I’ll pack efficiently and within their weight limits. I’m sure I’m missing a few.
I considered just trying to outline these things in a phone call but the pilots I talked to seemed to be men of few words and I think a concise email may stick in their mind better than a phone call from a stranger, I’m sure they get plenty of those. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. Is a resume of sorts a good idea? I DO NOT want it to come off braggy or boastful in any way, I really just want to ease their mind that if they take me I will make it as easy as possible on them.
A few months later I found out my wife was pregnant with twins and I had to hit the brakes on Alaska for a couple years. Now that the kids are a bit older I’m ready to make this hunt happen.
I pulled up my spreadsheets with all my old info and started dusting them off. I decided I would use the info I’d gathered previously but I’d start from scratch also just to see if I’d missed anything or anything new had popped up. After a lot of digging and phone calls I landed back on the same two transporters but also discovered a 3rd that I’d use as a Plan C. After calling all three, I got the same common response I’d heard from almost everybody originally: “Give me a call after season and I’ll know what repeat guys are coming back and get you on a list for any openings”
I’ve decided this time around I’ll take the first available spot I can get and although I’m the client, I really feel like I need to persuade them much more than vice versa. I’ve been thinking of ways to not just get on their list but to make sure when they do have an opening I’m on the top of the list and they say “this is the guy I want to take”. I understand that taking their repeat clients is much more of a sure thing for them and much less risky. They know what they’re getting and they know what to expect. With a new guy, they have no idea. I’m considering putting together a resume of sorts and emailing to all three transporters.
A few of the things I want to highlight: I’ve done multiple 10-14 day backcountry backpack hunts and have the mental fortitude to do it successfully, I have the skill and experience to butcher and pack out an animal of that size, I won’t be calling them asking for an early flight out because I’m home sick, I’ll pack efficiently and within their weight limits. I’m sure I’m missing a few.
I considered just trying to outline these things in a phone call but the pilots I talked to seemed to be men of few words and I think a concise email may stick in their mind better than a phone call from a stranger, I’m sure they get plenty of those. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. Is a resume of sorts a good idea? I DO NOT want it to come off braggy or boastful in any way, I really just want to ease their mind that if they take me I will make it as easy as possible on them.
