JDs Kniktuk Outfitters
JD's Kniktuk Outfitters
Rated 3 out of 5.0 based on 5 Outfitter reviews.
Contact: Darwin Vander Esch
Location: Dillingham, Alaska
Species Hunted: Alaskan Brown Bear, Wolf
State(s) Hunted: AK
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Submitted by: Chaz Knox
Review Submitted: Jun 3, 2013
Hunt Date: Jun 3, 2013
Species Hunted: Alaskan Brown Bear
Days Hunted: 10
Hunt Type: Guided
Primary Terrain: Any
Method: Rifle
Price Range: 9000-10999
Number of animals seen, met expectations?
Size of animals seen, met expections?
Hunting pressure in the guides area, met expectations?
Would you hunt with this Guide again?
Chaz knox
Darwin is one of the most knowledgeable guys I have ever hunted with. I harvested a 8'6" bear with him on my last day. His efforts never stopped no matter what was the situation was. He knows this country like the back of his hand. His equipment and camps are awesome. I also was able to elk and mule deer hunt with him before he sold his other business and I was successful on that hunt as well. If your reading some of the other reviews from this site about him ask yourself how good of shape you are in. Because if your not it can spoil your hunt as well.
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Submitted by: Kirk Barnes
Review Submitted: Dec 12, 2011
Hunt Date: Apr 18, 2008
Species Hunted:
Days Hunted: 10
Hunt Type: Guided
Primary Terrain: Mountain
Method: Rifle
Price Range: Any
Number of animals seen, met expectations?
Size of animals seen, met expections?
Hunting pressure in the guides area, met expectations?
Would you hunt with this Guide again?
Bear hunt
I went on a 10 day with Darwin and Wes Tilberg in 2006 and was unsuccessful. The bears just were not out yet. We saw some beautiful country. This was a 7 day hunt and Darwin had other clients to attend to but he hired another guide and got me 3 more days at no charge. Still no success. No fault of anybody just the bears were'nt out yet. Darwin possibly could stress more that snowmobiling skills will help a lot as the terrain is tough for people with with no experience (me). With that said Darwin and Wes both worked very hard to find bears. Darwin got me back up 2 yrs. later for less than 1/2 price to try again. The weather was better and we saw bears everyday but one. I finally got one on my 5th day. The country is beautiful and Darwin and Wes worked extremely hard to get me a bear. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. My advice to anyone wanting to go with this outfitter would be to learn how to ride a snowmobile and be willing to work hard because these guys will work hard for you. Kirk Barnes
Submitted by: Kirk Barnes
Review Submitted: Dec 12, 2011
Hunt Date: Apr 18, 2008
Species Hunted:
Days Hunted: 0
Hunt Type: Guided
Primary Terrain: Any
Method: Rifle
Price Range: Any
Number of animals seen, met expectations?
Size of animals seen, met expections?
Hunting pressure in the guides area, met expectations?
Would you hunt with this Guide again?
forgot some
forgot the 4 check boxes
Submitted by: Michael Clough
Review Submitted: Mar 1, 2011
Hunt Date: Apr 18, 2009
Species Hunted: Alaskan Brown Bear
Days Hunted: 2
Hunt Type: Guided
Primary Terrain: Mountain
Method: Rifle
Price Range: 7000-8999
Number of animals seen, met expectations?
Size of animals seen, met expections?
Hunting pressure in the guides area, met expectations?
Would you hunt with this Guide again?
Terrible Hunt--Weather Problems
Hunt was canceled because of warming temperatures and rain! Hunt was canceled because of rising temperature and rain. Could not navigate because of melting snow and rain. Rescheduled for the 2010 season. Nice accomodations, decent food, Guide was acceptable (new the area) for what we covered. Associates in camp were unacceptable from the service end. Never been on a guided hunt before that treated me or the companions in this manner! Will follow with the 2010 adventure. The 2009 and the 2010 hunts were both 2 on 1. It was obvious that a Celebrity, or a brand name would of been prefered as shown on this hunt. My partner and I were workers in the Michigan Factory's, which saved for years to get there.
Submitted by: Michael Clough
Review Submitted: Mar 1, 2011
Hunt Date: Apr 3, 2010
Species Hunted: Alaskan Brown Bear
Days Hunted: 6
Hunt Type: Guided
Primary Terrain: Mountain
Method: Rifle
Price Range: 4000-4999
Number of animals seen, met expectations?
Size of animals seen, met expections?
Hunting pressure in the guides area, met expectations?
Would you hunt with this Guide again?
Enough's-Enough's
Weather was clear and cold--no sign of Bear movement. Traveled 70-100 miles a day on snowmobiles. People this is not my forte, OK. My guide Mr. Vanderesch was not receptive to anyone that couldn't navigate with him on the trail. It was constant harrassment with my operation ability, and the list goes on. We never cut a bear track, and he was just out there to make things look good! Again from the previous year, I'm sure that if we would have been a celebrity as seen the 2009 year, with a camera crew, or the "Best of the West" crew things may of been better. My hunting partner couldn't beleve the way Darwin was treating me, I could've been his red headed step child!
Contact: J. Paul Taylor
Location: Midway, Alabama
Species Hunted: Whitetail Deer, Turkey, Quail
State(s) Hunted: AL
Yukon Territory Hunting Information
The Yukon Territory is a legendary hunting destination. Hunters from all over the world travel to the Yukon for wilderness adventure hunting at its finest. This rugged, remote and beautiful province is nearly untouched by man. It is similar in size to the state of California but with a population of only about 30,000 residents. The Yukon is a vast, pristine wilderness that holds a tremendous variety of trophy game species. You should be in excellent physical condition to maximize your success and to enjoy the Yukon experience.
Iowa Hunting Information
Iowa is one of the best Midwestern states for monster whitetail bucks. Non-residents must apply for a tag in their annual drawing. Archery tags are the most sought after and depending on what units you apply for generally take 2-4 years to draw.
Manitoba Hunting Information
Manitoba is known as a top destination for avid waterfowl hunters. Huge flocks of ducks and geese can be found from the Arctic coast of Hudson Bay to the prairie potholes on the southern border of this Canadian province. There is no legal requirement for non-resident waterfowl hunters to use a guide, but many are available and a high percentage of non-Canadian hunters utilize them. In addition black bear, Canada moose and whitetails are hunted throughout the province.
