Hodge's Outfitters

Wishing all our hunters and followers a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Our nephew, Alex, who has been assisting with bear and moose hunts the last couple of years married his sweetheart Emma on October 11th. It was a beautiful Fall wedding in northern GA. We congratulate them and welcome Emma to the family. 💜

The 2025 Spring bear season is a wrap. The last bear taken was a mammoth. 10’8” and the skull measured 28 & 9/16 inches which will make it into the Boone & Crockett record book. This bear shows a lot of history with his battle scars and was tattooed as a cub and collared for two years so his movements could be tracked.
A big thank you to all who guided and assisted on all the hunts-Tracy, Alex, Brian and Russell. And to Sea Hawk Air who flew us to our camps. Congratulations to all the clients who were successful and to all are clients who put their trust in us.

As many of you know, Jimmy’s brother AlDog (Allen) passed away in June 2024. While out guiding for bears this Spring, Jimmy and his buddy Tracy visited the old cabin in Paramanof Bay they used as base camp. It is still standing! The outhouse too. It is where Allen shot his bear and the inscription is still on the wall in the old cabin. Jimmy was able to scatter some of Allen’s ashes. It was a bittersweet trip but a fond memory of time spent together doing what they loved most…spending time together and hunting.

It is still Spring bear season and the guys are guiding and hunting hard. Putting in very long days with almost 17 hours of daylight now. Client #4 took a very nice 9’+ Kodiak brown bear. 2 more clients to go. Season ends May 15th.
Two of the first 4 clients passed on taking a bear after they caught sight of the really huge bruins. Weather, wind and time did not allow for an opportunity to take one.
In between guiding and hunting they took a time to fish and do a bit of sightseeing around the island.

A few more photos.

Spring bear season has begun!
Those bears are feeding on a dead whale washed up on shore.

Sadly we say goodbye to our friend and go to pilot on Kodiak Island, Steve Harvey. He flew us and our clients to many parts of Afognak Island. Flying in his Grumman Widgeon was always an exhilarating experience. Landing in the water and taxiing up to the beach.
Steve passed away on March 10th 2025.
Losing a dear friend is a reminder to treasure each and everyday.
Rest in peace Steve.

Jimmy And his buddy Robert Henrici getting ready for the start of the 2025 Iditarod. They have been volunteering as security at the ceremonial start for over 20 years. This year the actual start will be in Fairbanks due to the lack of snow in Willow.

So the drawing for this amazing hunt opportunity was last night at the Alaska chapter of the Safari Club banquet.
The lucky winner is Thomas Murray. Congratulations!!!!! It will be the hunt of a lifetime.