Alaska has always captured my imagination, especially the idea of hunting in its high alpine terrain. I’d dreamed of hunting there for years, but the logistics felt overwhelming. Alaska’s complex draw system was especially daunting. Thankfully, WTA and their TAGS service made things simple. I connected with one of WTA’s consultants, Casey, who guided me through the process. 2024 was my first year applying for a mountain goat tag, and, as luck would have it, I drew one on Kodiak Island.
That’s when reality set in. This was a serious hunt, one that would demand mountain-level readiness. But I wasn’t exactly in peak shape. Normally, archery season keeps me fit, but this year was different. Between work and family commitments, my training time got squeezed. I was nervous about tackling Kodiak’s rugged terrain. The added pressure of filming the hunt only multiplied the challenge.
The journey to Kodiak took some time. From Denver to Seattle, then on to Anchorage before finally arriving in Kodiak. We crashed at the Best Western in town and then headed to the float plane dock. This was my first float plane ride and I might have been as excited about the flight as the hunt itself. The view was breathtaking. Endless stretches of mountains broken by winding rivers and sparkling lakes. An incredible start to the adventure.
We landed in a secluded bay, met our outfitter, and settled in at the lodge. After dialing in our rifles, we were ready. The next morning, we piled into a skiff and motored to another bay where our trek to higher elevation would begin. We hadn’t been there long before a silver fox appeared. A gorgeous animal. Alaska allows hunters to take two foxes, and within moments, I had my first. The hunt was starting off on the right foot.
The hike up the river drainage was tough. Three and a half miles of slogging through wet terrain and thorny underbrush. It took us a few hours, but we finally broke through the brush and reached higher ground. The views were spectacular and the weather surprised everyone. Cold and windy? Sure, but no rain. A rarity for Kodiak. We set up camp and spent the rest of the first day glassing. We quickly spotted around 30 goats, fueling a sense of optimism for the days ahead.
I felt confident the next morning, thinking we’d wrap up the hunt quickly. I even joked with my cameraman, Chase, to start filming in extra slow motion, saying we’d need it to fill the episode if the hunt was over in just one day. That overconfidence came back to haunt me. The goats we’d seen earlier were not where we left them. We eventually relocated them, but just as we were setting up, the wind shifted. The goats caught our scent and vanished.
Frustrated but undeterred, we spent the rest of the day spotting nannies and kids, but no billies in range. Each day it became clearer that this was not going to be as easy as I’d imagined.
On day three, we headed to a new area—it was a place no one had hunted before. It was a gamble but our time was running out and our options were dwindling. The hike was tough. Thirteen miles over jagged boulder fields, steep cliffs, and icy, wind-blown snow. By the end of the day, we hadn’t seen a single goat. We returned to camp utterly exhausted. Another tough day.
Day four brought a renewed sense of urgency. We returned to the spot we’d seen goat movement the day before, hoping to catch a billy within range. Finally, we spotted a group with a few billies mixed in. This was our chance.
We didn’t have time to waste. Chase got his camera ready while I steadied my Gunwerks 6.5 PRC. I ranged the billy at 300 yards, took a deep breath, and squeezed the trigger. The shot hit its mark and the goat dropped. He slid down the cliffside, coming to rest at the bottom. We made our way down, broke him down for the pack out, and admired a beautiful 4-year-old billy with a thick, white coat and solid horns—a true mountain trophy.
This was my first alpine Alaskan experience, my first time on Kodiak, and my first float plane ride. In fact, it was my first time attempting to draw a goat tag in Alaska. WTA turned what could have been an overwhelming trip into an approachable and memorable adventure. Beyond the logistics, they paired me with an outfitter who knew Kodiak like the back of his hand. With the stress removed from the planning, the hunt was packed with firsts I’ll never forget. If you’re looking to head to Kodiak, don’t waste time talking to anyone else. Reach out to WTA’s consultants and prepare for the time of your life!
