Long time lurker and new member here looking for some advice.

I’m planning on going to Alaska next year to hunt Caribou. So I initially called Bob Summers of Deltana Outfitters, but he told me that he is only doing draw hunts and that he sold his main Caribou operation to Matt and Emily Thoft of Ovis Outfitters and he highly recommend that I call them. I spoke with Matt yesterday and he was very helpful and from what I can tell it sounds like he has a great outfit going.

However, I can’t seem to find anything online about them. No posts from happy hunters, nor anyone using them for any kind of hunting. Zero reviews and I spent a lot of time searching.

Was curious if anyone here has hunted with them or has heard anything positive or negative about them?

This will be my first major hunt and likely a once in a lifetime thing so I’m trying to do my homework.

Thanks for having me and for any help you can provide.

-Danny

Best thing to do if not online, after having talked with them, get them to give you phone numbers of latest few years of clients but you want successful and non successful BOTH. drop a few dimes, give em a call.

I knew Deltana Outfitters was interested in selling out their North Slope caribou operation but I don't know the new owners.
Deltana usually operated out of the Happy Valley area in te Brooks Range foothills. If I hear something of interest, I'll advise.

Vern

Delta/Tanana

I flew with Matt’s brother Brett before he passed. Great guy.

A buddy of mine is/was good friends with both of the Thoft boys. I would trust his word and judgment on anything so I’d bet the farm that Matt is good to go.

Are you doing a guided or unguided hunt?

I know them well and you won't find nicer or harder working folks

There is no better recommendation than Phil's.

None.

Steve

They are online via personal pages like Instagram, etc. They are the real deal, and will do everything they can to make sure you have a great experience. Emily and my wife are from the same small Montana town, and she has always been as solid, honest and hardworking as they get. I've only known her since she was about 12....

When I spoke to Bob Summers he said hunted Happy Valley, and that’s what he sold to Orvis.

I did email them asking several questions including a list of previous clients. Matt mentioned he would be unavailable for a few days so I haven’t gotten a response from them yet.

It will be a fully guided hunt. I will be hunting alone and I’m not brave enough to go it alone for my first trip to Alaska. I would absolutely love to try unguided or semi if I had a group of friends but none of my hunting partners are able or interested.

Very happy to read the positive comments about them, so thank you all very much for that.

Aside from getting an email response from them I think I’ll be mailing them a check next time I speak to them.

Thanks again fellas, and if anyone has any more comments please post.

Smart move on your part re: going alone. Good luck!

alone. the only way. LOL. I love it, but its not all that safe or smart. Says some about me I suppose....

Wife says I'm dumb when I'm alone on moose hunts and pull the trigger with no help. No problem so far.

rost495, one man moose packing sounds like quite the adventure!

I see the advantages of being one on one with the guide but I wouldn’t mind having another hunter with me. Obviously that’s from my current perspective from the outside looking in. We shall see.

Thanks

Exactly what I was thinking Steve. Good to see you post and I hope all is well with you and yours.

MDC - although there may be other good alternatives, if you were already looking at this outfit, I’d look no further. You won’t get a more honest and knowledgable endorsement.

Not to mention if you go guided, you can go lighter and also throw possibility of grizzly in as well as possible other species depending on what is in season (I dont know anymore).

Great way and best species to get introduced to AK.