Wrangell Outfitters

Wrangell Outfitters holds an exclusive federal hunting concession within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve—358 square miles that no other company can hunt. Based at historic Horsfeld, an old gold mining camp from the early 1900s, they've been running hunts from this location for over 50 years with consistent quality.

Most Alaska outfitters use bush planes to access hunting areas. Wrangell doesn't. They use horses—the same method that worked during the Klondike Gold Rush and the 1913 Chisana Gold Rush. This approach has two huge advantages: it reaches terrain where planes can't land, and it creates less hunting pressure on game populations. Result: bigger animals and better success rates.

96% success rate since 2016. They guide 4-5 sheep hunters per year maximum. Average horn size runs 35-37 inches—consistently larger than Alaska's average. The hunts use fair-chase stalking from below, minimizing the climbing required. Will and Mark watch the rams throughout the year, so they know the terrain and animals intimately.

Dall sheep hunts work for hunters in their 60s and 70s. The horses and their knowledge of the land radically increase success rates and overall satisfaction.

94% success rate since 2016 with only one unsuccessful hunt in 8 years. They take just 2-5 moose hunters annually. The hunting strategy catches bulls as they move from summer flats into high country to rut. They hunt the alpine passes where visibility is excellent and animals predictably travel.

Arctic grizzlies in the high country are tougher and more aggressive than coastal browns—they have to be, competing on sparse fare of berries and ground squirrels. They're smaller but have longer, better hair quality and unique coloration. Wrangell encourages hunters to take mountain grizzlies; they support a high population. These hunts use classic fair-chase alpine hunting with excellent visibility.

2-4 bear hunters per year.

Wolf and wolverine hunting available during specific seasons (August through October). Couples hunts offered spring and fall with multiple species options per season window.

Horsfeld sits on the eastern edge of Wrangell-St. Elias where Joe Horsfeld struck gold in the early 1900s. Two original cabins from 1911 still stand. In the 1970s, guide Herb Stevens added a cook house, tent frames, and horse corral. Today it's a rustic but comfortable base with central cookhouse, bathhouse, and tent cabins.

The camp runs completely off-grid: drinking water from a spring, vegetables from a greenhouse, berries harvested from hillsides in fall. Food comes from local flora. It feels like a 19th-century horse ranch.

Will Koehler (owner) and Mark Koehler (hunting guide and bush pilot) grew up in Alaska's wilderness. As kids they ran dog teams on trap lines and explored the Alaska Range on horseback. Their upbringing shaped their guides skills and wildlife knowledge.

Jaia Koehler serves as camp cook and host. She comes from a family of pioneers and learned professional cooking from her mother, a caterer and chef.

Price includes transportation from Fairbanks to Horsfeld and return, all accommodations, meals, Alaska hunting guide service (1:1 ratio unless otherwise arranged), trophy preparation and care at Horsfeld. Reservations in Fairbanks and trophy shipping arrangements available.

Specific trophy fees apply per species and listed on their detailed pricing.

Wrangell Outfitters is authorized by the U.S. Department of the Interior to serve the public within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. Equal opportunity employer.