Big Game Backcountry Guides

Big Game Backcountry Guides (BGBG) operates out of Shublik Lodge with exclusive access to three federal hunting areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—the largest designated wilderness in North America at 19.6 million acres.

The operation focuses on the north slope of the Eastern Brooks Range, the furthest north mountain range in North America. These peaks rise abruptly to 7,000 feet from ancient sea beds. The 126-million-year-old range spans 700 miles in length and includes Mt. Isto and Mt. Chamberlin (both just under 9,000 feet). The terrain is rugged rock covered with tundra, glaciers, and braided river valleys—genuinely remote and unaltered by human presence.

• •Dall Sheep — The specialty. One-on-one fully guided backpack hunts targeting rams aged 10+ years. The outfit focuses on fair-chase stalking at ranges under 200 yards. Average harvested ram is 38" on the long side with bases averaging 13". BGBG has taken many 13-14 year old sheep and one ram tied for Alaska's oldest on record at 17-18 years.

• •Barren Ground Caribou — Two large herds (Central Arctic and Porcupine) range the area. Clients typically harvest mature bulls scoring 375+ B&C points. Most clients take two animals.

• •Arctic Grizzly Bears — Average harvested bear squares 6.5-7 feet. Occasionally larger 8-foot bears are taken. These bears have excellent hair with many light color phases and are considered among North America's greatest trophies.

• •Wolf — Opportunities for incidental harvest while in the field.

• •Arctic Slam & Grand Slam — Combine sheep, caribou, and grizzly for the "Arctic Slam." Add a wolf for the "Arctic Grand Slam."

100% success on Dall sheep in many seasons. Overall average near 90%. The area has supported guided hunts for over 50 years with consistently high success on world-class rams. Fish and Game has complimented the outfit multiple times on having the nicest group of guided rams to come through for sealing.

Logistics: - Super Cub access to remote staging strips - Backpack hunts with no-trace methodology—rarely sleep in same spot twice - Approximately 60-pound packs per person for guide and hunter - Guide carries additional 100 lbs of game meat; hunter carries 50 lbs of cape and horns - Air support available for meat shuttle and extraction via braided gravel bars - InReach communication between guide and Shublik Camp

Daily Routine: - Travel 5 air miles per day depending on terrain - Gain elevation (usually to 5,000+ feet early season to find older rams) - Glass from camp at first and last light - Use high passes and upper bowls to hunt - Most hunts take 3+ days of active hunting before locating target animal - After harvest: field dressing, cape prep, trophy photography, meat processing

Camping & Nutrition: - Hilliberg Soulo tents (one per hunter) - Combination of freeze-dried meals and pre-cooked vacuum-sealed meats - High-protein field food: jerky, trail mix, cheese, dried fruit - Budget: 1.5 lbs food per person per day - Boiled water stored in platypus bladders from collected springs - Post-hunt meals at Shublik feature wild game—backstraps and ribs

Weather Reality: - Expect at least one weather delay on either end of trip - Plan for 2-3 days of poor visibility during 10-day hunt - Morning light best for glassing after overnight dust settlement - Higher camp elevation advantages: dew settles lower, morning sun earlier, better gear drying

Hunters need to carry a pack, climb, and shoot. Guides are licensed professionals who handle glassing, species knowledge, area expertise, trophy judging, stalk strategy, shooting position, butchering, and trophy preparation.

Owned and operated by Riley and Stephanie Pitts. Riley is an actively working pilot, outfitter, and hunter with expedition-style guiding across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Stephanie is an educator. Both split time 2/3 year in Southern Oregon and 1/3 in Alaska with their four daughters. The outfit employs a team of mountain-specialized guides including Ethan Johnson, Jerry Starkey, Troy Kitchel, and others—all avid sheep hunters with boots-on-ground expertise.

BGBG focuses on: - Safely maximizing wilderness experience - Running fair-chase hunts with highest ethical standards - Respecting land and animals - Teaching backpacking and mountaineering skills - Building lifelong friendships through transformative experiences - Conservation of Arctic wildlife populations

The outfit uses high-quality gear, world-class guides, and surrounds operations with honest, hard-working, driven, and knowledgeable individuals. Guides provide leadership and expertise rooted in backcountry wilderness knowledge.