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What is Top Gun Treks?
Top Gun Treks is a family-run Alaska hunting guide and outfitter business based in Wasilla, Alaska, owned and operated by registered guide Bob Jewett. It offers fully guided big-game hunts in wilderness areas of Alaska, reached by airplane, with a focus on fair-chase hunting. The species covered include moose, Dall sheep, brown bear, black bear and wolf, with guided and unguided bear options and both spring and fall bear seasons.
Its hunting territory covers thousands of square miles in game units 14, 16 and 20. The site describes strong moose success (a stated 90% success rate over ten years), good sheep numbers, and the chance to see sheep, moose and bears in the same view, which supports combo hunts. Bob Jewett is described as a lifetime Alaska resident with over 40 years of hunting and guiding experience, also a bush pilot and taxidermist, and the operation limits the number of hunters scheduled each year.
As a next step, decide which hunt fits your goal: a dedicated moose or sheep hunt, a baited black or brown bear hunt, or a combo hunt for variety. Then contact the outfit directly through Top Gun Treks to discuss dates, guide areas and what each hunt involves.
How do I choose between a moose, sheep, or brown bear hunt with Top Gun Treks?
Choose by the experience you want, the physical demand you can accept, and how trophy-focused versus encounter-focused you are. On Top Gun Treks' own description, moose is the strongest fit for hunters who want repeated close encounters and a high chance of a legal animal: the site says its moose areas are among Alaska's most productive and reports a 90% success rate over the last ten years, with multiple legal bulls seen and many close encounters during the pre-rut and rut. Sheep suits hunters who want a classic mountain hunt and are comfortable with harder terrain and more selective, patient hunting; the site says its guide areas hold excellent sheep populations and that hunters often see many sheep. Brown bear is the most specialized choice: Top Gun Treks describes fully guided hunts for the prized Alaskan brown bear in both spring and fall seasons, with baited brown bear hunts as a separate option. If seeing a mix of game matters to you, the site notes that sheep, moose and bears can appear in the same field of view in its area, which is why many hunters choose a combo hunt.
A practical next step is to match each option to your own priorities before calling:
- Moose: best if you want the highest stated odds and lots of rutting-season action; expect to judge several bulls before taking one.
- Sheep: best if the mountain setting and the challenge matter as much as the animal; be honest about fitness and altitude.
- Brown bear: best if you specifically want a big bear and are willing to follow a guided, season-dependent plan; baited hunts are a distinct style worth discussing.
- Combo: best if you want variety and can handle a longer, more demanding trip.
As a decision rule, pick moose for success and encounters, sheep for terrain and tradition, and brown bear for a targeted guided bear hunt. Then call 907-355-4778 and ask which option fits your dates, fitness and goals; the site also lists gear lists, videos and prices pages you can review beforehand.
What is the difference between guided and unguided black bear hunts offered by Top Gun Treks?
Top Gun Treks lists both guided and unguided black bear hunts, but the page does not spell out how the two differ in practice. The clearest distinction it does make is between its baited black bear hunts and the rest of its bear offerings: baited hunts are presented as their own option, while brown bear hunts are described as fully guided. The page also states that all Top Gun Treks hunts are fair-chase hunts in wilderness areas reached by airplane, and that owner-guide Bob Jewett limits the number of hunters in camp each year.
What a reader can reasonably infer
- Guided likely means a Top Gun Treks guide accompanies you and manages the hunt, consistent with the site's "fully guided" language for other species.
- Unguided likely means the outfit provides access, camp or logistics while you hunt on your own. That is general practice for unguided hunts, not a detail confirmed on this page.
- Baited hunts are a separate category here and are listed for both black and brown bears, so confirm whether a guided or unguided baited black bear hunt is the option you are comparing.
How to choose
Pick guided if you are new to Alaska black bear hunting, want help judging bears and handling a remote wilderness setting, or value the guide's local knowledge. Pick unguided only if you are experienced, self-reliant and clear on exactly what support is included. Before booking, ask directly what the unguided option covers: transport to and from the area, camp, baiting, field care and trophy handling. For broader context on Alaska hunting rules and guided-hunt requirements, see Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
How does a combo hunt work if I want to pursue multiple species in one trip?
A combo hunt lets you target more than one species during a single trip, with the guide scheduling the days so each animal gets a realistic chance. On Top Gun Treks, combo options are described for areas where hunters may see sheep, moose and bears in the same field of view, so one trip can cover several species without booking separate dates.
What a combo trip usually involves
- One base camp, several targets. You hunt from the same wilderness camp and pursue whichever legal species the day and terrain allow, rather than travelling between separate outfitters.
- Flexible daily plans. The guide decides each morning whether to climb for sheep, sit on a moose area or work a bear bait, based on weather, animal movement and what you have already taken.
- Shared logistics. Flights, food, camp and guide time are arranged once, which is the main practical reason combos appeal to travelling hunters.
- Tag and licence planning. You still need the correct tags and licences for every species you intend to pursue, and seasons must overlap for the combination to work.
Trade-offs to weigh
A combo spreads your effort across species, so a single-minded trophy hunter may do better with a dedicated hunt. Combos suit hunters who value variety and a full camp experience, and who are fit enough for mixed terrain. Ask the guide how many days are realistically allotted to each species and what happens if the first target takes longer than expected.
A useful next step: list your priority species in order, then ask the outfitter for a day-by-day outline showing where each one fits and which seasons overlap. For wider context on guided Alaska hunts, Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes licence and tag rules that affect any multi-species plan.
What should I expect from a baited brown bear or black bear hunt in Alaska?
A baited Alaska bear hunt is a sit-and-wait hunt: the guide maintains a registered bait station in the bush, and you hunt over it from a stand or ground blind during legal shooting hours, usually in spring and often again in fall. Expect to be flown into a remote camp, to spend multiple days on stand rather than covering ground, and to judge bears carefully—bait sites attract sows with cubs and younger animals, so patience and a guide's read on size and sex matter more than on a spot-and-stalk hunt.
Top Gun Treks is one concrete example of how this is packaged in Alaska: a family-run, Wasilla-based operation led by registered guide Bob Jewett, offering both brown bear baited hunts and black bear baited hunts, with hunts run in spring and fall seasons and camps accessed by airplane in wilderness areas. The site also describes limited hunter numbers per camp and fair-chase hunts in non-motorized country—useful signals of how a baited hunt is run, though the specifics of any one outfitter's camp routine should be confirmed directly with that guide.
What differs between brown and black bear
| Aspect | Black bear baited hunt | Brown bear baited hunt |
|---|---|---|
| Typical draw/access | Often over-the-counter or general season, so easier to book | Usually limited by area quotas or drawing; book well ahead |
| Physical demand | Moderate: short walks, long sits | Moderate on stand, but country and weather are harsher |
| Trophy judgment | Size and hide quality; more bears to choose from | Sex and size critical; mature boars are the target |
| Cost and time | Generally shorter, lower-cost option | Longer hunts, higher fees, more logistics |
| Best for | First-time bear hunters, hunters wanting action | Experienced hunters after a large hide and skull |
Practical expectations
- Sitting is the hunt. Bring quiet layers, a rangefinder, and something to cushion long hours; most encounters are decided in seconds.
- Weather drives movement. Cold, clear mornings and evenings are usually more productive than midday heat.
- Bait sites are regulated. Stations must be registered and maintained to state rules, and baiting is not permitted everywhere—check area-specific regulations before booking.
- Meat and hide care. Ask in advance how the guide handles field care, caping, and transport, and whether a taxidermist is affiliated.
Next step: decide whether you want a black bear hunt as a lower-commitment first trip or a brown bear hunt as a once-in-a-lifetime tag, then ask any prospective guide three questions—how many baits are active, how many hunters share a camp, and what their average shot distance and success rate have been over the last few seasons.
How do I book a hunt and what pricing options are available?
Booking goes through direct contact with the outfitter rather than an online checkout: call 907-355-4778 or use the contact page on Top Gun Treks to discuss dates, species and availability. The site lists separate price pages for black bear baited hunts and brown bear baited hunts, plus a general prices section, so ask for the current quote for your chosen hunt and season when you call.
What to sort out before you commit
- Species and season: moose, Dall sheep, black bear (guided or unguided, including baited hunts) and brown bear (fully guided, including baited hunts) are all offered, with bear hunts run in both spring and fall. Confirm which season has space.
- Hunter numbers: the outfitter says it limits the number of hunters scheduled into its camps each year, so early contact matters for popular seasons.
- Access: hunts take place in remote, non-motorized wilderness reached by airplane, which affects travel days, gear and contingency planning.
- Combo options: because sheep, moose and bears can share the same area, a combo hunt may suit you if you want flexibility on what you take.
Practical next step
Call with your preferred species, season and group size, and ask three things: the current all-in price and what it excludes (tags, licences, flights, taxidermy), the deposit and cancellation terms, and the physical demands of the specific area. For a first Alaska hunt, a guided black bear hunt is usually the lower-commitment entry point; a Dall sheep hunt is the most physically demanding option listed.
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