The population of Deadwood, South Dakota increased by one with the birth of Neil Webster February of 1954. My father, John Webster, took me on my first Whitetail Deer hunt at the age of five and I have been hooked on hunting and fishing ever since. Our family moved to Alaska in 1962. We lived in Anchorage but hunted all over the South Central and Interior areas of Alaska in the pursuit of fish and game. Our road system was mostly gravel to Seward/ Homer Alaska but over time the roads were paved. A new road system, George Parks Highway, was built in the early 70's from Anchorage to Fairbanks.
Our home sustained minimal damage in the March 1964 earthquake but I got a great buy on a bolt action, single shot Winchester .22 from a gun store downtown Anchorage that sustained heavy earthquake damage. I upgraded to a pump action .22 years ago but I have taken my single shot on numerous Dall Sheep hunts for ptarmigan hunting. Our family lived an "Urban Subsistence" lifestyle as we ate all the game we shot or fish that we caught.
When I was 18 years old I landed a job at Chelatna Lake Lodge, a remote fly-in hunting and fishing lodge owned by Graham and Mary Nell Mower. I started at the bottom of the guide industry, camp helper/packer, assistant guide in training. Mr.& Mrs. Mower operated the lodge since 1959 and I continued my training with them the summer and fall of 1972 to 1974. The lodge was closed every winter and reopened after June 10th.
With more training I made my first solo flight in a Cessna 172 in 1977 and obtained my pilot license with single/sea rating. I obtained my assistant guide license on the recommendation of Registered Guide Graham Mower in 1973 and with his continued training my Registered guide license in 1988. I was married in 1975 and divorced in 1997. During the marriage two daughters were born Shasta in July of 1980 and Lindsey in June of 1984.
I opened my own guide business, Beardown Adventures, in 1988 and my brother, Keith Webster, joined the business in 1989 when he obtained his Registered guide license. Our business was good until he was diagnosed with cancer July of 1993 and died March of 1994. I closed the guide business following Keith's death to reflect on the guide industry, got divorced, then I reopened the business in 1998. I remarried a native of New Zealand in 1999 and became active with the Alaska Professional Hunters Association as a board member and chapter President for 2000 and 2001.
Since 1973 I have successfully guided numerous American and Non resident Alien clients for Brown Bear, Black Bear, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Grizzly Bear, Moose, Mountain Goat, and Wolf. I harvested my first 72 inch spread Bull Moose at 18 and Dall Sheep the same year. Since then I have harvested additional trophy quality Moose, Brown Bear, Dall Sheep, Caribou, Bison, Wolf and Wolverine. I have lived in Alaska since 1962 and flown all over the 49th state, investigated over 1500 aircraft accidents for various insurance companies. My two daughters Shasta and Lindsey reside in Oregon and California. They assist with marketing my guide business. Shasta has been the driving force behind the development of www.beardownadventures.com and I thank her for all her help. My parents, John and Audrey Webster, reside in Palmer, Alaska but occasionally help with the logistics of relocating vehicles/ supplies or clients.
Hunt with me and I will give you 100% fair chase effort towards your harvest of an Alaska big game animal. I recently expanded the guide business for hunting and summer/fall fishing in Southeast Alaska, Dry Bay and Icy Bay out of Yakutat, Alaska. I am authorized to operate on the Tongass National Forest and CAC land in Icy Bay Alaska.
Neil A Webster
Owner and Registered Guide 645
