you don't necessarily need a bush pilot there are plenty of outfitters here in AK just depends on where you want to hunt and what your looking for. Obviously a guide is going to cost you much more than doing a DIY hunt. Your looking at 5 thousand or more for a guided hunt. for a DIY drop camp more around the 3 thousand mark. depending on the area you are hunting you will have just as much success doing DIY and its more rewarding of an experience. My personal recommendation is Deadhorse Outfitters up by Prudhoe bay, they are a great group of guys and not badly priced. The herd they hunt is the Central Arctic heard not a bad sized herd definitely not the largest. Most of your hunts are between 5 and 8 days. My preferred weapon is 338 Win Mag but that is my favorite rifle so I am a little biased LOL. Your going to want to have a rifle that you are comfortable taking a shot between 250 yards to 500 yards. I hope this helps some