The State of Alaska has filed a sweeping lawsuit against Clint Miller, owner of Alaska Wilderness Outfitter, accusing him of running a fraudulent hunting operation that collected more than $660,000 from clients between 2019 and 2024 without delivering promised services.
Pattern of Cancellations
According to the complaint, Miller routinely booked hunters for guided moose hunts, demanded full payment months in advance, and then canceled trips at the last minute without issuing refunds.
Prosecutors say Miller overbooked hunts far beyond his legal capacity—accepting money from 22 clients in 2023 and 25 clients in 2024, even though his records show he could take no more than eight hunters per season.
The filing highlights the case of Donald Lauscher, who paid $25,000 in 2020. Miller canceled Lauscher’s hunts four years in a row—sometimes just days before departure—and never refunded him.
The complaint names dozens of other clients who suffered similar treatment, including Robert Clayburgh, Eric Fox, and Richard Jordan.
Unsafe and Misleading Practices
The lawsuit alleges Miller misled clients about success rates, advertising a “100% trophy rate” despite state records showing no successful moose kills since 2021. Regulators say such claims violate Alaska’s ethical standards for guides, which prohibit guarantees of hunting success.
Even when clients reached the field, conditions often made hunting impossible. In 2023, Miller sent eight hunters into the backcountry with insufficient fuel and too few guides.
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Four abandoned the trip early, fearing for their safety. The two who stayed faced 400-mile round trips by boat just to reach legal hunting grounds. None harvested a moose, per the lawsuit.
The next year, Miller dispatched three hunters without a licensed guide. They spent 22 hours traveling upriver before realizing they lacked enough fuel to reach the hunting area or return safely. The group left gear and a boat behind, and none received refunds.
Legal Demands
The Attorney General’s Office charges Miller with violating the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices Act. The state seeks an injunction barring him from continuing operations, restitution for affected hunters, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. The complaint also demands attorney’s fees and full investigative costs.
Officials noted that Miller has already taken deposits from at least five clients for the 2025 season, collecting $54,000 despite the ongoing allegations. The lawsuit argues his continued bookings pose an immediate risk to new customers.
The case will proceed in the Superior Court for the Third Judicial District at Palmer. If the court agrees with the state’s allegations, Miller could face massive financial penalties and a permanent ban from Alaska’s guiding industry.
This story is developing. Stay tuned for updates.
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