State files lawsuit against Wasilla hunting guide accused of taking money without providing services

The State of Alaska filed a lawsuit on August 28 against Wasilla resident Clint Miller.

In a press release from the State of Alaska Department of Law, the state alleges that Miller took hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers but failed to provide the hunting trips they paid for while doing business as Alaska Wilderness Outfitter, a big game hunting guide service out of Holy Cross on the Innoko River.

Palmer Superior Court Judge Jonathan Woodman issued the order following a complaint by the Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit alleging that Miller defrauded consumers of more than $660,000 by taking advance payment for guided hunts that never happened.

“Many dream, save and plan for years to go on a big game hunting trip of a lifetime in Alaska, yet for most of Miller’s clients, those plans and dreams ended in disappointment and considerable financial loss after last-minute cancellations without refunds. Clearly this is an unacceptable business practice and a huge disservice to all of the reputable hunting guides who are unfairly tainted by Miller’s actions,” said Assistant Attorney General Helen Mendolia.

According to the complaint, Miller promised perspective clients the opportunity to go hunting for moose but would cancel the hunt at the very last minute and refuse to provide refunds. The complaint alleges that between 2019 and 2024, Miller collected at least $660,350 from his clients for hunting services he has not provided.

The lawsuit also claims that the few clients who did go into the field were subjected to dangerous conditions without sufficient fuel or guides.

The temporary restraining order prevents Miller from taking payments from new customers unless and until Miller satisfies the court that he can provide safe, legal hunts for existing customers. The order also requires Miller to preserve assets for the payment of consumer restitution.

The state says Miller can only take eight clients hunting each year, but he booked far more people than he could serve. In 2023, he booked at least 22 clients and collected $234,500 from them, even though he only had space for eight hunters.

For the 2024 hunting season, Miller booked 25 clients and collected at least $176,150 from new customers. He canceled on 18 of these clients and has not provided refunds to the 22 clients who did not go hunting.

For at least the past two years, Miller’s hunts began in Holy Cross, with his clients transported out of Holy Cross by boat up the Innoko River. The land adjacent to the Innoko River is largely comprised of private and federal land, and the river passes through the Innoko National Wildlife Refuge.

Miller is alleged to not have the appropriate permits or permission to guide hunts on much of these private and federal lands or the refuge. Documents also state his clients had to travel hundreds of miles by boat up the Innoko River to reach land where they could legally camp and hunt.

When Miller was able to take some clients hunting, the trips had problems. In 2023, eight clients went into the field, but they did not have enough fuel to reach areas where hunting was legal. Some clients left early because they feared for their safety due to lack of supplies.

Documents also allege that Miller overbooked his services for the 2023 moose hunting season, accepting at least $264,500 from clients he had no intention of taking hunting. Although Miller only has the capacity to take eight clients on moose hunts per season, Miller booked at least 22 clients for the 2023 moose hunting season, receiving at least $234,500 from those 22 clients.

Despite overbooking his guided hunting services, Miller did not apply for any permits necessary to take his clients hunting during the 2023 season. Miller cancelled on 14 of these clients.

In 2024, Miller sent three clients into the backcountry without a licensed hunting guide. These clients could not hunt legally without a guide present and did not do any hunting during their expensive trip.

Miller also failed to provide hunt contracts to clients within the required 90-day period, making it difficult for customers to plan their trips and buy necessary permits and flights.

The Attorney General's Office discovered this conduct after Miller's customers filed consumer complaints. The state is asking the court to stop Miller from continuing these practices, order him to refund customers, and impose civil penalties of $25,000 for each violation.

If you experience any unfair or deceptive conduct, please fill out a consumer complaint form or call the Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit at (907) 269-5200.