Rodney (Rod) Pangborn

Registered Guide #102171

As a child in New York I was always outdoors at the local ponds, woods, or on an adventure with my dirt bike or snowmobile. Growing up I always read my Dad’s hunting magazines with mystical tales of Alaska. I dreamed one day I would go to this mystical place myself.

I joined the United States Air Force at age 17. I explored, fished, and hunted at every duty station, to include Germany. My lifelong dream finally came to fruition when I received orders to Alaska in 2005. Upon arrival to Alaska I knew I found a true Outdoorsman’s paradise. I immediately began to explore Alaska from one end of the state to another by backpacking, snowmobiling, four wheeling, hunting, and fishing. Every new place I saw was even more amazing than the previous.

During my exploration I became fascinated with the Alaska Yukon Moose. I learned everything I could about Moose. I became obsessed with learning how to call moose. I took my moose call everywhere, to include deployments to Iraq. I honed my moose calling skills and decided to enter a moose calling competition. I won first place at that competition. A few weeks later another moose calling competition was available. I entered the professional division and defended my title with another first place win.

After I honed my Alaskan hunting skills, I realized my true calling when I guided my family, from out of state, on their first Alaskan Big Game hunt. I discussed my joy of guiding my family with my wife. Her response was “chase your dream, you’ll never know if this is what you really want to do unless you try it.” The next year I started out as a licensed assistant guide for Brown Bear, Moose, Dall Sheep, Caribou, and Wolf. I found my dream job. I paid my dues as an assistant guide for years, passed all of my tests, and earned the coveted title of Alaskan Big Game Guide and Outfitter. Along the way I picked up my Registered Fishing Guide license as well.

Now that I am retired from 20 years of military service; I can devote all of my time to my true passion and lifelong dream: showing others the great state of Alaska and all of its beauty. I have the best job on earth with the wilds of Alaska as my office. I look forward to meeting you and showing you the Alaska I call home.