Sitka on Kodiak

mtmiller · May 25, 2005

I am headed to Kodiak this Fall to chase some sitka deer with both a gun and bow. I will be using a transporter (boat) and hunting with three other guys (although everyone is on there own once we are on shore). I am looking for any advise you guys might have for a late September hunt on the island.

many thanks....

nmtaxi · May 25, 2005

Sounds like fun, mtmiller. That's a trip I would like to do in the next few years. I'm looking forward to the comments on this thread.

eelgrass · May 25, 2005

Sounds like a fun hunt mtmiller. I've never done it but I've read that a rifle shot that time of year on Kodiak can be like a dinner bell to the bears, in some areas. I guess sometimes the bear actually beats the hunter to the downed deer. I would hunt with a caliber that would work for bear in case the unthinkable happened.

Some people I know prefer to hunt Kodiak in November when the snow concentrates the deer down near the beach, and the bears are denned up. But you run into short daylight hours and the risk of bad weather.

Is your base camp on a boat or are you just getting dropped off and picked up later?

Either way, have fun and get some good pics to share. Every trip to Alaska is a great adventure!

Steve

mtmiller · May 26, 2005

I don't want to hear those bear stories, especially when I only have a few arrows to defend myself. ;-) I have been hearing from a few people late season is a little easier, but during November I am too busy chasing critters in MT and SD, so it was the only option.

We wil be sleeping on the boat so that should keep the bears at bay during the dark hours anyway.

As for pictures, I usually get carried away, so you will be obliterated with them whan I return.

Lien2 · May 26, 2005

mtmiller -
Sorry, I won't be much help here either. But like nmtaxi, I would like to take a trip up there in the next couple of years on this same type of hunt. I've done a little research to get an idea on cost, that's about all as of now.
Anyway, good luck! And like many others, I'll be watching this thread and looking for your pictures of success!

Lien2

Blank · May 26, 2005

My hunting partner and several other friends have done the same trip, and it was a ball for all concerned. My son lived in Sitka for a while and wants to go back. I think we will be doing it again in 06 or 07.You will not want to "each go their own way", after you hit the beach. Better to hunt in pairs for several reasons. They saw from 2-6 bears every day, and you would not like to be busy and have one surprise you while cleaning. They took pics, then one stood watch while the other dressed, and loaded boned meat into pack. Shoot one deer each, and get them back down to the beach. Get the meat back to the boat before, or with, the antlers. Don't leave a deer overnight, expecting to go back in the morning to get it. Won't be anything left of it. One of the guys did, and the bears ate the deer; he took the head back to the boat and the captain (transporter) threw it over the side. AGF is really touchy about wanton waste and tickets for it, so the policy was "No meat-no trophy". They harvested nice bucks every day, so it wasn't a problem (5 of them shot 12 deer). The bear grass doesn't always look tall, but once up out of the alders in the open, you can lose a deer you have shot in the waist high grass without some direction from a buddy. As for guns, the added security of '06s and 300's made them feel better. If you like mounted waterfowl, take a shotgun or make sure there is one on the boat. They have some gorgeous eiders and harlequin ducks in the coves.

P.S. - Watch the butter! They ate so much shrimp and crab every day they got the shits from too much of it. Enjoy the trip.

crazylegz · Jun 15, 2005

Kodiak island is awsome. I was there last summer and it is the most beautiful place that I have ever been. I can't be of much help for the hunt because I was there fishing.The only advice that I can give you is take lots of bug spray because the mosquitos can be horrible. Also I hope that you enjoy huge kodiak grizzlies because they are everywhere. Hope that you have a good trip. PS Don't Get Eaten!

BOWUNTR · Jun 17, 2005

Hmmm. Late September boat hunt. Put your boots on. 2000+ elevation hike everyday to get to the better bucks. I went this past Nov on a boat hunt. During the rut. Most of the deer were still high. There were bucks on the beaches but most were high. Fishing in Sept might still be good. Bears will probably still be looking for salmon?? In Nov the bears were high, low, and in between. You will have an awsome adventure no matter. Loved it so much I'm booked again for second week of Nov 2006. Can't wait. Let us know how you do. Ed F

wmidbrook · Jun 21, 2005

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-05 AT 09:12AM (MST)[p]There are bucks @ lower elevations year round but typically the big ones stay up top until driven down by snow. I agree with Bohuntr that you'd be better off with a drop camp much higher up during the summer than a boat hunt.

During the summer, yeah, more bears are concentrated along the 300+ rivers, streams that have salmon runs but you'll still run into bears anywhere and everywhere....just be careful going thru the alders where you're more likely to suprise a bear or unwittingly come up on one sleeping behind a log or something.

When I lived there back in '86-'92, we'd wait for a good snow before going hunting from a boat. I hunted mostly in December and during September between commercial salmon closures....yeah, it would be a good 1-2 hr hike in from most places on the beach to get up where there were more deer during the summer.

From the first real hard snows, and freezes onward, it was more or less like road hunting....put around in all the bays with boats glassing for bucks on the slopes....paddle the zodiak to the beach and try to stalk.

TBinKodiak · Jul 3, 2005

Some good advice given here. I'll try to add some points and hit on a couple already stated. In Sept most of the bucks will be up around the 800-1400 elevation level. Right where the alders start to thin out and the alpine takes over (differs by location). It should be a great year for antler growth because of the mild winter and good growing season this summer. Definetly hunt in pairs and if you're bowhunting carry a good bear spray like "counter assault". Don't buy a cheap brand, all three sportshops here in Kodiak carry the kind you'll need. Also keep it where you can get at it fast(not in your pack). Once you shoot a buck get it cut up right then, don't plan on coming back later to do the butchering. The deer may be gone or worse guarded by an unseen brown. Bears will be bears, no need in being paranoid, but use sound judgement and keep your ears and eyes open.
The grass/salmon berry brush doesn't look bad from a distance but it will be from 3'- 6' high at lower elevations. Take trekking poles or a walking stick to help you climb and more importantly to find footing on the decents where you can't see the ground. You will need to be in good shape so if you haven't already, start hiking with a pack.
Duck hunting doesn't open until Oct 8, but the silvers will still be running late Sept. Enjoy your hunt!!!

mtmiller · Oct 10, 2005

Well, got back a couple weeks ago and had a pretty good time. We each had three tags, but 3 of us punched the tag once and the 4th didn't get it to happen this year. Hopefully there will be more opportunities some day.

Here are the three that were killed.

Mine (smallest taken)

Another buddy from Moosies.

One of his buddies.

Here is a link to a few photos from the trip.
http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/browseimages.php?c=395&userid=

caelkhnter · Oct 11, 2005

Congrats on what looks like must have been a great hunt. How did you take these with bow or gun?

mtmiller · Oct 11, 2005

All three were taken with gun. I hunted the first day with bow, and although I got within range of several (just does and a spike), I decided to put one on the ground first with a gun and then go back to the bow. Because of some problems, I didn't get one down until the last day of the hunt.

sjhgraysage · Oct 11, 2005

how about sharing some particulars on what it costs to do a hunt like yours? and will the same amount of $$ get it done if you go later in the season.
Thanks for sharing the pics!
Scott

eelgrass · Oct 11, 2005

Absolutely beautiful photos. Those are sure pretty bucks! Thanks for showing. How was the bear "situation"?

Steve

NDBadlandsbucks · Oct 17, 2005

I would also be interested in the $$$ involved, and about the bear situation form what you saw. I would love to go there someday to hunt sitkas, although I'm sure it won't be anytime soon. By the way, nice photos, and nice bucks all of them, congratulations.

Keep the Sun at Your Back and the Wind in Your Face

mtmiller · Oct 17, 2005

I went with a transporter whose job was to boat us to an island, raft us to the beach in the mornings and feed us on the boat. It was a total of 7 days and the cost was $1,400/person.

Saw lots of bear sign, but it was fairly old. I think most of the bears were focused on the rivers, chasing salmon.

September is not the easiest hunt, as the deer were mostly high. It wasn't that bad, and is very doable, but it sounds as if the deer may be lower later in the season. I went with the early season as I didn't want conflict with hunting seasons in MT.

I would love to go again, but I had better try some new critters first.