Info Request on Blacktail Deer hunting

[Sandy Flakeman]

Can anyone give me some tips on hunting Sitka Blacktail deer in AK?  I'm an experienced deer hunter in NY and I know this would be totally different.  I really want to hunt  deer on Kodiak Island as they seem to produce some nice sized antlers.

I'm looking for advice on the best way for a non-resident to do this.  I've found outfits that put you ashore from a small cabin cruiser and then pick you up at the end of the day to sleep and eat on the boat.  I've also seen some cabin rentals.  I really don't want to tent camp because of lack of experience doing so in bear country. 

Any suggestions on costs, outfitters, time of year, weather,  methods, gear, rifle calibers etc would be greatly appreciated.  I'm looking for self guided, fair chase hunts for around 4 people.  The kind of hunt where they point you in the right direction and turn you loose with a radio in case you get in trouble. I've been to AK twice and did some hiking around Fairbanks but I realize I don't know squat about AK so please take that into consideration.  All opinions appreciated.  Thanks.

[Sourdough]

Since I have never had the desire to hunt deer here in Alaska I can't give you any advice on the hunt or guides.  But one thing I can say is that everyone I know that hunt deer carries a rifle big enough to knock down Brown Bears.  The main reason is that the Bears have become conditioned over the years to the sound of gunshots meaning a gut pile.  They come running to the sound of gunfire.  Gunfire is like a dinner bell to them.  So be prepaired.

[Daveinthebush]

Kodiak:  I have not been there either.  But there is a lot of deer hunting on Prince William Sound whre I live.  A live-aboard trip is a pretty nice way to go for an unexperienced person in Alaska.  Meals, transportation costs, bear problems and comfort are major concerns. 

As Sourdough tried to say:  Hunt not with a gun big enough for what your hunting.  Hunt with a gun big enough for what may be hunting you.

A .338 is a nice gun to carry but some feel better with a .375.  A min. might be a 30/06 with 180 Noslers or 200 grain.

[Winter Hawk]

Or, you might try Prince of Wales Island hunting.  There are a number of B&Bs and lodges there which cater to sportsmen wanting to go after deer and bear.  I suggest McFarland's Floatel, but that is only because I've known them for years.  It can be reached with your own vehicle via the ferry system.  Get there after September 1st and you can go after black bear also.  Good fishing is available also, and the lodges usually can provide you with a skiff and gear to go out in.

Be prepared to do some climbing.  The bucks are up in the high country, above timber line.  There are lots of logging roads which will get you close enough so it's only a couple of hours to get where the deer are.

Since there are no brown bear on the island, a smaller caliber is entirely appropriate.  I used a .308 for all the years I lived there.  An island favorite is the .243, though I've seen folks out with .30-30s, .30-06, .22-250 and .25-06.  Even saw a fellow with an H&R 12 guage using slugs.  Jim Baichtal uses one of several caplock black powder guns (no inlines that I am aware of) almost exclusively to bring home his meat.

Bring rain gear.  My experience has been that Gore-Tex isn't going to keep you comfortable.  Go with loose fitting rubberized pants and jacket.  Rubber boots are a must.  I would wait until you get there and pick up a pair of "red rubbers" (Xtra-Tuffs).  They have a sole which grips to anything, much better than vibram or the little knobby soles.

Good luck, stay safe and enjoy yourself.
-WH-

[Dennis Eugene]

Hi, I'm new to the board but thought I'd join in. I hunt Prince of Wales Island and have for many years I backpack into the high alpine and do see Blackbears often but have never had a problem with them altho we never sleep with food or our meat we've never lost any to bears. This winter has been a bad one and I expect the winter kill to be bad on the deer and am sure there numbers will be down next season. I took three bucks last season as three is all the wife and I can use so unless I see a real wall hanger I quit at three often not hunting again after takeing my meat. Here's photos of the bucks I took this season starting for the first one still in velvet and ending with the final 3x3 with eye guards all 3 are respectable bucks with the first one being the smallest.[img width= height=]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/79966/P1010024.JPG[/img]  [img width= height=]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/79966/P1010062.JPG[/img]  [img width= height=]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-12/79966/FKXKQ-P1010067.JPG[/img] I'd be happy to answer any question you may have about P.O.W. but winter hawk summed it up very well. Dennis Eugene

[tundragriz]

I've hunted Prince of Wales (POW) and Kodiak for deer.  From what you have said with your Alaskan experience I would suggest POW.  POW has better infrastructure supporting visitor hunting and no brown bears.  I don't particularly worry about the blacks but you will see plenty.  For a DIY you could do an alpine floatplane dropoff, forest service cabin via floatplane, or base out of the road system which is extensive.  I probably wouldn't do it with 4 hunters but I personally prefer a remote beach drop-off and just hike up for a week.  In the fall you hunt alpine, come November you can stay right on the beach. 

There are a few towns to base your hunt on POW.  Anything from 4wd, boat, and equipment can be rented.  I go right from Ketchikan.  Most of what I said also applies to Kodiak except the road system is much more limited and you have browns to contend with.  I've never seen a lot but I have always seen some!

In either case, if you are doing the alpine thing, be prepared for some EXTREMELY!!! vertical climbing.  Both places there is water and then it is UP!  I know a lot of hunters that would not be able to deal with the thick (0-2000 ft) and vertical nature of both places.  You need to consider this for who you invite on a DIY.

Pic from past October hunt on Kodiak, click on the pic if you like but it might take a minute to open on dialup:

[Ratltrap]

Most of my AK deer hunts are in the southeast panhandle. Never use an outfitter so I'm not much help there but I've hunted POW several times and Kodiak once. None of these deer get real big and the minimum for B&C is only 100 inches, but as you say Kodiak has big bucks and as you can see POW has decent deer as well. This winter has been tough on deer, so if that pattern persists through spring the population on the north end at least may take a fair hit.

I'd suggest a liveaboard if you've got the coin. If you're going to have more than a couple of days to hunt, boat support would allow you to try different locations, which could pay off. Fly-in cabin hunts are also a good option in some areas. As has already been said, no matter where or when you hunt plan on getting some altitude for big bucks. If you hunt the alpine in August bucks will be in velvet and red summer coats. November (rut) is probably the best time to look for a hardhorn bucks and see fewer bears, just be careful about flying in to a lake cabin that time of year (ice). No matter what, plan for being very wet every day - you might luck out and get some dry days, but don't plan on it.

You'll probably be able to walk for days and not see another person. Good luck and have fun.