We have worked with this outfitter for many years. He is located in South East Alaska and he is very successful at guiding brown bear and black bear hunters, Sitka Blacktail hunters and goat hunters. He runs a small and tightly knit organization and does much of the guiding himself. He also conducts guided stream fishing trips. His area of operation includes Ketchikan, Misty fjords and Prince of Wales Island. This area produces many book quality Sitka deer- we think a higher average score then Kodiak deer, since Kodiak sees much more pressure and more hunters. And this guy kills big Sitkas! You should also know that these black bears on POW Island are classified by SCI as “Island Bears”; the same species found on Vancouver Island. Black bears reaching 8 feet have been taken here.
SITKA BLACKTAILS
Alaska’s deer season opens in August when most Sitka black-tailed deer are in the velvet and have their red summer coats. The deer are still in bachelor groups in the upper alpine areas on Prince of Wales Island. They hunt from remote backpack spike camps. This is a physically demanding hunt but the payoff is often good weather, lots of deer and a good chance for a record book buck. It’s not uncommon to spot groups of 10 to 15 animals, mostly bucks up high. Since August days are long in Alaska you have plenty of time to do a stalk. This time of the year can be buggy though.
During early September through early October they conduct combination Sitka black-tail and black bear combo hunts, or you can do a single species hunts. Their hair can be in the transition stage between summer and winter during these hunts. The deer have shed their velvet and have started their pre-rut tendencies. At this time they will continue to hunt them out of alpine spike camps. The days have begun to shorten up and rain, fog and wind is on the increase. A P&Y or B&C scoring buck is always possible in his hunting areas. The genetics and minerals are there!
From late October to early December thick necks and winter coats make for very impressive Sitka black-tailed deer trophies. We hunt the bucks in the mountains, muskegs and on the beaches depending on the weather and snow level. The bucks at this time, due to the rut, readily come into a call starting in late October. Calling can be deadly at times! He has called in and taken a rare non- typical deer that, at the time, ranked #2 in the Safari Club International listings. Another of his trophy deer took first award in the Boone & Crockett 21st Big Game Awards.
BLACK BEAR
Island black bears are considered to be the biggest black bear specie. They are found here and on Vancouver island, but Vancouver has much more pressure then this area. We think chances for a giant are better here then on Vancouver. (Our opinion!). The record books are full of giant blackies from this area. One nice thing, on POW Island, there are no brownies- only black bear, so you not feel the need to look behind you as much. The mainland near Ketchikan also has the Cinnamon phase black bear as well as the rare Glacier (blue) black bear.
This coastal rainforest gets between 120 and 200 inches of precipitation per year. The coastal islands are covered with spruce/hemlock/cedar forest, with miles of rocky beaches and many bays, tidal flats and rivers while the mainland’s geography is made up of beautiful fjords, low alpine areas, a few glaciers and small to medium size creeks and rivers. All hunts are fair chase, spot and stalk or ambush style type hunting. You hunt the beaches, tidal flats, estuaries and the uplands and may even use a fawn bleat to call a big one in!
He hunts both spring and fall blackies. His guide area is over 1000 square miles and much of it rarely gets hunting pressure. His Spring hunts are based out of a cabin on POW Island or from a remote beach tent camp. You will use small boats, foot travel and 4WD. Bugs are normally not a problem in the spring hunts. Expect it wet and mild. Normally you will want to purchase a wolf tag if you hunt in April!!
Fall black bear opens September 1. You can hunt bear and combo them with Blacktails during September and early October. You can even combo a blackie with a Mountain goat! Bears are fishing at that time, and working the creeks and rivers can have a giant in your lap! Fun with bow or with gun. You may be wearing hip boots, or hiking boots, depending on bear habits at the time you arrive. Fall hunts are usually cabin based., but could be a remote beach also.
BROWN BEAR
Brown bear hunts are strictly controlled in this area around Ketchikan. This outfitter get an allocation for Three Brown bear per year. This rule has been in place over 15 years, ensuring older bears are plentiful. These hunts are done on the mainland around the famed Misty fjords. It reminds us of Norway, with towering cliffs, waterfalls plunging into fjords- and one of the most scenic maritime areas imaginable. You can do either a Spring hunt or a Fall hunt, and again you may be able to combo with other species such as deer, goat or black bear. Camp is typically a tented beach front camp or it may even call for a back pack type hunt and tent. Whatever it takes to get you on bears, he will do it.
MOUNTAIN GOAT
The Goat hunt starts with your arrival in Ketchikan. You then take a float plane back into the Misty Fjords Wilderness Area, landing on a lake. You then typically will climb a couple of thousand feet to a backpack tent site, which is home for the next 3 to 10 days. You then climb, glass and stalk your goat. This area produces book quality goats with regularity. The early Season hunts have better weather but shorter haired goats. Late hunts have shorter and colder days but a longer higher, combined with worse weather. Hunts are 10 day hunts. If you tag out early the price includes relocating to POW Island to hunt for blacktails, black bear or fishing. You must still arrange for the licenses and tags. You should buy wolf and wolverine tags – it can happen.
Wolf opens August 1 and wolverine Sept 1 traditionally. During an October goat hunt, you may want to consider combining it with a Brown bear- and hunt them on a trophy fee basis. Meaning you pay if you take a brownie.
2018 PRICES (subject to change without notice until deposit received)
7-day Spring Black Bear (late April-May) Prince of Wales Island (POW) – $6,500 1×1; $5,000 each 2×1
7-day Spring Black Bear (May/June) Mainland – $7,500 1×1; $6,000 each 2×1
12-day Spring Brown Bear/Black Bear Combo (mid- to late May) Mainland – $15,000 1×1
7-day Backpack Fall Sitka Blacktail (late August-September) POW – $6,500 1×1; $5,000 each 2×1
7-day Fall Black Bear (September to early October) POW – $6,500 1×1; $5,000 each 2×1
10-day Mountain Goat (late August to October) – $11,000 1×1 ($1,750 trophy fee each Black Bear/Deer; $4,000 trophy fee for Brown Bear)
12 day Sitka Blacktail/Black Bear Combo (August to October) POW – $9,000 1×1
7-day Sitka Blacktail (November rut) POW cabin – $6,500 1×1; $5,000 each 2×1. Additional animal fee of $1,750 per animal for 2nd, 3rd and 4th deer charged upon success.
INCLUDED: guide; packer/camp-help/cook (when needed); meals and lodging in the field; transportation during the hunt; skinning, fleshing, meat & trophy preparations for shipping.
NOT INCLUDED: licenses; tags; meat and trophy shipping costs; travel expenses; hotel lodging and meals before and after the hunt (while in Ketchikan); alcoholic beverage; gratuities.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm desired dates with the balance due upon arrival. No refunds of deposits. A negotiated portion can be applied to a future hunt. As per Alaska law a wounded Bear is counted as your bag limit.
Contract, equipment list, and help with travel plans will be provided upon booking.
LICENSES
Hunting license $170; black bear tag $450; goat tag $600; blacktail deer tag $300; wolverine tag $340; brown bear tag $1,000.
