Sitka Blacktail
01-11-2002 | 12:48 AM
#4
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: SOLDOTNA, ALASKA
RE: Sitka Blacktail
PROBABLY ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO WE WENT OUT THERE AND HUNTED IN THE FAR SOUTH WEST PORTION. NO GUIDE SERVICE BUT WE STAYED ON A 70 FOOT BOAT. IT WAS $1100 FOR SIX DAYS PER PERSON AND WE USED THE MAIL PLANE THAT WAS ABOUT $100 PLUS $0.45 PER POUND OVER 45 FOR GEAR. BUT THEN YOU NEED A WAY TO GET AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE.THAT BOAT WAS A COMMERCIAL BOAT AND I HEARD IT SANK WHEN FISH YEARS LATER. WE SAW 50-75 DEER EACH/ EACH DAY. ONE GUY SAW 13 BEARS. 7 IN A TWO HR PERIOD. THE OTHER 6 WERE ACTUALLY THREE TEENAGE CUBS THAT HE SAW TWICE ABOUT 4 DAYS APART. ONE OF THOSE TRACKED HIM TO THE WATER THE FIRST TIME <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle> ISLAND AIR OUT OF KODIAK IS A GOOD FLIGHT SERVICE. IF YOU CHARTERED I'VE HEARD OVER $1000 RT BUT PLENTY OF ROOM AND IT COULD PROBABLY HANDLE 4 PEOPLE AND LOTS OF GEAR.MANY PEOPLE THAT CAMP HAVE LOTS OF BEAR PROBLEMS. SOME GUYS I KNOW SHOT 12 DEER AND ONLY GOT TO BRING 2 BACK, HAD SOME TAKEN FROM A TREE 20 FEET UP..I SAW PICTURES WITH A BEAR UP IN THE TREE....THEY CAN CLIMB..IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS THE YOUNGER BEARS THAT ARE ABLE TO CLIMB.FOR ME CABINS OR BOATS TO SLEEP ON ARE THE WAY TO GO.I CAN SLLEP BETTER THEN <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
01-11-2002 | 05:03 AM
#5
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks AK
RE: Sitka Blacktail
Funny you ask this question this evening as I just finished some blacktail steaks not too long ago. I'll let you in on a little secret...next to dall sheep, they are the best tasting animal this state has to offer. People will probably disagree, and say moose, but I don't think so. The only exception I might make to that is bison, but I don't think I'll ever draw a tag. Now that you know my feelings about Sitka making good table fare, lets talk about the other important stuff.
Nothing gets my blood pumping like a good looking 3x3 all rutted up in the neck. Something about that short stalky look, it just really makes me get excited. They make wonderful mounts if you get one and I am still working on getting a decent buck up on the wall.
Probably the most pleasant way to hunt Sitka on Kodiak is like Nimrod said, by chartered boat. You live and dine like a king during your excursion, and the plain truth is you don't have to worry about bears in camp. I would recommend staying away from the cabins, they get hunted hard and there is less possibility of you and your party getting your three deer each. Packing your camp out by water or air taxi would be my other method. Cheaper than the boat charter, but yes a little riskier if you are concerned about bears. No doubt you could see as many deer a day as Nimrod stated back eight years ago, but since then Kodiak suffered a bad winter kill of deer. I am happy to say the deer are making a swift come back, and Kodiak is by far the best place to still hunt Sitka's.
As far as prices are concerned you are looking at approximately 1200-1600 per person for a chartered boat which normally includes duck hunting, deer hunting, hot meals (crab and halibut) and showers, and a warm place to sleep, obviously air and water taxis' will cost more the farther away you get from the city, however I would recommend getting a float plane and getting around to some of the alpine lakes (if going during the early season and no snow is on the ground), or head for the west to south area of the island. Looking at $1200 to $1600 total for the transportation. You will likely be allowed more weight on the boat vs a beaver or otter, however if planned carefully you and three of your buds can get a pretty good camp out to a more remote area for about the same price. A 7-10 day stay in a forestry service cabin will cost in the neighborhood of $450. If you can find a private cabin that gets alot less pressure it will definitely cost you more. Also, many of the public cabins on the island you have to be drawn on during the peak season which runs until October of November. The guys who get drawn get first shot at a date of their choice, if your lucky enough to call and get a cabin when it isn't reserved I guess you'll be good as gold too. Hope this helps. Good luck, Jim
Nothing gets my blood pumping like a good looking 3x3 all rutted up in the neck. Something about that short stalky look, it just really makes me get excited. They make wonderful mounts if you get one and I am still working on getting a decent buck up on the wall.
Probably the most pleasant way to hunt Sitka on Kodiak is like Nimrod said, by chartered boat. You live and dine like a king during your excursion, and the plain truth is you don't have to worry about bears in camp. I would recommend staying away from the cabins, they get hunted hard and there is less possibility of you and your party getting your three deer each. Packing your camp out by water or air taxi would be my other method. Cheaper than the boat charter, but yes a little riskier if you are concerned about bears. No doubt you could see as many deer a day as Nimrod stated back eight years ago, but since then Kodiak suffered a bad winter kill of deer. I am happy to say the deer are making a swift come back, and Kodiak is by far the best place to still hunt Sitka's.
As far as prices are concerned you are looking at approximately 1200-1600 per person for a chartered boat which normally includes duck hunting, deer hunting, hot meals (crab and halibut) and showers, and a warm place to sleep, obviously air and water taxis' will cost more the farther away you get from the city, however I would recommend getting a float plane and getting around to some of the alpine lakes (if going during the early season and no snow is on the ground), or head for the west to south area of the island. Looking at $1200 to $1600 total for the transportation. You will likely be allowed more weight on the boat vs a beaver or otter, however if planned carefully you and three of your buds can get a pretty good camp out to a more remote area for about the same price. A 7-10 day stay in a forestry service cabin will cost in the neighborhood of $450. If you can find a private cabin that gets alot less pressure it will definitely cost you more. Also, many of the public cabins on the island you have to be drawn on during the peak season which runs until October of November. The guys who get drawn get first shot at a date of their choice, if your lucky enough to call and get a cabin when it isn't reserved I guess you'll be good as gold too. Hope this helps. Good luck, Jim
