AK Sitka Blacktail info?

[Sniffles]

Anyone have any good suggestions on a sitka blacktail hunt, charter's? Estimated cost's?  Any good ways to save money?  Looking into an unguided trip for me and my fiance for our honeymoon, thought a sitka blacktail hunt would be fun and a bit more affordable than anything else.  I've done some research, but thought I might try getting some feedback from others who have experienced this type of hunt before.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks alot.

[WDFW-SUX]

You could hunt them out of a motel/campground in Juneau

[bow4elk]

http://www.homerocean.com/deer_hunting.htm

I've had friends book with Homer Ocean Charters with great success and a wonderful time.  Mind you, these are longbow shooters, not rifle hunters.  You'll want to call and be specific about what type of experience you're looking for.  Think it through.  Kodiak is steep and can be miserable.  I'd contact folks like Lon Lauber or Bob Robb who've lived in AK and done this hunt numerous times on several islands.  Kodiak is by far your best odds, but there are lots of bears on Kodiak too.  Something to consider.

I'd also review any of your charter options past the AK guides and outfitters association to inquire about complaints filed in recent years.  And ALWAYS request references of both successful and un-successful clients, and ask about food, bedding, timing of their hunt, gear they wished they'd have packed, stuff they packed and didn't need, etc. etc.

Hope this helps get you started...

[bowelkin]

There are alot of options in S.E. Alaska.  Rent a vehicle on Prince Of Wales Island, stay in a hotel and go.  Many forest service cabins you can rent really cheap, many in great hunting areas.  You may have to charter a float plane or boat to get you to them.  Time of year and wether you want a trophy or not will make a difference where to go.  I used to live up there and travel all over southeast, for work and fun.
If you want more info on southeast Alaska, let me know.
Bowelkin

[klickman]

 

I would second going to POW.  Either stay at a forest service cabin or check out some of the small outfits that rents out rooms and vehicles.  check out misty sea charters they will treat you right. 
Klickman

[andrew_12gauge]

camron hanes has kodiak island listed as one of his top five  hardcore bowhunts in the book backcountry bowhunting he says that for 2,800 you can get 3 tags and if you get away from the beaches youll see lots of big bucks but hes a hardcore guy and apparently isnt to scared of the bears around there, I would imagine it would be a good rifle hunt as well though

[Sniffles]

Appreciate all the info guys, thanks alot!

[javman]

When are you planning on going? They changed the regs on POW a couple years ago, and non-res can't deer hunt until August 15th (on federal land at least, which is most of the island). Except for the southern portion of the island which isn't connected to the main road system. My dad and I have gone up there three times, and always just camped out of the truck for a week. Who needs a hotel?  We've also always been lucky with the weather!

We went up there this past August, rented a truck in Ketchikan, and took it on the ferry. That allowed us to do all of our grocery and supplies shopping in Ketchikan where prices are lower. We weren't hunting though, because I didn't look at the regs closely before scheduling the trip, and we'd always been able to hunt August 1st before Oh well.

If I had to do it again, I'd charter a float plane in early August to one of the lakes on the south side. Set up a base camp and hike up the mountains every day.

[TeacherMan]

When are you planning on going? They changed the regs on POW a couple years ago, and non-res can't deer hunt until August 15th (on federal land at least, which is most of the island). Except for the southern portion of the island which isn't connected to the main road system. My dad and I have gone up there three times, and always just camped out of the truck for a week. Who needs a hotel?  We've also always been lucky with the weather!

We went up there this past August, rented a truck in Ketchikan, and took it on the ferry. That allowed us to do all of our grocery and supplies shopping in Ketchikan where prices are lower. We weren't hunting though, because I didn't look at the regs closely before scheduling the trip, and we'd always been able to hunt August 1st before Oh well.

If I had to do it again, I'd charter a float plane in early August to one of the lakes on the south side. Set up a base camp and hike up the mountains every day.

thats a good idea with the truck, you see many deer?

[javman]

Yeah there's plenty of deer there. I don't get the rule change but I understand the locals not liking boatloads of non-residents killing lots of deer. I don't see why they don't just limit non-res to one deer or two, instead of four. Climb up any mountain in August and you'll see deer. But they bed down early, especially on sunny days.

Here's some pics from this past August...
http://www.javinelliff.com/adventures/PrinceOfWalesIsland-63.html

And a decent buck I shot on our last day there in 2001:

[Michelle_Nelson]

That is a great looking Sitka Javman.

[bowelkin]

You have to be carefull about renting a truck in Ketchikan and taking it on the ferry.  They used to have strict rules about not doing that at all the rental agencies.  If you wait till later you will find less bugs, when depends on the weather.

[TeacherMan]

I like the idea of being able to hunt in August. I don't start school until the 3rd -8th of Sept. depending on the year. I have lots of time in August. I could take 9 days and probable be able to get one. I just want one for my collection.

Did you peel the velvet on your buck, or cure it?

Thanks, I think this is going to be my 2010 adventure. I was thinking DIY Caribou but this is closer and looks like a lot of fun.

[javman]

I called a taxidermist who told me to apply a coating of paint thinner with a soft paintbrush. The velvet was fine... but I left the rack in the garage... and apparently mice like velvet covered racks more than they like normal racks 

Not all bucks will still have their velvet in early August. My dad shot a 3 point a few days before I got mine, and it had scraped the velvet clean... It was around August 5-7.

Definitely give a taxidermist a call if you get one in velvet. It's probably worth the money to have a professional deal with it!

[TheHunt]

Here is a guy you can contact...

http://www.muskegexcursions.com

hunting@muskegexcursions.com 

He can tell you what is up...