Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Muley Chaser on February 19, 2016, 05:28:31 PM

Title: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 19, 2016, 05:28:31 PM: My hunting partner and I both drew a fall bear tag on Prince of Whales island. Looking like we will be heading there for 7 days in September. We have not decided where we are staying yet but leaning towards the Thorne bay side. I have not been there before but my hunting partner has been there once about 15 years ago. We are going to focus on bears, if we can get that done maybe try to find a Sitka blacktail. Super excited for this trip, time to start doing some more research, hoping we can get on some bears. If anybody has any advice that would be awesome.

Thanks
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 19, 2016, 05:38:31 PM: Good luck to ya :tup:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: RadSav on February 19, 2016, 05:50:34 PM: Wife and I were going to do that hunt for our honeymoon. Up until we found out the MIL was not going to be out of prison in time. >:( She ruins all the fun. :chuckle: We still hope to do it one of these days. Sounds like a lot of fun! Will be looking forward to the story and pics.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: gasman on February 19, 2016, 05:53:28 PM: Have fun :tup:

We hunted out of Klawock for spring bear about 5 years ago. It was a great time. Hunted from boat all along the El Captain passage.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: SkookumHntr on February 19, 2016, 06:38:55 PM: That hunt sounds like a hoot!! I've wanted to do a bear hunt there for along time, keep us posted on it!
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 19, 2016, 08:28:41 PM: I will make sure to post some pictures of our trip.

gasman- We are also considering Klawock. Everybody that I have talked to tells me that it really dont matter where you hunt on the island. :dunno: For the spring hunt focus on the beaches and the fall hunt hit the rivers and streams.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: gasman on February 20, 2016, 11:11:04 AM: Quote from: Muley Chaser on February 19, 2016, 08:28:41 PM
I will make sure to post some pictures of our trip.

gasman- We are also considering Klawock. Everybody that I have talked to tells me that it really dont matter where you hunt on the island. :dunno: For the spring hunt focus on the beaches and the fall hunt hit the rivers and streams.

That sounds about right...
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 22, 2016, 07:28:16 PM: Just got done booking our cabin in Thorne Bay. Decided to go with a private (vrbo) instead of with the traditional hunting/fishing lodge. Saved a considerable amount of money. 7 nights 2 people with a suburban for the week came to 1500$ total. Now to decide on weather to take the 7mag or the smoke pole, maybe both. Also I need in invest in some quality rain gear. Anybody have any suggestions on rain gear?
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: RadSav on February 22, 2016, 09:06:42 PM: Probably cost as much as your lodge and vehicle. But if you want the best...http://www.arcteryx.com/Home.aspx?language=EN
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Gringo31 on February 23, 2016, 09:40:05 AM: Just going to point out that you mentioned the idea of a smoke pole and then asked for good rain gear :chuckle:

It can flat out rain for days. I'd suggest up and close with a rifle but make it open sights for that extra fun factor.....and at least it will have dry powder. :twocents:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: trophyhunt on February 23, 2016, 10:07:50 AM: Best rain gear is rubber, but if you want hunting rain gear, the Yukon from kuiu is supposed to be the best. Expensive but worth it. My good friend hunted out of el capitan area a few years ago and killed a huge boar! it was in the spring though, good luck guys!
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Limits on February 23, 2016, 10:14:15 AM: Quote from: Muley Chaser on February 22, 2016, 07:28:16 PM
Just got done booking our cabin in Thorne Bay. Decided to go with a private (vrbo) instead of with the traditional hunting/fishing lodge. Saved a considerable amount of money. 7 nights 2 people with a suburban for the week came to 1500$ total. Now to decide on weather to take the 7mag or the smoke pole, maybe both. Also I need in invest in some quality rain gear. Anybody have any suggestions on rain gear?
If my memory serves me correctly POW is a Controlled Use Area. During the months of September and October it is illegal to use motorized land vehicles to hunt bears or transport bear hunters. You may have to secure the use of a boat also and hunt via waterways. :twocents:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 23, 2016, 12:36:30 PM: Thanks for the info guys. Maybe the smoke pole should stay home this trip. I will for sure look into the regs about the controlled use area, that is the first I have heard of that. Killing a big bear would be awesome as I have heard that POW holds lots of them however I am hoping to have a great experience hunting some areas that I have never been to before.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Limits on February 23, 2016, 01:40:56 PM: Here it is...

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/blackbearhunting/pdfs/pow_controlled_use_area_info_faq.pdf
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Limits on February 23, 2016, 02:06:12 PM: Read the last of the FAQ's. Looks as though the regulation may have sunset back in 2012. Hopefully it did because there are some really neat areas to hunt bear via motorized vehicle. Good Luck!
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 23, 2016, 06:21:43 PM: Limits--Thanks for pointing that out. I will call the game department tomorrow and confirm that I will be able to use a land vehicle. It appears that that restriction was lifted in 2012 when they went to draw only 30 tags for non resident fall hunters. At least that what I am hoping for.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: 6.8mmARHunter on February 23, 2016, 08:08:01 PM: Shouldn't your guide/lodging people (especially since they provided a vehicle) provide guidance whether or not it's legal to use said vehicle?

I'm jealous of you going up there for a big Bear hunt. Good luck, and have a great time.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: RB on February 23, 2016, 08:21:26 PM: sounds like a great trip!! :tup:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 23, 2016, 08:42:18 PM: We are not using a guide. The cabin we rented had the option to also rent a vehicle. Per Alaska regulations, residents are not suppose to give non residents information on hunting areas :dunno:. I looked up the current controlled use areas in the regulations and the one that was posted earlier is not there or I couldn't find it. Pretty sure it was lifted in 2012. I will for sure be calling in tomorrow to confirm. Thanks for the comments guys, I am truly hoping for the trip of a lifetime.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Kit Carson on February 24, 2016, 11:31:28 AM: Good luck! :tup:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: bearpaw on February 24, 2016, 11:35:30 AM: Sounds like a fun trip, good luck, hope to see pics! :tup:
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Muley Chaser on February 25, 2016, 07:35:10 PM: Confirmed with Alaska fish and game that the controlled use restriction has been lifted. There are no restrictions on vehicle use. :) Time to start looking at my map to figure out what area we want to focus on.
Title: Re: Prince of Whales fall bear tag
Post by: Limits on February 26, 2016, 09:17:22 AM: Quote from: Muley Chaser on February 25, 2016, 07:35:10 PM
Confirmed with Alaska fish and game that the controlled use restriction has been lifted. There are no restrictions on vehicle use. :) Time to start looking at my map to figure out what area we want to focus on.

Sweet! Thanks for the update. Good Luck :tup: