Sitka Blacktail - POW Island, AK

[Peddler 76]

I really enjoyed your unabashed writings. Thanks for the read! Congratulations on a great hunt.

 

[Country Bumpkin]

I really enjoyed your unabashed writings. Thanks for the read! Congratulations on a great hunt.

Thanks Peddler, it was a great adventure and I'm glad you enjoyed the read.

I feel so fortunate that both of us were successful on a DIY destination Hunt. I had done a lot of reading about the steep, slippery, vegetated climbs but it was impossible to mentally prepare for what we actually encountered. Looking back on how long it actually took us to climb 1,500-2,000 ft of elevation still baffles me. I'm very fit and a strong climber, but we simply could not have gone any faster without risking injury. It's amazing terrain and environment. A humbling experience.

 

[sea2summit]

You reminded me why I only hunt late season up there...

 

[Country Bumpkin]

You reminded me why I only hunt late season up there...

we were told numerous times "you know, it'd be easier for you guys if you hunted during the rut like everyone else". We knew going into this that we were doing it "the hard way" and I actually didn't expect that we would both get a deer. My priority and measure of success was to get Tom a deer. He had already tried this once unsuccessfully on a different island so I wanted to be sure that he got one.

 

[iowaelkbum]

Hi Country. Thanks for sharing the trip with us. Congratulations on a successful hunt, and the amazing pictures.

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Hi Country. Thanks for sharing the trip with us. Congratulations on a successful hunt, and the amazing pictures.

Well thank you! Did you make the move to Idaho after-all? Might need a new screen name.

 

[sea2summit]

we were told numerous times "you know, it'd be easier for you guys if you hunted during the rut like everyone else". We knew going into this that we were doing it "the hard way" and I actually didn't expect that we would both get a deer. My priority and measure of success was to get Tom a deer. He had already tried this once unsuccessfully on a different island so I wanted to be sure that he got one.

Maybe I shouldn't admit this here but usually I wait until December. I hunt Admiralty so December reduces the chances I'll have to argue with something big and hairy about who's deer it is. The deer form small to medium herds, I've seen one that was over twenty. The stay below the snow, even if that means they are on the beach. On our trips between three guys we've limited out in a single day (12 deer at the time), including launching the boat and travel to/from the island. Not to mention if you throw out a crab pot or tow you can have surf and turf the next day

 

[Country Bumpkin]

Maybe I shouldn't admit this here but usually I wait until December. I hunt Admiralty so December reduces the chances I'll have to argue with something big and hairy about who's deer it is. The deer form small to medium herds, I've seen one that was over twenty. The stay below the snow, even if that means they are on the beach. On our trips between three guys we've limited out in a single day (12 deer at the time), including launching the boat and travel to/from the island. Not to mention if you throw out a crab pot or tow you can have surf and turf the next day

:-0 mind blown!!

We might have to try that. I feel like I have earned a less-difficult buck by now.

We were a bit intimidated by the boat thing, i guess it would be good if we were to do a guided thing from a larger boat and have someone else drop us off. I'm not overly comfortable with the ocean, especially not with a tiny boat

 

[Dpmj]

Thank you for the stories and the pictures. Sounds like you both had a awesome time. That is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Have a great night

 

[Danehunter]

Sounds like you had a great hunt. Good pics.

Q: What is the difference between black bear crap and grizzly crap?
A: Black bear crap is full of seeds, little bone bits and undigested berries.
Grizzly bear crap is full of seeds, bigger bone bits, undigested berries and bear bells.

Eric B.

 

[dennisinaz]

Sounds like you had a great time. I have done Kodiak twice, the first time I killed the only buck as we apparently didn't have the right "paperwork" and our transporter discovered it after I shot my buck. I broke my leg in a fall on that trip- things are steep.

Went back 2 years ago. Our wheels that were promised were broken. We stayed in a friend's boat in the harbor and used the 10' Zodiak to get around. I had a completely detached meniscus the whole time and was miserable but wasn't going to quit.

We ended hunting and fishing from a taxi! You can't rent a car in Kodiak unless you reserve it months ahead of time.

I made friends with the lady that owned one of the cab companies. She picked us up and dropped us off at our hopefull "trail head". We started in the dark and broke out of the thick stuff about 11 am. Saw zillions of deer and had a great time. The pack out was brutal and took 7 hours.
I had knee surgery when I got home and was laid up for 12 weeks. What a year. I love those blacktails and I am sure I will be back.

The first year I took my 300 H&H because of the "bears". Two years ago I just took my mountain rifle in 260AI and said the bears be damned!

Nice yarn you wove!!

 

[Country Bumpkin]

W

Sounds like you had a great time. I have done Kodiak twice, the first time I killed the only buck as we apparently didn't have the right "paperwork" and our transporter discovered it after I shot my buck. I broke my leg in a fall on that trip- things are steep.

Went back 2 years ago. Our wheels that were promised were broken. We stayed in a friend's boat in the harbor and used the 10' Zodiak to get around. I had a completely detached meniscus the whole time and was miserable but wasn't going to quit.

We ended hunting and fishing from a taxi! You can't rent a car in Kodiak unless you reserve it months ahead of time.

I made friends with the lady that owned one of the cab companies. She picked us up and dropped us off at our hopefull "trail head". We started in the dark and broke out of the thick stuff about 11 am. Saw zillions of deer and had a great time. The pack out was brutal and took 7 hours.
I had knee surgery when I got home and was laid up for 12 weeks. What a year. I love those blacktails and I am sure I will be back.

The first year I took my 300 H&H because of the "bears". Two years ago I just took my mountain rifle in 260AI and said the bears be damned!

Nice yarn you wove!!

Wow, sounds like you earned the one you got on that first trip!!! I admire the fighting spirit. We had the same dogged determination to be successful. I could grow addicted to hunting those critters. If I could find a way to make it a little more affordable I'd probably get hooked for sure.

 

[theoutdoorconsultant]

Great hunt, well done

 

[Akoutdoors]

Awesome write up! I live a couple islands away from POW and have hunted there. It is tough terrain period. The wet weather, blueberry bushes, and devils club put your clothing and equipment to the absolute test. There is no way to stay dry, ie you either are sweating with rain gear on or your soaked from the brush.

There is nothing more satisfying then having a successful hunt. I enjoy reading about SE AK hunting and it give me a reality check on how hard it is.

Thank