Black bear..

[ol_spark]

I'm thinking that one of those coastal black bear hunts from a boat, might be a good way to introduce my non-hunting partner to the Alaskan scenery. Plus I'd get to bring home a big black bear, hopefully. Anyone have any suggestions? pros or cons on a September boat ride in Alaska? Do's or don'ts ? who to go with or stay away from? At this point it seems like a good idea but brochures and videos have a way of painting a "rosey" picture.

[AK NIMROD]

WEATHER CAN START TO GET REAL NASTY....MORE SO IN PWS THAN S.E. I'VE BEEN OUT IN PWS IN SEPT. AND HAD GALE FORCE WINDS+ 80-90 MPH 7-9 FOOT SEAS. PROS- FATTER BEARS ATTRACTED TO SALMON STREAMS. COATS FILLING OUT . EXCELLENT SILVER SALMON FISHING, COULD DEER HUNT FOR SITKA BLACKTAILS ALSO
CONS- WEATHER; FISH EATING BEARS ARE GENERALLY NOT VERY GOOD TO EAT.
VARIOUS SERVICES (BIG GAME TRANSPORTERS ) OUT OF WHITTIER TO HUNT PWS, ALSO PROBABLY SOME OUT OF VALDEZ...TOUGHER ACCESS TO VALDEZ IF YOU FLY INTO ANCHORAGE. F&G SITE HAS LIST OF GUIDES AND TRANSPORTERS. I THINK THEY CAN BE SORTED BY GMU. PWS IS GMU 6D S.E IS GMUS 1-5. SO YOU WOULD NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOU WANT TO BE IN S.E. YOU CAN'T USE A CHARTER SERVICE UNLESS THEY HAVE A TRANSPORTER LIC.
TRANSPORTER CAN LEGALLY PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION, FOOD AND LODGING. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO SUGGEST WHERE TO GO OR HELP IN SPOTTING GAME OR ASSISTING IN ANY ASPECT OF THE HUNT OR RECOVERY OF ANIMAL FROM THE FIELD. BESURE TO HAVE THIS CLEAR SO YOU DON'T GET SURPRISED FROM EXPECTING MORE THAN THEY CAN LEGALLY PROVIDE.
WEATHER WOULD BE BETTER IN SPRING FOR A HUNT, USUALLY. PWS- END OF MAY / BEGINNING OF JUNE BEST IMHO. S.E WOULD BE PROBABLY EARLY MAY.....NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH S.E.
BIGGER BEARS TYPICALLY COME FROM S.E.
6 FOOTERS ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN PWS. AVERAGE SIZE IS PROBABLY 5-1/2 TO 6 '. POW AND ISLANDS TO NORTH AND EAST OF POW TEND TO PRODUCE BIGGEST BEARS. SEEMS TO ME POW GETS MORE AND MORE PRESSURE. SO #'S MAYBE DOWN???? F & G IN KETCHIKAN COULD PROBABLY INFORM YOU ABOUT THAT.

[Wolverine-1]

As Ak Nimrod has already said, the weather can be rather nasty in September, even in SE. Generally, early in September, the weather can be fairly pleasant, but then again, I've seen it blow up the worst storms of the year. As for as the scenery in SE, it can be grand, and then again I've seen it where you couldn't see much over 500 ft above sea level for days or even weeks. In September you will find black bear anywhere from the streams and tide flats to the top of the mountains. I would agree with Ak Nimrod, that a spring hunt would be much better, even in SE. As the bear are more likely to be found on the beaches, tide flats, open creek bottoms and open ridges. I would be looking somewhere between mid-May to mid-June, but that depends upon the winter snow depth and how warm the spring may be. Most of the larger Islands in SE support a black bear population of some sort, except Admiralty Island, only brownies there. Even the main land has a good black bear population, if you know where to look. As for the do's and don't... "do" bring along rain gear and "don't" forget your rain gear. There are bear guides in most of the communitities from Haines/Skagway to Ketchikan. Check with any air charter services for good reliable bear information. I have included a link for F&G area Biologists. Just remember that they are some times new to an area, some will not be completely honest with you, and some will try to discourage you from hunting in thier area all together.

Fish and Game Wildlife Biologist (http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=info.contact)

Hope this info has been helpfull.

[AK NIMROD]

actually the ABC ISLANDS A HAVE ONLY BROWN BEARS ADMIRALTY IS THE "A" OF THE ABC

[ol_spark]

Thanks for the input guys..:)

Wolverine1..
I'm sort of curious about the statement of a biologist discouraging a person from hunting in their area all together. I have invisioned things such as them not wanted to be bothered by someone they don't know, fearing they'll become lost or in trouble and it'll take time out of their day because it is in their area, to someone whose is being over protective of the animals in their area and givings false info in hopes of maintaining the balance to whatever he/she feels in right. Give me a little clue on that if you could. Sounds like an interesting topic.


AK...
I just thought it would be more up close and personnal to do the walk up the salmon stream thing. ;)

[Wolverine-1]

ol_spark, I think that there are several reasons that some biologist do not want outsiders hunting in thier areas. I know one biologist thinks that the wildlife should be hunted only by the local natives in his area, and this guy will tell you anything to discourage you from hunting there. Some biologist seem to become almost over protective of the wildlife. I know of one biologist that actually darted and placed large red collars on bear prior to hunting season. Most hunters would not harvest a bear with a collar, as it more than likely would be rubbed. I have known biologist that actually spent very little time in the field and knew very little about thier area, outside of what they have read from previous reports. The same reports that are available to the public. Sure they fly once a year for aerial counts, but that doesn't impress me much. I'm not saying that all wildlife biologist are like this but there are some. I have called some biologists that would not talk to me at all, they would take my name and address and mail me a form letter, giving a vague idea of game populations for the area. Hell, I knew more than that before I called them. I will say that the very best information that I, personally have received from biologists, are from retired biologists or those that have moved on to another area, seems like then they will tell you just about anything about their old areas. There are lots of good ways to obtain information about an area besides talking with wildlife biologists.

[ol_spark]

Wolverine1...
Is one of those ways a private e-mail to someone in the vicinity?:)

I know what you are saying about biologists. Any information that I recieved from them, not Ak but in lower 48, was rather vague to say the least. It seems more like he/she gave everyone the same answer no matter what the question was. Rather disappointing to say the least.

[Wolverine-1]

ol_spark, it's been so long ago now that I honestly don't remember, maybe it was by email.

I should try telling these wildlife biologist that I want to photograph animals, maybe then they would be more helpfull.