I am looking into a self guided black bear hunt on POW Is. Has anyone here hunted there? Was your hunt successful? How many bears did you see? Where did you stay? Most likely, we will fly into Ketchikan, then take the ferry over to the island, and rent a vehicle there. Because of my job, this hunt will likely take place in Sept. Any help will be appreciated.

Mad Dog

Mad Dog,

I don't know how much help this will be, but in Sept. 1988 I did the same hunt you are talking about. Myself and four of my friends flew to Ketchikan and chartered two Super Beaver float planes(it took two because of all of our gear, food etc.) from Ketchikan to Prince of Wales Island. We rented a cabin from the Fish and Game dept. for about $50.00 per week. These cabins were left behind after crews finished surveying Alaska. It was small, but dry (which is very important, as it down poors every day!) and had a wood burning stove. The cabin was located at Keegan Cove, and the bears were EVERYWERE!!!!! We shot ten bears in 8 days (at that time two bears were allowed per tag) and had some of the best Salmon and Trout fishing I have ever experienced. The cabin was located about 200 yards from a lake, which was about 1/2 of a mile from the saltwater. When the tide came up, the salmon pooled up waiting to get into the lake, and the bears would come out of the wood work. Alaska Fish & Game had a 12 foot V hull on the lake so we brought a 5 h.p. out board with us. We also brought a 12' zodiac to put on the saltwater and shared the motor. On day #6 the bears tore the s##t out of our zodiac. We had a great time, and great food. Fresh salmon from the salt, trout from the lake and the bear,, it was o.k. We also bought some crab traps in Ketch. so for 6-7 days we had fresh crab every day. If you would like, you are welcome to email me and I will give you my phone number. I would love to tell you all of the details, however you must also realize that much could have changed in 15 years. We did that trip for about $1000.00 per man, excluding getting to Ketchikan. That does include the charters, food, permits, hotels and all other expenses. You need to plan for a day in Ketchikan just to get your groceries, fuel and other supplies. Contact me if you would like more details.

Good Hunting,

BOWHUNR

Mad Dog,

I think the bush flights will be much higher now than when Bowhunter was there in 88. We payed $750
each for a Flight to Moose hunt in the Flatts South of Fairbanks. It wasn't a long flight, about an hour. Things are really getting pricey
up there.

Mad Dog,
I did this exact hunt in Sept. of 2000 and 2001. I stayed at the Fireweed lodge in Klowak, rented a surburban in Craig, and fished and hunted for a week. From soup to nuts, I think the trip cost me about $2500. My trips were great, and I have the following observations. Get prior permission to hunt on native land. It might rain every day, all day.....hard. Places with roads usually have small bear...makes sense. Get some advise on judging the size of a blackie, you could easily end up shooting a cub.
Don

I went in 95. I drove from Wy. to Prince Rupert then took the ferry to POW. I stayed a week, shot a 6'6" bear, caught a ton of fish and ate 2 tons of blueberrys. I went in Sept. The whole trip, license and all was less than $1000. It was a great drive with unreal scenary. The ferry trip was a plus.

Here is another option for you. I have done it about everyway possible. We have camped, used the cabins, and used boats as base camp. The last gives the most versatility. You can anchor anywhere and stay as long as you want. If everyone gets their bear early there is lots of great fishing. Also crab and shrimp. I have spent some very wet trips and one year went from 70 degrees to snow. This guy is an outfitter not a guide. He is great.
http://www.alaskawebs.com/captainron/gallery.htm
BTW Im in at least 2 of the pics on the site. Mine is the bear in the winch. Also another one on a beach. We went with Ron on 3 trips and had a great time on each. It sure is nice to have someplace dry to come back to at night.

Mad Dog,

I've hunted there twice, in 97 my partner and I took a 20 5/16 and 21 5/16 bears. Trucks can be rented with bear boxs. There are several places to stay. Guides are not necessary, although black bears are hard to judge. The logging are roads are the best bet in my opinion. The part of the island I've hunted both times has been hunted hard in recent yrs. My second trip in 2000 we passed on what I thought was a 20" bear I felt we could take a bigger bear, had to leave the next day had death in the family and the guy I was hunting with when back and took him three days later and he was close to about 21 1/2 if I remember correctly. I'll be glad to tell you what I know about hunting there.

[ 07-11-2003, 07:06: Message edited by: Gringo Cazador ]

contact the " the inlet at otter cove" they have a website.