I hear the Northern part near Whale Pass is good but I want to make sure before I chunk down some $$$ on a cabin. Ive been hunting for a decent black bear for years now and its killing me! Any other tips such as best month would be appreciated.

What tag did you draw .... Fall '14 or Spring '15 ?

Fall 2014...Im a bit worried with what the environment will be like....

The environment will be wet ... you will be hunting in water. You will need good rain-wear and hip or chest waders. If you use a blued gun it will rust.

The season opens Sept 1st and it is good hunting till late Sept into Oct.

You will be hunting the Bears while they are fishing in the creeks and rivers.They will all look big as they have their winter fur going and have put on allot of weight. Study to find out how to ID a Boar from a Sow. Be careful that you don't shoot a Sow with Cubs as the Cubs don't hang tight with Mom like they do in spring / summer.

Hunting is good in all the fish creeks / rivers from the north end to the south end. Upland hunting the berries can also be productive.

muskegexcursions.com

Wow thanks Johnnie! These are the kind of tips Ive been looking for.

I've heard rumors that the northern end may have a few more bears but its looking like assumptions at this point...

Gentleman Jack,
You just got tipped by "the man" on POW. I hunted it first 15 years ago with an over the counter license, and somehow met up with Johnnie and Muskeg Excursions. I've killed three mountain goats and three Sitka deer with him over the years, and I've got nothing but good to say (leaving out his politics, grin).
Good Luck,
Don

I hunted in late May, 2006. Rented a F.S. cabin on Staney Creek on the west side north of Craig. Drove the island roads and walked beyond the F.S closed gates, all on the north end of the island. I didn't have to get past Thorne Bay. There were bears everywhere and I got choosey because I could. Killed mine at Balls Lake right in the middle of P.O.W. at High Noon no less. The south end of the island is dominated by the indian reservation and I was advised that outsiders weren't much appreciated and leaving your truck at the trail head could be a source of "trouble".