Has anyone on the board hunted or been to Hinchenbrook? Would like any info you have on terrain, access either by boat or plane, bear population, tips, etc. Any ideas how it compares to Afognak Island? How about heavy timber similar to Afognak? Walking conditions?

My partner & I are kicking around the idea of a spring brown bear hunt. Our understanding is that bears there tend to be larger than on Kodiak due to less hunting pressure. Your opinion? We'd probably use Valdez as our jump-off point so any info on air charter or boat operators would also be appreciated. I do plan on contacting F&G in Cordova for info but thought I'd post here on the board as well.
Thanks to all in advance. Bear in Fairbanks

[ 12-07-2003, 00:06: Message edited by: Bear in Fairbanks ]

Bear -

If you can run down Jim known both as Daliwacker & Ovis on other boards he should be able to give some good info. It was his partner Ted while the two were hunting that shot that "legendary" bear on Hinchenbrook a couple of years ago. Jim took the pictures. He's a Fairbanks guy now temporarily stationed in ID.

Hinchinbrook terrain is very wet and thick with scattered meadows below alpine. Sitka spruce, hemlock, skunk cabbage, moss, and of course devils club makes up most of the vegetation. Climbing can be a mild workout or it can be a tedious task of hands and knees, finger digging torcher where you are only allowed to rest if you can anchor yourself to a tree...it is that steep.

I couldn't compare it to Afognak, as I have not been there. As luck would have it, I drew a brown bear permit for Afognak in '02, but my move to Idaho conflicted with the season.

I don't doubt there are a few large bears there, but I think you are kidding yourself if you believe there is a sizeable difference between the Kodiak & Hinchinbrook bears. Kodiak & the AK Peninsula will always hold the honor of big bears.

The guestbook in the cabin I called camp was filled with bear encounters and stories. Most of them were reported in the 8 1/2' range. If you did not already know, like Kodiak, there are no black bears on Hinchinbrook.

Dave Crowly the bio in Cordova is a wealth of info. There is a sporting goods store in Cordova that would be a good place to call and nudge for info. I can't remember the name of the store, but can make a phone call and find out. Lots of bear kill pics on the walls of the store.

Contact me offline for transportation info. I would definitely fly to Hinchinbrook as opposed to boating there, and I have just the person who can do it for a suprisingly fair rate.

Hunting pressure has increased in the past two years for obvious reasons. Everyone is going after the 12.5' bears the island is known for. According to the taxi I use, most returned home skunked or with bears ranging from 6-8'. I heard a report of a bear larger than the one Ted and I took that was killed last year, but I never seen anything to back it up. Maybe Dave may know.

You don't have to get your bear sealed in Cordova if you do get one, you can get it accomplished in Fairbanks.

Good luck if you go...Jim

[ 12-07-2003, 03:46: Message edited by: Dalliwacker ]

Bear

Use my yahoo account... akjim26@yahoo.com