Seems like this has been touched on before but I couldn't find it, so I'll ask.

I was just talking to Alaska DNR, a biologist. I asked about black bear hunting on my own without an outfitter.

He said Prince William Sound would be the place to go. He said most people fly to Anchorage, charter transportation, and go after them. Of course, he made it sound simple.

Anyone have any advice on this? I'm thinking of doing it with my brother. I'd appreciate any help.

It is simple, time+money=black bear. Guided or chartered it's gonna cost some dough and take some time for your best odds.

That said, Prince William Sound has alot of decent blk bears and few great blackies, if your looking for a great black bear look to SE AK-you can find DIY lodges on POW.

Good luck-Ron

Ok, I'll check into that too. Thank you.

If you go to PWS you really need a boat. even if you arrange transportation you still need a small inflatable to travel around from one bay to the next.

How much does a do it yourself black bear cost?

Doc,

Call the AK,F&G office in Ketchikan. They will give you all the details.

By the time you fly to Ketchikan, rent a vehicle, do the ferry thing and secure accomodations on POW you might be as well be booking a black bear in BC. Of course if you can judge black bears Alaska is your best bet because a monster of 7' plus is definitely possible.

Mark

Thanks Mark.

I did the do it yourself hunt in 1988 with four friends of mine. We hunted on POW island and shot nine nice bears, and one great bear in seven days time (you were allowed two per tag in 88). We rented the cabin from Alaska F&G for a whopping $85.00 per week. Because of the number of hunters and food, gear, etc... we needed two float planes (one Beaver and one Super Beaver) to get us in and out. We arranged this through Mike at Ketchikan air for a total cost of $1200.00. We brought an inflatable zodiac and 3.0 horse motor to use both in the salt water and the lake. At that time there were so many bears the boat would not have been needed, however it was real handy to go and fetch the crab traps (which we purchased in Ketch)!! As I remember we spent a little less than $1000.00 a piece (airfare to Ketchikan included) on that hunt, and what a great time it was!! I have no idea what the prices would be today, but I can almost assure you the charter air rates have more than doubled. I have been on alot of hunts since then, but I will never forget the personal satisfaction we all had by doing it ourselves. On a side note, the fishing was second to none. We hunted in the fall and the humpies were running. Not much for eating IMO, but great fun to catch. I think the five of us went through 60 green pixie lures as we were fishing with ultra light gear.

BOWHUNR

P.S. The game warden almost crapped his pants when we showed up in town with ten bears to check, and a flight leaving in an hour and a half. He was happy though, as they were receiving complaints from fishermen using the cabins.

Wow. That does sound like a good time!

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
How much does a do it yourself black bear cost?

Thats kind of an open ended question. You could fly up, get a non res license and tag ~$500, rent a car and hike out into the hills. Some folks are successful that way, and honestly black bear is one of the better options for road hunting, but they aren't off just any road.

If you're looking for a boat based hunt, where you live off a boat and are transported around the hunting area, but not guided, you're looking in the $2-3k range, plus license/tags, plus airfare to the boat. When you add in the opportunity for fishing/shrimping/crabbing, that is a very good way to go.

Doc
I book lodge based, unguided Black Bear hunts in Prince William Sound. The area is great for bears and the old logging roads easy to walk. Bears in this area run big, 6 foot plus, plus and the lodge sets you up with a boat, motor, lodge accomidations and meals and what ever else you might need. Get back to me off the form if your interested. You can also fish and I feel fall is the best time however spring is fine but the bears will be higher up on the hillsides.
Don

Thanks Don.

I'll definitely be in touch as I am in the infancy of planning this whole thing.

We'll have to talk more about fall vs. spring hunting.

I'll PM you or email you. Thanks again everyone.

By the way, if anyone else is interested in a hunting partner, I'm usually solo.

DOc
Give me a call when your ready and we will talk more on the Black Bear hunt in PWS.
Merry Christmas....
Don

I will do that. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Will try and call tonight or before Christmas at least.

Thanks for the help.