Hi,is Kodiak the place to go for a fall hunt for brown bear? Are the chances better or worse at getting a good bear in the fall than in the spring? I've heard Brian Peterson's a good person to go with on Kodiak. I'll be looking to book something later this spring for fall 2012 or if they're all booked then fall 2013.

Thanks,

Chuck

I hunted with John Peterson's outfit in the Togiak Wildife refuge in fall of 2010. Can't say enough good about his outfit or Jason Fawcett, my guide there.

Its my understanding that Kodiak has a really large population of bear, and there are always some monsters shot there. Big bear are were you find them, though, and Jason didn't say any one area was a "sure thing" for the 10-footers (if that's what you mean by a good one). The average client bear is in the 9' squared range, so if that's what you are after, any reputable outfitter should be able to point you right.

The spring hunts are more variable, as the weather is such a factor to when the bear come out, and while coat quality is excellent early, if they have been out for a while they usually have rubs.

The fall bear are supposedly more consistent, and if you get on a good bit of salmon water, you should see lots of bear.

I just have hunted them the one time, but that's what the guides and research I did told me. If I was doing it over, I would book fall again, myself.

Good luck with the hunt!

A 9' foot bear is a good one by me, a 10 footer would be awesome but I'd rather take a 9 footer than go home empty handed because this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

Thanks!

Chuck

i've done both and prefer fall. spring hunts are weather dependent both for the big guys to be awake at that time and just for hunt conditions. while the hair is longer in the spring, the bear is a hellovalot heavier in the fall. the weather patterns are much better and if you go to the peninsula you can combine a moose/caribou with it. it's my belief that the biggest bears come off the peninsula, but kodiak is surely a great place too

From what I've read about Kodiak bears, they tend to have larger skulls. Makes them more attractive for a book hunter I 'spose. Further down on the peninsula, around Sand Point or Cold Bay, rather than just deer and salmon, they have salmon as well as moose and caribou along with a milder winter (shorter denning time -longer eating time). Friend of mine has guided out of the lower pen. for 15 yrs or so and they pull a lot of 10' bears outta there.
Hope this helps some, Nick

How is the weather generally in the fall compared to the spring?

Generally, spring is drier and cool, fall is wetter and cool. Always windy
Take care, Nick

My sheep guide from this past season also guides out of Cold Bay for Brown Bear he said that spring hunts where better for BIG Bears, as later in the season the Big ones tend to turn nocturnal. Also on the Pein. the season rotates from spring to fall every other year not sure about Kodiak. Also on the Pein. Moose is not in season with Bear and Caribou is Closed. Just Bear and Wolf. I know your looking into Kodiak, but if you choose to hunt the Pein. look at Cold Bay as a starting point, it is far down the Pein. and does not get the local pressure that the upper half does. Isn't Kodiak still a draw hunt, that being a big factor the Pein. Hunt is over the counter tag.
Good luck in your Hunt for a outfitter.

Good post. All stuff I'd forgot/neglected to mention.

for kodiak i'd go spring every year if i just wanted a big bear, fall is touch and go for big bears, their there its an island but they are moving less and alot less daylight. spring bears are very active and very visible..which makes them vaulnerable.
Peninsula has good bears, alot more people hunting them down there, crowded to a point i don't like it in alot of places. but they kill good bears there too, but they shoot more bears to do it.
Kodiak...spring.
Peninsula...Fall (earlier season than kodiak means better salmon runs)
western AK....Fall
Prince William Sound...spring
just based off my guiding experience in these areas.

I've been emailing Gus Lamoreux who has guided on Kodiak for a long time. He also recommended the spring hunt on Kodiak. I've only heard good things about Gus and Brian Peterson on Kodiak.

Chuck375,

I hunted bears on Kodiak three times, twice in the spring and once in the fall.

I preferred the spring hunt as the daylight hours are MUCH longer and time behind the glass is critical to finding the bears.

The fall was cool in the fact that the bears are on the salmon but the days are real short in October and November on Kodiak.

I hunted with Paul Chervenak in the Sturgeon River unit and shot a 9'1' boar in the spring hunt.

PM me if you would like more details but I was EXTREMELY happy with how Paul runs his operation and would highly recommend him.

Good hunting, you'll love it!

Thanks! Gus also recommended the spring for those reasons as well as the big bears come out of hibernation first!

i've heard good things about gus, and paul...but brian....humm well....

After researching which period produced the larger bears, I went with a spring hunt. Hunting with Tom Kirstein. I wasn't disappointed. Tom has not only a first class operation but has developed quite a reputation with the bow hunting community.

Thanks and oongrats. I've switched over to looking for a spring hunt myself. Right now I'm looking at several outfitters. Gus Lamoureux on Kodiak for one.

paul chrevnak (spelling) is a great guy on kodiak with some smokin' areas.
scott mieuler (spelling) is another highly regarded bear guide on the island as is Gus.
Dick Rorher...

Thanks!