I'm thinking about a semi-assisted hunt for coastal black bear and salmon in September. Just wondering if this is a fine area to choose?

better read the regs real close and see if it fits what you want to do
plus alot of kake area is tribal
you have to be related

If you can get to Kuiu you should be GTG on bears. It's known for big skulls and bodies. Lots of book bears come from there and it gets a little less pressure than POW.

Not exactly sure what you mean by semi-assisted? You have a transporter taking you from Kake and then you have a skiff and camping gear?

I'm considering a transporter. I understand some of the rules have changed. I'd like to go somewhere that has less pressure and popularity than POW. I'm an off-the-beaten-trail kind of girl but DO want to be fully legal and also SAFE. I am not talking about the bears either.

I've never been to AK due to the overall cost and this seems to be a reasonably priced situation to get there and enjoy a week of bear hunting with like minded folks and a week of fishing, kicking back after going for bear while seeing a tiny corner of AK.

I'd ask and request for more info and dialog on the area from those of you in the know, the good, the bad and ugly. That is as long as it is fact or real experience over hear-say. I am listening!

calland talk to somebody at ADF&G they keep records and dont seem to mind yacking on phone
kuiu was maybe the best place ever .but about 10 yrs ago it was discovered and gets hit pretty hard,

If I were you I'd pick up the Kadake USFS cabin.

http://www.recreation.gov/camp...TabIndex=CampingSpot

http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tonga...ns/petersburg/kadake

Looks like a 13+ mile run from Kake. Rent a 16' Lund and make sure you have nautical charts.

I looked at the F&G Fish Distribution Map. This cabin is on a large tide flat with the biggest river system on the island. Say it has cohos/silver. You should have both salmon and bear accessible from the cabin.

Just remember to get on ReserveUSA 6-months (to the day) and make your reserveration.

If you've run a skiff before it should be no problem, but there is an open stretch of water to deal with so you may need to pick your weather. Bring a handheld VHF so you get get current marine forecasts. If you really want a transporter, you could have them take you (and drag the skiff) over to the cabin. The tide flat there looks problematic - might be better off just flying in from Petersburg.

Oh yeah, don't forget rain gear!!!

Thanks guys!

quote:

Originally posted by Aspen Hill Adventures:
I'm thinking about a semi-assisted hunt for coastal black bear and salmon in September. Just wondering if this is a fine area to choose?

Thanks for posting this Ann.....I've been looking at the same area for a long time. In my case mostly for fishing and am bound and determined to get there some day soon.

I'm considering pulling my boat to British Columbia and putting it on a ferry there to POW or other nearby islands for a week or three!

I'm just looking over your shoulder on this hoping to learn more about the country, customs, and other good things to know!

Vapo . P.O.W. is serviced by the Island ferry system ... Kake is on the Alaska Marine Highway system . so you would be able to drive on and off the ferry Rupert /Kake . . Gobbs of black bear .. Lots of fish . Lots of rain also ...

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
Vapo . P.O.W. is serviced by the Island ferry system ... Kake is on the Alaska Marine Highway system . so you would be able to drive on and off the ferry Rupert /Kake . . Gobbs of black bear .. Lots of fish . Lots of rain also ...

Thanks....that gets my blood boiling!

what type of boat,will tell you what to expect

quote:

Originally posted by anukpuk:
what type of boat,will tell you what to expect

My boat is a 16' runabout style deep "V" and it's run almost all the great lakes but I'm careful about when it goes in the water.

I'm thinking it'd have to stay in the harbors and smaller nooks and crannies. I used in in Larkharbor Newfoundland a couple years ago with great success and fun.....but those darn whale tails slamming the water nearby scared the crap out of me.....

Ann- There is another cabin you should check out . Look on a map on the far east side of the island, in the Keku Strait by Rocky Pass. More difficult to get to but w/o the "other" safety issues you mentioned with any road system. Transpoet to here best done out of Petersburg. PM if you want more. Best, Bob.

to vapo or ann dont come in sept unless you are sure of what you are getting into
heres what i would do if i were towing a boat.
on the way to prince rupert sidetrip at kitwanga to stewart -hyder area, has boat launch, bear vewing old mine glacier,may even see white bear, dont miss this place.
then pr rupert to ketchikan, fish clover pass, naha, easy safe places you will see other boats and catch fish then ferry without boat to pow ,get the visitor guide from pow chamber of commerce its a real good guide and find a place to rent a skiffor whatever. ferrys charge by length an altho every town will have a boat launch they can be real remote, tides change ever 6 hours and can rise and fall over 25 ft, an inch or 2 a minute, get a good dash mounted gps with nautical chart installed.
from ketchikan you can go back to pr or on to skagway stopping at other towns in between if you have time, from skagway you can drive back to states

Vapes-

Perhaps we could buddy up for something like this? When I go I want to spend two weeks. The plan is to do a lot of fishing too. The guys responding certainly have lots of good info and advice.

I've studied the heck out of POW island for two years now.....but something always gets in the way of going....

I have emailed folks in Hollis, Thorne Bay, Point Baker, and Coffman Cove....All fine folks but (probably all my fault) it hasn't come together yet.

I'm interested in driving to Prince Rupert and doing some fishing along the way.....my biggest reason for pulling the boat!

From there I just confuse myself.....

Probably should charter a plane and head for the destination of choice and rent boats there after....

I also want to bring home salmon and halibut steaks for party time here in Nebraska....and of course the Labrador needs to go too!

It does seem that POW has been heavily visited and other islands are now more appealing to me.

When I found Kake on the map it got my blood simmering once again....and, of course, half the fun of going!

ill add a little more, early aug would be my choice ktn fishing would be easiest and safe even wothout charts for most part,not much danger for inexperienced,and you will figure out what to do by just wqatching other boats other towns arnt near as easy
ferry starts in rupert goes to ktn, wrangell , petersburg, kake in that order.
POW traffic on new paved roads see another car about ever 10 min, i drove from control lake turnoff to coffman once going slow only passed one car (in aug). fish kake last that way if you tear the lower unit off your outdrive it wont ruin trip.
the utube video of killer whale taking a guys salmon and biting it half from a few feet from behind boat was taken off mountain pt in ktn

quote:

Originally posted by anukpuk:
the utube video of killer whale taking a guys salmon and biting it half from a few feet from behind boat was taken off mountain pt in ktn

That is a "killer" video.

There's also the one of a big ol' sea lion bull pretty much doing the same thing.

Thanks for the continuing input guys!

That cabin in Kadake Bay requires an 18ft high tide to access by boat. You'll be stuck most the time, or have to anchor in deeper water and hike a couple miles to get to it.

Even the Devils Elbow cabin, which has deeper water has access issues except at mid-high tide.

Spend your nights in a hotel in Kake, and head out every day down Rocky Pass. You'll need to refuel anyhow. Or, bring a nice big tent, find an island in the middle of Rocky Pass with good water for anchoring, and stay there. Wqtch out for the currents though.

And yes, I've been there, done that.

I'm definitely going to base out of Kake. Also and FYI, I got work AK F&G is going to institute a draw for black bears beginning in 2012.

Maybe this Outfitter can help, looks like good info on his site.
http://www.alaskablackbearstalkers.com/

Ann,
I've hunted twice with Dave Benitz of Petersburg. He is a superb guide, a young family man who really knows his stuff and the area. Dave has a 40' multipurpose fishing boat plus aluminum skiffs. He has likely used the cabins mentioned and hunted the areas in question. He might be a good source of transport, but in any case I'm sure he will be able and willing to give you a lot of local info.

benitz@apt.alaska.net

Correction on Dave Benitz email:
benitz@aptalaska.net

No . after apt.

Thanks guys! Eight bore, that is who I am hiring.

Have a gerat hunt, Ann. Will you be at REno? Would love to meet another AR member, esp. one who contributes so much.
Brice

No Brice, someday though! I don't get much vacation time being a civil servant. I am saving everything for this trip. Two years worth of leave time.

Get thyself an Alaskan Airlines Visa and study the mileage plan. My wife and I have used it for three trips in 2009-2010 and are out less than $1800 bucks TT&L on airfair - DFW to ANC.

Also, if you've never been there, get in good shape. It'll be the toughest walking you've ever done. No cotton and solid rain gear - Helly Hansen or better.

We are going back for one more try at a DIY black bear on the Kenai next September.

What week are you going?

Have a small group of 3 doing a spring bear hunt (same transporter). Be glad to share our experience after we get back.

quote:

Originally posted by txhornhunter:
Have a small group of 3 doing a spring bear hunt (same transporter). Be glad to share our experience after we get back.

Awesome!

TxHornHunter,

Yes please don't forget to post your impressions of Bearstalkers. I'm interested in doing that trip myself. I've hunted Kuiu and Kupreanof 3 times, all guided, but would like to try it on my own, sort of .

Dennis

Sure thing. We are looking forward to the hunt!

Funny thing about sothern southeast . Back when I and a lot of outher guys were doing our best to turn Southeast into a big clearcut , there were blackbear Everywhere .to see 10 - 25 blaCk bear driving from Rowan Bay to Saginaw Bay was the norm.. Now they want to have a drawing hunt . And Rowan Bay camp has been closed and gone for15 years or so . Just shows what tourism can do for the country .
In the northern part of Southeast the old timers killed all the brown bear they could see , and there were very few maulings . Now almost no one kills brown bear and people are getting chewed on every year . People have too much money and little real need . A friend who lives on POW told me he saw about 5 black bear last year . We always used to see that many every day . I have no problem with ya'll killing lots of bear . I encourage you to do so . Just don't even think about blaming loggers , miners , or commercial fishermen for fish and game resource depletion .

quote:

Just don't even think about blaming loggers , miners , or commercial fishermen for fish and game resource depletion .

Um, ok, but none of us were blaming anyone for anything.

I'd love to hunt a brown bear, can't afford it.

O k. Shoot as many wolf as you can if u would. Please. They eat everything they shouldn't. Deer, black bear, and salmon. Gunalls'Chees'.

Oh, I hope to! Any tips on calling, whatnot are appreciated.

A fawn bleat works. Howling works too. If you find some out on a grass flat, shoot one closest to the timber. The sound of the impact close to their safety zone will help to keep them out in the open so you can keep shooting. Thing to remember is a fawn blest is also a bear call and sometimes bear will come in fast and hard. No time for fumbling with your rifle.. Not saying you would , just something t remember.

Cool, thanks for the info.