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Alaska Black Bear Hunting Trips

Alaska Blacktail Deer Hunting Trips

Black Bear and Blacktail Deer Hunting Trips

Hunt and Fish Combos

50' Hunting YachtWe offer excellent boat based (live-aboard) self-guided black bear and black tail deer hunts in Prince William Sound aboard a 50 plus foot yacht.

Services include transportation from Whittier to the field, transportation to and from shore, lodging and meals aboard a yacht. We take a maximum of 6 hunters/non-hunters each trip.

Our prices are based on exclusive charters – if you are a party of 4-6, we doPrince William Sound Black Bear not put others with you. Parties less than 4 can charter the boat exclusively by paying our minimum rate or be partied up with other hunters. Minimum rate is the total price for a party of 4.

Alaska brown bear and Alaska mountain goat hunts available for Alaska residents and non-residents with an Alaska resident family member* in the hunting party. (*within second kindred)

We also provide drop off transportation for Alaska deer hunts in the fall aboard an 18 passenger 40’ twin diesel boat. Rates determined by distance and party size.

2008 Alaska Bear and Deer Hunt Options

The Captain and owner of the yacht used on the above packages has more than 22 years experience hunting, fishing and sightseeing in Prince William Sound. David has been chartering in Prince William Sound since 1991. In 2006, one of David’s guests asked him where he was from. When David told him he had lived in Alaska 44 years it turned out David was the first tourism based employee his guest had encountered from Alaska. Don't settle for imitations. References available by request.

Yacht GalleyThe 50 foot yacht used for most of the hunts was designed and built as a live-aboard yacht. It offers 3 private guest cabins that sleep 2 each, 2 heads with walk in showers, a large salon to relax in, a large galley for great meals, and a covered cockpit (outside deck) for those less than perfect days.

The yacht has a full size refrigerator, freezer, clothes dryer and Jenn-air oven. This 50 foot yacht is the right tool for the job - the best in Prince William Sound.

From The Guest Log – “All things aboard the yacht are a class act”,Yacht Salon Hermosa, South Dakota “My second trip-already thinking about a third. 225 pound halibut, 6’2” bear, great meals, first class captain and mate, breaching humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, glaciers and more”, Bowling Green, Florida “4 hunters,3 bears, all over 18”. Good food and good company, Heck of a vacation”, Grand Rapids, MI

Black Bear on Yacht Hunt Excellent hunting at a fraction of the cost of guided hunting. Prince William Sound is considered one of the premier black bear hunting areas in the world. The accommodations, wildlife, scenery and fishing opportunities make this a great trip to bring the spouse along, even if they don’t care to hunt.

Hunting is accomplished by spotting from the yacht, cruising small bays with inflatable boats or hunting from land. Spotting 20-30 bears on a 6 day hunt is normal. Hunting pressure in Prince William Sound, like most areas, is increasing. Bears are becoming more wary and successful stalks are a challenge. One advantage of increased hunting pressure is that we are seeing more large bruins as bears get wiser. Patience and persistence can produce tremendous trophy black bears. Harvest rates on Alaska black bear remain over 50% and 98% of our hunters have opportunity to harvest a black bear. Most Alaska black bears harvested are in the 6 - 6 1/2 foot range. Black bear over 7 feet are occasionally harvested in Prince William Sound.

In spring, black bears are found from the beach to 1500’ depending on weather and food availability. Spring hunts can offer great hunting weather with cool mornings and temperatures in the 50’s to 60’s during the day. There will likely be snow under the forest canopy on the earlier hunts. Spring hunts can offer good rock fish and halibut fishing. In 2005 one bear hunter caught a 225 pound halibut while spotting for bear. Good salmon fishing in May is not always available.

Fall bears are usually found near salmon streams or in alpine blueberry patches up to 1500’. Weather tends to be wetter in fall, with temperatures in the 50’s to as high as 70° in early September. Fishing opportunities are often excellent for silver salmon in the first two weeks of September and good for halibut and rock fish through September. Deer hunting is very good in September.

We are often asked whether spring or fall hunts offer better success, better hide quality, better weather, etc. Our experience is that the differences are minimal. Some years we harvest more bear in the spring, some years more in the fall. Spring bears have slightly longer hair than fall bears, fall bears are less likely to have rub spots. Spring hunts usually offer more sunny days which we humans like, but bears tend to avoid the hot sun. The two biggest differences are fishing opportunities and hunting pressure. Spring is often better for halibut, fall is always better for salmon. Spring bear hunts are more popular since there are few other hunting opportunities in the spring.

To hunters who have yet to skin a bear we suggest doing a bit of homework on the internet about the proper skinning and care of the hide. Proper skinning and care is not difficult. Knowing the right way will make your trophy all that much better.

ALASKA BLACKTAIL DEER HUNTS

Sitka Blacktail Buck Sitka black tail deer were transplanted to Prince William Sound in the 1920’s and today inhabit most of the Sound. Body size of deer today can exceed that of their ancestors by 50 -75 pounds. Some field dressed bucks weigh 175-200 pounds. The bucks pictured in this section are good representatives of Prince William Sound blacktail deer.

Warm dry nights, hot showers and dry clothes set our hunts apart from drop off tent camping, especially when the weather is less than perfect. With shorter days during deer season, evening hours are spent in comfort, watching videos, playing cards and telling stories – not trying to stay warm.

Although blacktail deer are occasionally found on the beach, climbing to elevations of 500’ -1000’ is normal. Calling, raking, walking and lots of looking/glassing are common methods of hunting. Hunters are transported to the beach each morning and picked up upon request. Drop off and pick ups allow hunters to start in one location and be picked up elsewhere, saving time and energy.

One of our Texan hunters refers to hunting with us as “hunting wild deer”. It is a game of wits and even if you limit out it is likely deer outwitted you more than you outwitted them. David is an avid hunter and considers hunting deer in Prince William Sound the most enjoyable hunting in Alaska.

Bag limit for Alaska residents is 5 deer, non-residents 4 deer. Either sex hunting begins October 1st. 90% of our hunters harvest one or more deer, about 10% of our hunters limit out. In 2004, 4 hunters harvested their first deer ever. Self-guided fishing is an option on deer hunts, weather permitting. The tackle and an inflatable boat to fish from will be provided.

2008 Black Bear and Combo Hunting Rates

Hunts begin at 10 am, normally starting on Sunday or Monday and end at 4-6 pm the last day.

2008 Alaska Blacktail Deer Hunts
September 17 - December 8 only

Fishing on Your Hunt Rates include transportation from Whittier to the field, daily drop off/ pickup to the beach, up to 3 meals per day on bear hunts, breakfast and dinner only on the deer hunts, lodging aboard the yacht, Whittier sales tax, US Forest Service fees.

Deer hunts may be extended an additional night at no extra charge with return the next morning if weather will be better for travel the next day.

Additional costs. Hunting license, game tags, transportation to Anchorage and from Anchorage to Whittier, processing and shipping of game. Fuel surcharge if fuel exceeds $3 per gallon.

Deposit/Reservation Policy – Single party bookings require a deposit of 50% per party and a contract signed by all parties to confirm reservations. Deposits are 95% refundable up to 30 days from receipt of deposit. Deposits become non-refundable 31 days from receipt of deposit. Balance is due 60 days before departure and all funds become non-refundable at that time. Split parties bookings (two or more parties) require full payment and a signed contract to confirm reservations and payments are non-refundable. In the event of cancellation we will attempt to re-book another party and if successful, refund a portion of your payment.

Non-hunters, non-fisherman accompanying a group of hunters are considered one of the party for determining rates. After the rate is determined, the non-hunter rate is reduced by $250. No more than 50% of a party can receive this discount. This discount applies to bear/combo rates only.

Additional Information

Non-resident hunting licenses $85, black bear tags $225, deer tags $150 each. We recommend purchasing hunting/fishing licenses and tags online – www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license

Frequently asked questions

Whittier is 60 road miles from Anchorage.  Past clients have found Rent a Wreck’s vans a good option.

Clothing should include rain gear and waterproof hiking boots with gripping soles.  Weather is coastal temperate.  Temperatures normally range – May 40-60, August 50-70, Sept. 45-65, Oct. 35-50, Nov. 20-45. 

Alcohol in moderation is permitted but not provided.  Liquor is best purchased in Anchorage.

Bedding, towels, wash cloths, soap and shampoo are provided.

Indian Valley Meats is the closest game processing service  -  www.indianvalleymeats.com

David operates with permits from Alaska State Parks and USDA Forest Service.

(Prices subject to change with out notice)

We taking reservations at this time for the 2008 and 2009 seasons!

Awesome Scenery

Thank you for reading over the information on the hunting trips listed above.

Enjoy the "Great Outdoors" with family and friends!

Dave Mason

(Adventure-8A) Revised 12-12-07