I'm going to visit family in the great state of Alaska this late May/June if all works out.
I won't be able to do a major hunt, but would like to squeeze in a black bar hunt for a day or two if I could. This may be my only trip up there and would hate not to try to fit it in.
Ya'll that live there...is this doable or should I just keep it a non-hunting trip?
I used to live in Anchorage. Black Bear are everywhere and can be a nuisance near town and unlocked dumpsters. We had them near the chow hall dumpster all the time and when you took out garbage to the dumpster you had to be aware of your surroundings.
A hunt is doable. There are many guides up there that have bait hunts. I regularly encountered bait pits/barrels in the summer while hiking and such just NE of Anchorage near the Mat-Su Valley.
Do your homework and you can do it. Be sure to check on the hunting licensing requirements and then it should be just a matter of finding someone to take you.
USAF 83-88
Elmendorf 85-88
Drove to AK from central NC in Nov 1985 with a 6 month pregnant wife. Lots of stops along the way.
Good luck
Doable? Yes. I think you have the perfect timing for it. One to two days? Kinda brief. I'm an hour 45 south on the Kenai Peninsula.
Two main choices that time of year, 1) glass avalanche shoots, and 2) baiting. You'll spend $85 for a license and $225 for a bear tag.
I am about 2 hours east of Anchorage in unit 13. There are quite a few bears around the area. They are just starting to come out in the last part of May here. I think that it is better for spot and stalk to the south on the Peninsula.
Give me a shout when you get to anchorage, or anytime really. Spot and stalk is an option as using baits requires a permit. If you really want to get your juices flowing we can go call one in. Just be aware that the big brown ones come in too. Email me or PM Bill
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Sant:
Give me a shout when you get to anchorage, or anytime really. Spot and stalk is an option as using baits requires a permit. If you really want to get your juices flowing we can go call one in. Just be aware that the big brown ones come in too. Email me or PM Bill
Not to get sidetracked but once I was hunting about half way bewteen Anchorage and Fairbanks near McKinley (near in AK means withing a couple hundred miles) and came upone a sand bar at a creek. Huge bear prints in the sand. Much larger the my size 12 sorrell boot print. The large tracks were soon joined by smaller prints. Likely a cub's print. My buddy and I turned around immediately and high tailed it outta there. We suddenly felt as if we were the prey. Ever looking over our shoulders. We didn't have a grizz tag. Didn't want one either... :eek:
I hope you get to hunt Ak while you are there. I'm not sure ptarmigan or spruce hen are in season at that time but that would be fun too if the bear hunt doesn't work out.