Juneau, Alaska

MO Bow · February 17, 2011, 11:05:00 AM

Just found out that I'm getting orders to Juneau. I'm stoked!!

Any of you guys live in Juneau?

Adam

Swamp Yankee · February 17, 2011, 01:32:00 PM

I'm a retired CG Warrant (Elc) and did tours in Juneau, Ketchikan and Kodiak. If you like hunting (duh) and fishing AND don't mind a little rain, you're going to hog heaven! Congratulations on the great orders and enjoy!

LKH · February 17, 2011, 03:22:00 PM

Wait till you fly into their airport after dark on a stormy night.

Zmonster · February 17, 2011, 04:01:00 PM

Nice,

Im working on orders to Ft Richardson near Ankorage. I was reporting in July, but things have changed. Possibly next year now.

LKH · February 17, 2011, 04:14:00 PM

There's a big difference between the two places, especially with how you get about. Juneau isoff the road system so most things are boat/air while Anchorage allows you to do a lot with your wheels.

akbowbender · February 17, 2011, 04:15:00 PM

I lived in Juneau close to 30 years. Decent hunting for Sitka Blacktails, Black Bear, Goat. You can also hunt moose in some areas close to Juneau, and Brown Bear on The ABC islands. Brownies are on the mainland too, but not in great numbers. And yup, the weather can get pretty nasty. But when it is nice, you really appreciate it!

I moved to Palmer a little over a year ago to dry out....

boznarras · February 17, 2011, 04:24:00 PM

Welcome to southeast. I am about 100 miles south of Juneau. I know there are some TG members in Juneau, I have seen their posts but I have not met them yet...

I'm guessing you are with the Coast Guard?

Start thinking about what kind of boat you want...or boats. There is no road into Juneau, like most everywhere else in Southeast, so having a boat becomes SOP to get around beyond the local roads.
As was said, you will see a little rain...liquid sunshine!

Swamp Yankee · February 17, 2011, 04:27:00 PM

Oh yeah, "Sunshine Liberty" everytime the sun comes out.. ;-) Get a pair of the required brown rubber boots and you won't even notice the rain after you're there three or four months. Just ingore that green stuff growing on your feet; it's good for you.

akbowbender · February 17, 2011, 04:31:00 PM

Almost forgot...while I never hunted them, there are Roosevelt Elk on some of islands near Petersburg. And you will be within striking distance of Prince of Wales Island. Great bear and deer hunting. Check out my profile photo for my largest POW buck.

People in SE Alaska don't tan, they rust!

GO Rogers · February 17, 2011, 04:43:00 PM

Thank you and your Family for your service to our country! God Bless.♥♥♥

boznarras · February 17, 2011, 04:53:00 PM

Yes the elk were introduced on Etolin Island. They are on Zarembo Island too, but F&G has closed that island to elk hunting. The Etolin hunt is a drawing, there is a archery only in Sept, and then rifle (or archery)in Oct. You need IBEP certification to enter. You can get that in Juneau if you don't have it. The entry period closed Dec 31, 2010 for the coming fall hunt, so soonest you would be looking at that for 2012.
But you still have the other critters du jour to pursue. Take a look here:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.main
And yes, the combination of rubber footgear (Southeast Sneakers) and moisture does lead to growth on your feet. Toenail fungus is common. I have been here so long I now have webs between my toes.

Steve H. · February 17, 2011, 06:15:00 PM

I was in Juneau for 8 years. Akbowbender, you still haven't gotten a bigger SBT than that ole' buck, lol?

Great brown bear hunting close by, up and down deer hunting (winter kills affect populations), great but difficult goat hunting, hit -n- miss black bear hunting, and I wouldn't even mess with moose or elk in SE.

beauhunter · February 17, 2011, 07:25:00 PM

If you think that flying into Juneau is something to talk about, try flying into Sitka.

akbowbender · February 17, 2011, 07:47:00 PM

There is an active archery club in Juneau with a fair number of trad bow shooters. I was back there a couple of weekends ago and shot in their new range on Montana Creek Road. Here's their website: http://www.juneauarchery.com/

Nothing bigger, Steve. I hope to get some SBT hunting in this fall, though. Maybe even back to POW.

I did take two moose in St. James Bay, and a friend took three, though they were all felled by thundersticks (not the bow!.) The herd took a real hit during the 210" snow year. Don't know if they have rebounded or not. I guess the deer herd around Juneau is doing real well, though there are a lot of wolves around as a result.

Sitka's landings can be interesting. Kind of like landing a 737 on a docked carrier! I still think my most interesting landings have been in Ketchikan.

Gehrke145 · February 17, 2011, 08:01:00 PM

These AK posts keep popping up, its killing me! Soon enough just need to be vested at the department first.

beauhunter · February 17, 2011, 08:30:00 PM

Yeah, it can get pretty colorful flying into K-town too.
When I was headed north this year after caribou, we landed in Sitka and on take-off we popped a tire. The pilot stopped the jet just in time, I figure it was maybe 100 yards from the end of the strip. For a minute it was looking like I might get my feathers wet.

MO Bow · February 18, 2011, 09:14:00 AM

Thanks for all the info fellas.

My brother was stationed up there a few years back and I did a black bear hunt with him and my dad. We rented a boat for a week and saw a ton of blacks and a few browns. Finally shot one on the last day of our hunt out the road in Juneau. The rug's hanging on the wall...he can't wait to come back home!

I've got some friends in Ketchikan and a guy with some property up on the Kenai. It'll be a busy couple of years for sure...with lots of visitors too!

AkDan · February 19, 2011, 03:48:00 AM

flying into sitka is a breeze...panzies LOL

doeslayer · February 19, 2011, 04:42:00 AM

Your killing me smalls, Jason called me with the ather good news. How am I supposed to retire early if I need to save up to come to Alaska? This is going to be fun.