Questions about alaska

[Looper]

I lived in Juneau for 6 years, from 1994 to 2000 and found the Southeast to be a great place for hunting, fishing, skiing, prospecting, exploring, etc., provided you don't mind being wet most of the time.

There was pretty much something to do year round.  Heck, I didn't even own a computer or a TV for all but the last 6 months I was there.  

Spring hunts were for black bear and spruce grouse.  

Summer was fishing (kings, silvers, cutthroat, halibut) and diving (crab, scallops)time.  Prospecting also took a good deal of my time.

Fall was for blacktail on Douglas and Admiralty, moose in St. James Bay, goats down in Ford's Terror, and the butt-kicker, elk on Etolin Island.
My daily fall hunts were for waterfowl.

Winter gave way to skiing at Eaglecrest, backcountry camping, diving (clear water), cross-country skiing, and honing the cribbage skills.

I had a blast there.  I've considered moving back, but am thinking the western Montana or Idaho might offer many of the same opportunities.

I did an occasional hunt up north (moose in McGrath, caribou off the haul road), but the variety in the Southeast kept me pretty busy.  I also had a great bunch of friends, which, come to think of it was one of the highlights.

[Autumnarcher]

Having never hunted blacktails, how do they compare with whitetails or muley's for hunting with a stickbow? Are they primarily a spot and stalk hunt, or are other tactics effective (SE Alaska).

[nightowl1]

been talking to the wife and extended family up there... looks like I'll be moving up there to be a teacher in a couple of years. Mat Su valley.

Can't wait to give it a go. I will miss my hogs and deer but figure i can chase them when i come down to visit the family for the holidays.

I'm excited to learn a new environment. I figure every bit of my outdoorsy knowledge only pertains to the swamps so i will be relearning everything.

Can't wait to chase some new critters with a bow. Bird hunting and small game sound like a blast.

[Rick P]

Originally posted by Autumnarcher:
Having never hunted blacktails, how do they compare with whitetails or muley's for hunting with a stickbow? Are they primarily a spot and stalk hunt, or are other tactics effective (SE Alaska).

Black tail hunting for me is a spot and stalk sport but black tails are.......well ....tiny! My saint Barnard is bigger than the average buck, at least where I was. That was several years ago, I haven't bothered to hunt them since. It would be a haul for me to get to them though.

There are 2 totally different parts of the state being discussed here though and I think it's important to remind folks how big our state is. The only way for me to go visit say Juneaulongbow would be to get on a plane. It is a 6 hour drive to homer Dave's from my house. When I visited at mid winters eve it was 38 below at my place but a rather comfy 15 below at his. It will take 2 days of driving before I even start my first stalk on my up coming Caribou trip.

Big game hunting dose disappoint most outsiders who are unwilling to do ALLOT of hiking and packing, sometimes ridiculous amounts of weight. Personally I find the fishing very disappointing but I'm a dry fly guy and hate crowds. For me the nearest decent fishing is about 6 hours away. I do like crabbing and fishing winter kings in kachemak bay with Dave but I'm not found of homer in the summer, to many people.

[nightowl1]

anyone else have some alaska comments?

I am definitly moving up there in 2 years... what do i have to look forward too?

[saltwatertom]

There is some good hunting and fishing here (AK that is) but it is few and far inbetween and you will need LOTS of money to make it happen. The good stuff is accessed by way of a plane and or boat. You will need to have some VERY good friends with planes and boats or be able to hire  or have your own. If you think that hiring them is expensive them just go ahead an try owning your own!   $ You will then find out why the charter guys charge so much and why it is worth it to hire them. (if you find a good and safe one)
Hiking in from the road system is an option but you will find it is plenty tuff to do and to get REALLY remote and away from the crowds is just not possible. Alaska is way differnt than the lower 48, in most of it's terrain and in it's distances and it's dangers. You just cannot comprehend how big it is until you are here and try to see some of it.
An unfortunate fact is also that the hunting and fishing has been in a steady decline since before state hood. Since I have been in the state I've seen a dramatic change in the opertunities and how (relativly) crowded it is.      
All that said , it is a wonderful place and I'm not leaving. I just wish there were fewer people here ( and everywhere for that matter).

Just some of my $.02 worth