Hunting Sitka -- Small Game

[canopyboy]

So I leave in 11 days for Sitka, from there to fly a bit north via float plane to Lake Eva for a week of fishing with my dad and one his buddies.  I was thinking I'd throw my bow and a few arrows in my bag to break up the day a little.  If nothing else I can do a little stumping before deer season back home.  But the way I read it, I can go after small game for a $25 non-resident license.

I keep hearing about hunting grouse, does anyone know if there are many around on Baranof island?  Anything else that I should know about?  Thanks in advance.

[akbowbender]

I imagine that you will find some Sooty Grouse (formerly Blue Grouse), and if you get high enough, some ptarmigan. Should be fun no matter what!

[Roadkill]

Bring lots of arrows. Tundra eats many. I lived further out and tundra is like walking on a sponge covered with thickmoss

[canopyboy]

I'm thinking I won't find that much tundra down near Sitka, but I figured I'd come short a couple of arrows no matter.

Sooty grouse -- I'll look 'em up.  Do you use blunts on grouse, or do they warrant broadheads?

[slivrslingr]

I've worked at Lake Eva, beautiful place!  Didn't see any grouse around there, not that they aren't there, but definitely be wary of the bears, especially if there are still sockeye coming into the lake.  Should be some dolly's, cutthroat, and maybe some resident rainbows around for trout and coho, pinks, and a few sockeye for salmon.  Keep your eye out for shed deer antlers in the timber around the lake, seems to be a wintering area.   I use a broad head for small game any more, too many crawl offs with judo's.  If you're keen for hike, look into getting a deer tag, check the dates first though.  It's a tough hike to alpine there, but if you're prepared (very important) and persistent, you could find a buck or two to stalk.  Be sure to take lots of pics, the falls in the outlet creek are really beautiful!  Oh yeah, thanks jogging the memory!

[Looper]

No tundra, but loads of muskeg.

[canopyboy]

Yup, bears are at the top of my "watch out for" list on this trip.  My understanding is that we'll be there during the sockeye run.  Should be fun.  Too early for deer season though.

Thanks for the responses.