Alaska bear hunt 2014

[pointing_dogs_rule]

First off, a BIG THANK YOU to our wonderful hosts Steve B. & Connie. Two nicer people you will not meet. They were the greatest hosts.We had an exciting spring black bear hunt on POW island. I should have titled this: "A BIG LEARNING CURVE". We learned a lot and had lots of fun. It's not as easy as those people on TV make it look (or seem to make it look).I went along with my brother and two cousins. They had tags and I was along for the ride. I have a tag for next year and I hope to go back.If any of you have questions on hunting the island I will share my "newly gained knowledge".This may be boring for some of you that have been to Alaska.Waiting to board the plane in Minneapolis.... on to Seattle and Ketchikan.Ferry from airport to Ketchikan[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13470_1404092289379_775[/ATTACH]~~First day in Ketchikan was the wettest day that we had.[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13437_1404092664234_700[/ATTACH]~~Had to see the local sights before the ferry left the next day for the island.[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13468_1404093443587_554[/ATTACH]~~Me and bear[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13469_1404093553604_467[/ATTACH]~~Lots of float planes.[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13471_1404094187483_760[/ATTACH]~~After a 3 hour ferry ride to Hollis on POW island. Then a two hour drive to our destination.[ATTACH=CONFIG]temp_13461_1404094309299_54[/ATTACH]~~The place that we stayed. It was nice to have a bed to sleep in and a shower everyday (and the great hospitality). The place overlooked the inside passage. Everyday, sperm whales, pilot whales, seals, sea otters, and dolphins. Thanks, STEVE & CONNIE!!!!

~~View from the house everyday and night. The home overlooked the Inside Passage

~~Cruise ships passed in the Inside Passage every morning and evening.

~~We had one day when the water was like glass. So calm

~~The boat that we had to use for the week. Thanks Steve

~~Harbor at the place we stayed

~~Day 1 we headed south in search of bear. We drove the boat close to 20 miles the first day. My brother drove the small boat. What an adventure

~~The grass flats that we hunted on day 1. We hunted mid morning and mid afternoon. No bears. Learned that we should have been hunting earlier and later.

~~On the afternoon of day 1 we learned how fast the tides rise. Yes, I remember seeing shows of other people's boat getting stranded. I can not believe how fast the tides rise and fall. Picture of my brother wading across 3 feet of water to get our boat.... that was now on an island. Next year a "LONGER ROPE".

~~Boat tied to island

~~Day 2 we planned on hunting some "inner lakes". We got there in a mid tide so the lakes were not accessible by boat. The plan was to enter the lakes and stay overnight and hunt early mornings and late evenings. My brother did not feel safe with the idea. We covered much shoreline without seeing a bear. (NOTE: a few days later a local went out to the same place and shot a bear on his first time out on the water). Next year I hope to go back and set up a spike camp to cut down on travel time. Tough to navigate a small boat in the dark with the tides.

~~My two cousins decide to hunt the clear cuts. On the first day they spotted this guy and after three shots he was down. They were being safe as they did not want to track him into the thick woods. 20 inch skull and the locals say he went about 550 lbs. The second biggest that the locals saw this year.

~~Some of the higher ground that the guys hunted

~~After 2 days in the boat my brother decide to hunt the clear cuts. As a result I was off to fishing with my hosts. Fishing was slow, however, we did catch a few. We were about one week early for the salmon run. Some locals were catching a few salmon. One halibut was caught. Excellent eating.

~~Heading out to fish in the bigger boat

~~I just caught "junk fish". My first time ever bottom fishing. I caught a dolphin by accident. I have never seen line go off of a reel so fast in my entire life. I ask Steve what to do....he says "there is nothing that you can do. Just hold on and the line will break". Fortunately the dolphin released on his own before I ran out of line. (I wonder if the dolphin might have been tangled in the line rather then hooked). Either way it was a first time experience.

~~This is how thick the forest was.

~~I did some hiking on my own to scout other areas for next year. I carried this while hiking alone. I found it easier to hike the streams and logging roads then try the forest

~~When we arrived there were tons of Sitka deer all along the roads. They were as big as barrels. Two days later there were fawns all along the roads in the grass. The fawns would just drop to the ground as a vehicle approached. Some defense mechanism. Locals say they are good meals for the bears. I hope to go back some fall to hunt Sitka deer.

~~Steve set out crab pots and we ate crab for dinner on two nights

~~Was able to meet the island law enforcement. I asked for a photo with him, however, he stated: "NO, you will not believe what people do with my photos"

~~ was fascinated by the colors and shapes of all the starfish.

~~A barge pulling rail cars. He was headed north when we passed him and two hours later he turned around and was headed south. OOPS!!!

~~Filling the tank at the local gas station. Directly from the fuel truck.

~~Two cousins

~~Me and brother

~~Our WONDERFUL HOSTS... STEVE AND CONNIE. Thanks for everlasting memories

Steve & Connie relaxing.

Steve in his favorite place (chair).

Good luck to allthe dog

[texastrophies]

The first 7 pictures aren't showing for me.

Looks like a great time!!! Enjoyed your pictures, definitely looks like something I would like to do someday.

[Ravin R10 man]

Nice pics, looks like you got the photo post thing down.

would love to see Alaska, wouldn't go there to shoot something I got in my back yard

Edited June 30, 2014 by Mathews XT Man

[wtnhunt]

Could not see the first seven pics either. Looks like you had a great time Marty. Congrats to your cousin on the bear. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

[fly]

Great write up and pictures! Colorado Bob and I planned to sit in that red chair as soon as Steve got up, but the bear tag drawing odds were not in our favor for 2015. We plan to apply again this fall for 2016. If so I'm sure Bob and I will be picking your brain from successful strategies! >Frank

[colorado bob]

Marty----Looks like a great time was had by all. Frank & I are going pick your brain on the bear hunting. Bob

[Maine Hntr]

Good stuff right there, what it's all about. Alaska is truly amazing and the sights are endless.

[silvertip_co]

Pretty awesome. Steve's a great guy. Congrats on a great hunt trip.

[Leo]

Looks like you had a great time! I'm not surprised. It's an awesome place. My wife and I really enjoyed our time with Steve and Connie. I've been real busy lately. The moving van is coming Tuesday.

[Rhino]

Looks like a trip with memories to last a lifetime! Thanks for sharing the experience. Good luck next year when you have a tag.

[stevebeilgard]

we all had a great time, marty