Kodiak Island August or November?

[Dhosera]

Whos actually hunted Alpine Blacktails on Kodiak? Are they still velvet thru the month of August? My BIL are planning a Goat/Deer trip around the goat opener, Aug 20th, and would like to talk experiences with someone whos had boots on the ground during that period.

 

[bowuntr]

They'll be shedding their velvet at the end of August. Most are hard horn at the beginning of September. Ed F

 

[WILLMCC]

I have had very good luck in early September. Still decent weather if you are willing to go up to the elevations to get after them.

 

[Steve O]

Last time I hunted in August, I saw ONE buck out of hundreds that had velvet (he was a spike) and I was done by the 5th. Going back this year in August. Velvet will be a bonus imo.

 

[Dhosera]

That's what I was afraid of Steve O. Priority would be going up in good weather after a Goat and if we scored on a Velvet Blacktail that'd be the big bonus. If I was confident they'd be Velvet, that'd be the trip timing I'm looking for. If they're out of Velvet, I'd rather hit them later for a better Hide on the goat.

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

Leaving in 3+ weeks!
Haven't been up to AK since I moved back in '08
Very excited

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Leaving in 3+ weeks!
Haven't been up to AK since I moved back in '08
Very excited

Have a good hunt. The south and east sides of the island didn't fare as badly as the north and west sides, this past winter.

 

[akbrett]

what did you see or hear about the north and west side of the island?

 

[Mykolaivka887]

It got hammered.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

It got hammered.

Did some one tell you that or is that you just watching the weather from eureka? I sent the bio a email and never heard back from him

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[Mykolaivka887]

Yes, I heard it directly.

 

[agaugler]

Yes, I heard it directly.

Can confirm on that. Hunted the north side of the island in December. Got blasted with ice, wind, rain and snow. Saw winterkill yearlings and does and that was before real winter set in.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

seems like the north side gets hit pretty hard the last few years. hopefully the charter cost to the sw side will be worth it.

 

[akbrett]

be interested to see what the biologists say. i heard different account from a hunting guide/outfitter hunting bears this spring on the west side of the island.

 

[bowuntr]

I'll tell you in 4 days. Too many deer can be a problem... Ed F

 

[kwackkillncrew]

Bio said some what average winter S of kodiak city, dear pop's fairly robust not much winter kill from what surveys and transporters are seeing.

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[Sage Houle]

How did you fare on your hunt? Heading to kodiak Oct 3rd for a week long hunt. Planning on hunting the south east end. Hoping to maybe luck into some caribou as well

 

[mcseal2]

I haven’t hunted yet. Leave Nov 4.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

How did you fare on your hunt? Heading to kodiak Oct 3rd for a week long hunt. Planning on hunting the south east end. Hoping to maybe luck into some caribou as well

how did you guys end up doing? after talking with the pilot our intent is to hunt the SE end but might change as it gets closer and where people are already at.

 

[Sage Houle]

We had a very tuff hunt. Not many buck sightings and the weather was not favorable. Definitely a awesome place! I would pick somewhere that is unknown we went to a known drop off location and after a day of being there another camp rolled in and on the backside of our mtn range there was another camp hunting the same range. I would definitely pick a mtn lake that is unnamed next time! We will definitely be going back. Very beautiful place but also very unforgiving!! Be prepared for lots of rain and wind