Kodiak island blacktail

[Snowwolfe]

Speaking of Kodiak, I know the winter is not yet over but how was the winter on the deer population?

 

[Mangata]

Minimal snow thus far with no lasting accumulation at lower elevations. Looking like a good year for over winter survival!!

 

[DougR67]

Minimal snow thus far with no lasting accumulation at lower elevations. Looking like a good year for over winter survival!!

I spoke to ADF&G last week and they said the same thing.

 

[DougR67]

Late October thru early December was my normal fall season.

We have a group starting opening day. We're hoping due to everyone's reluctance to hunt early season we will be the only ones hunting. ( A guy can hope can't he?)

 

[FAAFO]

If you’re hunting mature bucks I’d be more concerned with what the winters were like 4 to 5 years ago. #iykyk

 

[BRWNBR]

We have a group starting opening day. We're hoping due to everyone's reluctance to hunt early season we will be the only ones hunting. ( A guy can hope can't he?)

Velvet bucks and bugs. Likely mostly going to be alpine deer and near the tops. Yes. You will have less people! lol

 

[DougR67]

Velvet bucks and bugs. Likely mostly going to be alpine deer and near the tops. Yes. You will have less people! lol

That's what we're thinking and hoping.

 

[FAAFO]

That's what we're thinking and hoping.

Early season has been pretty crowded last few years. Two years ago guys were getting stacked up on each other unfortunately. Be sure to bring bright tents. Helps pilots move on to the next spot.

 

[DougR67]

Early season has been pretty crowded last few years. Two years ago guys were getting stacked up on each other unfortunately. Be sure to bring bright tents. Helps pilots move on to the next spot.

LOL. That's a really good idea!

 

[ColeyG]

Be quiet

If you crap on the mountain bury it please.

And be quiet…while crapping.

Good luck!

This is good advice. I killed my first and best Kodiak buck walking back from my morning hole digging session.

Two rules rules for crapping in the woods. 1) always take your gun, 2) no one else should have to experience the aftermath of your shitting experience

 

[FAAFO]

LOL. That's a really good idea!

If someone comes in after me and camps on my lake a bear is going to get their tent. My bare hands. #publiclandproblems

 

[farmermail]

As above, plan on hiking up as the deer will most likely still be in the alpine. Last season I shot a buck out of a group of 6 deer on October 8 at elevation 2370 ft.
I would plan on getting to elevation of 1000 feet to begin getting into deer.

Get some work in on hills. Extra points if you can train with alders and raspberry canes in the rain…

Don't forget about devil's club. I hate that plant.

 

[Mangata]

Certainly not a fan of devils club.
I have a very strong dislike for the raspberry canes!! F’ing things can be inpenetrable, and trying to uphill through them is a misery likely similar to the inner circles of hell. The things we do for fun, and to fill the freezer with tasty blacktail

 

[DougR67]

Don't forget about devil's club. I hate that plant.

I have never heard of devil's club, I had to look it up. That looks like one nasty plant.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

we dont have any poisonous stuff, but plenty of pokies

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

We have a group starting opening day. We're hoping due to everyone's reluctance to hunt early season we will be the only ones hunting. ( A guy can hope can't he?)

Bring bushwacking clothes. ie, light enough to wear in the sun, keep the mosquitoes off and yet tough enough to not get shredded too fast. August on Kodiak is very different than Late Sept. onwards. The brush is still in full growing mode and green. You won't see your feet until you reach the alpine in most instances.

 

[DougR67]

Bring bushwacking clothes. ie, light enough to wear in the sun, keep the mosquitoes off and yet tough enough to not get shredded too fast. August on Kodiak is very different than Late Sept. onwards. The brush is still in full growing mode and green. You won't see your feet until you reach the alpine in most instances.

Thanks. That's what we're preparing for, thanks to info from guys like yourself on RS. I will say I'm a bit worried that my rain gear may get destroyed.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

I will say I'm a bit worried that my rain gear may get destroyed.

just dont go when its raining

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Thanks. That's what we're preparing for, thanks to info from guys like yourself on RS. I will say I'm a bit worried that my rain gear may get destroyed.

I’d bring both Gore Tex and Rubber raingear. If it looks like the short term forecast is really wet, just bring Impertech or similar rubber raingear.

 

[ColeyG]

I’d bring both Gore Tex and Rubber raingear. If it looks like the short term forecast is really wet, just bring Impertech or similar rubber raingear.

Agreed.

Grundens makes a pair of stretchy, rubber, camo rain pants that work really well for Kodiak missions. Fairly light and durable for what they are. Much easier to hike in that the rigid PVC stuff.