PWS Deer Hunt Timing

[Behlftball]

Looking to do a 2026 PWS blacktail deer hunt.

I'm hoping to do 2 Alaskan hunt this fall, 1 the first week in August and another the first or second week in September. The other hunt will be the Haul Rd caribou hunt which I've done before. I do prefer the September time for that hunt, as the bugs are gone. Im aware it closed Sept 15th for nonresidents.

My question is timing for a deer hunt out of Whittier. What are the negatives or positives of deer hunting in the PWS in early August or mid-September? I'm assuming the deer are high for both hunts. I'm assuming meat care is easier in mid-September. Anything I'm missing? I'm also assuming weather is worse in September as far as access. I'll. Have a Hewescraft 210 Searunner (23'8").

Thank you

 

[Ts1]

how are you planning on getting on shore? With majority of deer being high up, it’s not just a quick park the boat on the beach and get a deer….could take hours and the tide line could be significantly different. If you go in at high tide your boat could be high and dry when you get back or the exact opposite could be true we’re at low tide you just hop off your boat and then if you get back mid tide swing you can’t get to your boat. I’d definitely plan on having a raft or small zodiak to get to shore OR leaving one person on the boat to keep it out of trouble. No real difference between the end of August and the beginning of September to me—-just gonna be luck of the draw with the weather.