Earning Every Step (Kodiak Island-part 1)

[Marshian]

Last fall i got the itch to do a trip with my brothers (one of whom is an AK resident) to do a DIY trip to Alaska. I wanted to take advantage of having a first of kin relative so my other brother and I decided on Kodiak Island for a mixed bag of critters including goats. It was the most physically demanding week of my life with plenty of memories afterwards. We flew out of Montana and into Kodiak City. From there we took a smaller bush plane towards the southwestern part of the island near Larsen Bay. Our hunt was boat based and we used Ninilchik transporters who I highly recommended. But in the end, we only ate and slept on the bait with some fishing mixed in. All hunting in terms of locations, field dressing and transport was done DIY. The only assistance they could give us was taking us from the 50 foot mother ship to shore aboard a small skiff. Shown below are some pics of my one brother and I hanging around town, visiting the local brewery, seeing some nearby bears and being dropped off for a day hunt from the skiff.

 

[Marshian]

The boat had six people in total; the captain and his first mate plus my three brothers and a new friend we met (a solo hunter from Alaska in his early 60s who is by far the toughest man I have ever met).

Our first day was a bit demoralizing as we didn’t come across any deer and the vegetation was extremely dense and thorny. Fortunately, the next day we found a much better location after our fellow hunter spotted a deer iron the beach at daybreak. The vegetation this time of year though would be constant challenge as some of the pics and my hands can testify to. The fishing in the evenings after the day’s hunt and the excellent cooking of our crew were always something to loom forward to. Alaska has stricter meat retrieval laws than Montana, one of which is the requirement of rib meat meat which is what I’m eating in the one pic.

 

[Marshian]

We saw several sea ducks including a many drake harlequins but unfortunately duck season in the island didn’t open until October 8 so none of that. But there are numerous foxes with beautiful color phase variations which are considered a varmint so don’t require a special locking tag, just the general license. I was hoping to get one of the black phase ones but was happy with mine nonetheless. Our captain did put us into some excellent halibut fishing in the evenings after hunting too. The latest being over 100 pounds. My brothers on the hook was 90 and mine that I’m holding was 80. We also caught numerous rockfish and even got to help with putting out some crab pots which produced one fantastic night’s meal of fresh dungeness!

 

[Marshian]

We saved the most brutal part of the hunt, chasing goats for last. We talked with an ADFG biologist prior to going for some locations and prepared to spend the night atop the mountain. We literally hiked from sea level to about 3300 feet through the densest hell imaginable including alders, thorns, devils club, etc until the sweet relief of being in the tundra. We got busted by a billy on the way up and once on top saw a herd of about 20 in a neighboring peak a few miles away. But we were thoroughly exhausted so made camp for night and hoped to get lucky in the morning. Our solo friend split off after reaching the peak and he did shoot a goat. Unfortunately he was chased off it by a bear so only chowed is a pic. The bear took everything else. We knew we had to return to the boat that evening so we hunted hard in the morning, but never could find any goats closer than the ones a few miles away which were out of the question. The hike back was equally exhausting and of course once down lower we found goats which had hidden beneath us but that ship had sailed so to speak. I have no regrets and am extremely proud of my brothers and myself for just being able to handle the hike and sleep up there. That last night on the boat, we met back up with our solo friend who said he has shot three goats and that was the toughest hunt of them all. It’s the dense underbrush that is just brutal.

 

[Marshian]

The following morning our boat pulled into the harbor of Larsen Bay and the bush plane picked us up for the long return trip home. By coincidence, we flew right over the mountain where we camped and saw the goats. We mentioned that to the pilot who seemed either thoroughly impressed or bewildered at our stupidity. So I’m back home in Montana now thankful to God, my wife and my brothers for this trip of a lifetime. I hope to hunt Alaska again some day. Not sure about Kodiak though, that brush is something else! Love me some Montana open country

 

[Marshian]

We saw several sea ducks including a many drake harlequins but unfortunately duck season in the island didn’t open until October 8 so none of that. But there are numerous foxes with beautiful color phase variations which are considered a varmint so don’t require a special locking tag, just the general license. I was hoping to get one of the black phase ones but was happy with mine nonetheless. Our captain did put us into some excellent halibut fishing in the evenings after hunting too. The latest being over 100 pounds. My brothers on the hook was 90 and mine that I’m holding was 80. We also caught numerous rockfish and even got to help with putting out some crab pots which produced one fantastic night’s meal of fresh dungeness!

 

[Art Vandelay]

Great write up!

 

[kiwi hunter]

very interesting

 

[elkrchr]

First off, congrats to you and your brothers! If I could only do one hunt per year, it would be Kodiak. I thoroughly enjoy hunting the sitka blacktail deer on the island. If the winter is mild again on the island, I'll be headed up there next fall.

 

[Sask hunter]

Congrats! Looks like quite the hunt

 

[Pucky Freak]

What an adventure. Enjoyed the pics

 

[Greyman]

I really wish that I hadn't opened this thread. Now I've got the itch too! Great pics and write up!

 

[Deleted member 20812]

What an adventure. Enjoyed the pics

This. Thank you for sharing.

 

[buffybr]

Thanks for posting. I'm heading up there in December on a DIY deer hunt.

 

[ashersdad]

Epic hunt!! Kodiak is so awesome. I'm sure you'll be back to get your goat.

 

[Sytes]

Fantastic! Would love to pack up for an epic trip with a couple friends and make something of this nature become reality! Never a hungry moment, that seems certain!

 

[kansasdad]

Boy, if there was ever a "click your heels and fly to the alpine" card that could be played, I'm guessing that the usage on that bad boy would be 100%.

 

[Nameless Range]

What a trip! Thanks for sharing your story and the pictures.

 

[Jape]

Very cool adventure and congrats! Take advantage of the next of kin law every chance you can get.

 

[glass eye]

Thanks for posting. I'm heading up there in December on a DIY deer hunt.

Look forward to your report. December is what I've been planning for but not this year. Deer & Duck DIY