Alaska black bear kayak hunting trip!

bportwood · Post by **bportwood** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:24 am

Here's my plan for the end of May. I'm stationed in Valdez, AK. I'm try something different this spring and try my hand at a 5 day kayaking spring bear hunt. Wife and boys will be in TX on vacation for awhile so I'm looking for a good cheap hunting trip/adventure! I've been lucky enough to take 2 Alaskan Black bears over the years. First one was over bait in Valdez 5 yrs ago w/ my Marlin 1895G 45-70. Got one in Ketchikan last year w/ my Winchester 30-30. Me and a buddy are taking my 2 17' sea kayaks out the 3rd week of May for a spring black bear hunt within 25 miles of Valdez. I'm sure been that the bears will be out and about about then. A couple guys have got spring bears already w/ all the snow still around. I'm thinking cruising silently in a sea kayak over miles and miles of Alaskan shoreline will produce 2 bears. Have any one of you fellas ever done this or considered something like this? Any results? Brown bear will also be opening and I'll be buying my resident tag for it too, just in case. I'll be packing my old 45-70 that I got chopped to 16" added WWG trigger, lever loop and XS sights to it. seems like a great packable carbine that I know does a number on bears. Thanks Billy Jack

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:53 am

Sounds like a adventure that Jack London would approve of.Goodluck

Warhawk · Post by **Warhawk** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:00 am

Have you done any kayaking?

You might want to consider a canoe, it's hard to pack much gear in a kayak. At least it is for me.

shawn45 · Post by **shawn45** » Sat May 03, 2008 2:47 am

sounds like a trip I need to plan except I would use a canoe like the one hanging in the back yard right now.

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:04 am

Sounds like a great trip! Several of my friends and I have sonsidered something similar on Prince of Wales Island. But nothing came of it. You are certainly well-armed for the shot, but how are you gonna haul the meat back?

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:29 am

BillyJack
I hope your plan works out and you have a great time.
Please take some photos to share with us.

Grizz · Post by **Grizz** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:50 am

bportwood,

I've not taken bears from a kayak, but I've taken a few deer from one, and been close enough to bears to kill them. Shooting from a kayak isn't a problem, I'm guessing you've already worked that out. Seashells make excellent frangible targets to get the hang of it.

My kayak was one I built, wood frame with canvas skin. I could easily pack a deer in it, and 16 gallons of water for the cabin to give you an idea. I bet your boats will pack more weight than my 16 footer. I don't think a boned out black bear would be an overload depending on the boat design.

Uh, I don't think anyone in their right mind would be using an open canoe in the waters he's hunting.

Good hunting, can't wait for the pictures. Movies would be excellent...

Grizz

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:55 am

I have hunted Prince William Sound (Icy Bay) from a boat for Black Bear with great success...this is the time of year to be doing it...you should do well...

Good luck and play it safe.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:22 am

ScottT wrote:Sounds like a great trip! Several of my friends and I have sonsidered something similar on Prince of Wales Island. But nothing came of it. You are certainly well-armed for the shot, but how are you gonna haul the meat back?

That was my first thought!

Boned, that might do it. Just how much weight can one stow in a kayak? I tell you it sounds like fun!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:36 am

Sounds like a great trip! Pictures... don't forget pics. I had to tuurn down a trip to AK this year as my truck is too long for Canada; another reason it's for sale, the other'n is just right; maybe I'll get another chance.

Good luck and be safe.

bportwood · Post by **bportwood** » Sat May 03, 2008 12:05 pm

Everyone's got the same ? about the meat and for good reason. I'll be in my Necky Narpa 17 footer, It's rated for 425 lbs. My buddy will be in my wife's Perception Eclipse 17 footer, rated 400 lbs I believe. In the state of Alaska only the 4 qtrs and back staps of bears need to be salvaged before June. Both black bears I took before were 200 & 250 lbs live weight. Boned out, Looking at a heck of a lot less. I'm 200 lbs 6'2", I'll be packing 40 lbs of gear to include Alice pack (med) w/ frame, MSR stove and Micro zoid tent, mat, Sleeping bag, Mountain house meals and Cliff bars, Cold Steel rifleman's tomahawk and my chopped Marlin 1895G. I figure if I get a monster it defenitly could be a problem. These 2 boats have sealed bulkheads, 2 sealed compartments fore & aft for storing all of your stuff. I'll defenitly document the entire thing, can't wait. I've done some sea kayaking in Alaska and Lake Superior, WI before, never shot a rifle from one though, something I should try...

Billy Jack

ScottT · Post by **ScottT** » Sat May 03, 2008 12:30 pm

Sounds like a great deal of fun and I hope you guys have a great time.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:02 pm

Wow, I would love to do that- you are very fortunate to be in a place that affords that kind of experience.

Good for you to get out there and take it in.

A sea kayak is really made for this kind of thing from what I understand. All of my personal experience is with standard canoes in fresh water - like the boundry waters in MN, but I never did any hunting from one.

Have a great hunt and I look farward to seeing the pics!

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:13 pm

I hunted with my brother by boat and taking deer and bear was no problem. It was one of the easiest and most productive hunting I've ever done. Getting acclimated to the rocking of the boat was the only challenge.

RKrodle · Post by **RKrodle** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:55 pm

If you need more room maybe you could cut some small poles and lash the two kayaks together, think narrow catamaran. place the meat and hides between the two kayaks. I don't know nothing about kayaks so its just a thought.

El Mac · Post by **El Mac** » Sat May 03, 2008 3:44 pm

Very nice!

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:36 pm

kewl, wishing you a great trip.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:55 pm

I think it sounds awesome and you should have a blast!

I am pretty good with a canoe but have never used a kayak.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:38 pm

Sounds like fun, a lot of fun.

To me, if it seems like the bear might be too much, I'd think of stowing an infaltable raft, and if you get one, pack him in it and tow the raft. Would slow you down but less chance of capsizing that way.

If you happen to get caught in a nasty storm in a worst case scenario you could set the raft free, better to lose the bear than your life.

Antietamgw · Post by **Antietamgw** » Sat May 03, 2008 7:53 pm

Sounds like a great trip, bear or not. I've been to Quebec for bear but Alaska is a dream. I'd just like to see it sometime. If I had the chance to go to Alaska for bear, I wouldn't worry about packing it out. Pack in some taters, carrots and onions, stay there and eat hearty 'till it's gone.

m.wun · Post by **m.wun** » Sun May 04, 2008 10:58 pm

I would think you could pack a small inflatible and pump it
up.If you shoot one throw it in there and tow behind you...