Prince of Wales Island

[dirtpoor]

I'm thinking of booking a bear hunt at POW in May 2007, anybody have any info or advice about bear hunting on POW.

[Arrowslinger]

Look up Muskeg...he's a JHO member and sponsor. He guides on POW.

Just found his website: Muskeg Excursions (http://www.muskegexcursions.com/index.html)

[dirtpoor]

Thank's Arrowslinger will do

[crittergetter]

Went there deer hunting in Sept. Saw more bears than shooter bucks. Only saw one bear I wanted to shoot but couldn't. Saw alot of them up high which I understand was unusual for that time of year and thought to be due to the slower than normal salmon run this year. I also saw them on the lower roads and river areas. Scat was everywhere up high. If deer season is in you can buy a bear tag and is legal for bear or lesser value (deer). Not sure how they hunt them. If bait etc is used or not. There seemed to be a lot of bears there. Black bears only. My advice... Be prepared to get wet and be in above average physical condition if you are going to hunt them high which I think is more popular in the Spring. Many more bitting bugs in the Spring too. Also consider using korked boots or atleast korked combo. I wore bob soles. They do no good on downed timber that is everywhere. many times you can't go to far with out having to set foot on it. It is slick and slimy and the cause of most of my slips while hiking. Korks would be safer. AS is correct, get in touch with Muskeg. I found some usefull info for my trip here aswell www.alaska-hunting-forum.com

[dirtpoor]

Crittergetter, thanks for the info, its starting to get complicated. My original plan was to take an extended vacation and drive to Prince Rupert and ferry my truck to the island,Everyone that I spoke to on the island said not to do that for various reasons. It seems that it is a problem hooking up with the ferry among other issues. How did you go about getting there ? I'm surprised that you didn't see a lot of deer they tell me that you can buy up to 4 deer tag's. Everyone I spoke to said it is spot and stalk hunting for bears mostly along the shoreline. Did you do a self-guided hunt or have an outfitter ?, thank's , Bill

[muskeg]

Ferry connections are possible. Prince of Wales gets motor home visitors all summer long. Some hunters drive up to Rupert and ferry. There is daily ferry service from Ketchikan to the Island.

Spring is usually beach hunting. But we did take 2 of our 9 Bears this spring upland. Bugs arn't that bad in spring but there are some around.

Hip boots is the preferred foot wear for the spring Bear hunt and Critter is right ... be prepared for wet.

[crittergetter]

Bill, I used the fairy out of ketchikan. It was easy but not with out it's logistic downsides. Mostley the wait from my flight arrival to the fairy departure. Other than that the Ketchican fairy was perfecly on time and seemd easy. It has two seasonal schedules. Only other way to get there that I know of is charter a float plan. I saw many people on the POW fairy and a few fishermen on the island with their own vehicles. If you want your vehicle there you don't have a choice. I did see quite a few deer. Just wasn't able to get on them. Along the roads I saw hundreds...of does. I shot the first two bucks I saw and could shoot. I went with a new resident of the island. There are a lot of deer there but alot of places to hide that are hard to get to also. It takes some figuring to see large numbers of bucks. I may be worng but residents get four buck and one doe tag(s). Non residents get two buck (spike or better) tags. I saw the bears up high mostly. But I understood that the fish run was slow so they went back up or stayed up to finish of the berries. Not really sure. I did see a couple at stream side while fishing or a breif glimps while on a lower road. There are no trails on the island other than animal trails. It is hard to get around on foot. You must be proficient at using a gps if you get off a road or away from the beach or stream at all. It was amazing how disoriented you could get after a short walk through the trees. And there are a lot of trees. I'd estimate the island is 90% trees. It is not like you can get very far with out. I think what made it so difficult to orientate was that you can't or may not be able to see the sun most of most days. I don't recommend not having one with fresh batteries and knowing how to use it. A map and compas to back up would be good too. Serious. Especially in totally unfamiliar ground. I've been out and about a lot and that place gave me the heebeegeebeeys when it came to internal orientation. I don't know anything about shore line hunting for bears but I know it is a technique used for deer in the snowy months. I'd be happy to answer any questions i can. I think you can get ahold of me through Jessys soomehow. This is a pic of the largest bear that offered an excellent shot for a long time and guess what...I didn't have a bear tag and were several miles from the truck anyway. This bear made every other bear I saw before and after look small. This opening although large took a several hours to get to through trees nearly the whole way.

[crittergetter]

This would be the view of navigational landmarks a good part of many days there.

[dirtpoor]

Critter, thanks for the info, I think I'll probably hook up with a British Columbia outfitter and drive to camp. That was a great bear in the photo.

[muskeg]

I am hunting this year based out of Hyder .....

If you interested in that drive I could meet you there.

I have one opening in late May and room on my early June hunt.

Any one up for a drive to Hyder ?????

[the supernuge]

Wow killer pics guys!