Prince of Wales Island offers some of the best hunting in Alaska in a land of pristine wilderness and old growth forest, where black bear and Sitka Black-tail deer are in abundance in our unspoiled terrain.
We offer skiff, boat and car rental to fish and hunt the more remote areas of Prince of Wales Island. There's also whale watching, sightseeing, beach combing and hiking where photographic opportunities abound.
Guided hunting trips are available or hunt on your own. Either way, it will be an experience you won't forget!
Our mini-lodge, condos and cabin offer you the best in comfort and adventure available on Prince of Wales Island.
Bear HuntingThe Black Bear inhabits most of the forested areas of Southeast Alaska and depending on the season, they may be found from sea level to alpine area. They are hunted for their hides, trophies and are a good source of food. In days gone by, their oil was used as a source of cooking oil and traditionally are a subsistence food for residents.
Bears usually mature at age three to six and breed every two to three years. Mating occurs in June and July. Other than that activity, bears are quite solitary, except for when a sow has cubs.
Cubs are born in dens after a gestation period of about seven months. Born blind and nearly hairless they weigh under a pound. When they come out of the den in May, they may weight up to five pounds. Two cubs per litter are the most common, although triplets have been spotted quite often. The cubs remain with their mother through their first winter and sometimes even a second.
When they emerge from hibernation, they eat freshly-sprouted green vegetation like skunk cabbage. But they will also eat most anything they encounter, including winter-killed animals, newborn moose calves or deer fawns. As the summer approaches they feed on salmon where available and berries and insects. Bears are extremely powerful and can be dangerous to humans. They should be treated with respect, especially when cubs are present. They have an outstanding sense of smell and usually smell you before they see you.
During hibernation, which usually lasts seven to eight months, they winter over in rock cavities, hollow trees or self-made caves. Sometimes they just sleep on the ground.
If you, as a hunter and don't intend to use the meat, we request that you contact the local taxidermist and let them know so it can be given to the local residents who use it for their food supply.Bear always deserve your respect. While attacks are infrequent, bear encounters can be avoided. Avoid surprising a bear at close distances. Cook and keep food and garbage stored well away from your camping area.
Regulations prohibit taking cubs or a sow with cubs. Bait for hunting is restricted. No part of any bear may be bought or sold.
Deer HuntingSitka Black-Tail Deer are small, stocky and short-faced as are members of the mule deer groups. They are reddish-brown during the summer and dark brownish-gray in winter. Their average weight of adults in early fall is about 80 pounds for does and 120 pounds for bucks. It is estimated that there are between 350,000 and 400,000 Sitka black-tailed deer in Alaska.
It's a native to the web coastal rain forests of Southeast Alaska and northern coastal British Columbia. They are an important source of nutritious, lean meat for many Alaskans, especially in Southeast Alaska. An adult provides about 50 pounds of meat.
The breeding season, or rut, peaks during November. A doe will breed during her second year yielding a fawn annually until she is 10 to 12 years old. Fawns are born in late spring. During the summer and early fall, the deer forage and accumulate fat that will help them through the winter and early spring
