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BEAR HUNTING |
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SPRING BEAR HUNT
This hunt may include the circumnavigation of Revillagigedo Island in my 26' Tolleycraft inboard cruiser, the MOZA II. The MOZA II provides primary transportation and accomodations for our cruise into Misty Fiords National Monument. A solid and seaworthy vessel, the MOZA II is also quite comfortable for extended voyages. The waters in this area are known as the Inside Passage, and are protected from the Pacific Ocean swells by the numerous islands that make up the Alexander Archipelago. It is quite common for us to enjoy mirror like waters while anchored in the fiords feasting on fresh dungeness crab.
Traveling by boat is a fantastic way to see Southeast Alaska. There is a diversity of wildlife offering excellent sightseeing opportunities. Humpback whales, Orca, Dall porpoises, Stellar sea lions and harbor seals are the main sea mammals we may encounter. On the beaches, it is not unusual to see Sitka blacktail deer, wolf, river otter, mink and marten while glassing for bears. Mountain goats are plentiful in this area and can frequently be seen high up on the mountains surrounding the fiords. Bald Eagles and wide variety of sea birds round out the wildlife viewing.
After anchoring the MOZA II in a protected bay, we may continue to glass the beaches from the boat, or take my jet boat ashore to inspect the beaches for bear sign. The tides in this area are significant with a difference between high and low of as much as 24 feet or as little as 6 feet. The bears feeding patterns often coincide with the tides. We generally see more activity during the low tide when there is more beach exposed. When we see a bear that appears to be what we're looking for, we'll find a vantage point that we can set up the spotting scope for a closer look or commence upon the stalk.
Unless we see a big bear that we're unable to get a shot at, we usually spend just one night in a bay, pulling anchor the next day to move on. We commonly set the crab and shrimp pots before anchoring in a new location allowing us to dine on fresh seafood whenever we want. Fish are also abundant during the spring hunt, including King Salmon, halibut and a variety of bottomfish, which make excellent tablefare. If time allows, we may also travel up one of the many streams to fish for Steelhead, trout or Dolly Varden.
A ten day combination hunt for both brown and black bear would be the best option for the hunter looking for the most adventure and the best opportunity at big bears. For those interested in black bears only, I recommend a 7 day hunt. I consider a 5 day hunt to be the minimum to give the hunter a reasonable opportunity at taking a good bear.
The weather may be fickle dishing out anything from blue sky and sunshine to rainy and windy days. Of all the hunting I do in Alaska, the spring bear hunts using the MOZA II for transportation and accommodations are the most relaxing and enjoyable of them all. I think that all of my spring bear hunters would agree that the diversity of activities, including pulling pots, fishing and sightseeing make this a fantastic Alaskan experience.
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Jens in the jungle |
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Mark Chambers Black Bear |
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Chickamin River |
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Lee Rankin |
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"2004" Spring Brown Bear |
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Happy Bear Hunters Marsh Collins & Tom Kelly 2003 Black Bear |
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Chickamin Bay |
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David Lee |
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