Alaska Deer Hunting

E-mail Print
Alaska Deer Hunting
Rates & Schedule

In 2010 All hunts are 8 Days, 7 Nights, Saturday to Saturday, minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 hunters. All fishing gear and fish processing provided.

Hunt Dates for Fall 2010 $ 2,650 PP

Oct 2-8, Oct 9-15, Oct 16-22, Oct 23-29, Oct 30, Nov 5, Nov 6-12, Nov 13-19, Nov 20-26, Nov 27, Dec 3

Hunt Dates for Fall 2011 $ 2,650 PP

Oct 1-7, Oct 8-14, Oct 15-21, Oct 22-28, Oct 29 to Nov 4, Nov 5-11, Nov 12 to 18, Nov 19-25, Nov 26 to Dec 2

For Help with Flights, Hotels, and Rental Cars Click Here

Kodiak Island Deer Hunting: 8 Day, 7 Night All inclusive

All Hunts Include: Lodging, Meals & Snacks, Hot & Cold non-Alcoholic Beverages, Freezing of Hides, Assistance in Travel Arrangements between Anchorage & Kodiak.

Hunts Do Not Include: Guns & Ammunition, Hunting & Fishing Licenses/Tags, Alcoholic Beverages, Transportation to Larsen Bay, Sleeping Bags, Personal Hygiene Products.

Hunting License & Game Tags, Alaska duck stamps, and Fishing Licenses can be purchased onboard. For out of state hunters, a hunting license is $85 and deer tags are $150 each (3 deer/person). A 7-day fishing license is $55. An Alaska duck stamp is $5.The federal duck stamp is $15 and must be purchased at your local post office. The duck limit is 8 per day and 24 in possession for a non-resident. The halibut possession limit is 4 per person, but you can catch-and-release all you like.

Residents can call Fish & Game in Kodiak at 907-486-1830 for their king crab permit. Non-residents can use their sport fish license to retain dungeness and tanner.

Thank you for considering Ninilchik Charters for your Kodiak Island deer hunting adventure.

For the past 18 years, Ninilchik Charters has grown from our success of providing great hunting and fishing adventures to thousands of people. We understand that a hunting trip to Alaska involves a large investment and requires substantial research. We are excited about having you aboard, and the best way for us to get started is by providing you as much information as we can about our hunting trip. This is a detailed information packet about our 8 day, 7 night Kodiak Island deer hunt. We designed this packet in hopes that it will give you a better understanding of what to expect on your hunting trip.


The Environment of your hunt

Alaska’s Kodiak Island is a big place. 3,600 square miles big, filled with hundreds of mountains, and a maze of waterways. Fish and game opportunities abound.

Ninilchik Charters owns and operates 2 vessels: the 50 foot “Sundy”, and the 43 foot “Arctic Endeavor”. We use these 2 vessels to transport our hunters to the remote areas of Kodiak Island. These vessels also serve as our lodging and base camp during the hunt. Your vessel will have a knowledgeable, experienced captain and deck hand on board that will provide transport, lodging, and meals during your hunt.

The Sundy In Alaska, hunting regulations, there is a significant difference between a big game “transporter” and a big game “guide”. We are big game transporters. We offer transportation and lodging services to hunters looking for a more “do-it-yourself” type of hunt. You as the hunter sets the pace of the hunt. You will also be hunting with your hunting partners and not a guide. You can set your own difficulty level, and only you choose which deer to take.

The black tailed deer on Kodiak Island are well at home in their habitat. The opportunities to harvest a good buck can be numerous. These are cagey, wild, free ranging deer, and hunters must utilize their hunting, glassing, and stalking skills to be successful. Each day of your hunt, you will be skiffed into shore with your hunting partner. You and your hunting partner will be dropped off in good areas that hunter choose equipped with a radio and a strobe light. When you choose to end your hunting day, radio the boat, and we promptly pick up you (and your deer) and return you to the boat for the night.


Terrain

Kodiak island offers rolling hills and mountainous terrain. Alder thickets and poplar stands cover the hills with areas of open meadow intermixed. The deer thrive in the area we operate, and harvest opportunities can be found from shore line to the mountain tops. Much of the terrain is rugged, and densely covered in brush. The higher in elevation you hike, the more open the landscape becomes, offering good glassing opportunities.

Other areas are more moderate with rolling hills and grassy hillsides offering easier access. You as the hunter sets your difficulty level. If you choose to hunt the beach, walk inland, or hike high into the hills, the choice is yours.


Weather

No matter where you are in Alaska, the opportunity for foul weather always exists. On Kodiak Island, it can be calm and sunny, with mild 50 degree temperatures now, and downright nasty with high winds and driving rain tomorrow. It also tends to snow on us a little later in the season, and 15 degree mornings are pretty common.

Weather plays a very important role on the hunt. Because our vessel serves as base camp, it is top priority of your captain to operate your vessel in safe, protected waters at all times. Crashing beaches, and unsafe wave conditions for example.

It is also important for the hunter to bring suitable all weather gear. Top priority when hunting Alaska’s remote country for any length of time. Insulating layers, wind break layers, and water proof layers will make your hunt much more comfortable.

It may be rough weather outside, but once your on the boat, you’ll have a comfortable cabin to tell hunting stories at the end of the day. We cannot control the weather, but we’ll do everything we can to cope with it.


The Black-tailed Deer
Black-tailed Deer

The Alaska department of fish and game estimates the number of deer on Kodiak island to be about 80,000 animals. Hunters are allowed to take 3 deer of either sex per year. Most hunters choose to slowly still- hunt with a good pair of binoculars in hand. Some hunters choose to hunt from a stationary position over looking drainages, funnels, and open meadows. Deer can be found down at beach level all the way up into the mountain high grounds. Snows tends to push many deer down off the mountains into the lower ground. Bucks come into rut and begin chasing doe’s around early November, with peak rut being mid-late November.

A mature blacktail buck will weigh 150-200 pounds when field dressed and can sport a set of impressive antlers. Click here to view some of our hunting photos.


Fishing
Fishing

Fishing opportunities for Halibut on Kodiak Island are numerous. If your hunting group decides they would like to spend an afternoon fishing instead of hunting, we have all the equipment needed to chase fish. Our captains are all Licensed Alaskan Fishing Guides, and we know the waters of Kodiak Island very well. Halibut reaching 30 to 100 pounds are not uncommon on these trips. You may do so well fishing for halibut that you will opt to go fishing tomorrow as well.

Your captain and deck hand will process all of your halibut, and get your fillets into the onboard freezers. The daily limit for halibut is 2 fish per day.

Click here to view our Halibut Fishing page.


Duck Hunting
Duck Hunting

We also offer the opportunity to go duck hunting while on your Kodiak adventure. Whether you want to sit hidden over a decoy spread, or get some jump shooting action, there are plenty of ducks around to fill the bill. Kodiak Island is centered in the Gulf of Alaska and has sea ducks of every kind migrate through each year. Some of the more common duck species around Kodiak Island are: Mallards, Harlequin, Old Squaw, Golden Eye, Eiders, and Scoters.

We will have decoys and 12 gauge lead-free shot available to any hunters that wish to chase ducks.


Alaska Hunting and Fishing Regulations

We at Ninilchik Charters promote fair chase, lawful hunting. We have a close working relationship with the Alaskan State Troopers, The Alaskan Department of Fish and Game, and the Coast Guard. We strive for a safe, lawful hunting experience. We follow all hunting and fishing regulations, and encourage local law enforcement agencies to visit us during the hunt. We have a good reputation, and we conduct our hunts in a manner to maintain it.


Equipment (what to bring)

Here is a list of items that you should bring with you on your Kodiak deer hunt:

  • Rifle (30 cal. or larger) or Bow and Arrows
  • Shotguns for waterfowl hunting
  • Ammunition
  • Good waterproof hiking boots with strong ankle support
  • Rain gear, all purpose outdoor clothing. We recommend Cabela’s Dry-Plus
  • Layered non-cotton clothes
  • Day pack / frame pack
  • Hip boots
  • Skinning knives w/ sharpening stone
  • Sleeping Bag (pillow is provided)
  • Personal toiletries
  • Flashlight
  • Binoculars
  • Compass
  • Drag rope
  • Space blanket
  • Flagging tape
  • Canteen / water bottle
  • Water filter or purification tablets
  • First aid kit
  • Camera
  • Gun cleaning kit (salt water environment)

This is a short list of items you should bring on your Kodiak deer hunt. Of course items you feel you need can be added. It is important to remember that Ninilchik Charters is a big-game transporter, and this is a “do-it-yourself” hunt. The equipment you need to go hunting, remove game from the field, and process game (caping, skinning, quartering, butchering) must be supplied by you.

Other amenities can be brought on board as well. Beer and Liquor is not provided by Ninilchik Charters, but you are welcome to bring your own. We ask, for safety reasons, that you drink responsibly while on board.


Hunting and Fishing Licenses

You will need to purchase hunting or fishing licenses from a licensed Fish and Game vendor before you arrive to board the boat.

* If you plan on duck hunting, you must have a federal duck stamp before you arrive.

  • Non-resident Hunting license - $85.00
  • Non-resident Hunting and 7 day fishing combo license - $140.00
  • Deer Kill Tag - $150.00 (up to 3 avail.)
  • State waterfowl stamp - $5.00

Lodging

The “Sundy” lodges 6 hunters and the “Arctic Endeavor” lodges 4 hunters. Both boats are equipped with a dining area, bathroom, bunk area, kitchen area, and a spacious covered back deck.

Each hunter has a personal bunk and storage compartment. We provide a comfortable cabin and bunk area so you can relax and enjoy yourself while on the boat.

We will be spending 8 days in remote Alaska, living on a boat. This makes a more rugged hunting camp atmosphere. We only have the freshwater we can carry with us, so we must practice water conservation. Warm water wash-downs can take the place of showers, and though we can dry wet hunting clothing by hanging them, we don’t have a clothes washing machine on board.


Meals

Each day your captain and deck hand will prepare meals for your hunting group. Meals are modest, rounded hunting camp food. Each evening after the hunt, dinner will be prepared for you. An example of a basic weekly dinner menu follows:

  • Halibut, Pasta, vegetable
  • Steaks, potatoes, vegetable
  • Hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans
  • Pork Rib, rice, vegetable
  • Seafood chowder, sour dough bread
  • Chili, corn bread
  • Spaghetti, Salad garlic bread

Of course, any wild game or fish that has been harvested by your group can be prepared as well.

Breakfast will be available each morning before the hunt. Breakfast menu is as follows:

  • Pancakes and sausage
  • Eggs and Bacon
  • Oatmeal
  • Variety of cold cereals
  • English muffins, Bagels
  • Biscuits and Gravy

Lunch items for your day pack will be provided each morning as well.

  • Sandwiches, Soup, Fruit
  • Granola bars, candy bars, cookies, chips

A variety of non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks are available for the entire week.

If you have certain dietary needs, please contact us and let us know. We can adjust the menu to fit your needs!


Transportation, Flight information, and Logistics
Transportation, Flight information, and Logistics

You are responsible for all travel arrangements from your home, to Larsen bay and return. Your hunting trip begins at Larsen Bay, Alaska on Saturday morning, and ends on the following week on Saturday morning.

We recommend that hunters fly from their home cities to Anchorage International Airport, and from there, fly Alaska Airlines to Kodiak City, Alaska. We recommend that you arrive in Kodiak City the evening before your hunt starts (Friday).

There is a Best Western Hotel located right next to the Kodiak airport where you can reserve a room for Friday night. Chart Room Restaurant-Best Western Kodiak Inn
236 W REZANOF DR
KODIAK, AK
Phone: (907) 486-5712

On Saturday morning, you will fly Servant Air from Kodiak City to Larsen Bay, Alaska (about ½ hour flight). Ninilchik Charters has a plane reserved for this trip, but you must contact Servant Air to book your flight!

To book your flight with Servant Air, call the telephone number below:
Servant Air: (907) 487-4444 Kodiak City, AK

Inform Servant Air that you are a hunter with Ninilchik Charters, and need to book the Saturday morning round trip flight to Larsen Bay on the dates of your deer hunt.

Servant Air will fly you to Larsen Bay on Saturday morning. The departure time for your plane will be scheduled by Servant Air. Daylight, weather, and other constraints determine exactly when your plane leaves on Saturday morning. Note with weight restrictions: extra or over weight bags my have additional charges.

Once you arrive at the Larsen Bay airstrip, a pick up truck will meet you and your gear and transport you to the Larsen Bay harbor where you will board your boat and depart for your hunt.

At the end of your hunt, your boat will return to the Larsen Bay harbor Friday afternoon. Friday evening will be spent…packing up game.

Saturday morning, yourself, your gear, and your wild game will be driven to the airstrip to meet your Servant Air flight back to Kodiak City. Exact flight times on Saturday morning are determined by Servant Air.

Most hunters book their return flight from Kodiak City to Anchorage for Saturday afternoon. That usually works well, but may need to be changed if weather determines local flight schedules.


Game Care and Shipping Home

We receive many questions about game care in the field, and shipping your wild game home. We hope this section will answer our most common questions.

Once a deer has been taken, it needs to be immediately kill-tagged and field dressed. After that, there are 2 ways to get your deer to the beach: you can drag it out (the most common way) or you can skin and quarter it in the field and frame-pack it out.

We recommend that hunters wishing to hike long distances inland to hunt, bring a packframe to get their deer out.

Once you are on the beach, you and your deer will be picked up, and you’ll be skiffed back to the boat. Our large covered back deck has plenty of room, and works well to hang and skin deer. Temperatures at this time of year are usually perfect for aging hanging deer.

Freezer space will be provided for hunters wishing to have their deer capes or ducks frozen for taxidermy.

By Friday evening, all of your wild game needs to be quartered, and packed into shipping boxes, ready for your departing morning flight!!

Waxed shipping boxes are available for purchase on board. Each box holds 50 pounds of meat or fish, and cost $15.00 apiece.

Be sure to check with Servant Air, and your other airline carriers about extra bag charges so there are no surprises getting multiple shipping boxes home.


Bears
Bears

Kodiak Island is home to the legendary Kodiak Brown Bear. It is common to see them during your hunt. Brown bears exist all over Alaska, and are simply a part of the Alaskan hunting experience. Though we’ve never had a hunter injured by a bear, and attacks are very rare, there are a few guidelines that should be followed when hunting in bear country.

While hunting anywhere in Alaska, you should always use the buddy system. It’s important that 2 hunters stick together during the hunt, for various safety reasons. It is our policy to drop hunters into the field in teams of two.

Be aware and always be conscious of your surroundings.

Get your deer out of the field and to the beach as quickly as possible.

Bear sightings are a common occurrence on Kodiak Island. In most cases, the bears will bolt away the instant they identify you as human. Usually, bear encounters consist of a photo opportunity of bears feeding calmly on a hillside.


Additional charges

Due to fluctuating fuel prices, there may be a fuel surcharge up to 5% added to the cost of your hunt.


Reference list

We will do our best to provide the Kodiak Island deer hunting adventure of a lifetime. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We are anxious to have you aboard!

You are here: Adventures Alaska Deer Hunting