SE Alaska Blacktail

[Sitkablacktail]

Hey all,

August will soon be here, and anyone that has hunted blacktail in Alaska knows that signals the beginning of a alpine season. Lots of scouting and prep to get to mountain shape, its an addictions, its a staple for me. I know we all have our dream hunts, wether it is sheep or Grizzlies or anything between. We all go back to our roots to feel at home and for me I have a certain mountain in mind for this year, one that has been very good to me over the years. Now I sit here go over plans in my head and make a checklist of things to do, and i decided to wish all of you a good future hunting season, by whatever means all of you measure success.

 

[PAGOAT]

Good luck this fall. I've been looking at doing a blacktail hunt in SE Alaska in the near future, it looks like a wonderful place to be.

 

[LCH]

Good luck! I was planning to do a blacktail hunt next year if I didn't draw a bear tag, since I already have a '19 hunting license. Luckily I drew the bear tag, so if I tag out early I can do some scouting for a future deer hunt.

Do you ever hunt them in the rut, or just early in the Alpine? I'm not sure which would be the most fun.

 

[Big Fin]

Good reminder. I'll be back in SE AK doing just that in August. Once wasn't enough, so I doubt a second hunt will do any more than just bury the addiction needle a bit deeper.

Everyone should do it, at least a couple times.

 

[cmeyer733]

SE Alaska is fun and frustrating! I keep making my way back after living in Ketchikan for a couple of years. I will be back next Spring for bear and hopefully time to do a little fishing. Good luck all!

 

[Sitkablacktail]

I hunt both but I prefer August alpine tbh. Most locals prefer the rut because it’s a little easier to hunt, and are still to busy fishing to climb mountains. I hear you on the fun, but frustrating. I have lived here my whole life so I just don’t know any better I guess. And once is not enough, and one more will never do.

 

[muskeg]

Most of the time early August for me is a pass. Too warm and many times too buggy. I still find good success in later August or early Sept for my first buck. It's usually cooler and many of the bugs have cycled out.

 

[Sitkablacktail]

Most of the time early August for me is a pass. Too warm and many times too buggy. I still find good success in later August or early Sept for my first buck. It's usually cooler and many of the bugs have cycled out.

The only time I have found trouble is from about mid September and to about mid October. For what ever reason at least to me they disappear.

 

[publichunter1]

Good luck this fall! I hope to get to do that someday.

 

[vanish]

Bucket lister for sure.

 

[3855WIN]

Where do you camp? On a boat? down low or up high?

 

[Sitkablacktail]

For me it all depends on what time of the year it is, and what/where I plan on going. If I’m doing an alpine trip I will camp at the tree line or higher if there is a suitable spot. If I’m rut hunting, then I’ll do a base camp or even a boat will work.

 

[dihardhunter]

First 10 days of September are just about optimal. Velvet is gone, bucks are still high, bugs have tempered their enthusiasm a bit. Alaskan blacktails is an awesome hunt and I agree with everyone above - once is not sufficient.

 

[RedFall]

Someday I'll hunt SE Alaska. Goodluck sitkablacktail, look forward to pics!