Kodiak Island Brown Bear Hunt

C

Colt Hatcher

New member
I am going on a Kodiak Island bear hunt, in about a year and a half! Has anyone ever been? What advise do you guys have on gear and advice in general?
 
I would say ask your guide any questions you have and take his advice. Go big on caliber, also take a hand cannon, plenty of gortex and socks! Study the terrain maps of the area you will be in.

Good luck and most of all have fun!
 
Originally Posted By: RedfrogGo with someone who is slower than you.

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great advice redfrog.
 
Yhea, listen to your guide. Get yourself some "GOOD" rain gear. Gortex isn't real popular up here. It just does't hold up. Those bears are big and I mean real big. I talked to a guy who went deer hunting down there with his brothers. They hung the bucks in a shed a one of the bears tore the chained door off and took one of the bucks. That night they parked a pickup infront of the door and when they came out in the morning the truck was pushed away from the door. Go as big on caliber as you can shoot accurately. Should be a trip of a lifetime. Good luck...
 
Lucky dog. looking forwarsd to the story and pics even if it wont be for a while. as others have stated the bigger the caliber the better. good luck to you
 
Wow thats awesome, good luck on your hunt! As already mentioned above, go big on your rifle. I reckon a .300 or something of that nature will get the job Done.
 
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First off what kind of gun do you have that's big enough you can shot in your sleep right now.
If you dont have a gun yet I would go with side by side in
375 HH or 416 rigby and a big solid bullet,Or a bolt gun in 338 ultra mag or 375 HH.
If in the future you are going to hunt big game in alaska I would go with the 338 ultra mag or the 375 HH. But that's just me

As for clothing I would go with 2 pairs of wicking base layer.
A set of polar fleece jacket and pants, or wool jacket and pants and one heaver fleece jacket.
Wool is going to be heaver wet or dry than fleece.
A good light weight set of rain gear.
A set of hip boot and at pair of broke in hunting boots.
 
I have no bear hunting advice to offer.

However, good luck, stay safe, make sure to get in shape for the terrain and post up when you bag a bear!
 
I guess I should of asked who is your guide and have you done any reference check on him.
I know if im going hunting for big game that can kill and eat me that im going to have the best guide I can afford.
Not only can the animals kill you so can the weather.
The guide should send you a list of things he provides and a list of gear you need to have.
I would allso put a small survival kit together with a good backpack for your gear and your hunting stuff.
Its better to be safe than sorry.
 
Originally Posted By: stanly Gortex isn't real popular up here. It just does't hold up.
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Ha HA Thats hilarious. It works great for me, as long as I dont wear mine inside out.
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I have found that it holds up just fine as long as I am not running it over with my 1 ton dually every other minute.
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I had/have two good Cabelas gortex coats, they were both pretty much new. You know how August is in Valdez. They both soaked totally thru. No more gortex for me, not for Valdez anyway...
 
I hunted Kodiak last year and hunted Ak Pen several times a few decades ago.

For me, caliber of rifle is down the list a ways.....

Reliability comes first in my book.....it must go bang when you pull the trigger. Are you able to strip down the rifle and clean mud and beach sand out of it? Fancy doesn't cut it...I've seen some beautiful rifles come back looking bad. If you have a floor plate, fasten or duct tape it so it can't open.

Bullet placement is next IMO.....you must be able to place the bullet in a lethal spot....without a lot of messing around.....so the rifle should fit you well....

Bullet construction precedes caliber.....there are several quality bullets out there now....

Caliber is next....30-06 is at the lower end but acceptable in most camps especially if you are proficient with it.

Hubble scopes are a PIA...more vulnerable to bumping and the power is not needed. Most guides don't allow shots beyond 150 yards so a good 2.5X or 1-5 power is just fine. "light gathering" is not a big thing either as your guide won't be taking chances up against dark. A good piece of inner tube makes a great scope cover rather than those little flipper widgets.

I don't know any bear hunters that carry sidearms and some guides won't allow them in camp.

Things like rifle bipods are a hindrance for getting through the alders and devils club.

Quality optics are a must as most guides will spend days glassing rather than walk around and stink up their area. The guide will have a large spotting scope.


Good luck on your hunt.....it's a great experience.
 
I am really looking forward to it. Thanks for all of the advise. I have checked out my guide, and spoken with him several times on the phone (he is still alive and plans to stay that way, so I am not worried....haha) My father-in-law has a 300wsm that I am planning on taking with me. I am going to get someone to load me some bullets and plan on spending plenty of time with the firearm to ensure I am profecient. I am coming from Texas so I am planning of basically being a wuss when it comes to the weather so I am going to take plenty of layers and good quality things to keep me warm and dry. I will post some pics and story when the time come, but for now I am going to focus on getting as many yotes as I can!! Thanks again and if you guys can think of anything else I am all ears!!
 
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