More Tips for a Successful Alaska Bear Hunt.
21. Kodiak bears have an incredible ability to scent a human, so it is imperative to make an
upwind or crosswind stalk.
22. The wind direction may be different where the bear is than where you are, so look for all
clues; grass waving in the spotting scope, cloud directions, etc.
23. A Kodiak bear probably doesn't see as well as a deer, but their vision is usually badly
underestimated. I have had them spot me at a half mile and take off but at other times,
they pay little attention to you.
24. Camouflage clothing isn't as important as duck hunting, but it is best to at least wear earth
tones. Kodiak bears will more readily spot you if you have a clothing color on that is
different than the brown and tan background colors.
25. We developed a technique of calling bears about 15 years ago, but we use it only in
specific situations such as bringing a know big bear out of the brush. A deer in distress
call works the best.
26. A Kodiak bear's hearing isn't as keen as a deer, but they can hear a stick crack at 100
yards. They usually flee, but sometimes come to investigate!
27. It is better to spend most of your time on a good vantage point, hunting with binoculars
and spotting with a scope than it is wandering all over, scenting up the mountainside and
spooking the bears out of the area.
28. Good binoculars are important! Most of the hunting is done with binoculars and a spotting
scope.
29. Patience is one of the most important ingredients of a Kodiak bear hunt. It is common to
glass the mountain for two days before spotting a large bear in the open.
30. We hunt in almost all weather, but in the spring there is especially more bear activity on
nice days.
31. Spring hunts have the longest days; spring (May 1) 16 hours; fall (November 1) 8.5 hours.
32. Temperatures average a little warmer during the spring hunts:
April May October November
High 43 49 46 39
Low 32 38 34 29
33. A perfect spring Kodiak bear hide is best of all, but some are rubbed. Great care must be
taken to select a good bear when glassing.
34. The fall bear season on Kodiak is so late that almost all bear hides are perfect.
35. In the spring, bears are scattered on the mountains.
36. In the fall, bears are concentrated on the streams with late salmon runs.
37. Some areas of Kodiak are better in the spring and some areas are better in the fall.
38. In deciding on a spring or fall Kodiak bear hunt, the very specific area of the hunt must be
considered.
39. Personal preference and work schedules are viable reasons to hunt the spring or fall
seasons.
40. A fall Kodiak hunt allows the incidental hunting of Sitka Blacktail deer in some areas.
More Tips for a Successful Alaska Bear Hunt.