Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Phil Shoemaker - A question please.

Phil
And an add-on to the answer to the question above... are the fall hunts intentionally set-up to miss strong humpie years? I assume you see a huge difference between even year humpie runs and you do not get to fall hunt on even-numbered years...

Or are your bears just too hung up on reds for the humpies to matter?

I would be surprised if F&G considered Pink runs when they originally set the off-year seasons but it is an interesting supposition. Along the Pacific coast however the difference between on and off years for Pinks is not as dramatic as it is on the Bristol Bay side.

I do think that bears, especially older ones, are well aware of the difference between Pinks and Reds.

Phil did you used to guide the Weisikoph family out on the Peninsula. I met their guide a few times when I worked out of King Salmon. Thinking it might have been you.

No, ever since we moved to the peninsula in the mid 80's I have worked for myself.
But I am in and out of King Salmon quite abit during the summer and between hunts.

These guys were friends with a noted bear guide on the peninsula. He came up to our lodge a few times. I was a fishing guide for king salmon lodge.

Great thread here.

Phil Shoemaker, if I may also ask a question. In another thread you wrote:

"...In my camp I have two 375 Rugers, two 375 H&H and two 338 Win rifles as loaners..."

For your hunting rifles such these, do you use 22" or 24" barrels? Do you have a preference?

Thanks kindly, Ryan

They vary between 20 and 25 inches. Although I prefer shorter barrels when I have to go into the brush after a wounded bear, in general I find the overall balance of the rifle more important than the length of the barrel

Thanks kindly for the reply Phil.

Ryan