I was thinking of going to POW for Sitka Blacktail and just taking an improved 6mm. With Kodiak, because of the possibility of an encounter with bears, I was thinking I'd be best taking my .338.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I know a bunch of folks who live on Kodiak and they use the 223 and 243 for most of their deer hunting. I did the big rifle just in case routine the first couple times I went down and got tired of it and switched to a 300 Savage for the next 5 trips. Never had any bear problems.
And for the OP I would pick Kodiak. I’ve never hunted POW but I’ve been to Kodiak and Afognak quite a bit and never had a bad trip. Thanksgiving timeframe is a good time to go.
