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OP
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I'd like to start planning a Kodiak bear hunt. While I have lots of hunting experience, I haven't hunted bears, and I haven't been to Kodiak.
What's the best way to start this odyssey? How difficult is it to draw a nonresident tag for Kodiak? Are these typically 7-10 day hunts, are do you hike in or float plane, etc?
Thank you.
Chris
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Joined: Jun 2008
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You need a guide to hunt brown bears in AK unless you have a blood relative who lives there.
Most guides have exclusive guide areas on Kodiak that get guaranteed tags so no draw is necessary.
Most hunts are 10-15 days.
Transportation depends on area, most require a float plane, some boat and they also have a road system tag.
Guides I'd recommend include Paul Chervenak, Sam Rohrer, and Jake Jefferson. Some other good names out there as well.
If it was me, I'd try to hunt the west end of the island.
I hunted Kodiak three times and will be back.
Hope this helps a little.
Chris
Last edited by FishN4Eyes; 01/13/13.
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Joined: May 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Yes, that's helpful. Thank you.
Chris
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I can vouch for Brian Peterson and Dennis Harms.
I was hoarding when hoarding wasn't cool.
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Joined: May 2008
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Campfire Regular
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I can vouch for Brian Peterson and Dennis Harms. Thank you.
Chris
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Joined: May 2008
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Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
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You need a guide to hunt brown bears in AK unless you have a blood relative who lives there.
Most guides have exclusive guide areas on Kodiak that get guaranteed tags so no draw is necessary.
Most hunts are 10-15 days.
Transportation depends on area, most require a float plane, some boat and they also have a road system tag.
Guides I'd recommend include Paul Chervenak, Sam Rohrer, and Jake Jefferson. Some other good names out there as well.
If it was me, I'd try to hunt the west end of the island.
I hunted Kodiak three times and will be back.
Hope this helps a little.
Chris What is it about the west end of the island that appeals to you? Just curious...so you would pick an outfitter that focused there?
Chris
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Two guides that I know personally are Jake Jefferson and Jim Bailey. I hunted with them around 12 years ago when Jake was working for Jim. Both are class acts and great guides. Jim Bailey is one of the last real old timers out there and he adds so much to the trip with his experience and stories. That year I passed on many bears looking for just the right size without rubs and my brother shot a 10+ the next to last day of the trip. One suggestion. Be in great shape because it will really impact your hunting and disposition.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You can't go wrong with Jake, bears are his specialty.
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
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I don't think Jake is guiding any more. He would still be a great resource and has always had great advice.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,177 |
You need a guide to hunt brown bears in AK unless you have a blood relative who lives there.
Most guides have exclusive guide areas on Kodiak that get guaranteed tags so no draw is necessary.
Most hunts are 10-15 days.
Transportation depends on area, most require a float plane, some boat and they also have a road system tag.
Guides I'd recommend include Paul Chervenak, Sam Rohrer, and Jake Jefferson. Some other good names out there as well.
If it was me, I'd try to hunt the west end of the island.
I hunted Kodiak three times and will be back.
Hope this helps a little.
Chris What is it about the west end of the island that appeals to you? Just curious...so you would pick an outfitter that focused there? IMO, the west end of the island is the most remote part of it and I'd recommend picking one of the outfitters that covers that area. Paul Chervenak has the Sturgeon River area and that's a great area with some big bears taken there and it is about as wild as anywhere on this earth. I hunted that area twice and loved it. Some other good names mentioned on this thread and some guys who probably know a lot more than I do.
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I don't think Jake is guiding any more. He would still be a great resource and has always had great advice. Hmmm....maybe you know more than me but I don't think that is the case unless something changed recently. But maybe it has, I'll check.
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,343 Likes: 34 |
I think you can find Jake on the AOD, if it's the guy I'm thinking of.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. --Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice. --ironbender
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PM me if you aren't finding what you are looking for.
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Campfire Tracker
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How difficult is it to draw a nonresident tag for Kodiak? Not hard at all.....just get your checkbook out and write a check for $12,000-$20,000 and go hunting. Seriously!
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I don't think Jake is guiding any more. He would still be a great resource and has always had great advice. Don't know where you got this information from but I hunted with Jake Jefferson, Black River Hunting Camp, last August for Dall sheep. He is alive and well and still guiding and I can vouch for him. He is a great honest guide who will give you 100%. Good luck to the OP on his search for browns, I will go with Jake when the time comes.
USE ENOUGH GUN (Ruark) and YOU CAN'T EVER HAVE TOO MANY (me)
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I don't think Jake is guiding any more. He would still be a great resource and has always had great advice. Don't know where you got this information from but I hunted with Jake Jefferson, Black River Hunting Camp, last August for Dall sheep. He is alive and well and still guiding and I can vouch for him. He is a great honest guide who will give you 100%. Good luck to the OP on his search for browns, I will go with Jake when the time comes. Hawks406, I apologize for doubting your report, etal, I am going to temporarily plead the fifth on this subject. I just talked to Jake Jefferson and he has had a change of plans.........I spoke too soon. I will let Jake tell the "rest of the story" when he is ready.
USE ENOUGH GUN (Ruark) and YOU CAN'T EVER HAVE TOO MANY (me)
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Wow, that was a bit of a shock. The state of Alaska just lost a real good guide in Jake Jefferson.
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
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