Sitka blacktail deer are a handsome species known for excellent table fare. Whether it’s their tendency to eat kelp and other seaweeds laden with salt or just genetics, Sitka blacktail venison is among the finest. These deer are found across southern Alaska, as well as on Kodiak Island, one of Chuck Adams and Jim Zumbo’s favorite hunting destinations. Hunting them has many benefits- you can hunt the same day you fly, multiple tags are usually available, and in most cases, a guide isn’t necessary.
Petersburg- The Sleeper Spot
I recently fished out of a camp in Petersburg, located 11 miles from town, and saw numerous deer along the highway, including a very respectable 8-point with a whole month of antler growth in front of it. This rural fishing village with a Norwegian heritage is home to deer within its city limits. I spoke with a jogger one day who told me he had four wolves pass by on one of his jogs around town. Black bear sightings are also common. I knew that Petersburg had a deer season, so I called Fish & Game and had a delightful chat with a biologist about hunting the island. Here’s what I found out:
The season opens August 1 through December 30
The region shown above is bowhunting only with a limit of two bucks. Crossbows are not allowed.
You do not need a guide, and most of the land is public.
The area shaded in pink is more than 100 square miles and has road access on its exterior.
The Mitkauf Highway runs the full western length of the island with no hunting within 1/4 mile of the roadway and 100 yards of any house or building. To access this map online, click here.
Wolves are in season as well.
Early to Mid August is Amazing
If you are stalking along a stream in the rain forest terrain, don’t be surprised to find three species of spawning salmon that overlap with this hunting period, including the silvers that are known for hard strikes and leaping battles. Trout and Dolly Varden inhabit all streams, making this the perfect “cast and blast” adventure if bows made noise. You can rent or charter a boat and fish for halibut as this young lady did, and catch a deer-sized prize from the saltwater.
So Many Options-
The remarkable aspect of this hunt is its low cost and ease of access. In some ways, it’s like hunting in suburbia, where deer are often accustomed to seeing humans and are accustomed to vehicle traffic. Deer won’t be in the mountain heights like goats and sheep, and they frequently feed at the shoreline. If you bag a buck in a remote area, you can bone it out and pack back to the highway. You can “camp” in a motel or bed & breakfast in town, rent a car, and pack your fishing and hunting gear in the trunk. By hunting as a group of four, you can maximize services and minimize costs. All the details of this hunting option can be found online from Alaska Fish & Game. For full details, click here.