Kodiak, For What its Worth
Contributors to this thread:Mule Deer
From: BlacktailBob
23-Nov-24
I spent some time at the cabin on Kodiak Island recently. Here are my observations about what I saw regarding deer numbers. I would say deer are on the rebound, but they were so far down its nowhere near what it has been in the past. Nonetheless, the deer population does seem to be getting better. I did see more mature bucks and also more immature bucks than I did the year before. If winter weather isn’t too cold and not too much snow accumulation occurs, I think next year should be even better.
From: Corax_latrans
23-Nov-24
Must be amazing to have a place up there!
Is that a really old buck on his way down? I don’t know Blacktails much, but seems like a lot of mass relative to the lengths of those forks…
From: BlacktailBob
23-Nov-24
Nice buck but he probably is not particularly old. As I recall, he is a 3 x 4; wide and OK on mass but not great genetics. Weak on the fronts and not split on the left rear. I have not scored, but I figure low 80’s. He was certainly the dominant buck around my decoy chasing several smaller bucks off.
From: Bowboy
23-Nov-24
Congrats Bob!
From: JTreeman
23-Nov-24
Thanks for the report Bob.
—Jim
From: Beendare
23-Nov-24
Bob, did you have a goat tag?
From: BlacktailBob
23-Nov-24
I did have a goat tag. I also had a caribou tag. Did not see any mountain goats and did not see caribou in a place I felt was conducive to an old man killing one and getting it back to the cabin with reasonable effort. There seems to always be caribou around but just not where I’d want to kill one. Goats are way more spotty as to being around Bumble Bay.
From: Rgiesey
23-Nov-24
Did you take an old man along? Ha! I’m not buying it.
From: scent
23-Nov-24
Very nice!
From: BOHNTR
23-Nov-24
Nice buck, Bob!
From: BlacktailBob
23-Nov-24
Thanks
From: t-roy
23-Nov-24
Congrats, Bob. Thanks for the update as well.
From: midwest
23-Nov-24
Thanks for the update. Would love to go back when the numbers are back up decent again.
From: Earltex
23-Nov-24
Thanks for the update Bob. You definitely have a finger on the pulse of Kodiak deer hunting. Lots of eyes watching.
From: Stoneman
23-Nov-24
Congrats on another blacktail.
Maybe a dumb question but is there a reason for the white coat? I know how you feel about camo.
From: longsprings
23-Nov-24
Congrats Bob , great job. Keep on keeping on
From: Starfire
23-Nov-24
why do you wear white
From: pav
23-Nov-24
Congrats Bob! Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well!!!
From: sitO
23-Nov-24
Great pics, that's a special place. Hope they make a big rebound!
From: sawtooth
23-Nov-24
Congratulations !
From: BlacktailBob
23-Nov-24
Someone asked me about my white coat just a short time ago. Just my perception and I might be totally out to lunch on it, but I had a pretty good bowhunting friend who bought into it and had real success too. The way we saw it, Sitka Blacktails on Kodiak Island really only have one predator. To the deer, a bear must look like a giant dark blob. I want to look the opposite of the giant dark blob. Likewise, the only white animals they see are caribou and mountain goats. I don’t think, in fact I know, deer don’t fear caribou and mountain goats. I see them living in proximity to each other on a frequent basis. I’ve been wearing a white coat for years and I think it helps me get closer to deer. If it snows and the snow stays on the ground, white really seems to help. I don’t think white is absolutely necessary. Roy used to wear a cream-colored coat with good success.
From: midwest
23-Nov-24
Makes sense!
From: Westgak
24-Nov-24
I’ll contribute. Traveled to what I believe to be considered the south end of the island the 8th-16th. Was my first time there hunting for what it’s worth, nothing to compare to other than I reached out two a few guys on here, BB being one of them, that confirmed numbers were down. I had an itch I just needed to scratch and went. Lost the first day due to weather, the next three maybe see 15-20ish a day. The last two days saw I was two.I wasn’t interested in shooting a “dink” even if it would be my first blacktail, wanted a decent-ish representation I guess you’d say, nerdy bowhunting goal. I’d saw I saw probably 8 the first three days that would fit that criteria, never able to get even within the ballpark of any of them.
Was an incredible trip and an amazing place though, will definitely do it again! Jesse
From: Beav
24-Nov-24
Cool buck Bob! Thanks for sharing your observations.
From: midwest
24-Nov-24
Bob, are you still using the inflatable decoy?
From: BlacktailBob
24-Nov-24
Yes, on the inflatable decoy. I also was wearing a decoy hat and white coat while sitting in alders 10 yards away from it.
I have tried to post a video of a few deer coming to it so you guys can see how I set up. I can’t figure out how to get it posted though. Any ideas? Couple of different bucks sniffed the tail and then jumped back a few yards. The buck I shot did almost the exact same thing as the one I have on video. Luckly, I was able to make the 15 yard shot.
From: Lewis
24-Nov-24
Congrats Bob I enjoyed the adventure thanks for taking us along Good luck Lewis
From: midwest
24-Nov-24
When I was in Kodiak, we ran into Frank Noska at the motel and had a great conversation. He was showing us videos of blacktails on his decoys. It was incredible how close they were and totally oblivious to the hunter.
From: drycreek
24-Nov-24
Congrats on your success Bob, and thanks for reminding us of Roy Roth, an outstanding bowhunter and by all accounts, a great guy.
From: Jaquomo
24-Nov-24
Thanks, Bob, and great to see you posting a report! Hopefully you can post a link to the videos!
From: Potro
25-Nov-24
Thanks Bob for the report Kodiak Blacktail still in one of my top priorities for hunting next year
From: wildwilderness
25-Nov-24
Thanks for the info. Good points on the white jacket. Could be a patch of snow or a goat for sure
From: GunBoss
27-Nov-24
Congratulations on your Buck Bob. I'm heading to Larsen Bay December 8-12. Any advice accepted.
From: BlacktailBob
27-Nov-24
I've hunted near Larsen Bay, but it was many years ago. There used to be a solid population of deer. I never hunted as late in the year as you’re going. I would expect you'll find deer from the beach up to the top. I have not heard anything specific about the area though. Expect volatile, cold, wet weather.
From: Scar Finga
27-Nov-24
Larson Bay suffered the same low numbers. I have talked to probably 40 or 50 different guys that say the same thing. Both rifle and bow hunters! Hopefully it rebounds soon! I'm going back next year for salmon and halibut fishing with the wife! Should be a great time!
Thanks for always keeping us informed Bob... You are one of the greats on here and always a wealth of knowledge!
God Bless!!
From: Whocares
27-Nov-24
I fished out of Larsen Bay for a week about 25 or 30 years ago when my daughter worked for an outfitter there.
From: Mark Watkins
29-Nov-24
Thanks for the Kodiak update Bob.
Congrats on your buck!!!
Mark
From: arky
04-Dec-24
Congrats on a nice buck!
