This Alaskan Master Guide, with more than 40 years on Kodiak Island, offers some of the best Sitka deer hunting currently available in Alaska. These hunts are located in the outfitter’s exclusive-use guide towards the west end of the island, inside the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Winter die-offs on this portion of the island are rare due to more mild winters and favorable geographic surroundings. With high survivability and excellent numbers, hunters can expect to look over a number of bucks over the course of the hunt. Quality is excellent, with most mature trophies taken measuring in the mid 90″ range with record-book-class bucks a real possibility here. One Sitka buck per non-resident hunter is the new legal limit on Kodiak island.
Camps and Accommodations
Due to US Fish and Wildlife regulations, new permanent structures may not be erected inside this portion of the wildlife refuge. For that reason, the main camp consists of multiple tents, each with propane heat and light, heavy-duty cots, a toilet tent, real food for each meal (non-freeze dried) and an electric perimeter bear fence. The guides are some of the hardest working and most experienced on the island, and give 100% effort for every hunter.
This Sitka hunt requires a minimum group size of two (2) for booking, with a maximum of four (4) in camp at one time. Guiding is a minimum of 2×1. For example, a group of three will share two guides per Alaskan state law. We offer this hunt in late October through mid-November when rutting activity is heating up. Although this hunt is not as physically demanding as the mountain goat, hunters should be prepared to climb hills and cover several miles each day by foot.
Getting Here
Hunters must first fly to Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) and connect on a commercial flight to Kodiak City (airport code ADQ). Four to five daily flights between Anchorage and Kodiak are available on Alaskan Airlines and their partner Horizon airlines. The charter flight to camp is arranged by the outfitter and conducted by one of two third-party flight services on the island; Seahawk Air or Island Air. Charter flights are by float plane, usually a DeHaviland Beaver aircraft, and normally scheduled for the early afternoons, weather permitting. We recommend arriving in Kodiak the day prior to your scheduled charter date and staying overnight at a local motel. The second other option is to stay the night in Anchorage and take the earliest available morning flight from Anchorage to Kodiak the same day the charter to camp is scheduled. Ground transport services to or from the airport, hotel or float plane base are routinely offered by the air service companies and by the local hotels who have guest registered.
Floatplane charter fees are dependent on the number of hunters sharing the flight in and out of camp as well as the total weight flown at one time. Pricing for the charter flight can usually be shared among the hunters sharing the airplane, and in 2023, round trip prices ranged from $1,400 per person flying as a group of four to as high as $2,000 per person with two hunters sharing the cost. The outfitter’s Sitka deer concession is farther away and thus requires more flight time to reach, however the quality of hunting is well worth the added cost.
Charter fees are priced and payable directly to the third party air service companies used by the outfitter. Charter arrangements are reserved for each hunter by the outfitter, and the outfitter will provide a contact phone number to hunters before they arrive in Kodiak.
An early departure from camp after harvest is possible but not recommended as it would require a separate charter at a considerable additional cost. We recommend hunters stay the full duration of the trip to enjoy the experience of Kodiak Island, or to take advantage of any additional hunting or fishing opportunities for the remainder of the time. Trapping and/or small game hunting, aided by the outfitter, is possible if time allows.
Tags and Licenses
Hunting license and deer tags may be purchased online in advance or at any license vendor in Alaska. The non-resident hunting license is $160 and a deer tag is $300 (www.adfg.alaska.gov).
Trophy Transport
The least expensive and fastest way to get your trophy home is to take it with you when you depart. A life-size mountain goat cape plus the skull cap will weigh close to 50 pounds. Hides that are not able to be fleshed and salted before the end of the hunt may be kept cool and partially frozen when back in Kodiak by using the one of the charter company’s walk-in freezers. Large, waterproof duffel bags are ideal to contain any liquids for relatively quick travel back to the lower 48 states. Those who prefer to have their trophy shipped and expedited may do so at an additional cost. We recommend Alaska Trophy Shippers in Anchorage.
Game meat that is not taken home may be donated by signing a transfer of possession form. Hunters who chose to take home some or all of their game meat will need to purchase insulated fish boxes or hard-sided coolers when in Kodiak, each of which may be checked as airline luggage.
Pricing 2024
Sitka deer – Five hunting days with a minimum of 2×1 guiding: $6,500 per person including one buck per hunter. Minimum group size required to book is two, maximum group size is four.
Sitka deer available dates: Call our office for current openings
Not included with hunt packages: meals and accommodations in Kodiak City before or after the hunt; round trip float plane charter to camp; non-resident hunting license ($160) and deer tag ($300); optional fishing license and $7 per person per day refuge use fee.
