Kodiak, Alaska is a very unique place to be and more so to hunt. The country is vast, full of opportunity, and most of all… wild. I remember when I first went to Kodiak in 2016 for my first hunt and being amazed at everything around me. Kodiak has this effect on everyone, regardless of how many times you hunt it. Even more so, there’s something about hunting Kodiak Alaska that brings people together and gives a sense of purpose in harvesting food from the field. From roughing thru the terrain and getting alpine to hauling your kill out, Kodiak will definitely make you work for it! Within, we explore the types of hunts you can do, species available and making sure you have the right gear for it all
Hunting Kodiak Alaska | Hunting Opportunities
Hunting Kodiak Alaska gives you several opportunities for hunting! The most important is to choose whether a transporter or guide is best for you. Below are some pros and cons to both options:
Hunting Kodiak Alaska via Guide
Guided hunts provide hunters the opportunity to hunt Kodiak, Alaska with someone who is experienced and knowledgeable of the terrain and wildlife, as it’s an extensive process to become a registered guide (usually 10+ years). Guided hunts are great for those who seek that additional attention and prefer to utilize their expertise. In some cases, such as being a non-resident, to hunt brown bear or goats, you are required by law to hire a guide for your hunt.
Pros:
- Fully guided experience
- Accommodations and food are usually included
- Usually focuses on specific species that require a guide by law- brown bears and goats
- Can assist in the field with hunters
Cons:
- Extremely expensive (think around $10k and more)
- Can be restricted to certain areas
- Can re restricted on species due to guide location
Hunting Kodiak Alaska via Transporter
Transported hunts provide hunters the opportunity to hunt Kodiak, Alaska with a “do-it’ yourself” aspect. This option is great for both beginner and experienced hunters who thrive on hitting the ground running on your own terms. These hunts require a mode of transportation, usually a vessel or boat, to and from the field. The most common is by vessel. Transporters who use vessels for hunters give you the option to have accommodations and food aboard, making this a more all-inclusive option. Transporters that use planes for hunters will drop you off and pick up when requested.
The most important thing to note about a transporter is that unlike guides, transporters CANNOT inform you in any way of where to hunt or assist you in the field, other than picking up and dropping off. This requires that you have prior knowledge of the hunting areas and can adequately hunt in the field.
Pros:
- DIY Experience
- Cost efficient (far less than a guided experience)
- Accommodations and food are usually included with vessel transportation
- Not restricted to specific locations with availability to move around (excludes restricted hunting grounds- private/ Native)
- Offers a variety of species for hunting due to being able to transport to different areas
- Can be a shared experience or private
Cons:
- DIY Experience (not for those who want to be assisted)
- Cannot be assisted in the field or instructed on where to hunt, etc
- Cannot be utilized if you are non-resident wanting to hunt brown bear or goat (must use guide)
Hunting Kodiak Alaska | Let’s Talk Gear Prep
It’s time to hunt! Your feet hit the ground and now you’ve entered this wild terrain! From start to finish, you’ll find yourself in and out of thick brush, while muscling thru 5ft plus alders towards a variety of opportunity at hiking to the peaks! For avid hunters, this is the dream. For those who are easy-going hunters, don’t let this deter you, as Kodiak is one of the most rewarding hunts to experience and offers a variety of hunting opportunity from the beach to the peaks!
Within such a wild terrain that differs at every location, it’s important to make sure you’re geared up! Below are the 10 items that we cannot live without when hunting Kodiak Alaska.
Hunting Kodiak Alaska | Available Species
Hunting Kodiak gives hunters the opportunity to hunt a variety of animals, while offering some of the world’s best trophy takes for brown bear, mountain goats, deer, and more. In additional to large game and predator hunting, Kodiak also offers some of the best Alaska salmon fishing, in addition to, halibut, rockfish and lingcod! Below are the hunting opportunities, based on residency.
Hunting Kodiak Alaska | License Reminder
As always, we recommend checking with the local Alaska Department of Fish and Game to ensure you have the proper licensing, tags, and hunt information. For non-residents, you’ll need metal locking tags for your large game. Make sure you order in advance!
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