Kuiu island bear hunting

5 friends and I drew tags for Kuiu island black bear hunt this year we will be heading there may 17. We will be staying on prince of whales island and boating over to Kuiu. Has anyone on here done this hunt or somewhere near here. Just asking if anyone has a suggestion for hunting tactics or opinions on gear they wish they would have taken. Thanks

Can't offer any help.... but, can wish you good luck and a safe hunt! memtb

how far is it from POW? Curious, I hunted some islands around POW long time ago.POW was great we archery hunted it,friend did for years ,many big bear,several boone caliber.Friend arrowed number 3 at the time.

It's around 6 miles from pow. I read an article not long ago saying Kuiu is one of the top spots for really big bears. Sounds like if we can hold out and do our job judging size we have a chance at some really big bears

Ya I might been there have to find my real old notes and map.Bears are big as I mentioned my buddy getting #3 at time archery.The main guy I went with ,we got alot of bears there.One I took was 7-3,and 20 years old,right threw shoulder blade w/ACC,410 GRN arrow,75# pse mach 6.

I found my old map.Wish I had highlited all roads I went on.Hunted N POW,I killed one bear on Kosciusko Is.Just got my recent P&Y mag,POW number one all time,with double anywhere else and number one last 10 years.My buddy had a cabin there I helped build,think he used to go for 15+ years.We would go with about 4 guys and always filled our tags,thats alot of bears. What type hunting,quality rain gear,rubber boots live in them.Tide charts and system for boat so you dont get stranded.Friend had one of those tree stand umbrellas are great,I got one on next trip.Fishing gear,crab pots,did some good clamming alsne trip rained almost everyday,but sunscreen on water too.We hunted out of 14-16 ft boats,he had ol 20 ga he left up there total rust, to shoot the halibut when landed.I saw quite few bears just driving around and old cuts etc.

Thanks I appreciate the info. Should be a good time. We will be there in a few weeks. Hopefully my Alaska luck holds out. I hunted Kodiak for 8 days and never had fog or rain. Outfitter couldn't remember the last time that happened.

Youll be ready for the black bear then.When I went it was 410 grn. minimum I think arrow.The bows and equipment so good these days.We saw lots bears from water and go for a stalk,but they moving wind ,etc.Lots fun,baiting best bet up there,but need the time for that to work,average 3 days for one to find,one hit in one day.We drove up from MT and ferry.Could shot many bear on drive right of road in canada,I spent 23 days on one trip and saw 57 bear.Up there if they look round and fat not big,you want the long legged ones ,they cross in front of truck and back as high as hood,course we where in a mini truck hunting.Those big ones are something,big ol heads nose like a brick.My friends 7-6 square.All that fish they eat.

Michigander1 said:

Thanks I appreciate the info. Should be a good time. We will be there in a few weeks. Hopefully my Alaska luck holds out. I hunted Kodiak for 8 days and never had fog or rain. Outfitter couldn't remember the last time that happened.

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Like never, before or since. You're a lucky dude.

Rain Gear the absolute best you can afford. I almost live in a set of extratufs when I'm in Southeast Alaska. I did take my Kenetrek boots this year and it was nice to have some foot and ankle support in the drier areas if you know you'll be in one or at camp. A smallish rain fly and some 550 cord to have a dry place to have lunch or skin under is nice. Dry bags are a good thing to have the bigger the better you don't have to fill them full but I often use the extra room as my gear moves from clean to dirty. I now keep most of my gear in dry bags in Southeast even my pack when traveling. Oh and a water filter and some powdered drink mix really cuts down on the water weight and bulk. A pruning saw is nice for building a lean to in spots you sit and glass or hunt alot just support for the rain fly. I think you'll only have black bears on Kuiu but I feel naked without a handgun in Alaska I live in Western Washington and its thick here but its stupid think in places there. I could go on and on I love it there can't wait to go back in the fall. Look at what you need for wolves may not cost you anything possible bonus critter.

Haven't hunted Kuiu but congrats on the tag. One of the best places in the world to hunt black bears. Probably the highest density of anywhere in the world. I've hunted POW and know other people that hunt SE Alaska for spring bears a lot. Cruise and glass the shorelines until bear is spotted. If big enough, hit the shoreline and put on the stalk. Have fun!

Cruising the shoreline and glassing from boat was my main strategy at this point. I've watched all the videos I could find on it and that seems to be the way most were doing it. Thanks for the tarp idea also. Would be nice to get a break from the rain once in a while.

I do own Kuiu Yukon rain gear and a good set of rubber rain gear. I plan on wearing wading pants and wading boots since we are using the boat so much. Should make getting in and out easier. It is just black bears on the island but I hear it is extremely thick inland. Hopefully we aren't chasing any angry bears through the alders at dark.

I did this hunt last year. Your going to be cruising the shoreline. Looking through binos for bears on the shore line. Best to have 4 guys per boat. Designated driver. Stays with the boat at all times. The tide is drastic. You'll be stranded all night if you don't pay attention to low tides. Best times are at slack tide. Bears are active then.
Brush is extremely thick!!! Rocks are slick as snot. Get the best rain gear you can. I use Kuiu Yukon series with no issues. I would suggest strongly taking hip boots. They come in handy for putting on shore,loading bears in the boat,stalking bears and keeping warm and dry. It rains. A lot!!
Protect your gear from the salt water spray that happens when making runs between islands. I used a gun slicker for Rifles. A rain cover for packs in the boat. Take 2 pairs warm gloves to rotate with. Wear one pair dry the other pair out.
Are you staying on point baker?