Wondering what would be the ideal place to Black bear hunt in the Kenai. People are saying July is a bit warm, so I was thinking about trying for early June. It’s short notice, but if I rent a car and go near Anchorage, I may be able to pull it off.
• First, location. I was thinking either in the Chugach National forest in the vicinity of Hope. In early June, would I have better luck on the coast of Turnagain Arm or near a stream or river (I believe the Salmon are running that time of year??)
• Would I be better off by Hope or East in and around the mountains or would I be better off west of Hope on the flat ground. I was thinking about hunting between 5 and ten miles East of Hope. Maybe parking where the Hope rode turns from North to West and Hiking East (assuming I can find a way across Six mile Creek). From there I could either hunt the shoreline or one of the creeks such as Falls Creek.
• Would there be more bears west of hope in the Kenai NWR in the flat ground. I have no concerns walking around the hilly areas here (Varries from sea level to 4500 or so), In fact, I always have more fun hunting hilly areas, but I would rather go where I’m most likely to see a bear.
• Right now my rifle has a 4.5-14 scope, which may be a bit much (I believe much of that area is pretty heavily forested right?) If it’s pretty thick around there, I could always borrow a lower powered scope from my slug gun.
I know it’s a bit short notice to put a trip together. For the next 6 months or so my work is pretty uncertain so I don’t think I’ll be able to plan something much farther in advance than this. By next year, I’ll be able to plan something as far in advance as I want. I’m trying to do something this year more as getting my feet wet regarding Alaska hunting and planning a bigger trip next year. The Hope area is only a few hours from Anchorage so it seems like as quick and simple a hunt as I can get in Alaska.
I’ll find out in a few days if I can take the time off, but I may be able to get up to 11 days in a row. After that I’ll have a hard time getting any time off till maybe July or August, but it’s uncertain so wish me luck.
I was planning on going hunting in April but my buddy hurt his knee 3 weeks before we left so we called it off.
• First, location. I was thinking either in the Chugach National forest in the vicinity of Hope. In early June, would I have better luck on the coast of Turnagain Arm or near a stream or river (I believe the Salmon are running that time of year??)
• Would I be better off by Hope or East in and around the mountains or would I be better off west of Hope on the flat ground. I was thinking about hunting between 5 and ten miles East of Hope. Maybe parking where the Hope rode turns from North to West and Hiking East (assuming I can find a way across Six mile Creek). From there I could either hunt the shoreline or one of the creeks such as Falls Creek.
• Would there be more bears west of hope in the Kenai NWR in the flat ground. I have no concerns walking around the hilly areas here (Varries from sea level to 4500 or so), In fact, I always have more fun hunting hilly areas, but I would rather go where I’m most likely to see a bear.
• Right now my rifle has a 4.5-14 scope, which may be a bit much (I believe much of that area is pretty heavily forested right?) If it’s pretty thick around there, I could always borrow a lower powered scope from my slug gun.
I know it’s a bit short notice to put a trip together. For the next 6 months or so my work is pretty uncertain so I don’t think I’ll be able to plan something much farther in advance than this. By next year, I’ll be able to plan something as far in advance as I want. I’m trying to do something this year more as getting my feet wet regarding Alaska hunting and planning a bigger trip next year. The Hope area is only a few hours from Anchorage so it seems like as quick and simple a hunt as I can get in Alaska.
I’ll find out in a few days if I can take the time off, but I may be able to get up to 11 days in a row. After that I’ll have a hard time getting any time off till maybe July or August, but it’s uncertain so wish me luck.
I was planning on going hunting in April but my buddy hurt his knee 3 weeks before we left so we called it off.