Kodiak Sitka Blacktail Deer

Sitka black-tailed deer hunting on Kodiak Island is one of the best hunts Alaska has to offer and the backdrop of Kodiak’s incredible scenery turns a one-time “bucket list” hunt into a highly-anticipated yearly event. Kodiak Island is a true sportsman’s paradise, offering great opportunity to shoot Sitka black-tailed deer.

Right now, Kodiak Island has a dense population of black-tailed deer due to the recent string of mild winters. Kodiak’s deer are much larger than those found in SE Alaska, reaching weights of 180 to 200 pounds and turning out some truly excellent trophies.

Though Sitka black-tailed deer have a smaller rack than most deer species, they are unquestionably one of the most beautiful of the deer species. They have a dark, nearly black forehead with a double white throat patch and rich dark brown colored antlers. These deer have a well-deserved reputation as one of the best eating deer in North America.

The Hunting

Each morning after a hearty breakfast, you will be given a lunch, an emergency responder and a VHF radio so that you can call to be picked up at the end of your hunting day. You will be transported each day to your specific hunting location either by boat or vehicle and picked up later that day at a pre-designated location and time, then be returned to the lodge for a hot shower and a great meal where you can share your day of black-tailed deer hunting stories.

The hunting season opens in August and the temperature begins to drop in mid- October, the snow begins to fall in the higher elevations and the deer begin to move down to the lower elevations. Bucks are beginning to gather their does and go into rut. These type of conditions make this time of year ideal for black-tailed hunting.

With the earlier hunts, hiking up hillsides to spend time glassing and stalking is the preferred method for black-tailed deer hunting. For the non-hiker, it is better to book a later hunt so you can stay down low along the shore line and quietly wait for the deer to come to you.