Black Bear Recommended Dates in PWS?

[Matt in AK]

A friend of mine up here has invited me to go black bear hunting off his boat in PWS.  We'd likely go out of Whittier or Valdez.  The dates available are 25-27 Apr or 4-5 May.  What would you suggest?  We were going to go the first week in June but figure that with this mild winter the bears will be off the beaches before then.

[Del]

Matt in AK,
If I had to pick, I would definately go on May 4th & 5th, there are just more bears out and about the first two weeks of May.  But, because of the lower then normal snow on the ground this year April 25-27 could be pretty darn good also.  If you hunt in April, I'd suggest hunting South facing slopes / mountains, snow will be melting off those areas first.  Also, having an extra day to hunt by going in April is a good thing!  But, as I said earlier, if I had to pick I'd personally go in May.  Since you only have two days then, maximize your time by being out there at first light & hunt till it's almost to dark to see to shoot.  Good luck & be careful out there!

Del

[Daveinthebush]

May sounds better Matt.  But then the weather this year has been strange so who knows what will be happening.

If your out, my call sign is "Mariah" and I monitor channel 16.  If you get in trouble have the coast guard call me.  Towing is expensive out there. Hey I already know that :roll:

I will have my boat in by May first, so if your in trouble don't worry about calling.

[Daveinthebush]

Matt:  I glassed and watched the areas around the tidal flats today over here and the south facing mountains. Last year the first growth hit was shunk cabbage (Or what I would call sc back in NY).  I don't see any yet nor any grasses of any type. Did not see any sheep hitting the slopes either.  They are usually first to hit the grasses.

We need a good drenching rain yet.

[Matt in AK]

Thanks Dave -- If you don't mind I'll check in with you closer to the end of April.  Once again, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas.  the thought of chasing black bear...with climbing through a thousand feet of alders first; heaven.