Spring Black Bear -- Sleep on boat or beach?

[Matt in AK]

OK sourdoughs, lookin' for some more good advice.  It's looking like 25-27 Apr will be our first black bear trip in PWS (Whittier or Valdez) aboard a 19ft relatively flat bottom jet boat.  I figure we'll stay in the quietest of coves with that set up.  Where would you sleep though?  On the beach in a tent or in the boat?  I've got a couple tents (Kifaru 4-man with woodburing stove or Coleman 8-man dome tent with vestibules).

[Daveinthebush]

It all depends on where your at.  

1.  You will have to be careful of the tides.  Anchor too close to shore and the boat will be high and dry.  Figure on anchoring in at least 30-40 feet.  Sounds strange but as the tide goes out the anchor rode length increases and you may still be left high and dry.

2.  Some shores are rocky and others pea gravel.  Someone will have to hold the boat in the water while you unload to camp usually.  You could go in at high tide and drag the boat up higher but not all tides are the same.  You will also have to drag it back out to hunt the shorelines in the evenings.  The next day you might have a little farther to drag than when you put it on shore.  If you can find some small logs, 3-8" in diameter you can place them under the boat crossways and skid them on them.


3.  The place that you anchor is important too.  You might be quiet the day you get there and the next day the wind will change and your'e in trouble.  Many a hunter out there has awaken to find no boat anchorded where they left it.  

4.  The terrain out there varies a lot.  In the spring, the ground is very wet  and spongy.  I made up a tent platform to go under my tent that folds up in half.  A good ground cloth is a must.

5.  Watch the vegitation when you pull in and the carp washed ashore.  It will give you an idea of the tide heigth.    

http://www.harbortides.com/station_tides.asp?station=3471

6. Check the bouy and weather  information before you go out.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/Maps/Alaska.shtml
http://www.arh.noaa.gov/wmofcst.php?wmo=FPAK52PAFC&type=public

7.  If you get into trouble remember my call sign, "Mariah".  The Coast Guard monitors channel 16 and will put you into contact with me or anyone else.

Anything else?

[Matt in AK]

Dave -- As always, thanks.  Since you ask....a couple more questions.

What's a good source for Marine maps?  

Which (Whittier or Valdez) offers the most out-of-the-way coves?  Calmest, most sheltered, water?  With the flat bottom on this boat we'll be sticking with the flattest water we can find.

[Daveinthebush]

Marine maps:  Alaska Mining Diving just down the Glenn from you and or West Marine should both have them.

There is one major problem with both locations; wind direction!  In either location you have straight areas that are frequented by strong winds that can push up 3-5 foot waves in a hurry.  I don't mean to scare you, just instill caution.

If you go out of Whittier: There is a bay on the south shore: Shotgun 4 miles, Blackstone 4 miles and Cochran Bay 3 miles before Curloss Passage 3 miles. Any of these will get you out of the wind.  Curloss Passage has a lot shore line (protected) but be carefull of the passage (narrow section of islands 2.227 miles down). Left side going down, rigth side going back.  Lots of rocks on the other two.


If you go out of Valdez: You have Shoup Bay 6 miles, Sawmill 6, Jacks 2 and Galena 1 1/2 (mostly native land) before you would turn west 9-10 miles to the other bays.

Whittier might be the safest for you but don't tell the Valdez Tourist Center that I said that!

No information contained here came from an Iraqi Information Minister of any kind!

Anything else?

[Matt in AK]

Laughing out loud again with the kids thinkin' the old man's crazy...   Seriously though, thanks for the advice.  

We'll be very cautious.  I learned a few years back that I'm not bullet-proof.  I've been in a boat that was rapidly filling up with water, motor dead, electric trolling motor humming and me rowing to beat the band....and thewater was much warmer back then...  

Looks like we'll stick with Whittier.  I'll pick up some maps this week.  For a guy who never dreamed he'd make it to Alaska...this is quite an adventure.

[Daveinthebush]

Matt:  I am not crazy! The attorney at the last trial said to claim I was so that I could get off.  

You must have been talking with my ex-wife!:)

[Matt in AK]

Actually, the kids were talking about me being crazy...and the little voice in my head says they may be right....no it doesn't....yes it does....oh well, here we go again....

I gotta check the regs tomorrow.  Be nice if halibut and some other fishies are in season while we're bear hunting...

[Daveinthebush]

Halibut opened in Feburary (limit 2, 4 in possision) and rock fish are also open.  Be careful with rock fish as there are two varities, pelegic and non-pelegic and you must keep the first two non-pelegic fish limit 10. Cod are open all year, no limit.

And the troopers do check!!!!!