Spring brownies around Valdez

[MDwhatley]

So what would anyones guess be about, when to start a brown bear hunt this year in the Valdez area? With the weather acting funny this year i wonder when the boars will be out and about enough to hunt them. I have never hunted the Valdez or Eureka (SP?) area and would appreciate some advice from people that have hunted either area in the past years. Thanks for any input, just trying to figure out what dates would optomize my chances.

David

 

[akndnlawyer]

I hunted from Thompson Pass down to the waterfalls around the second week in May last year; most of the upper country was still covered in snow but the bottom lands near the highway were clear--but with little green growth. We saw lots of black bears--all very near the city of Valdez and one brown bear high-tailing it down the middle of the highway for approx 100 feet in our headlights on the way home. Timing the melt and access is critical. If we had been more prepared physically and hiked in on snowshoes to some of the upper country, we would have likely cut tracks but neither of us were in that kind of shape nor desire. I've thought about a similar trip again this year but the weather and melt will dictate. We stayed with a buddy in Glenallen and drove down everyday--I don't think I'd do that again, too much driving and gas.

 

[MDwhatley]

Akndnlawyer,
Thats pretty much what i'm worried about the most! We are talking about using snowmachines to get back in there, but if the snow is gone from the lower areas then that would throw a huge problem at us. I would have to think that the earlier the better, but yet i want there to be enough bears out for us to hunt. I hate getting into new areas, but it is my friends last year up here and he really wants to go up that way. Thanks for the insight, everything helps!!


David

 

[Vince]

Dave the snow is rough in may... you have an hour or two in the morning that you can get up on it but as soon as it warms your running rotten snow. . the creeks are all flowing well by then also. it really is more work then enjoyment at that time. i had ONE experience that i got stuck in the rotten snow.. up by 56 mile. it was a 6 hour crawl on my coat and snow shoes to get the last 300 yards to the road. literal on my hands and knees the shoes i used to support my coat on to crawl up on it....

had to go back 6 am the next day with the boy... snow shoe in and have him drive the sled out to the road...


if your headed down first of may.. you may be able to get into the Marshall pass area still.. but you need to plan on the arm days and use morning and late evenings to your advantage... also beware may is slide season down there.

 

[MDwhatley]

Vince,
Thanks for that heads up! We were looking at the map last night and we've decided to try to get back in the drainage of Alexander creek, so that we have many options (directions to go in). There is a cabin about 15 miles from there that we can use, but we wanted to just set up main camp back in there and save the riding/ or walking time to get back in there to hunt. Have any of you hunted that drainage before? I hear that not too many people go back in there, but i am worried thats for a good reason!!! This will be my first grizz hunt, so i am already a bit nervous about the conditions, much less the equipment list, etc.. I am busting at the seams to get out there and get a nice bear, but i really want to not get stopped before we get started. Once again thanks for the replies it is really appreciated.

David