Guided Sitka Blacktail Deer Hunt & Fishing Combo
Sitka Blacktail Deer & Fishing Combination
Our Sitka blacktail deer hunts take place in August and are offered in combination with a fishing adventure aboard our yacht, the Isla Dawn. This is a 5-day Deer & Fishing Combo Trip with very limited availability each season.
Deer hunts are conducted as day hunts from the yacht. Dustin typically takes two hunters per day into the mountains, meaning guests will enjoy a mix of alpine deer hunting and exceptional fishing opportunities throughout the trip. While one group is hunting, the rest of the guests can relax aboard the Isla Dawn or continue exploring Southeast Alaska.
There is no shortage of activities while waiting for your turn to hunt. Our onboard chef and deckhand, John, can take guests to pull Dungeness crab pots, fish freshwater streams, or explore the coastline in our skiffs while sightseeing for wildlife.
The deer hunt itself is physically demanding, beginning at sea level and hiking into alpine terrain ranging from 1,000–1,800 feet in elevation. Hunters will pursue velvet Sitka blacktail bucks in their natural high-country habitat on Baranof Island.
This trip takes place during one of the most incredible times of year in Southeast Alaska. Salmon runs are in full swing, marine wildlife is abundant, and the weather is often warm by Alaska standards. However, hunters should still be prepared for rain, wind, and changing conditions, as we operate in the Tongass National Forest, a rainforest, which receives nearly 120 inches of rain annually.
This trip offers a rare opportunity to combine alpine deer hunting, world-class fishing, and unforgettable wildlife viewing in one of the most spectacular coastal environments in Alaska.
Recommended Gear & NOTES
Gear For The Hunt
Waterproof Boot, we recommend an X-tra Tuff, the soles are amazing for the slick terrain we’ll encounter.
Quality socks are a must.
We highly recommend an ultra light weight layering system for clothes. Synthetic base layer, mid-layer and a lightweight rain gear outer layer. Kuiu and Sitka Gear are great options.
Backpack
Meat Bags, as you’ll likely have to help pack out some of the meat, especially you and your buddy are lucky and take 2 deer in the same day.
Boat Gear
Comfortable lounge clothing
Personal toiletries
Medications
Slippers or Croc’s
Boots for being on deck with slimy fish
Camera
Rain Gear
Washer/dryer on board the Isla Dawn, so feel free to pack light
Meat Care & Trophy Handling
Proper care of both meat and trophies is a priority on all of our hunts. Once an animal is harvested, your guide will immediately begin field processing to ensure the meat and hide are handled correctly and cooled as quickly as possible.
Field Care
After harvest, the animal will be quartered and properly cared for in the field to maintain meat quality. Hides are turned, split, and salted, preparing them for shipment to a tannery if desired.
Meat Transport
Hunters are encouraged to bring a cooler so they can transport their meat home at the end of the trip. From there, the meat can either be taken to a local butcher or processed at home. For the best quality, we recommend aging the meat for about one week in cool temperatures before processing.
Trophy Handling
Hides are typically shipped via Alaska Air Cargo to Wildlife Galleries in Palmer, Alaska, where they can be further prepared and sent to the tannery of your choice. Hunters may also choose to have their trophies FedExed directly to their preferred taxidermist or tannery.
For international hunters, trophies must be processed through a licensed export service such as Alaska Trophy Expediters, which manages the required documentation and permits for export.
NOTES
For our Deer & Fishing Combo Trip, the Isla Dawn can accommodate up to 6 guests, but not everyone can hunt on the same day. The boat is privately chartered for $35,000 for 5 days, and hunting is optional for anyone in the group. Hunters may add a Sitka Blacktail Deer hunt for $2,500 per person, plus a $300 deer tag. Only two hunters can hunt per day, unless discussed beforehand and we can Hire an extra guide if everyone in the group is wanting to hunt more.
Hunters must purchase a Non-resident Annual Hunting & 7-Day Sport Fishing License ($205) and a 7-Day King Salmon Stamp ($45).
The deer hunt is a high-alpine hunt starting at sea level and climbing into steep mountain terrain. Hunters should be physically prepared for challenging conditions including steep, slippery, and thick terrain.
Each guest may bring home one 50-lb box of fish, which we will clean, vacuum seal, and freeze. Additional costs include licenses, city sales and lodging taxes, and any taxidermy or shipping fees.
Call us for availability for our Sitka Blacktail Deer & Fishing Combo Trip.