Wes Hixon Outdoor Adventures

Robert McNichols's Bear

Massie Burger's Bear

Congratulations to Massie Burger (left) and Robert McNichols (right). Both of these gentlemen were successful harvesting a Brown Bear.

Southeast Alaska Classic Yacht Hunts for Brown and Black Bear

These hunts take place in what is commonly referred to as the A.B.C. Islands - Admiralty Baranof and Chichagof Islands. Admiralty conservatively boasts one of the densest Brown Bear populations in the world; one Brown Bear per square mile. It is estimated there are between 1,700 and 2,500 Brown Bears on Admiralty Island alone. While hunting here you will travel and live aboard the 65-foot yacht. This proven ship has comfortable and spacious accommodations that can sleep up to six guests.

Your "floating base camp" includes two showers, a 360-degree walk around deck, fantail, roomy salon, VHF radio and satellite phone for communication. Your floating base camp could potentially anchor in a different bay or fiord nearly every day. Forays are made with a Lund or Hewscraft skiff. Hunting Bears by boat in Southeast Alaska is likely one of the physically easiest and most aesthetically pleasing Bear hunts in North America. In the Spring Bears are seen along the salt-water beaches and grass flats feeding on sedge grass or spawning Herring. During Fall hunts you will hunt them on spanning Salmon streams. Trout, Salmon, Halibut and Crab fishing can be included on your trip and fishing tackle is furnished.

Our outfitter has 33 years experience guiding in this area. In addition to his experience as a guide, he is seasonally employed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife in Brown and Black Bear research. Since 1973 he has snared, trapped, immobilized, radio collared, tagged, weighed, measured, tracked etc., approximately 500 Brown Bears and over 200 Black Bears, and entered many of their dens. As a Brown Bear expert, he has appeared on several TV programs such as National Geographic, Audubon, The Today Show, Mutual of Omaha’s Wildlife Trust and several PBS segments.

Because of his continuous exposure to Brown Bears he has had to kill 4 in situations at less than 20 feet, not to mention one while being chewed on! It has been said that with his extensive Brown Bear knowledge he may know more about the Brown Bears that inhabit the rain forest of Southeast Alaska than anyone else. For many years our clients have enjoyed unbelievable success on this hunt. In fact, during a 10-day Brown Bear hunt it is not uncommon to see more than 25 Brown Bears.

Hunt Fees

• 10-Day Spring or Fall Brown Bear Hunt - $10,500
• 5-Day Spring or Fall Black Bear Hunt - $3,800
• 10-Day Spring Brown Bear and Black Bear combination hunt - $13,300

Non-hunter:

• $250 per day

Successful Brown Bear Hunt

Halibut Fishing

Non-resident License and Tags:

• Hunting and 14 Day Fishing License - $165
• Hunting License - $85
• Brown Bear Tag - $500
• Black Bear Tag - $225
• *Sitka Black-tail Deer Tag - $150
• *Wolf Tag - $30
• *Please note: Sitka Black-tail Deer and Wolf can be included in these hunts.

Brown & Black Bear Hunt Dates

SPRING HUNT DATES
Brown & Black Bear
April 29 - May 8
May 11 - May 20

FALL HUNT DATES
Brown Bear
September 15 - September 24
September 25 - October 4
Black Bear
May 22 - May 26
May 28 - June 1

We do not book combination Brown and Black Bear hunts during the Fall season dates. When notified in advance hunt dates may be customized by species. Please contact us for Fall Black Bear hunt dates.