Elk, Deer & Duck Hunting

Elk Hunting

Roosevelt Elk originated from a transplant of 8 calves captured on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state in 1928 and moved to Afognak Island in 1929. They are larger, slightly darker in color and have shorter, less symmetrical yet more massive antlers than the Rocky Mountain elk found east of the Cascade Mountains in Canada and USA.

Bull elk on Afognak Island are estimated to weigh up to 1,300 pounds.

Cow elk are similar in appearance but are smaller and have no antlers. The rut occurs in September through mid-October.

Afognak Island was originally set aside as a National Forest by President Teddy Roosevelt so it was fitting that the elk named after him would reside in this lush environment.

Elk hunting season is September 25 - November 30, with one Elk/hunter. We suggest a 6-day hunt but more days can be added. Elk hunting season is divided into Permit-Draw and Registration (over the counter pickup) hunts, as follows:

Permit-Draw hunt: September 25 - October 9 AND October 8 - October 22
Reservations should be finalized with us by April 30th and then we take care of the paperwork.

Registration hunt: October 23 - November 30
Reservations can be finalized with us on short notice and you must pickup your permit in Kodiak.

Sitka Deer Hunting

Sitka Blacktail Deer are native to the wet, coastal rain forests of S.E. Alaska but were transplanted to Kodiak & Afognak Islands circa 1930. They are smaller & stockier with a shorter face than other members of the black-tail group. Typical bucks range from 120# to 220#. Normal antler development is 3-4 points/side with very few scoring more than 110 points in Boone & Crockett record book.

With the first heavy frost, many deer in the high alpine and sub-alpine descend to the upper forests. With snowfall, usually in November & December, they move down to the coastal fringe and beaches. Rut occurs during late November.

The season is between August 1 and December 31, but the best hunting is during November and December. You are allowed 4 Deer per hunter and they can be hunted at the same time as Elk, Bear and Ducks. We suggest at least a 4-day hunt but you are welcome to come for any length of time.

Guided Deer hunts include all first-class accommodations, meals & all-day guiding from a cabin-cruiser.

Unguided Deer hunts include all first-class accommodations & meals, with morning drop-offs & evening pickups, in productive areas. A packed-lunch is prepared for your backpack, we give you an overview of area via maps and, for your safety, we provide a hand-held 2-way VHF radio.

Duck Hunting

The season is from October 8 to January 26. The major species available are:

Green Winged Teal
Pintail
Merganser
Harlequin
Golden Eye (Barrow's, Common)
King Eider
Buffelhead
Mallard
Scoter(Common, Surf, White Wing)
Old Squaw
Others