USA: First time Sitka blacktail hunt...

Tundra Tiger

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I just returned from my first Sitka blacktail hunt. I have lived in Alaska most of my adult life, and had wanted to hunt deer up here for many years. Now I can say I have.

I was invited to tag along with a hunting buddy of mine here in Dillingham. He's originally from Sitka and hooked up with a friend of his and I got to tag along.

The weather was super crappy for most of the trip, which was cut short because of weather (we hunted 4 days). In the end our group of 7 brought home 7 deer, including my buck.

I had a LOT of fun. It was completely new: new species, new terrain. I learned an awful lot and can't wait to go again.

My chosen weapon for this hunt was a Savage 99E, chambered in .308 Winchester. Ammunition was handloads with 160 grain Hornady FTX bullets.

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I was really looking forward to seeing this report. I’ve hunted them twice on prince of wales island further south. Once in August and once in November in rut. I really enjoyed hunting them and SE Alaska is beautiful. They are also a very pretty deer for a mount in November. Hope I will see another report and photos next year.
 
I had a grand time: it's always fun when you're hunting with good friends.

Again, I learned a lot. There are small things I'd have done different, and will next time. But overall I am very happy with how it went. The deer are certainly abundant. Every single muskeg seemed to have a lot of fresh sign. I think the weather slowed us down some, and it shortened the trip. A few more days and we'd have filled a bunch more tags. And you are right @375Fox - it is gorgeous down there. That type of habitat was a totally new experience for me.
 
Congrats. Sounds like a great time. I have a friend down on Prince of Wales island I was going to hunt this year and got postponed. Good to hear someone did well down that way.
 
Congrats on your hunt. New experience, species and location. Gotta love that. And me being a big lever and .308 fan too you did it with an awesome rifle and the perfect cartridge! How did the old Savage (I mean the rifle, lol) like the rain?
 
Congratulations! Did you see any other critters? Bears?
 
You lucky dog, and I mean that in a good way. :ROFLMAO: You my friend live in a beautiful place. I believe Alaska is our Africa. LOL!!! Congrats on a beautiful Sitka buck. Well done.
 
Very pretty buck! Looks like a great time with friends!
 
Love it!

Had a great time on Kodiak in 2019 hunting blacktail.. I'd love to get back to Alaska at some point and hunt them again..
 
Great buck, I’ve always thought the Sitka black tail is our prettiest deer. They are on my North American bucket list. I’ve shot and eaten Columbia black tail and if I remember correctly they were fabulous on the table! How do the sitka compare?
 
@Ragman ... It was a nightly fight to stave off the rust. I am glad I didn't take my other 99; it's a lot older and in much better condition.

@375 Ruger Fan ... A single sow and cubs. And we saw tracks in the snow in a couple muskegs.

@Hunt anything ... I haven't had a chance to try yet. It was frozen and handed of to AK Air cargo. It could be here today. I have heard it is very good. I'll know soon.
 
Congrats!
Weather was super crappy in SE Alaska? I'm shocked. The meat will be awesome.

I was hoping to go down to POW this year, but stuck at home with "Limpy."
 
@Milo ... Yeah, well, it's one thing to read about it being crappy weather most of the time... and another thing to hunt it. :p

First meal was WONDERFUL.
 

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