KODIAK
HUNT & FISH IN THE LAND OF GIANTS
MIKE CARLSON’S LARSEN BAY LODGE
(AS SEEN ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL SERIES, “THE HUNT”, OUTDOOR CHANNEL, ESPN AND THE FOOD NETWORK
HUNTING
KODIAK BROWN BEARS, SITKA BLACK DEER, DUCKS
WWW.LARSENBAYLODGE.COM Author Mark Kayser packing out a trophy Montana bull ©Mark Kayser
FISHING
FRESHWATER & SALTWATER Kings, Halibut, Sea Bass, Sockeye & Silver Salmon, Ling Cod, Steelhead, Crabs
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You’ve Just Won The License Lottery … Now What? I
By Mark Kayser
couldn’t believe it. There on my computer screen was the coveted message that I had drawn a permit-only elk license for Montana. The adrenaline rush was immediate and intense, but soon reality hit and my adrenaline rush crashed like a drone running out of battery power. I had just won the license lottery, but how do I transform this piece of information into a trophy bull? I had my work cut out for me and focused to transform my thoughts from anxiety to concentration. First, contact Fish, Wildlife and Parks or state, and local game and fish personnel for the location you are hunting. Never underestimate the helpful willingness of these public employees. Biologists, game wardens, regional directors and others serve the public, most with enthusiasm. Calling them at convenient hours can lead you in the right direction. If you want to corroborate or gain even more detail, talk to more than one official. Game wardens may have a different daily perspective over a biologist that doesn’t get the luxury of daily trips afield. Combined, the two could put you right on top of a herd of elk, sheep or on a big bull moose. Be sincere, polite and speedy. They lead busy careers like you. And don’t ask for specific locations. They may give you an exact trail to begin, but they may also just offer tips. Take the information and expand on it. Looking for clues is half the fun of scouting. Next, scout online resources in addition to the obvious herd management information available on state wildlife pages. Social networks, do-it-yourself websites and hunting forums have taken on a life of their own. Sure, some include bragging posts, but most host numerous, honest queries for hunting information. Add your question into a forum and you never know what information will be reciprocated. You can also research past posts for information on the success others have had in a location you are considering. Don’t expect someone to give you the GPS coordinates to their honey hole, but it will surprise you on how much information can flow down the information super highway. More than once I’ve dropped questions on forums or looked at other questions regarding places I considered hunting. The honest answers will amaze you. Moving on, purchase maps. It’s a good idea to download your GPS (www.garmin.com) or smartphone with digital maps, but don’t overlook the ease of a good topographical map, especially when matched with a public-land map like those sold by the National Forest Service. For GPS maps nothing beats OnXMaps (www.huntinggpsmaps.com) with land ownership included right along with the topographical aspects. I also use ScoutLook Weather (www.scoutlookweather.com) when scouting.
Larsen Bay Lodge - PO Box 92 - Larsen Bay AK 907-847-2238 800-748-2238 www.larsenbaylodge.com Email: larsenbaylodge@aol.com
It gives me a satellite overview, weather, wind forecasts and the ability to make notes right within the program. As you accumulate information mark the locations on your map and begin whittling down your target area. First, look for access. You’ll need to get within a few miles with camp equipment via a backpack or help from a horse, or ATV. Now look beyond that for roadless regions. Elk, sheep, moose, deer and pronghorn will quickly exit hunter-heavy areas for sites two to three miles from roads, or trails. With a block of country in mind study it for three elements: food, water and travel routes. Look for meadows, parks and open slopes. You need to find the habitat your target species prefers for nutrition. Satellite images can be a huge help in this department. Next, note all springs and creeks for possible animal rehydration centers. Lastly, study topographical maps to pinpoint saddles and mountain grades animals will likely use to get from point A to point B. With all of this at-home scouting completed it’s time to make a trip to your hunting location. Plan the first trip as soon as possible and then schedule additional trips that coincide closer with your hunting dates. Confirm firsthand where you will camp, access country and even bivy if required. Of course you’ll also want to scout for trophies so pack along your Nikons (www.nikonsportoptics.com) and spotting scope. Your first trip could be the basis for a family vacation, but if you’ve drawn a premium license you may have to forsake family for scouting on later jaunts. Even if you discover a nirvana, be sure to have a backup plan. Weather, hunting pressure and other unforeseen factors have an ability to make animals move miles on a whim. Put all of this information together and you should have a solid start to your dream hunt. My last Montana elk hunt was just that. It all started with a message of “successful” on my computer screen and ended with the bull of a lifetime. Contact information: Get more hunting strategies from Mark at www.markkayser.com June 2016
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