Pretty common thread this time of year, so I thought I'd add another one on dead deer. I'm not seeing much for Sitka blacktails in the threads of Trapperman. I'm not much of a trophy hunter, so some of you will snicker at the small racks. To me, the deer are a classy little parcel of food; I don't care much for antler soup.


This is a little Sitka blacktail from SE Alaska. Baranof Island.



Another little buck from Chichagof Island, SE Alaska.




This is outside the meat tent on a hunt on Kodiak Island. It was back in the day (about 1985???) when B&C first had a category for Sitka blacktails. I don't remember precisely, but I'm thinking the minimum score for inclusion was 108 points. I think 4 or 5 of the deer we took on that trip green-scored high enough for the record books. We didn't submit any of them. Some of you out there probably remember better than I.

That's really something! I like the redish tint to the antlers

Nice shots, literally, too, Jack. All that is in my region, is whitetails and mulies.

This is my Magnusson, the largest I've shot, to date. Atlas came in a close second. Yes, I name my big ones

Now, I have "artistic license " to love the antlers also , sir Jack .... in my perspective , the bigger in weight , the more meat I get. He weighed considerably more than I , and rolling himself into my sled and dragging it out was a chore, making me wish I owned a draft horse to help me. That was after gutting . Magnusson taught me the value of gutless butchering on the spot, like you process elk and moose. But I was stubborn and determined to get him back to my barn, and set up my tripod and camera .

I wasn't about to let those antlers fall prey to some stoopid porcupine , chewing the tar out of them...so, I feasted in two ways, plenty of good meat to last , and a feast for the eyes , with a euro mount made from his ivory coloured , lovely skull.

Any deer is a good deer , of course . I love the B tags for doe harvest too. No snickering at all, Jack...your deer are wonderful and I've got my share of young ones . Here's to good meat, no matter what is attached to the skull !

Sharon you are just great in everything you do......j

Jack, I was stationed on Kodiak in 85and 86.

We flew into a remote Green igloo type cabin that was Opperated by a Pilot who flew for the DNR, I believe the plane was a super Cub on floats.

I think he gave us a good deal on the trip because he was checking his camps.

I don't remember the details as I ended up filling the seat for a guy who could not make the trip.

His name was Jack.

Was this You??

Super Cool photos!

I'd love to hunt them Someday

Horn -
Nope, wasn't me. I hunted Kodiak several times, but I never had an airplane down there. We hunted in Kizhuyak Bay with boats from Anton Larson Bay.

Jack

Great pictures, Gulo. Especially that photo from Kodiak.

I love the diversity of terrain and types of hunting for Sitka Blacktails. Summer alpine hunting, calling in the fall run and gun style, or winter beach hunting.

Summer alpine hunting terrain.



A little winter beach walking.



Fall calling. They slip in quiet. Small deer in big timber.




Many people don't realize just how well these deer can climb. I was watching a mountain goat climb feed along the slope in the center of the frame. As he fed a blacktail buck came out and fed above the goat. They are very surefooted deer.

Oreamnos -

I definitely agree. Different times of year and different places, the hunting is tremendously varied. I like the early season up in the alpine, spot and stalk. I love the mid-season, calling from the edges of the skegs. I often reminisce about slow-walking the beaches when the snow has the deer pushed down to the salt. In my opinion, they are a classy little cervid. I've eaten deer, many different species, and from many different parts of the world. I don't think that there's a better-tasting deer anywhere.

Jack

great pic. guys

I've enjoyed several black tail hunts on Kodiak, Afognak, Rasberry Islands. Tough terrain, can be miserable weather. They are my favorite deer to eat, better, I think than white tails or mulies. Thanks for stirring up some old memories.

Great pictures trapped4ever and Gulo!

We have “Sika” deer here on the shore but no Sitka. The sika are a small member of the elk family. Very fun to hunt, they are very vocal.

John

Loving the pictures Trapped4ever!

You’re stylin, as usual, T4ever ! I recognize some of those shots.

Here's a couple from Kodiak. I think they are the best tasting deer.

T4E -

Great pictures, man. You've really harvested some giants. Real tanks!


ttzt -

Couple of real fine Kodiak bucks. Nice to see!! Thanks for contributing. Those Kodiak deer sure seemed to me to be bigger bodied than the SE deer.
(BTW, are you the guy that plays the part of Casey in Yellowstone?)

Jack

Nice thread guys.