Vessel-based DIY Sitka Blacktail Deer Hunt in Southeast Alaska

If you’re type of person who would choose crab and beer over a campfire instead of a fancy 5 Course meal, this hunt is for you!

There is an amazing Sitka blacktail deer population in this area, and hunting season runs from August 1st until December 31st. We recommend hunting the rut from mid-October through mid-December. There are also a few custom hunts available with other dates for those that would like to hunt alpine.

Semi Guided Waterfowl Hunting

Waterfowl hunting, whether it is puddle ducks or sea ducks, is available for another opportunity. Your transporter can offer assistance in waterfowl hunting at no additional cost.

The yacht can comfortably take up to 6 passengers.

All meals are provided and cooked by your crew. We pride ourselves on serving tasty food. There is nothing like a hot meal after a day on the water! A crab and shrimp cook out on the beach with a bon fire is always a nice option.

Based out of Sitka, AK on the west side of Baranof Island.

Sitka sits in the Tongass National Forest, the country’s largest national forest. With a population of 8,500, Sitka is Alaska’s fifth most populated city. As the sixth largest seafood port in the nation, Sitka is also a hub of maritime commerce.

The Fishing

Depending on the time of the season, these trips will target multiple species.

They are fully equipped with all the needed fishing gear and bait as well as a vacuum sealer (to be used for fish sealing only).

  • Early season King Salmon Combos in May through August
  • Silver Salmon start showing up in July through September
  • Rockfish are available any time of the season
  • Lingcod season opens July 1st

Cast and Blast Option

We also offer cast and blast options in September-October for waterfowl hunting with a combo of chasing silver salmon in the rivers.

Trips are tailored to your group’s interests.

If you want to fish hardcore for a few days and get fish in the freezer, then spend a day exploring Sitka’s unique bays and natural hot springs or crabbing and shrimping followed by a fire on the beach and a fresh seafood dinner, there are numerous options.

Welcome aboard!

You’ll be staying on a beautiful long range, live aboard ocean fishing vessel.

The boat is a 67-foot custom raised pilot house trawler, propelled by a 370 Horse John Deere diesel main engine. She has 2-25 KW generators for electricity. USCG approved safety, communication, and navigation equipment, 8 person emergency life raft and EPIRB.

The spacious Liveaboard has three staterooms, a crew room, three bathrooms, two showers, and a step-down swim platform. Two of the staterooms each have two bunk beds, and the front stateroom has a queen-size bed.

Bedding is provided, but you are welcome to bring a sleeping bag. The full galley has three chest freezers and a vacuum sealer to handle your fresh catch efficiently. A cozy woodfire stove in the lounge area provides the perfect environment to unwind and dry your gear. There is wifi onboard as well.

At the end of the day, you’ll have the perfect environment to unwind and dry out your gear around the cozy warmth of a wood stove.

In addition to all of the other amenities, they offer 4 kayaks, 2 paddle boards, a 12 foot inflatable skiff for going to the beach and a 18 foot Boston whaler navigated by the Captain.

Included:

Please understand that this is a NON-GUIDED hunt as they only offer a TRANSPORT service. They cannot legally help assist on your deer hunt or supply you with any gear on the boat. Your success relies based on your own skills. They offer transport to and from the beach at anytime you wish with their skiff to and from the vessel.

  • Roundtrip ground transfers between Sitka Airport and the yacht.
  • 67 foot, liveaboard steel motor yacht equipped with (double occupancy) lodging.
  • Transportation to and from hunting areas.
  • Waterfowl hunting (with assistance).
  • Meals and Non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Starlink Wi-Fi on the Liveaboard.
  • The use of fishing equipment and tackle.
  • Use of kayaks, paddleboards, crab pots, and shrimp pots (Crab and shrimp pots require a free ADFG permit which is easily accessible online.

Not Included:

  • Airfare to Sitka, and return
  • Hotel or meals in Sitka on the last day
  • Guns and Ammunition
  • Hunting license (Fishing if you would like to crab and shrimp) we recommend purchasing in advance. You need your license and locking tags prior to departure of the harbor. Purchase online HERE.
  • Alcoholic Beverages (We do offer a vehicle and will provide a service at no charge to bring you to the liquor store prior to departure)
  • 6% Sitka sales on total package
  • Bed tax
  • Global Rescue
  • Trip Insurance
  • Gratuities to the Captain and crew. While not required, it is very much appreciated, and transporters often depend on them as supplemental income. Learn how much to tip.

Travel Information

You’ll fly to Sitka, Alaska, a 2.5-hour flight from Seattle.

A Liveaboard representative will drive you from the Sitka Airport to the Liveaboard, a six-minute drive, with a stop for guests to purchase alcohol and other items. You’ll spend your first night on the Liveaboard.

Daily Itinerary

Morning: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm on Average depending on time of year.

5:00 am – Coffee is hot.

5:00 to 6:00 am – Head to fishing grounds. The deckhand will prepare breakfast during the cruise to the fishing grounds and we can eat on the way out.

Noon: Anglers will have a deli-style lunch in the boat and then return to fishing.

Afternoon: 4:00 to 5:00 pm – The vessel will cruise over to pull up crab and shrimp pots. The deckhand will prepare dinner during the cruise.

Once the boat is anchored, you’ll enjoy dinner. Depending on the group’s desires, the day’s catch can be prepared for dinner, or if the weather is pleasant, enjoy a fire on the beach and boil up some fresh crab. You can fish as much or as little as your group wants. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to take to shore, where you can explore multiple hot springs, which are enjoyable after a long fishing day.

Evening: The yacht will move daily and anchor in a different sheltered cove each night.

Departure Day

On the last day you can fish about three hours and catch the early afternoon flight home or stay later and fish a full day and overnight in Sitka then fly home the next morning.

Get a Trip Insurance quote

A True Alaskan Experience

Guided Fishing Included

For saltwater fishing you will fish from aboard the 67′ vessel. All of your fishing gear is included, and your Captain and deckhand are born and raised Alaskans. As locals they know all the great fishing spots.

Cast and Blast Hunts are Semi Guided

If you want to hunt ducks, the vessel will be anchored in a secluded bay and they’ll lower the tender into the water to run you to the beach to hunt and/or fish for silvers in the rivers.

Read trip reports

Outfitter Gallery

Pre-Trip Preparation

Gear List

A soft sided duffle style bag is best for your clothing and other belongings. There is ample storage on the Desperado, but it is hard to stow large hard case suitcases.

  • Dramamine (even if you think you don’t need it)

  • Rifle and 40 rounds of ammo (if hunting)

  • Packable rain gear

  • 1 pair base layers wool or synthetic

  • 4 or 5 pairs socks

  • synthetic pants

  • Warm, waterproof gloves – 2 pair

  • a warm fleece type shirt

  • Neck gaiter

  • Sunglasses

  • Pocket knife or multitool and knife

  • A warm, windstopper, waterproof hat

  • Boots Gortex 10”

  • Boot gaiters

  • Wool or synthetic underwear

  • Puff pants

  • Puff jacket

  • Sleeping bag (optional as we do provide bedding on the boat)

  • Water Bottle 32 oz.

  • A good internal backpack minimum 5,900 cubic inch

  • Premium binoculars – 10 x 42s work very well

  • Headlamp (also bring along an extra set of batteries for the headlamp)

  • Have a pair of boat shoes like Crocs to wear when you take off your boots

  • 3 game bags per deer you plan to shoot (we like Caribou brand bags)

  • Camera. Most hunters just use their phones now, but if you are bringing a small point and shoot camera, put the camera and film in a Ziploc bag, and be sure the camera has a fresh battery.

  • Personal shaving kit; with any contact lens or medical items, including Moleskin that you will need.

  • Baby Wipes, Wet Ones, etc. These will allow you to perform personal hygiene without the need for excessive amounts of water. I usually allow myself four sheets a day, packaged in a Ziploc bag.

  • Trekking Poles

  • a couple small light dry bags

  • Packable waders can come in very handy and we suggest having them

  • HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE

HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION: Required licenses and tags should be purchased from Alaska Department of Fish and Game and is entirely your responsibility. You may choose to do this online, but allow enough time for your locking tags to come via mail. You may also get your license/tags/stamps in Sitka at Orion’s Sporting goods, but check their hours and compare to your flight times.

Booking Information

Please note that reservations are not considered finalized until agreed upon deposit is received. This ensures agreed upon dates and current pricing.

Quality outfitters are in high demand so let us know right away, as some trips do book years in advance.