This smaller unit is found in southeastern Alaska and houses the famous Chilkat River and the towns of Haines and Skagway. Hunters will find an abundance of Black Bear and Brown Bear in this area as well as opportunities for Rocky Mountain Goat. As with most of Alaska, obtaining access options into the various hunting grounds will generally be a larger issue than actually locating an area to hunt. Most of the hunting in this area will be conducted off of the various road systems, along rivers, and along the coastlines. This unit finds itself at the end of the Alcan Highway and will generally serve as a good hub for DIY hunters to use ferries or air taxi services.

Hunters can find great hunting opportunities here although transportation throughout the region will need to be heavily researched prior to the hunt. Fortunately, because of a higher population and recreational draw this area tends to see more road and trail access than some of the surrounding units.

Like most of coastal Alaska, this area is largely covered in very heavy timber cover that can be almost impenetrable at times. Coastlines and the mouths of rivers will be largely comprised of grassy tidal flats while the vegetative cover will increase greatly as one heads inland. As elevation is gained the tree cover can begin to thin out and more alpine areas can be encountered, typically around 2,000’ in elevation and up. Large glaciers can be found at the head end of most of the major inlets and can bring any type of coastal access to a halt. Most of the areas surrounding the Chilkat Inlet and the various river valleys are comprised of the rough mountain ranges in the Tongass National Forest. Here, ridgelines rise sharply off the valley floors and climb for 5,000’ or more before topping out in impressive rock cliffs and faces. Huge avalanche chutes will be found throughout these ranges and can provide some glassing opportunities.

Along the coastline large tidal flats will extend out from the tree cover and will be abundant in nutrient-rich grasses and sedges, In the lower elevations just off the coastline, hunters will commonly find ancient stands of cedar, hemlock, and Sitka Spruce growing among patches of alder, devils club, and other thick ground cover. In some of the higher elevations the tree and ground cover will greatly reduce as smaller tree species such as Mountain Hemlock grows in abundance. In these areas, native grasses and wildflowers will also grow in high quantities. Many of the highest elevation areas will see large rock fields and solid rock faces along. These areas will be largely uninhabited by game with the exception of a few mountain goats.

Access to most of the unit will be the biggest headache for hunters but some areas are covered in extensive road systems. Bear hunting, particularly in the spring, is largely conducted along the shorelines where small skiffs and boats are best suited. Hunters searching for higher ground and more alpine type country will generally be forced to utilize road systems and travel by foot into most of these areas. Hiking through the underbrush to reach these alpine areas can be extremely tough and will be physically demanding. Skiffs can be rented in many communities and with some research, hunters can find boat and float plane options for accessing more remote areas. The Haines Highway can provide access into many portions of the unit and may be a viable option for some hunting opportunities.

Throughout most of this area, small cabins managed by the USFS can be rented and found in great hunting areas. These cabins will often accommodate 4-6 hunters and can be an excellent option. Some cabins can only be reached by airplane or boat and hunters will also need to arrange transportation. Many hunters also opt to simply tent camp along shorelines when hunting. The USFS also adminteres several established campgrounds near many of the small communities. Some modern lodging options can be found in some of the communities as well as Haines and Skagway. Lodging commodities can be fill up quick in this area due to a high recreational demand so booking early is recommended.