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Unit 5A - Yakutat

Last Updated: Nov 5, 2024
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Quick Tips

  • Pay close attention to changing tidal levels and beach boats accordingly
  • Renting boats from local communities can be an excellent way to stay mobile
  • Plan your transportation and lodging options around the season and species you will be hunting
  • Rubberized rain gear is a necessity
  • Excellent steelhead fishing found here
speciesgeneral Sizetrophy potential
Sitka Blacktail Deer75"-90"100"+

On The Ground

This unit is located in southeastern Alaska and lies along the Canadian border. This entire region is very isolated and only accessible via boat or aircraft. Utilizing a ferry is a cheaper option but the severe lack of road systems found within the unit will really handicap this route. Logistically, hunters will need to be very diligent in their hunting plans when it comes to securing access into hunting areas as well as leaving the areas. Hunters will find plenty of opportunities for hunting here but many will find the associated expenses due to the remoteness outweigh the opportunities available.

Good hunting opportunity can be found here but reaching the unit and then finally reaching hunting grounds can mean lengthy travel times and large expenses.

Terrain

Overall, the terrain and ground cover are fairly similar to what is found in the islands of the Alexander Archipelago. Vegetation grows in healthy concentrations along the low to mid-elevation areas, physically traversing some of this country can be very difficult. This landscape is heavily scarred by glacial activity which creates widespread river bottoms, flats, and muskegs. The land near the coast and traveling inland is much flatter in comparison than most surrounding areas and hunters can, at times, find some easier traveling by foot. This area is commonly referred to as the Yakutat Forelands. Treeline is lower in this unit in comparison to others and typically occurs at around 1,000 feet. Reaching most of the inland country will be very difficult without the use of bush planes. The eastern half of the unit is extremely rugged with sky-scraping peaks and massive valleys. This area is largely comprised of glaciers and generally devoid of most wildlife.

  • Roughly 3,637 square miles

  • 78% Public land

  • Elevations range from 0-15,300 feet

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. Throughout much of the area, hunters will also encounter what is commonly referred to as the Yakutat Forelands. The Forelands is comprised of a large and flat expanse of marshes, streams, river channels, and muskegs. This area can provide some relief from the dense vegetation but can be a chore to navigate. 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.

The unit in and of itself but can be a challenge to reach after reaching a hub city such as Juneau. From there, hunters will need to ferry a ride or charter a plane into a remote airstrip or the town of Yakutat. Once in the unit, the only viable means for transportation will include boats or planes, the choice landing largely on the game to be pursued. When planning your hunt take this into careful consideration to avoid squandering money and time.

Several lodges can be found in Yakutat for lodging amenities and several USFS cabins also litter the area that can be rented for a modest price. Depending on the type of hunt you will be conducting, many hunters will opt to camp in the bush, particularly on fly-in hunts. When renting a cabin, hunters can be flown into these locations but boats may need to be secured in nearby communities and then driven to the cabins. Careful planning may be necessary.

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