Prince William Sound Big Game Hunts

Spring bears are found from the beach to 2000’ depending on weather and food availability. Hillsides can often be steep as bears tend to favor steeper slopes where snow melts off early. Spring hunts normally offer mild weather with cool mornings and temperatures in the 50’s to 60’s during the day. May offers a lot of daylight-stalking bears at 10 p.m. isn’t uncommon.

Hunting is accomplished spotting from the Good Times, cruising small bays with inflatable boats or hunting from land. Spotting 25 or more bears on a 6 day hunt is more common than not. Bears are wary and successful stalks are a challenge. Patience and persistence can produce trophy black bears.

Fall Black Bear HUnts

Late September and October bears move into alpine areas with elevations of 500-1500’to feed on blueberries and crow berries. Even though terrain is somewhat milder than the steep slopes encountered in spring, climbing above timberline is usually the key to success. Fall weather tends to be wetter than spring, although temperatures are similar.

Late September, early October are good times to combine black bear and deer hunting. Halibut fishing is available if sea conditions permit.

Alaska Black Bear, bear-deer combo
hunting rates - good times

FUEL BASED ON 360 gallons use per trip

Based on $6 per gallon, fuel would be $2160 divided by the number in your party
Parties of 2-3 can opt to share the boat with another party or book the boat exclusively for $2600 per day plus fuel

Multiday Deposit/Reservation Policy
Single party bookings generally require a non-refundable deposit of $1000 per person and a signed contract - full payment if booked the year of the charter. Balance is due no later than January 15th the year of the charter and is non-refundable unless we can re-book the trip. Split party bookings (two or more parties) require a non-refundable full payment and a signed contract to confirm reservations.

Rates include transportation from Whittier to the field, daily drop off/ pickup to the beach, up to 3 meals per day on bear and combo hunts, 2 meals per day on deer only hunts, lodging aboard our boats, Whittier sales tax and US Forest Service fees. Fuel surcharge may be applied - outlined in contract. Most charters will have 2 crew - Captain and deck hand. Charters with less than 4 passengers may not have 2 crew members.

Additional costs include hunting license ($160), game tags (Black bear $450, deer $300 each), airfare to Anchorage ($400 - $900) transportation to/from Anchorage to Whittier ($80 - $150 pp), processing and shipping of fish and game.

*10% discount for active military and their families
(Does not apply to Specials)

** pp= Per Person

general hunt information

Where Do You Hunt?

Hunting occurs on Chugach National Forest lands which encompasses most of Prince William Sound, Unit 6D.

Non-Residents

Non-residents have the choice of spring or fall unguided black bear hunts, fall unguided black tail deer hunts. Brown bear and goat hunts offered to non-residents when hunting with an Alaska resident relative within second kindred.

Alaska Residents

Alaska resident options include unguided black bear, deer, goat and brown bear hunts.

How To Get To Us?

In most cases fly into Anchorage. We are based in Whittier, approximately 60 miles from Anchorage. Van service and rental car options available in Whittier and Anchorage.

How Many Hunters?

Parties of 4-6 work best for our hunting charters. Smaller groups are accommodated using our 40' boat or by matching up 2 parties on the same hunt. Larger groups can be accommodated using both boats.

Non-Hunter Prices

Our prices are based on the number of people aboard. Bringing a non-hunter along will lower the price for everyone so there is a per person savings. Additional discounts possible depending on circumstances.

OCTOBER / FIRST WEEK
Beginning 2025 we will be reducing our fall hunts to one hunt per season. Hunt can be for one species for bear, deer and ducks. We recommend longer hunts when hunting multiple species.

Deer season is bucks only until October 1st, then is any deer.
Most black bear are up in the alpine meadows feeding on blueberries this time of year. Takes some hiking to get to them, but they tend to stay in one area longer than in the spring.

Weather in October can be sunny and 60 or 45 and rainy. We have had our best luck the first week of October, which is why we continue to offer that week.

Shrimp season is closed. Weather permitting, we often do well this week pursuing halibut and rock fish.

If you are a fan of venison, an earlier hunt before the rut is in full swing often produces slightly better venison, although Prince William Sound venison is excellent all season when properly taken care of.

Earlier hunts also offer more daylight- more time to hunt.
Extra days can be added.

Because wind and waves are more of an issue this time of year we recommend scheduling a 7 day window and we will depart Whittier when conditions are best.

Best case scenario is to leave the morning of the first day, hunt that afternoon, hunt 4 full days, then return the morning of the 6th day.
Although booked as 5 days, 5 nights it may end up 5 days 4 nights or 6 days 5 nights depending on water conditions.

Rates below include transportation from Whittier to the field, daily drop off and pickup from the beach, 2 meals per day, lodging aboard Good Times, one day of fishing in the hunt area OR one move to another hunt location-additional moves/fishing days $300 extra per party.

Most charters will have 2 crew - Captain and deck hand. Charters with less than 4 passengers may not have 2 crew members.

Deer Hunts By Season

August

August is the time to combine halibut and silver salmon fishing with deer hunting. Most hunting is accomplished in the alpine areas above timberline.

August hunting and fishing trips are great adventure. Bringing home halibut, salmon and venison all from one trip is the ultimate bonus.

September / october

Late September, early October is the best time to combine deer hunting with black bear hunting. Halibut fishing is available weather permitting.

October / November

October 1st season opens for does as well as bucks. The best time to hunt during this two month period varies based on weather and hunting pressure, both of which are unpredictable. October offers more daylight and slightly milder temperatures. November can have snow, which may help hunter success. Fishing available in the hunt area when seas are mild.

Above prices include fuel up to $6 per gallon
Fuel surcharge will be added if fuel exceeds $6 per gallon

Multiday Deposit/Reservation Policy
Single party bookings generally require a non-refundable deposit of $1000 per person and a signed contract. Balance is due 60 days prior and is non-refundable unless we can re-book the trip. Split party bookings (two or more parties) require a non-refundable full payment and a signed contract to confirm reservations.

Additional costs for non-resident hunters  include hunting license ($160), deer tags($300 each), airfare to/from Anchorage ($600+) transportation to/from Anchorage to Whittier ($80 - $150 pp), processing and shipping of fish and game.

*10% discount for active military and their families
(Does not apply to Specials)

** pp= Per Person

Drop off / water taxi hunts

WE HAVE SUSPENDED DEER HUNT DROP OFFS

why alaska good time charters?

Experience and Knowledge

The owner of Alaska Good Time Charters LLC, who Captains most trips on the Good Times, is a 50+ year Alaska resident, has been boating, fishing and hunting in Prince William Sound more than 30 years and Good Times is the most comfortable and dependable boat offering live aboard hunts in Prince William Sound that we know of.

From Our Guest Log

All things aboard the Good Times are a class act - Hermosa, South Dakota

My second trip-already thinking about a 3rd. 225 lb. halibut, 6'2" bear, great meals, first class Captain and Mate, breaching humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, glaciers and more. Joe Bowling, Green, Florida