About the Area - Cold Bay Alaska Duck and Goose
Hunting
Cold Bay is roughly 630 miles south west of Anchorage and access
is provided by Peninsula Airlines (Pen Air). Cold Bay has a
population of about 75 residents that was built during World War II
to repulse a Japanese attack on Aleutian Isles. Cold Bay
services include a bar, general grocery and liquor store, post
office and a small clinic. The peninsula is bordered by the
Bering Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south; is a
panorama of natural beauty characterized by miles 
of Bering Sea and
Pacific Ocean beaches and bays, hundreds of freshwater lakes, clear
meandering streams and rivers, low brush tundra, ancient glaciers,
thermal springs, and smoking volcanoes.
Izembek Lagoon encompasses 150 square miles of brackish water
containing the world's largest eelgrass beds. Izembek Lagoon is an
international stopover for a variety of migrating waterfowl and
shorebirds. Each spring and fall, the entire world populations
of Emperor Geese and Pacific Black Brant migrate through Cold Bay
and Izembek Lagoon. Taverner's Canada geese, Steller's
eiders, Northern pintails, and mallards are abundant during the
fall. About 50,000 Steller's eiders, and a few spectacled
eiders, overwinter on Izembek Lagoon, and while they are stricly
protected due to closed hunting season, it's a rare treat observe
and photograph these magnificent species. Total
waterfowl number over 500,000 in this remote area, making duck and
goose hunting the Cold Bay area near Izembek Lagoon a rare marvel
witnessed by precious few. Waterfowl move from the saltwater
lagoons to freshwater ponds at high tide searching for drinking
water and field berries, their favored forage.
Pacific Black Brant
Black
Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) nest in colonies in
arctic Canada, Alaska, and Russia. Virtually the entire population
stages in fall at Izembek Lagoon near the tip of the Alaska
Peninsula before southward migration to winter habitats primarily
in Baia California. There are an estimated 115,000-150,000 black
brant in the world. The greatest density of black brant occur
in Cold Bay Alaska on Izenbek Lagoon as practically the entire
world population stages for migration. About 14,000 are taken by
hunters with the greatest number of Pacific Black
Brant being shot in Baja, Mexico. The oldest age record for
any duck, goose or swan in North America is held by a Pacific Brant
at 28.5 years!
The Pacific Brant is slightly larger than a drake Mallard.
Males are somewhat bigger than females. The sexes are not
distinguishable. It is one of the darkest waterfowl with a black
head, neck and upper breast and a white necklace on the sides of
the neck. The back and upper wing coverts are edged with lighter
grays on a darker grayish brown feathers. The Pacific Brant has a
very dark breast and belly with little or no contrast separating
them. The flanks are much whiter than the Atlantic Brant. The black
bill is short and stubby. Pacific Black Brant are prized
among collectors due to their relative rarity.
Emperor Goose Emperor Goose Hunting is
presently closed, but nowhere do they exist in greater abundance
for your observational or photographical enjoyment
The Emperor Goose (Chen
canagica) breeds around the Bering Sea, mostly in Alaska but
also in Kamchatka, Russia. It is migratory, wintering mainly in the
Aleutian Islands. The American Ornithologists' Union places
emperor geese in the genus Chen, along with snow geese,
rather than the more traditional "gray" goose genus,
Anser. This species is much less gregarious
than most light geese, usually occurring in family groups. Male and
female emperor geese have gray body plumage that is subtly barred
with black and white. The white head and hindneck, which are often
stained orange-red from feeding in tidal ponds where iron oxide is
concentrated, contrast markedly with the dark foreneck. Contrast
distinguishes this goose from the blue-morph snow goose, whose
entire foreneck and chin are white like the head. The emperor
goose's short bill is pink and lacks the black "grinning patch"
present in blue geese.
Throughout their annual cycle, Emperor Geese occur in remote
habitats that have incurred relatively little modification by
direct human activities, which is why Cold Bay and Izembek Lagoon
are such important areas. In an effort to restore the Emperor
Goose population to historical levels, Emperor Goose hunting season
was closed in 1986 and subsistence hunting was closed in 1987. The
Emperor Goose population declined from an estimated 139,000 in 1964
to 42,000 in 1986. Aerial counts were not carried out
continuously during this time period, but have been since 1981.
The population appears to be rising in Alaska, with about
80,000 breeding emperors recently reported. Management
guidelines allow for limited hunting of Emporer Gees when the
population index is an estimated 80,000. For
this reason, it is hoped that Emperor Goose hunting
season will be reinstated near-term if their population
continues to hold.
Eurasian Wigeon
The Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope,
previously Mareca penelope) is one of three species of
wigeon in the world. The breeding male Eurasian Wigeon has gray
back and finely speckled gray flanks, with a black rear end and a
dark green speculum and a brilliant white patch on upper wings,
obvious in flight or at rest. It has a pink breast, white belly,
and a bright rust-brown with a buff crown and
forehead. Eurasian Wigeon breeds in the northernmost
areas of Europe and Asia, is strongly migratory and winters
further south than its breeding range. It migrates to southern Asia
and Africa, as is far more common winter visitor to Great
Britain and Ireland than to the continental United
States. Preferred habitats of Eurasion Wigeon include marshes,
ponds, lakes, and tidal flats. Eurasian Wigeon are rare,
extremely-prized trophies among US waterfowlers, and ranks highly
on the lists of our Cold Bay duck hunting guests.
Harlequin
The
Harlequin (Histrionicus histrionicus), is a small,
strikingly beautiful sea duck. Adult male Harlequin ducks are
slate blue with chestnut sides and white markings including a white
crescent at the base of the bill. Adult females are less colorful,
with brownish-grey plumage and a white patch on the head around the
eye. Both adults have a white ear patch. Their breeding habitat is
cold fast moving streams in north-western and north-eastern North
America, Greenland, Iceland and western Russia. They are usually
found near pounding surf and white water. Harlequin
ducks are short distance migrants and most winter near rocky
shorelines. Harlequin ducks, or Harlequins or simply Harlis,
feed by swimming under water or diving. They also dabble. They eat
molluscs, crustaceans and insects. Harlequins have smooth, densely
packed feathers that trap a lot of air within them. This is vital
for insulating such small bodies against the chilly waters they
ply. It also makes them exceptionally buoyant, making them bounce
like corks after dives. One Alaska sea duck hunting guest in
particular describes the experience of holding a beautiful drake
Harlequin "like holding new money". Harlequin ducks are
abundantly available during our Cold Bay Alaska sea duck
hunts.
Willow Ptarmigan
The
Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) is a bird of the grouse
family. Willow Ptarmigan are prolific in Southwest Alaska. The
willow ptarmigan was designated the official state bird of Alaska
in 1955. All 3 ptarmigan species can be found in Alaska - the
willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan (which are also found in
Scandinavia, Russia, and northern Eurasia), and white-tailed
ptarmigan (found only in North America). The famous red grouse of
Scotland is a race of the willow ptarmigan. They make excellent
wingshooting and are delicious tablefare. There are
three kinds of ptarmigan and all can be found in Alaska - the
willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan (which are also found in
Scandinavia, Russia, and northern Eurasia), and white-tailed
ptarmigan (found only in North America). The famous red grouse of
Scotland is a race of the willow ptarmigan. Willow ptarmigan change
color from light brown in summer to snow white in winter for
effective camouflage. Another distinctive feature is its feathered
toes. Hunters may often encounter hundreds daily in good
habitat.
Travel Protection - Cold Bay Alaska Duck
Hunts
Trip
cancellation insurance is strongly advised for the all
Alaska duck hunts, especially due to travel logistics. A
good Travel
Protection Plan (click here to view) will
reimburse your lost days if this unfortunate event occurs during
your Cold Bay sea duck hunt in Alaska.
What to Bring - Packing for you Aleutian Island Alaska
Sea Duck Hunting
Cold Bay lies in the maritime climate zone, characterized by
persistently overcast skies, moderate temperatures, and
winds. September through November average temperatures range
from 35 to 60 °F, but wind chill will make it feel colder.
Monthly precipitation is about 4 to 4.5 inches during this
time.
WATERPROOF is key. Waterproof, waterproof,
waterproof. Hunting Cold Bay ducks involves boat
rides, sitting along shorelines, and light walking. Neoprene
waders are ideal for providing keeping you warm and
dry. We suggest packing as you would for any duck hunt,
remembering that Cold Bay is, after all, duck
hunting near the Bering Sea - packing that extra heavy
layer is a very smart idea.
For warm hands during an Alaska Aleutian Island sea duck hunt,
we suggest using insulated commercial fishing gloves. These gloves
are inexpensive, but perfect for the cold, wet windy conditions of
this sea duck hunt. We've found that by tucking them in a
pocket, shooting hands easily slip out in time for that shot at a
decoying Harlequin or Pacific Black Brant.
Sea duck species are especially tough birds, and experienced sea
duck hunters know that these birds hit the water and dive, usually
never to be seen again, when crippled. Guns and ammo for Cold Bay
Alaska duck and goose hunting:
- Leave the improved cylinder chokes at home. For Cold Bay
duck hunting, 12 gauge shotguns choked modified or better is
strongly advised.
- Shot size #2 steel or hevishot. Wind will wreak havoc on
small shot size patterns.
- Pattern your shotgun if unfamiliar with this choke and shot
combination. An ounce of prevention cures a pound of Alaska
sea duck hunting!
Bring a pair of binoculars. The area is wildlife-rich and
many waterfowl species not commonly observed elsewhere, such as
Pacific Black Brant, Stellar's Eiders, Emperor Geese, Harlequin
ducks, American Bald Eagles and more may be present. Other packing
considerations for your Aleutian Island Alaska sea duck hunt:
- A washer and dryer is available. You may bring less
clothes changes.
- Most Alaskan airlines allow 3 checked bags and will let
you ship a case of shells, which may be purchased at
Sportsmen's Warehouse in Anchorage.
- Traveling alone usually requires 3 checked bags: a duffle,
a gun case, and an ice chest. Transport your duffle inside
your ice chest to avoid fees for the 3rd bag on the way up.
- If traveling in groups of 2 or more hunters, avoid excess
baggage fees by transporting firearms in 1 gun case.
Care and Transportation of Cold Bay Alaska duck
hunting trophies:
- Bag and tag your birds properly: Click
Here Field Care
of Trophy Waterfowl & Birds (PDF). Each bird
should be tagged to include hunter's name, address, and date
killed.
- There is plenty of freezer space available at the Cold Bay
Alaska duck hunting camp.
- Bring small kitchen garbage bags for brant, small Canada
geese and scoters; 1- and 2- gallon Ziploc bags for other
species.
- LABEL CONTENTS ON OUTSIDE OF COOLER WHEN COMING HOME to
include: hunter signature, stating his address, the total number
and species of birds, and the date such birds were killed.
Useful Links - Cold Bay Alaska Duck and Goose
Hunting near Izembek Lagoon:
Alaska
Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Alaska
Hunting License
Contact us for more information
about Cold Bay Alaska Hunting for sea ducks, black brant and
Canada geese.