About the Area - Duck and Goose Hunting Cold Bay
Alaska
Cold Bay, Alaska is about 630 miles south west of
Anchorage. Access is provided by Peninsula Airlines (Pen
Air). Cold Bay has a population of about 75 residents.
It was built during World War II to repell 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. The area 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
Virtually
the entire population of Black Brant (Branta bernicla
nigricans) 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 world-wide. The greatest density
of black brant occur in Cold Bay Alaska on Izenbek Lagoon.
Nearly the entire world population stages there during
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!
Pacific Black Brant are slightly larger than drake
mallards. Males are somewhat bigger than females. The
sexes are indistinguishable. 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
Black 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
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, making Cold Bay and Izembek Lagoon
critical areas. To restore the Emperor Goose population to
historical levels, Emperor Goose hunting seasons were closed in
1986 and subsistence hunting ceased 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 regularly during
this time period, but have been since 1981. The population
appears increasing in Alaska, with about 80,000 breeding emperors
recently reported. Management guidelines allow for limited
hunting of Emporer Geese when the 3-year population average is
an estimated 80,000. For this reason, it is
anticipated that Emperor Goose hunting
season will be reinstated near-term as the population
trends upward.
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 Cold Bay Alaska Duck
and Goose 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.