This large unit is found in southeastern Alaska with the nearest large civilized area being Ketchikan. Hunters will find an abundance of Black Bear, Brown Bear, and Sitka Blacktail Deer in this area as well as opportunities for Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose. 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.

Hunters can find great hunting opportunities here, although transportation throughout the region will need to be heavily researched prior to the hunt.

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 will be encountered, typically around 1,800’ in elevation and up. In the lower mountainous areas around the islands, hunters will encounter many lakes, muskegs, and small pocket ponds which can make cross country travel challenging at times. The area that comprises the eastern half of the unit is largely considered the Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness and features a highly exaggerated terrain with steep faces and rocky ridgelines. A majority of this area is wild and access to most of these areas can be difficult.

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, there will be significantly less tree and ground cover, and smaller tree species such as Mountain Hemlocks will grow in abundance. In these areas, native grasses and wildflowers will also grow in high quantities.

Access to most of the unit will be the biggest headache for hunters but some areas are covered in extensive road systems. A large majority of bear hunting, particularly in the spring, will take place 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.

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, so hunters will also need to arrange transportation. Many hunters 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 Ketchikan.