"Go where the tourboats cannot go" Wildlife, glaciers, wilderness Personalized, value-added tours Biologist-guided Whittier Departure Prince William Sound, Alaska

Background

At least 30 mammal species live on the uplands surrounding Prince William Sound. Smaller examples include shrews, voles and weasels. Medium-sized mammals include the red fox, wolverine, lynx, river otter and porcupine.

The largest mammals, and the ones most likely to be seen in the right habitat, during the right season and at the right time of day, are the Sound's "big four." These are black and brown (grizzly) bears, Sitka blacktail deer, and the mountain goat. Dall sheep are found only on the leeward side of coastal mountains. On the seaward side, mountain goats occupy approximately the same ecological niche.

Moose epitomize Alaskan wildlife to many people, but they are absent from most of the Sound. They were introduced to the Copper River Delta immediately east of the Sound several years ago, where they soon flourished. Their population has been healthy enough for a hunting season there for several years. On the west side of the Sound, a few moose occasionally make it over a relatively low mountain pass from the Kenai Peninsula, to the head of King's Bay.

The "Big Four"

Sitka black-tailed deer are native to the coastal rain forests of southeastern Alaska and British Columbia. They are a small race of mule deer, with adult does averaging about 100 pounds, and bucks up to 150 pounds or more. Blacktails were introduced into the SE corner of the Sound between 1916 and 1923. They are excellent swimmers, and are now abundant on all of the larger islands in the central and southern part of the Sound. Heavy winter snowfall that blankets their browse food is the main factor limiting black-tails' numbers and range in Prince William Sound. After mild winters, they expand their range north and westward onto the mainland. In recent years they have become increasingly common as far north as College Fjord (SEA photo to left), Eaglek Bay and Unakwik Inlet.

Mountain goats are native to the mainland mountains surrounding Prince William Sound. They are generally found in alpine and sub-alpine habitat in summer, but are sometimes seen near sea level where steep slopes give direct access to higher elevations. The best time to see mountain goats from the water is in spring, when most of the population descends to feed on new vegetation sprouting just below the snow line. Mature billies average 200 to 250 pounds, with nannies somewhat smaller. Both sexes have horns about 9" - 10"in length at maturity, with older billies sometimes as long as a foot. The mountain "goat" is actually not in the goat and sheep family. Its closest relative may be the European chamois. US Fish & Wildlife Service photo at right.

SEA photo, Montague I., June 1999

Brown bears in the Sound are found mainly on Montague and Hinchinbrook Islands, and on the mainland on the eastern side. The population on Montague Island, recently depressed, is showing signs of rebounding. Mature male brown bears weigh in at 600 lbs. or more, and occasionally to 1,000 lbs. Brown bears are notoriously unpredictable, and very dangerous. Prudent travelers in bear country should carry firearms for protection. Recurring reports of brownies at locations on the western mainland such as King's Bay and the Cochrane Bay area suggest that their range may be expanding in Prince William Sound. Also, brown bears are excellent swimmers, and readily cross wide expanses of open water. Thus, they can potentially be found anywhere in Prince William Sound.

Prince William Sound is prime black bear habitat, and they occur throughout most of the Sound. There are presently none on Green or Perry Islands, or the Naked Island group. Black bears are considerably smaller than browns. Females average around 150 lbs., and males to 200 lbs and occasionally as high as 400 lbs.

SEA photos, Icy Bay, SW Prince Wm. Sound Black bears are good swimmers, and could occur on supposedly bear-free islands. While they do not have as nasty a reputation of brownies, they are potentially dangerous, and backcountry travelers should be alert and cautious.

Further Reading

Alaska Departmnent of Fish and Game

1995. Deer in Alaska. Info. Brochure, ADF&G Div. Wildl. Conserv., Juneau, AK

Dalrymple, Byron W., Ed.

1974. North American big game hunting. Winchester Press. 383 pp.

Johannsen, Neil and Elizabeth

1975. Exploring Alaska's Prince William Sound, its fiords, glaciers and wildlife. Alaska Travel Publications, Inc., Anchorage. 306 pp.

Mickelson, Pete

1989. Natural history of Alaska's Prince William Sound. Alaska Wild Wings, Cordova, AK. 210 pp.