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Frequently Asked Questions |
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Where can I see a Kodiak bear?
Most of Kodiak’s most famous residents live in the 1,990,271 acres of the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge which includes Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak Islands. You can charter an air taxi to take you on a half-day bear viewing expedition. You can also go on bear viewing excursions at one of Kodiak’s many wilderness lodges. Some boat charters may offer bear viewing. The best time to see a bear on Kodiak Island is late May to September. They are rarely seen on the road system.
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What time of year are Kodiak bear cubs born?
Cubs are born in January or February in the den. They stay in the den until May or June.
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How long do Kodiak bear cubs stay with their mothers?
Three years.
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Are there bears (fill in the blank)?
There are a number of bears living in more populated areas and fishing the same streams and beaches as humans. Refer to Bear Safety information provided in the main website.
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Which salmon return to Kodiak rivers and when?
King (Chinook) mid-June through mid-September, Silver (Coho) July-September, Red (Sockeye) mid-May through July, Dog (Chum) June-mid-July, Pink (Humpies) July through end of August. These are general guidelines; it can vary by year.
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Where does the name Kodiak come from?
As in any small town in America, there are varying stories about how the town name came about. The word “Kigikhtak” means island; “Kikhtahgmitt” island people; “kiktagamutes” islanders; Kikhtak, “island.” “Kadyak” comes closest to the pronunciation used by islanders. The people living here at the time of the first Russian contact were the Konyag. In 1890 the name Kadiak was adopted as the official spelling, but islanders continued to use “Kodiak” until, in the early 1920s, Kodiak was adopted.
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What is the population of Kodiak?
Around 6,000 people live in town; another 6,000 or so outside the city limits in the road-connected borough and the remainder live in one of six remote Native communities on the island. Total Kodiak Island Borough population was 13,638 according to Department of Labor statistics in 2005.
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Who are the Alutiiq people (and how do you pronounce it?)
Pronounced “A-LOO-tick” the Alutiiq people are Native Alaskans whose traditional homelands are Prince William Sound, the outer Kenai Peninsula, the Kodiak Archipelago, and the Alaska Peninsula. The Alutiiq people have lived in the Kodiak archipelago for more than 7,500 years. Their language is part of the Eskimoan language family and is mostly closely related to Yup’ik.
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What is the difference between the Alutiiq people and the Aleut people?
During the historic era, Russian fur hunters called all of the Native people they encountered in southwestern Alaska “Aleut” – despite regional differences in language, cultural practices and histories. “Aleut” is derived from a Siberian Native language, and means coastal dweller - a person who makes their living from the sea. The name “Alutiiq” is itself derived from “Aleut”. Despite this situation, the word Aleut remains a popular self-designator both in the Aleutian Islands and south central Alaska. Many elders prefer this familiar term - as it is the one they were raised with. Others have chosen to use traditional self-designators for their people – “Unangan” in the Aleutians, and “Sugpiaq” or “Alutiiq” in the central Gulf.
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Where can I camp?
Ft. Abercrombie State Park has a beautiful campground designed for tents; RVs would find narrow roads and tight turns difficult to maneuver. Buskin River State Recreation Site also has camping sites, some appropriate for RVs. Most land along the road system is privately owned and camping requires a permit. Check with the Visitor Information Center for current restrictions.
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Where can I take a shower?
You can buy a shower about three miles from downtown. Ask for directions at the Visitor Information Center.
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What’s the weather like in Kodiak?
Kodiak is generally milder than most parts of the state, but we do get a considerable amount of rain year-round. Snowfall varies by year – sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. See Kodiak climate.
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I need a place to stay/live. Can you help?
The best advice we can give is to make lodging reservations well ahead of your visit especially if you are visiting during peak seasons (end of May through August). If you do arrive without accommodations, the Visitor Information Center will assist you find lodging. There are several private businesses who run a central reservations service. As far as rentals, we will likely refer you to a realtor or one of a few property owners who handle rentals. Again, the best advice is not to relocate without having a place to live upon arrival.
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Where can I get on the internet?
Several private businesses offer wireless connections or computer access. The public library also offers internet service.
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What is there to do in Kodiak?
Refer to this website for “Things to Do” in Kodiak.
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Visitor Info