Alaska - News p.2

Hunting Up Above the Clouds It is the view of many hunters that mountain hunts are the ultimate expression of hunting. Here you will be challenged at all levels. Physical

Hunting Up Above the Clouds It is the view of many hunters that mountain hunts are the ultimate expression of hunting. Here you will be challenged at all levels. Physically, mentally, technically. with many long distance shots, and in your understanding of game behavior. At the same time it is difficult not to be smitten by the magic of the mountains and their wild beauty. Mountaineers often say that they become physically addicted to the mountains, something most mountain hunters wholeheartedly agree with. It is also up in the mountains that you can find many of the most sought after trophies win the world; Marco Polo-Sheep, Dall Sheep/Stone Sheep, Snow Sheep, Blue Sheep, Mountain Goats perhaps the mighty Markhor or one of the many sub species of Ibex; Asiatic, European and Spanish. One thing that most of these species have in common is that they live in some of the most isolated parts of the planet, such as Kyrgyzstan, Alaska, Canada, Tajikistan or even the Himalaya. Mountain hunting often take the character of a pure expedition, which is in itself an experience you only enjoy a few times in your life.

Post: 29 December 17:11

Bear Gun Shootout: The Drill To get a better handle on this debate I enlisted the help of two fellow pistoleros: Sean Murphy, a USPSA Grand Master, and Outdoor Life staff

Bear Gun Shootout: The Drill To get a better handle on this debate I enlisted the help of two fellow pistoleros: Sean Murphy, a USPSA Grand Master, and Outdoor Life staff writer Tyler Freel, who by virtue of living in Alaska hunts bears every year. We conducted a live-fire experiment at Gunsite Academy in the form of a simple, but challenging drill. The three of us shot an array of five knockdown steel poppers from far to near to simulate a bear charge. The farthest target was in the center and then we zig-zagged from far left to far right and then to near left and near right to add in erratic motion and increase the stress level. The farthest target was approximately 20 yards away and the closest were about 12 yards downrange. Watch the video above to see the drill for yourself.

Post: 16 December 17:07

Hunting Backpacks for Alaska Big Game Hunting backpacks are a personal choice and there are plenty of options. The new Extreme Combo Pack System made by Rokman is one th

Hunting Backpacks for Alaska Big Game Hunting backpacks are a personal choice and there are plenty of options. The new Extreme Combo Pack System made by Rokman is one that should definitely be in the running when narrowing down your list of hunting backpacks. It’s completely waterproof and versatile, allowing hunters to combine several packs into one larger pack all based on a lightweight, but practically bulletproof, carbon fiber hunting pack frame. It’s really a great pack for big game hunters in Alaska. Rokman’s Extreme Combo Pack System received a Hunt Alaska magazine Editors’ Choice Award this Summer in our Annual Gear Guide. Here are the main features we like best in this hunting backpack: Completely waterproof. Rigid, durable and built tough. Versatile, quick-change system Features galore including a built in seat Designed to carry one or multiple packs Most importantly, it’s comfortable See how the versatile Rokman pack works as a system in this video review by Hunt Alaska magazine.

Post: 9 November 10:02

Alaska’s Dall Sheep Alaska’s Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) are found in relatively dry alpine country and frequent a special combination of open ridges, meadows and steep

Alaska’s Dall Sheep Alaska’s Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) are found in relatively dry alpine country and frequent a special combination of open ridges, meadows and steep slopes with extremely rugged “escape terrain” in the immediate vicinity. Generally known to be high-country animals, they also sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. Rams, distinguished by massive curling horns, usually weigh less than 300 pounds, while ewes, with shorter, more slender, slightly curved horns, typically reach only half that size. As the remoteness of their habitat and its unsuitability for human use does much to protect the species, Dall sheep in Alaska are generally in good population health, even though low birth rates, predation (primarily by wolves, coyotes, and eagles), and a difficult environment tend to keep growth rates lower than for many other big-game species. However, their adaptation to the alpine environment seems to serve them well. They have survived for thousands of years and are among the more successful animal groups. Despite their excellent meat, sheep hunting is mostly limited to a relatively few, hardy individuals whose interest may be more in the challenge and satisfaction of mountain hunting and the alpine experience than in getting food. Recreational hunting is limited to the taking of mature rams during August and September – and in different areas, that may mean rams with a “full curl” or “three-quarter curl” only. The Alaska Game Regulations define a full curl horn as “the horn of a mature Dall sheep, the tip of which has grown through 360 degrees of a circle described by the outer surface of the horn, as viewed from the side or with both horns broken.” More information on these requirements can be found at Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Post: 4 November 10:14

Alaska’s Mountain Goat Alaska’s other species of all-white, hoofed, large mammal is the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), inhabiting steep and broken mountain terrain

Alaska’s Mountain Goat Alaska’s other species of all-white, hoofed, large mammal is the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), inhabiting steep and broken mountain terrain from southeast Alaska to Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula. Goats are found from near sea level to over 10,000 feet, and in Southcentral they are generally confined to the Chugach and Wrangell mountains, although their range extends into the Talkeetna Mountains, nearly to Denali National Park. Mountain goats have also been transplanted to Kodiak and Baranof islands where they have established secure populations. Billies are similar in appearance to nannies, with a large, stocky shape and an average weight of 200 pounds. They have gradual curving horns. Nannies are smaller in size and weigh approximately 160 pounds, with slender horns that curve sharply near the tip. Goats are relatively abundant throughout their Alaska range, particularly in southeast Alaska, but many goats live in areas that are beyond the reach of hunters. Thus, with an increasing interest over the years, hunting must be regulated by permit systems statewide to avoid localized overharvest in accessible areas. Added to that, in general, the species is not particularly wary of hunters and instead relies on their cliffy territory for security. Approaching within shooting range is not difficult if the hunter is able to negotiate the terrain. However, when possible, it is usually best to approach from above as goats are more alert to possible danger from below.

Post: 3 November 23:17

Shotguns, Bows & Fool Hens by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Although the termination dust had yet to fall, it was the kind of September day that demands the acknowledgement of t

Shotguns, Bows & Fool Hens by E. Donnall Thomas Jr. Although the termination dust had yet to fall, it was the kind of September day that demands the acknowledgement of the seasons’ passage. Although fresh silvers were still entering the streams, the heart of the fishing season lay behind me. Bull moose were starting to round up their cows, and lines of migrating geese undulated against the crisp, azure sky. Since I’d been in Alaska long enough to know what lay just around the corner, I felt determined to wring as much experience as possible from the outdoors before the sun disappeared and winter seized the North Country in its icy grip. And on that particular day, I meant to do it with my shotgun. If I had nothing else with me as I walked out the door of our remote Kenai Peninsula home, I certainly enjoyed plenty of confidence in my dog. I regarded Skykomish as the best hunting Lab I’ve ever owned, and the passage of three more decades—and a number of very good retrievers—has yet to alter that opinion. Sky had certainly enjoyed plenty of experience with Alaska waterfowl since our move north the year before, but he’d been raised and trained as a flushing retriever on the game-rich plains of central Montana we’d left behind, and I knew he missed hitting the upland cover as much as I did. He’d enjoyed a fair amount of experience with ptarmigan by that point, but the nearest of their kind lay at least a modest expedition’s length away. That afternoon we were going to have to try for something closer to home… and more imaginative. The woods around our house teemed with spruce grouse, but it had taken me a season to figure out how to capitalize on them in sporting fashion with a shotgun. As subsistence fare, spruce grouse are hard to beat, but the same naivety that makes them so appealing to hungry moose hunters at the end of a long day also nearly ruins them as a serious wing-shooting quarry. I know, I know: when in Rome… But for better or worse I was raised to regard shooting a sitting grouse with a shotgun as a crime against nature. Fortunately, Sky’s enthusiasm and a bit of imagination on my own part had finally revealed a solution to the dilemma. A hundred yard hike down the gravel road leading to our house brought me to an intersection with an old, abandoned seismographic trail. With Sky fixed firmly at heel, I dropped a pair of shells into my shotgun and stepped off the road and into the big woods… On paper, Alaska offers a moderate variety of game birds to choose from above and beyond its widespread and justifiably esteemed ptarmigan. Trouble is, with one notable exception, the state’s other four grouse species occupy limited ranges. Blues are largely confined to the coastal rainforests and sharptails to some open terrain in the central interior, with ruffs occupying limited habitat in Southcentral (although their range is expanding courtesy of deliberate transplants). Well and good if you happen to be in the right place at the right time, but rarely enough to satisfy those who enjoy hunting upland birds as much as waterfowl and big game. That leaves the spruce grouse as the only reliable alternative to ptarmigan throughout much of the state. In terms of numbers and wide distribution, Falcipennis canadensis certainly fulfills the criteria as a major Alaska game bird species. Although they’re uncommon in many parts of Southeast, they’re plentiful throughout most of the forested terrain in the rest of the state. The brown band on the tips of their tail feathers readily distinguishes them from the sharptail and ruffed grouse. (The “Franklin” grouse farther south lacks this field mark; although formerly regarded as a separate species, it is now considered a subspecies of the spruce grouse.) In areas where their ranges overlap, spruce grouse can be distinguished from the far larger blue by the mottled appearance of their breast feathers. The problem, from the pure wing-shooter’s perspective, isn’t the bird—a small, attractive grouse that can explode off the ground when it wants to and actually provides fine table fare—but its habits. Spruce grouse are more likely to rely on their excellent natural camouflage than their speed on the wing. And since most of the threats to their survival come from ground-based predators, they’re usually content to flutter up into the nearest tree and wait for danger to pass when they’re alarmed. While that’s a logical defense against foxes and lynx, it doesn’t offer much challenge to a shotgun. The behaviors that make the spruce grouse the definitive fool hen certainly aren’t all bad from the human hunter’s point of view. As survival fare, they’re hard to beat. Cut up and stewed with rice or noodles, they have provided a welcome respite from canned or freeze-dried food on countless wilderness big-game hunts. Friends regularly carry .22 pistols into the bush for just that purpose (although rocks will do the trick in a real emergency). But for those of us who choose to hunt big game with bows and arrows, producing a fool hen dinner at the end of a long day in search of moose or caribou can become a legitimate sporting exercise in its own right. The prohibitions against shooting sitting grouse that my father beat into my head when I was a kid certainly don’t apply when I’m armed with my longbow. In fact, a grouse twenty feet up ina spruce tree and partially concealed by overhanging branches can make a very challenging archery target. Furthermore, an errant shot may well result in a lost arrow a long way from the nearest replacement. I’ve certainly spent plenty of time kicking through the brush looking for lost arrows, often with the grouse that offered the original target already in my backpack after a clean pass-through. When space and weight constraints allow, I pack along an extra dozen relatively expendable “grouse arrows” for just this purpose when I’m hunting big game. Experienced Alaska bowhunters hold a variety of opinions about the optimal head to use on spruce grouse. Rubber blunts, Judo points, old .38 caliber shell casings, and the specialized small-game heads offered by some broadhead manufacturers all have their advocates. But I learned a long time ago that if you really want to kill something with a bow, you better shoot it with a cutting broadhead, and I keep a supply of old, non-replaceable blade heads that are a bit too beaten up to use on big game for just that purpose. Of course that has obligated me to some tree-climbing gymnastics when I’ve left a head stuck in a spruce trunk, with or without a grouse skewered on the shaft, but that seems a small price to pay for a clean kill and a grouse dinner. I never cease to be amazed at the way a grouse can sometimes absorb a solid hit from a rubber blunt shot from a heavy bow and fly off apparently unscathed. Autumn float trips for big game—or fish, for that matter—offer particularly abundant spruce grouse opportunities in suitable terrain because of the birds’ seasonal habits. At that time of year, grouse are eager to fill their gizzards with gravel ahead of the impending winter, and they often appear on stream banks in considerable numbers early in the morning and late in the evening for just that purpose. One advantage of the bow in this situation is that the hunter can quietly pick off enough birds for a real feast without spooking whatever big game might be in the area. Spruce grouse meat is dark but generally delicious in the fall, although it can taste strong in the winter when the birds are surviving on spruce needles. Cooked in a real kitchen with a range of supplemental ingredients available, they can provide the core of a terrific wild game dinner. However, the vast majority of spruce grouse I’ve eaten have been prepared in the field over an open fire, often at the end of a long day that left me too tired to worry about imaginative cooking. My standard wilderness spruce grouse recipe is about as simpleas camp cookery can get. Bone and dice the bird. Poach lightly for 15 minutes, using a bit more than one cup of water per grouse. Add one packet of Ramen noodles per bird and simmer for five more minutes. Wolf it down, crawl into your sleeping bag, and get ready for another day. As gratifying as I found this utilitarian approach to spruce grouse and their pursuit, it did nothing to address the need to enjoy some real wing-shooting that I experienced so acutely after moving from Montana to Alaska. That, after some experimentation, was where the dog finally came into play, as illustrated by events on that long ago September afternoon. Once we were safely away from the road, I released Sky from heel and watched him disappear into the woods. A flushing dog that is out of control does no good in heavy cover, but, guided only by an occasional trill from my whistle, Sky tacked steadily back and forth across the old cut without ever getting out of shotgun range. Suddenly the explosive sound of wings erupted from the trees to my left, and by the time the bird roared across the cut I was ready for him. The quick shot that followed reminded me of classical New England ruffed grouse hunting. As a handful of feathers drifted slowly down to earth, Sky appeared from the trees to do what retrievers do best. That bird was the first of three our team picked up during an hour’s hike through the cover, enough for a mealfor my family… and more than enough to make me feel like a real bird hunter again. Operating in their fool hen mode, spruce grouse will never rival ptarmigan as Alaska’s premier wing-shooting quarry. But whether they’re providing an emergency source of excitement for your shotgun and dog or a memorable meal around a wilderness campfire, they always seem to find a way to remind us of the North’s vast outdoor bounty.

Post: 3 November 15:54

Sitka DIY: Doing Time in the Sitka Silver Mine Doing Time in the Sitka Silver Mine One of the definitions of the word “mine” is: a rich source of supply. In that regard,

Sitka DIY: Doing Time in the Sitka Silver Mine Doing Time in the Sitka Silver Mine One of the definitions of the word “mine” is: a rich source of supply. In that regard, it seems that Alaska is a fish mine for many, with plentiful fish available to harvest and enjoy. Certain species are more plentiful than others. For example, Chinook salmon are the largest but least abundant of all salmon in North America. They are arguably the most desired by sport anglers. However, they’ve been at a period of low abundance for the past several years. Pink salmon are the smallest and most numerous. However, they’re the least desired. Perhaps it’s their size, or that their meat is not as rich or as deeply colored as other species. Coho salmon strike an interesting balance. They’re not as large as Chinook but are larger than pinks. Their fat content is not as high as a Chinook’s, but the meat is flavorful and richly colored. Coho are much more numerous than Chinook, but not as numerous as pinks. Coho are hard-fighting and capable of reaching 20 pounds, though the average fish will likely be in the 7- to 10-pound range. In many saltwater ports in Alaska, a generous daily bag limit of six coho per person per day with no annual limit means anglers can harvest a fair quantity of salmon even on a short trip, if they can find them. For anglers looking for great sport, great eating, and an abundant harvest, coho just might be viewed as the mother lode of salmon in many saltwater ports due to their quality, both on the table and on the line, combined with their abundance. Sitka sits smack-dab in the middle of the west coast salmon superhighway. It’s a fantastic place to mine for silver salmon. My sister, Delores Krumm of Portland, Oregon, cousin Tom Krumm from Anaconda, Montana, and I flew into Sitka on August 21st. The weather forecast looked great for the next several days with seas between two- and five feet and light winds. This was my second DIY trip to Sitka last summer. The first trip was earlier in the year—June—targeting kings and halibut. I found the fishing as well as the equipment and service provided by Fish Baranof to be so perfect for a great DIY fishing experience that I just had to try it again, targeting coho. Despite not being an expert in the Sitka angling scene, we did quite well and had a most enjoyable experience. Day one found us trolling with downriggers northwest of Vitskari Rocks. Anticipation was high, but after a couple hours of trolling all we’d managed was a single pink salmon. We released that fish and decided to head out towards St. Lazaria Islands. Upon arrival, the fishfinder showed lots of fish. We again dropped the lines down and trolled, but unfortunately, what we encountered were large numbers of small, suspended rockfish. After an hour or so of constantly releasing rockfish and redeploying the gear, we decided to move out to Cape Edgecumbe. As we approached the Cape, we could see a large number of boats working the area, including commercial trollers as well as private and charter boats. Most were trolling, but a few of the charter boats were mooching. We dropped the gear down and began trolling north. Less than five minutes into our troll, the first fish yanked the line out of the downrigger release and the rod tip popped skyward, then was yanked down and line peeled from the reel. It turned out to be a small king which we released without netting. We continued trolling with the fleet and though we didn’t experience hot action, we did put four coho in the box, and released maybe twice that many pinks. Most of the fish were caught at 60 feet of depth in water from 200-to 300 feet deep. Struggling to find good numbers of coho, we decided to drop the hook to try for halibut. I motored to the coordinates of a spot in 210 feet of water that had produced limits of halibut in June. Tom and Delores deployed bait rods while I chose to jig. Their gear consisted of typical halibut bait rods, Daiwa Tanacom 750 electric reels, spreader bars with 16 ounces of lead, and a bait rig consisting of two 10/0 J-hooks snelled on 135-pound-test Izorline First String. An eight-inch, luminous hoochie, size 6 luminous Corky, and a scent chamber filled with Pro-Cure Butt Juice Super Gel rode on the line above the J-hooks, and we skewered herring and chunks of pink salmon onto the hooks. We then slathered the entire thing in Pro-Cure’s Butt Juice Bait Oil. We call this rig “The Reaper” because halibut are nearly always hooked and landed when they bite it. I jigged with a Daiwa Harrier X model HRX66HB with a Daiwa Saltist 35H reel and 65-pound-test Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand line. My jig of choice was an eight-ounce lead-head jig with a luminous, eight-inch Berkley PowerBait Saltwater Grub with a liberal coating of Butt Juice Super Gel. I hoped eight ounces would be heavy enough; turns out it was. Unfortunately, a couple hours’ effort only produced two small halibut (20- and 25 pounds).

Post: 2 November 20:19

Life of a Sockeye On July 22nd, 2021, news broke that Bristol Bay was having its biggest sockeye salmon return since recordkeeping began in 1893. More than 63 million so

Life of a Sockeye On July 22nd, 2021, news broke that Bristol Bay was having its biggest sockeye salmon return since recordkeeping began in 1893. More than 63 million sockeye had returned to the bay’s different watersheds and fish were still running. By the time the run was complete, almost 66 million sockeye had returned on their journey to complete the life of a sockeye salmon. A few days later, I left town to guide a natural history brown-bear film shoot in Southeast Alaska. One of the sequences we were trying to get was of a bear chasing salmon underwater. We had a camera in an underwater housing submerged near the base of a raging waterfall. It could be operated from 100 yards away with an iPad. On its screen, I watched dozens of pink salmon and small, darting, feasting Dolly Varden. In the middle of the frenzy was a salmon with a crimson body and green head—a male sockeye. It was swimming in place beneath the falls, waiting for the right moment to attempt climbing them so it could spawn in the small lake above. Bristol Bay has the largest sockeye run, not to mention the biggest wild salmon fishery, in the world. But in southeast Alaska, especially where I was guiding on Chichagof Island, sockeye are far and few between. I’ve guided a handful of other bear film projects on salmon streams. Some, like this one, had me in the field for a month. The main camera operator on this shoot paid homage to a spawned-out salmon by gently stroking its slimy flesh as it twitched in its final moments. A short while later, a young bear tore it apart and feasted on it. Rain fell heavy and often. I spent many hours alone operating the underwater camera. Bears walked by, sometimes a few yards away. Most would investigate the camera once and, seeing it was not a fish, leave it alone. A few would move the camera around. Once, when the camera was malfunctioning, a bear shook it, and it began to work again. A day passed since I first saw the lone sockeye; then another. The crimson salmon remained in almost the exact same place below the falls. I spent a lot of time being still, surrounded by salmon in various phases of spawning, death and decomposition. The lifecycle of the sockeye salmon I spent hours watching was very similar to that of sockeye in Bristol Bay. It was born in the lake above the waterfall four or five years before. Of the five species of Pacific salmon native to North America—pink, chum, sockeye, coho and Chinook—sockeye are the most dependent upon lakes for spawning and rearing habitat. This makes the incredible river, lake and tundra habitat of Bristol Bay a paradise for sockeye. On the other hand, southeast Alaska’s topography is generally steep, with short creek systems that are more ideal for pink and chum salmon. The Chichagof sockeye’s mother had used her tail to dig out one or more redds (an underwater nest) in the gravel, then laid between 2,000 and 5,000 eggs. Simultaneously, the sockeye’s father had sprayed sperm from his milt sacs onto the mother’s eggs. The eggs had an adhesive texture and stuck to the gravel and each other. Afterward, the mother closed her nest by covering it with gravel. The father moved on and tried to fertilize other females’ eggs while the mother guarded her redds. Both were dead a week or so later—a fate all spawning salmon share. During the winter, the juvenile sockeye and its brothers and sisters hatched. Called “alevins,” each possessed a yolk sac that sustained them until they emerged from the gravel in April or May. Now considered “fry,” the sockeye spent one to three years living in the lake, feeding on zooplankton and insects. There, it escaped death numerous times from a host of predators. One spring, the sockeye left freshwater and entered the ocean. Now a “smolt,” weighing a couple ounces, it used the Earth’s magnetic field to guide it. It fed on plankton and small crustaceans—sockeye’s flesh is an orangish-red color as a result of their diet—and gained 99% of its 8-pound adult body weight. After one to three years of ocean life, using its incredible sense of smell, the sockeye began navigating back to its natal spawning grounds. Not all salmon return to their rearing grounds. A small percentage stray and colonize new watersheds, which is an ecologically vital component to colonize and recolonize watersheds that have been extirpated of salmon. Estimates vary, but for every sockeye born, one out of a thousand survives to make it home to spawn. I recognized around 10 different bears regularly utilizing the creek on Chichagof Island. Others would come out of the woods to fish during the night. One study on Kodiak Island stated that an adult male brown bear ate 50,000 calories of salmon a day. An average sockeye contains around 4,500 calories. I watched one bear catch and consume five salmon in 20 minutes. It may be abnormal to get attached to an individual salmon, but I found myself rooting for that one sockeye. I wondered what it was waiting for. Its odds of surviving to spawn decreased each moment it hung around. Bears would leap into the hole the sockeye was waiting in and come out of the froth of whitewater with a fish in their jaws. Each time it was a pink salmon. After a bear moved on, the sockeye would return to its place beneath the falls. Then, after three days of watching the sockeye, the next morning it was gone. It made me think about the millions of sockeye returning to Bristol Bay and how, even though Bristol Bay’s run is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, it only took one sockeye to remind me of how lucky I am to live in a world with wild salmon. Other salmon thrashed the water and prepared to leap the falls. Bears preyed upon them. Ravens, eagles and seagulls scavenged guts and tattered carcasses. Somewhere, in the lake above, I hoped the sockeye had found a female member of its species and was preparing to spawn. Pride of Bristol Bay is a free column written by Bjorn Dihle and provided by its namesake, a fisherman direct seafood marketer that specializes in delivering the highest quality of sustainably caught wild salmon from Bristol Bay to your doorstep.

Post: 31 October 23:18

Potato Latkes with Alaska Salmon Roe “These little potato cakes called latkes are quick, simple, and versatile. I serve them as a side dish to roasted birds or as a bru

Potato Latkes with Alaska Salmon Roe “These little potato cakes called latkes are quick, simple, and versatile. I serve them as a side dish to roasted birds or as a brunch dish topped with eggs and smoked salmon. There are plenty of other uses, but for me the best is the way I had them as a kid. I remember watching my grandmother patiently and lovingly grate potatoes then onions by hand into a bowl. She would crack a few eggs, season with salt and pepper and stir gently so the mixture would just barely assemble. Using a spoon, she would scoop a little batter out and in a well-rehearsed manner, then she would drop them carefully one by one into a hot skillet generously slicked with duck fat. As the cakes sizzled, the intoxicating aromas filled our tiny kitchen. I stood by her side like an untrained puppy panting for his treat. She would give me the very first one, hot, straight out of the pan, unadorned. She would blow on it lovingly so it would not burn my lips and as I took a bite, I didn’t care if it did. The pleasure of eating this crispy, fluffy and rich potato cloud would make it all worthwhile. As more of these cakes got done, my grandmother quickly whisked them to the table where a bowl of rich and cooling sour cream awaited. On a very special occasion there would also be a beautiful crystal bowl filled with pearly bright red salmon caviar. I can’t think of a better way to honor our family heirloom by sharing it with you. I invite you to try making these potato cakes and serving them as I grew up eating them with sour cream and salmon roe. I know you too will find them irresistible. I prefer to cook these latkes in duck or goose fat, as my grandmother did. If I don’t have it available, I substitute with olive oil.” Recipe Yield: 12 cakes Ingredients: 4 tbsp duck fat, plus more if needed 2 large Dutch yellow or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, ¼-inch dice 1 large shallot, coarsely chopped 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 1 large egg Salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ c good quality organic sour cream ½ c wild Alaska salmon roe Several large dill sprigs Directions: Preheat oven to 250 ºF. In the bowl of a food processor place potatoes, shallot, garlic and egg. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Pulse 10- to 12 times until mixture is just pureed and no potato chunks are remaining. Scrape down insides of food processor bowl every few pulses. (Do not over blend; it will make cakes gluey and tough.) Heat 12-inch non-stick or cast-iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes. Lower heat to medium then melt 3 tbsp duck fat. Using large soup spoon, carefully drop 6 spoonfuls of potato batter, one at a time, into pan, being careful not to crowd cakes. Cook cakes until edges are all slightly browned, 3- to 4 minutes. Carefully flip cakes over; cook an additional 3- to 4 minutes. When done, transfer to sheet pan; keep warm in oven. Add more duck fat to pan as needed, repeating process with remainder of batter. Serve hot with sour cream, Alaska salmon roe and dill.

Post: 31 October 10:40

Alaska officials have cancelled the upcoming snow crab season, due to population decline across the Bering Sea. The fall Bristol Bay red king crab harvest will not happe

Alaska officials have cancelled the upcoming snow crab season, due to population decline across the Bering Sea. The fall Bristol Bay red king crab harvest will not happen. The winter harvest of smaller snow crab has also been cancelled for the first time. The causes of the population collapse are being researched but likely include increased predation and stresses from warmer water, which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes may have prompted the crabs to shift away from coasts.

Post: 16 October 23:25

8 Best Charge-Stopping Bear Cartridges 1. .45-70 Government First adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government has been one of the longest-standing big-gam

8 Best Charge-Stopping Bear Cartridges 1. .45-70 Government First adopted by the U.S. military in 1873, the .45-70 Government has been one of the longest-standing big-game cartridges of all time. It’s also been incredibly popular among Alaskan hunters and guides, especially in lever-actions like Marlin’s 1895 Guide Gun, which is compact, fairly lightweight and highly maneuverable in close quarters. It’s also capable of sending a massive projectile, like Buffalo Bore’s 430-grain hard-cast bullet, at roughly 2000 fps and 3,600 ft.-lbs. from the muzzle. Talk about stopping power. 2. .454 Casull Developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957, the .454 Casull is a dangerous game hunter’s dream come true. One of the more powerful handguns available today, the .454 is capable of pushing a 300-grain Buffalo Bore bullet at 1650 fps with 1,813 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Nelson killed one of his charging grizzlies with a .454 Casull, which he says is one of his favorite choices for bear defense. Ruger chambers the .454 Casull in both the Super Redhawk with a 4-inch barrel and the Alaskan in a 3-inch variant, both of which are compact and easy to draw when things get up close and personal. Is it fun to shoot? Not at all. Nelson says after about 20 shots, his wrist starts to swell and he can no longer shoot. The beauty of the .454, however, is that you can practice with .45 Colt rounds and save yourself a bit of recoil trauma. 3. .44 Remington Magnum Considered by many to be the minimum for big bear defense rounds, the .44 Remington Magnum was first introduced in 1955 for revolvers and gained widespread popularity in the 1970s thanks to Dirty Harry. While some may consider it the minimum, it’s plenty powerful enough to stop an onerous bear. A 240-grain +P Buffalo Bore projectile carries roughly 1,600 ft.-lbs. of energy at 1550 fps, which is more than double that of the 10mm and four times more energy than the 9mm. Available in shorter versions like the Smith & Wesson 629 with 4-inch barrel, the .44 Mag. has a well-deserved reputation as a charge-stopper.4. .375 H&H Magnum One of the original belted, rimless magnum rifle cartridges, Holland & Holland’s .375 is not only considered one of the best cartridges for hunting Africa, it also has a proven track record for lethality on large-bodied game in Canada and Alaska, including moose and bear. Popular among Alaskan guides and hunters, the .375 is capable of launching a 270-grain bullet at 4,300 ft.-lbs. and 2700 fps, thus delivering massive energy on target. As Nelson points out, the first shot may end the charge but doesn’t always kill the bear, which means it’s handy to have a rifle that can make the longer follow-up shot. 5. .50 Alaskan Taking a .348 Winchester case and necking it out to accept a .510-inch, Alaskan Harold Johnson was able to successfully convert a Winchester Model 1886 rifle into a .50-caliber, bear-killing machine. The result, of course, was the .50 Alaskan. Buffalo Bore produces several loads for the .50 Alaskan, including a 450-grain bullet that delivers a whopping 4,400 ft.-lbs. of energy from the muzzle. As a wildcat cartridge, it hasn’t seen the widespread use of other rounds on this list, but that hasn’t stopped many guides and hunters, Nelson included, from converting Marlin lever guns for its very effective use.6. 12-Gauge Slug According to Nelson, the 12-gauge slug gun is by far one of the most popular choices for bear protection in the Alaskan bush. While it is extremely effective, the main reason it’s been so widely-used is because shotguns like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 are a fraction of the price of bolt-guns and, in turn, that’s what the government has provided to its employees. Based on ballistic testing and field use, Nelson recommends Brenneke’s Black Magic Magnum or DDupleks’ Monolit 32 solid steel slug. The Black Magic Magnum is a 602-grain slug that carries 3,000 ft.-lbs. of energy at 1500 fps, while the 495-grain DDupleks leaves the muzzle at 1410 fps with 2,180 ft.-lbs. of energy.7. .338 Winchester Magnum The favorite among Alaskan guides as a backup gun, the .338 Winchester Magnum was released in 1958 as belted, rimless cartridge. Based on the .375 H&H, the .338 will send a 300-grain Barnes bullet out the barrel at 2500 fps with a devastating 4,100 ft.-lbs. of energy. Considered by many to be the most versatile North American big-game cartridge, the .338 Win. Mag. has killed its fair share of charging bears. It’s chambered in nearly every major manufacturer’s rifle and has a plethora of ammunition choices as well.8. .357 S&W Magnum While some folks claim the .44 Magnum is the minimum for charging bears, many others have opted for a Glock 20 in 10mm Auto and, interestingly enough, passed right by the .357 S&W Magnum. Several folks have even successfully killed bears with a 9mm. While a well-placed shot from a 10mm can no doubt do the trick, the .357 Mag. has 780 ft.-lbs. of energy, while the 10mm has about 728 ft.-lbs., both with a 180-grain Buffalo Bore bullet. As Nelson has seen in bear defense training, many shooters have cycling issues with the 10mm due to the “limp-wrist syndrome,” something that isn’t an issue with a revolver and is the last thing you want to happen during a bear charge. The .357 is also available in smaller-framed revolvers that fit smaller hands, making it ideal for women and less experienced shooters. Any way you slice it, the .357 has proven itself as a worthy close-range bear stopper.

Post: 23 September 00:21

How to Hunt Alaska on a Budget Have You Ever Tried This? Alaska hunting is the stuff of dreams, yet many convince themselves it’s beyond their reach. This is easy to unde

How to Hunt Alaska on a Budget Have You Ever Tried This? Alaska hunting is the stuff of dreams, yet many convince themselves it’s beyond their reach. This is easy to understand, as guided Alaska hunts are some of the most expensive around. Single-species hunts for mountain goat, dall sheep and brown bear run anywhere from $9,000 to $14,000. A guided hunt for even “commonplace” barren ground caribou might finance a multi-species hunt in southern Africa. For the average working stiff, a do-it-yourself hunt is the only way to enjoy such an expedition. If daunted by such an adventure, especially its costs, I understand. Yet, after 10 Alaska forays of my own, I’m here to say that with plenty of advanced planning and a meager savings-account grab-stake, an Alaska hunt is well within grasp. While the sexiest Alaskan species require the non-resident to hire an outfitter by law, many don’t. These include barren ground caribou, Alaska-Yukon moose, Sitka blacktail deer and black bear — all animals you can hunt on your own for a considerable savings. Drop-Camp Options The first-time Alaska adventurer is advised to book a drop-camp hunt. This involves hiring a flying service to ferry you and gear to productive ground (of their choosing). Various degrees of services are offered, price adjusted accordingly. At its most basic, you’re simply taxied in and dropped off, with your own truck. Or, opt for a fully outfitted camp, all necessary camping gear and food provided. You bring only a sleeping bag, duds and hunting gear. Other options include a mid-hunt visit, in case meat should need to be flown out, or more importantly, should you require a move. These options increase expenses but also provide cheap insurance against bum experiences. When dealing with a reputable operator, drop camps provide a better chance of arriving in the right place at the right time. The best pilots keep a close eye on game movements and whereabouts to assure they’re able to set clients in the best areas. The best flying services are also typically willing to spend a bit of extra time in the air on arrival, giving you a better grasp of the land, perhaps spotting game, before landing. Drop-camp arrangements are normally charged at a flat rate per person, even if additional meat-hauling trips are required following a successful hunt. Shop carefully. Unfortunately, cheats abound in all walks of life, and Alaska bush services have more than their share. The unscrupulous outfits simply dump hunters where it’s convenient for them, not necessarily where game is most abundant. Ask for a list of references, preferably recent bookings — hunters from both successful and unsuccessful ventures. If they’re reluctant to provide such information, find an operator who will. References simply assure fewer surprises, confirming services are as presented and hidden costs minimal. Talking to someone who’s been there also helps you pack more efficiently. Where to Hunt? We’ve researched a few places to help you get started on your Alaskan adventure. Pick your species and then dive in to the places below: Moose Marshes Anchorage: Stony, Hoholitna and Mulchatna rivers and the Lake Clark region. Hunting is complicated by September hunt dates, typically concluding before the rut begins. Increase your odds of calling success by arriving late in the season. As with any gun-dog training, simple commands work best. Hand signals can do plenty as you approach the waterfowl-holding location. And at the moment of truth, just before the flush, you can do many things. Cordova: Some behemoth bulls, but non-residents are limited to a single unit and limited number of landing sites. Success dependent on hunting pressure in those few places. Contact Cordova Air for more info. McGrath & Kotzebue: Near McGrath; Iditarod, Innoko, Galena and Yukon rivers top producers of trophy bulls. Some float-only areas restrict fly-in. Areas near Kotzeboe and Brooks Range worthwhile but include added transportation costs, though better odds of rut action. Caribou Coverts Anchorage: The easily-accessible Mulchatna herd has crashed and success is low in traditional areas. Super Cub access can get you into new migration patterns at added costs. Alaska Peninsula: King Salmon area provides quality caribou hunting and trophy potential. Some Peninsula islands worth investigating; little hunting pressure but increased transportation costs. Kotzeboe & Brooks Range: The stable Porcupine herd offers super hunting, but once again, added transportation costs and travel time make these areas less popular. Trophy quality is top-notch. Pipeline Haul Road, Fairbanks: Rare opportunity to hunt from a rented vehicle; bowhunting only due to adjacent Alaska Pipeline. Consult area game biologist for best dates. Black Bear Bush Alaska Southeast: Areas surrounding Ketchikan and Juneau allow Pacific Northwest residents to drive. Prince of Wales Island hunted via network of highways, ferry system and logging roads. Boats allow access to remote ocean shores. Spring baiting legal and productive. Fall spot-and-stalk also highly productive, especially while cruising remote seashores, or hunting salmon streams from August to September. Cordova & Valdez: Extremely productive, glassing open hillsides of new growth (spring) or berries (fall). Concentrate efforts along salmon rivers during August and September, though brown bears are common (and very aggressive). Deer Destinations Alaska Southeast: Accessing lesser-known islands is highly productive, but costly. Look to Trinity, Amook, Zarembo and Sitkinak islands — and others surrounding these. Cordova: In general, Hinchinbrook and Montague islands are hunted hard and trophy quality is poor, though backpacking high and far from access can net bigger bucks. Prince of Wales Island: Consistently produces top-end bucks, though hunting complicated by thick vegetation. Backpack into high alpine areas immediately following August opener or hunt low during the November rut. Hunting accessed via 4WD. Kodiak Island: Large die-offs during the past few years, but big bucks still taken and success fair. Open terrain makes hunting easier. Areas on the southern end is best, but include costly floatplane rides. Areas close to Kodiak City allow access from boat/vehicle, but hunting is difficult and the limit is one deer.

Post: 19 August 09:47

Alaska (Russian: Аляска) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., it borders the Canadian

Alaska (Russian: Аляска) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., it borders the Canadian province of British Columbia and the Yukon territory to the east; it also shares a maritime border with the Russian Federation's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to the west, just across the Bering Strait. To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas of the Arctic Ocean, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest. Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state by area, comprising more total area than the next three largest states (Texas, California, and Montana) combined. It represents the seventh largest subnational division in the world. It is the third-least populous and the most sparsely populated state, but by far the continent's most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel, with a population of 736,081 as of 2020—more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. The state capital of Juneau is the second-largest city in the United States by area, comprising more territory than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The former capital of Alaska, Sitka, is the largest U.S. city by area.

Post: 5 August 12:24

The Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest is Vital for Both Hunters and Brown Bears There’s a long history of Alaskan hunting guides stepping up to protect the To

The Roadless Rule in the Tongass National Forest is Vital for Both Hunters and Brown Bears There’s a long history of Alaskan hunting guides stepping up to protect the Tongass. In the mid-1980s an old, dying bear hunter named Ralph Young sat in the back of a skiff, squinting through the rain at the ocean and mountains of Southeast Alaska. In the bow, huddled against the wind and rain, sat a teenager named Klas Stolpe. The two would be out for a month or two, until most of the salmon had spawned and the bears had left the streams for the high country. The old man didn’t especially enjoy the kid’s company but, due his to declining health and old age, he needed his help for basic things like getting in and out of the boat. They motored past once pristine bays, where years ago the old man guided legendary hunters like Warren Page and Jack O’Connor. Now, those lands were clear-cut logged. He pointed the skiff toward Admiralty Island, the heart of rainforest grizzly country, and opened the outboard’s throttle. Young was making his last journey into the wilds of the Tongass National Forest. Established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907, the Tongass is nearly 26,500 square miles of temperate rainforest, mountains and glaciers. Roosevelt, during his first year of presidency, unsuccessfully campaigned for Admiralty, Chichagof, and Baranof Islands, which compose most of the northern third of the Tongass, to be turned into a brown bear preserve. The President loved hunting bears and, believing that America could have both economic development and wilderness, saw the incredible opportunity the Tongass offered for hunters and for preserving a piece of the nation’s wild heritage.

Post: 24 June 16:19

Life on the Ledge: Judging Yardage Shooting at Alaska big game presents a unique set of problems for the bowhunter. They live in such diverse terrain; they are frequent

Life on the Ledge: Judging Yardage Shooting at Alaska big game presents a unique set of problems for the bowhunter. They live in such diverse terrain; they are frequently hunted in extreme weather and they vary dramatically in size from hundred-pound deer to nearly a ton of bison. And, regardless of size, habitat or weather, one of the biggest challenges of bowhunting is judging distance to the target animal. Mis-guessing the distance to the target, by only a few yards, is perhaps the most common reason archers miss game when bowhunting. Even with high tech, modern bows, there is still plenty of arc in an arrow’s flight path. Without question, the best way to judge yardage is to make use of a modern laser range finder, preferably one with angle-compensation features. However, there are many hunting scenarios when laser ranging is not practical or too time consuming. So, nothing will ever take the place of being able to accurately gauge distance by eyeballing it quickly. Learning to judge yardage takes practice. Eyeballing distance There are several little tricks archers can use to help train themselves to judge distance. The first is to practice the skill constantly, just as you would shooting. When walking down the street, look at a car in the parking lot or the distance to the store’s doorway and guess how far away it is. Then pace off the distance to see how close your guess was. Continually doing this will sharpen your distance-judging abilities quickly. However, you must first learn to take strides that are about one yard each for this to help. Don’t try and judge distance to the exact yard at first. Instead, use larger increments, like five yards. Later when you’re starting to sharpen your eye, try and guess the distance to the precise yard. One of the best ways to estimate yardage is by using a personally familiar distance and use it as a gauge. For me, I always use 20 yards as my first increment. I tr my best to determine the distance to the target animal ass compared to what my experience says n 20 yards. If it’s a few yards less than 20 then I guess 17 yards. If ti’s more than 20 I pick an object at what I believe is 20 yards away and then add additional yardage to come up with my estimation. If a target animal is more than two, 20-yard segments (40 yards) away, I’ve found my estimation skills fall off dramatically and if at all possible, I use a laser range finder. If time prior to the shot allows, I use the 20-yard gap method and then also try determining what I believe is halfway to the target animal and double that number. These two techniques must be practiced all the time or you are really handicapping yourself come hunting season. I’d recommend, after properly tuning and sighting-in your bow, spending the majority of your practice time walking around and stump shooting or shooting at life-size 3D animal targets at unmarked yardage. This type of practice will fill more tags than static repetition at the target range (which you need to do initially). Another way to help judge distance is by using your bow’s sight pins. Say you set your sight pins so your arrows will hit dead-on at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. There will be a gap between the pins that can be used as a poor-man’s range finder. Using a life-sized 3D deer target, stand back at 30 yards, lift your bow, and place the 20-yard pin on the deer’s back line. Look how far down the animal’s body the 30-yard pin is (in this case it should be about in the middle of the vital zone). Now move back to 40 yards, and place the same 20-yard pin on the deer’s back line. The 30-yard pin should now be somewhere between the center of the vital zone and the deer’s back line. By doing this at all common shooting distances, and remembering what the sight picture looks like at each distance, you’ll be able to take a relatively accurate distance measurement. But, with the great variety in size of Alaska game animals you must “calibrate” this method to the back-to-brisket size of each species, whether it’s a big bull moose or a smaller Sitka blacktail. Range Finders: A Valuable Tool A quality bowhunting range finder can help take the guesswork out of the all-important distance guesstimating equation. Laser range finders have become much smaller and more precise over the years. And the best ones for bowhunting, particularly in steep terrain frequently found in Alaska, are the ones with angle-compensation features. The user simply sights through the viewfinder and presses a button that sends a laser beam to the target. The built -in computer calculates the distance and steepness and then provides a read out that has compensated for the angle of the shot. Please understand that gravity affects the arrow’s trajectory across the horizontal distance of its flight, not the angled distance. The manufacturers have the algorithms figured out pretty well. The readings are extremely accurate, and can be seen in the viewfinder. I’ve used most all the current range finders extensively and had very good luck with Bushnell, Nikon and Leupold range finders. With this technology, the best way to improve your yardage estimation skills is to eyeball the distance first, verify with a laser range finder that you have used to sight-in your bow, and then shoot for the distance the range finder suggests, not your guess. By cause and effect, time after time of “guessing” manually and then verifying with the range finder you can hone your yardage estimation skills quite well. Don’t rely strictly on the laser range finder because there are many times when hunting that you won’t have time to range. That’s when year-round estimation skills can make or break your hunting trip.

Post: 22 June 12:47

Hunting the Snowshoe Hare It’s hard to imagine a winter day spent more pleasantly than stalking through Alaska’s taiga hunting the snowshoe hare. There’s not a better r

Hunting the Snowshoe Hare It’s hard to imagine a winter day spent more pleasantly than stalking through Alaska’s taiga hunting the snowshoe hare. There’s not a better reason to explore the reaches of our well-forested state, and there’s not an animal that’s better-suited to live there. Some days you find them, some days you don’t. To me this dichotomy represents the greatest draw of hunting hares: They’re routinely elusive but occasionally attainable, at once an animal that children’s hunting dreams are made of yet still wholly capable of making even the wisest feel like an idiot. I hunt hares exclusively with a rimfire rifle equipped with open sights. Yes, beagles and shotguns and loyal compatriots would probably be more effective, but I prefer to give the hare his refuges of invisibility and speed. If I can bag him in spite of those advantages, I like to think I’ve surmounted some pinnacle of woodsmanship and truly deserve the added weight in my vest. Or maybe I’m just full of it. In any case, my gear list includes a Rossi Model 62 SAC (my very first firearm, actually, with which I bagged my first cottontail with at the tender age of eight), a handful of .22 Long Rifle bullets, a game vest, a good pair of snowshoes, a layering of cold-weather clothing, a thermos of coffee, some snacks, a bottle of pet flea-and-tick spray, and a couple of eight-gallon trash bags. More on this list later. How you do it falls second to where you do it. We are blessed as Alaskans in that most of our state is prime hare territory—they prefer boreal forest and over half of the Last Frontier is composed of just that. I’ve found my best success in areas of mid-growth, white- and black spruce with an understory of willows, alders, and the occasional aspen and birch tree. It takes only a glance at hare life history to see why these areas are productive: Hares are nocturnal and favor the soft buds and stems of young deciduous species in their nighttime feasts, leaving their daytime haunts of the sheltered eaves beneath nearby conifers. Anywhere these trees coexist is a solid bet, and especially so if they are near swampy areas. In theory, finding these areas is simple; in practice, it requires a bit of gas and boot leather. One strategy I use for locating my larger hunting areas (what I call macrohabitats) happens incidentally during my fall fishing seasons. As I’m driving up and down Alaska’s highways in pursuit of trout and grayling, I take note of places I either see hares or where the habitat looks like it could support a decent number. Then I check out the place on Google Maps, determine who owns the land, obtain necessary permissions, and scout it with a rifle once the snow falls, usually after the first of November. Some places turn out to be duds; others become gems.

Post: 21 June 18:43

Small Game Alaska As we pushed our way through the waist deep snow the big snowshoe hare just sat there and waited. His “white” camouflage blended perfectly with the sno

Small Game Alaska As we pushed our way through the waist deep snow the big snowshoe hare just sat there and waited. His “white” camouflage blended perfectly with the snow, but not quite good enough to keep me, and my 8-year old son, Eli from pushing forward. With each step I figured he would bolt, but he didn’t so we decided to keep moving towards him. I slowly raised the BowTech bow and settled the pin. In most states hunting small game usually takes a back seat to hunting big game, especially here in Alaska. With moose, caribou and sheep practically around every corner most people forget that the state also harbors some of the finest small game pursuits in the country. As hunters we all live for the fall and rightly so. Bears, sheep and goats are constantly on our minds and we absolutely cannot wait until the season opens. Like most people who chase animals either with a bow, rifle or shotgun it becomes a totally obsession that drives us not only throughout the year, but also throughout our lives. Some of that year can feel empty though, but there are solutions. Family Affair Here in the arctic, winter can be a long time going. It starts pretty much after the big game seasons are over and extends all the way through late April when the bears have decided enough is enough and exit their dens. During this time usually starting in March, life for a hunter can really start to heat up, literally. Bright sunny days with 14 hours of daylight combined with good snow, frozen ground and a good cabin or tent to hang out in can be as grand as any moose camp, especially if a group is involved. It’s during this time that the small game animals here in Alaska run abundant, everything from Ptarmigan, to the big snowshoe hare to a list of predators a mile long roam the frozen tundra. The opportunities are endless and being able to get out and chase these critters with your family is priceless. Ptarmigan and Arctic Hare for example are formidable targets with a bow. Their white fur and plumage are perfect camouflage against what Mother Nature has left us and getting to them can be a very tough challenge. For the most part you will miss more than you will hit, but it provides some of the greatest times a family outing can provide. Fun all Year!! As far as small game goes the Alaska department of fish and gam list three species of small game in the regulation manual; Grouse (Spruce, Sooty, Ruffed and Sharp Tail), rabbits (Snowshoe and Arctic hare) and Ptarmigan (Willow, Rock and White-Tail). All can be found in different parts of the state and can be hunted at different times throughout the year depending on the unit you choose to hunt. Some units are closed to certain species while others are open all year. Bag limits are pretty liberal, but most have a possession limit. Personally I like to hunt the winter months. The snow pack in and around willow thickets are a prime location for the bird hunter while the Alder choked riverbanks provide excellent cover for the big snowshoe hare. Hunting small game in the winter season can be very challenging. All are camouflaged in their winter apparel and can be tough to locate, but with a little practice you will quickly pick-up on an eye here or an eye there or a slight shifting in the snow. Shot gunning for Ptarmigan is also a very popular sport here in the arctic. Like snowshoe hare they can be found about anywhere and being able to pick out the white bird is tough, but provides some great excitement. I personally use a 12 gauge with number 4 steel shot. Getting in close and flushing the covey is a rush and you usually get your limit pretty quick. If you plan to bow hunt any of the small game species then there are many options, from traditional archery to compounds and they will all work as long as you don’t mind losing a few arrows. Light poundage bows work best, as it doesn’t take much knock down power to kill a rabbit or a ptarmigan. I set my bow as low as possible and use arrows tipped with rubber blunts, the fly great and proves to be a killing combination. Chasing Alaska’s small game can be big fun no matter your weapon of choice. All are great eating and don’t require much in terms of expense. Whether you pursue Ptarmigan, Grouse or the big snowshoe hare, they both provide that much needed break after a cold dark winter and will fill the freezer with something besides moose and caribou.

Post: 15 June 12:57

Field Butchering Tips and Tactics Blog by Marcus Weiner Photos by Brian Woobank Butchering big game is a skill earned from experience and can be daunting to the new hun

Field Butchering Tips and Tactics Blog by Marcus Weiner Photos by Brian Woobank Butchering big game is a skill earned from experience and can be daunting to the new hunter. But it doesn’t need to be. Ungulates are constructed the same way, so learning how to break down a deer will give you the introductory skills needed to tackle larger animals like caribou, elk and moose. Here are some field butchering tips and tactics. There are two school of thought on butchering big game in the field – the gutless method or the gutting method. I prefer the gutless method of field butchering big game. Since most of the animals I take in Alaska require them to be packed out, then breaking them down into four quarters; two backstraps; two tenderloins; two sets of ribs, briskets, flank and skirt steaks; and neck meat are the usually butchering method. With that fact in mind, the only reason to gut the animal is if you don’t have the ability to break it down immediately. My goal with every animal is to remove every last scrap of edible meat. Assuming you can begin butchering immediately after taking an animal, then let’s use a moose as an example. Lay the moose on its side, and make a long incision (careful to slide your knife under the hide but not puncture the muscle) from the base of the head to the tail. Other hunters prefer to lay the animal on its back, make an initial cut from the genitals to the base of the neck (assuming you aren’t keeping the cape for mounting), and then peel the hide back on both sides. I prefer to start with the animal laying on one side when butchering big game. Next step is to remove the backstrap. This long chunk of meat sits adjacent to the spine and the top of the ribs. Trace your knife along both those surfaces to remove the backstrap. Note that it runs from the neck to the pelvis. Essentially you make a long, L-shaped cut to remove the backstrap. The next step is to remove the flank and skirt steaks, which are thin cuts of tough meat that cover the gut cavity and ribs. Systematically remove fat, silver skin and connective tissue from around the rib cage and you will expose these cuts. Next step in the butchering big game process is to remove the ribs. Saw the connection between the spine and top of the ribs, or use the tip of your knife to separate each rib from the spine. The bottom connection of the ribs to the sternum can be separated with a knife. Some hunters prefer to leave the ribs in and remove the rib meat, but I find it easier to do when I remove the rib cage. Next is to move on to the tenderloin, which is located under the spine, from the last rib projecting towards the hips. It can be separated from the spine mostly by hand and will require just a little bit of cutting to extricate. After removing the tenderloin, proceed to removing the brisket, which is located on the chest towards the front of the ribcage. The final section to remove on the first side of the moose is the neck meat. Fillet this meat off the bone like you were filleting a salmon. Flip the moose over and do the same to the other side. If you intend to do a shoulder mount or a European mount, then it makes sense to remove the head and cape before flipping the moose and it will make the process of flipping the animal easier.

Post: 14 June 13:31

The Perfect Bowhunting Equipment for Alaska One thing I used to always think about is if I have the right bow setup for hunting in Alaska. I am going to cover some thing

The Perfect Bowhunting Equipment for Alaska One thing I used to always think about is if I have the right bow setup for hunting in Alaska. I am going to cover some things that have helped me choose the perfect bow setup for me to hunt the backcountry of Alaska. I am no expert by any means, but I have hunted a lot throughout Alaska and the Lower 48 and this is what has been the all-around best setup for me. There are several factors that go into making a choice for the setup you want to bowhunt with. The first and sometimes the hardest thing you have to choose is your bow! I like to start with a bow that is light in weight, compact but not too compact, and produces good arrow speed. For example, the bow I am shooting currently is the Xpedition Archery Xscape. The bare bow weighs around 3.9 pounds. It measures 30-inches ATA (axle to axle), with an International Bowhunters Organization (IBO) speed 348- to 352 feet per second (FPS). This bow is fairly light, compact and offers great speed for shooting an arrow that has good weight for hunting. I like a lighter bare bow because when I hunt the backcountry, I have to pack everything, so it makes things easier. The second piece of equipment you need on your hunting bow setup is a fall-away arrow rest. There are so many to choose from; some are cable-driven, and some are limb-driven. I like a limb-driven rest like the Vapor Trail Gen 7. It’s really easy to set up and tune, plus it’s durable and easy to fix in the field if you have to, which has happened to me on a few hunting trips. The next important piece you’ll need is a good sight. This part can be overwhelming. The biggest question to answer is: Do you want a fixed, multi-pin setup; or single/multi-pin yardage-adjustable sight. On my bow I always use a three-pin yardage-adjustable sight from Black Gold Sights. That way I can still shoot 20- to 40 yards fixed and then adjust my sight to shoot out 50- to 100 yards if need be. It is the best of both worlds. I like to match my front sight with a hooded-style peep sight in the correct size. Next two pieces of equipment I lump together because you want them to balance each other out so you can have a steady shot. They are my stabilizer and arrow quiver. I like a stabilizer with front and back weight adjustment; there are a lot of options out there, you just need to find what works for you. The Stokerized SL Carbon Stasis or the M1 carbon SS1 stabilizer both give me the option to put weight on the front and back to steady my pin and they also offset my quiver to balance my bow from left to right. The arrow quiver I like is the Tight Spot 5-Arrow Quiver. It mounts to the back of the bow sight, fits super tight to the bow and is detachable. Balance is key to making the perfect shot. Last but not least are arrows. I could write a complete blog just on arrows. There are lots of archers out there that will weigh out each arrow and its components to get every arrow perfect, but this is what I do and what works for me. I am a big fan of micro-diameter arrows, 4 mm (.166 ID) or 5 mm (.205 ID) with at least a 50-grain outsert up front. I am currently using the Kill’n Stix Micro Ventilators with a wrap and three-fletch AAE Max Stealth vanes. My total arrow weight is 485 grains, and I am shooting around 280 FPS. It seems to be perfect for either a 100-grain fixed-blade broadhead or mechanical broadhead. With this setup my bow usually weighs around seven pounds total with five arrows in the quiver.

Post: 13 June 12:59

10 Classic Hunting Rifles Every Hunter Should Own (Part 3) 8. Remington Model 760 Gamemaster The 760 is a box magazine-fed pump-action with similar looks to Remington’s

10 Classic Hunting Rifles Every Hunter Should Own (Part 3) 8. Remington Model 760 Gamemaster The 760 is a box magazine-fed pump-action with similar looks to Remington’s 870 and 1100 shotgun lines. It began production somewhere around 1952, and naturally became a very popular deer woods rifle. Not a style of rifle that’s commonly associated with Alaska or western-style hunting, the Model 760 is a quick-pointing, quick-shooting bush rifle. It’s great for hunting in thick timber where shot distances are limited, but shots might be fleeting. Model 760 Gamemaster in .30/06 would be a great for bear hunting over bait. 9. Browning BAR Designed by Bruce Browning, grandson of John M. Browning, the sporting BAR is a semi-automatic hunting rifle that was introduced in 1968 and first produced in Belgium. It’s box magazine fed and features a hinged trap-door floorplate that’s opened to insert the magazine. The BAR has been highly successful, and different models are still in production today—including variants with larger detachable magazines. It’s an elegant rifle and the older models are some of the finest-looking semi-automatic sporting rifles there are. 10. Weatherby Mark V Among iconic names and brands in the firearms industry, Weatherby is one that continues to stand out. After outsourcing his actions and being unhappy with the coned Mauser actions that didn’t fully support the case head, Roy Weatherby set out to have a completely new action designed to handle his high-pressure, speedy cartridges. The Mark V was introduced in 1957 and features a robust action that is the basis for many of Weatherby’s rifles even today. The basic Mark V action is heavy-duty and features full case support, nine locking lugs, and a short bolt throw. Chambered in .300 Weatherby Magnum, you wouldn’t be under-powered to take on anything in North America—and much of the world with the Mark V.

Post: 21 May 18:42

How to Make Pemmican f you’ve ever had a meat or jerky bar made of finely chopped dried meat and perhaps berries, you may be familiar with pemmican. Pemmican consists of

How to Make Pemmican f you’ve ever had a meat or jerky bar made of finely chopped dried meat and perhaps berries, you may be familiar with pemmican. Pemmican consists of lean, dried meat – usually beef nowadays, but bison, deer, and elk were common back in the day) which is crushed to a powder and mixed with an equal amount of hot, rendered fat, usually beef tallow. Sometimes crushed, dried berries are added as well. For long periods of time, people can subsist entirely on pemmican, drawing on the fat for energy and the protein for strength, and glucose, when needed. Vihljamur Stefansson, eminent anthropologist and arctic explorer, went on three expeditions into the Alaskan tundra during the first quarter of the 20th century. His discoveries – including the “blond” Inuit and previously uncharted Arctic lands – brought him renown on the world stage. People were fascinated by his approach to travel and exploration, the way he thrust himself fully into the native Inuit cultures he encountered. Stefansson studied their language, adopted their ways, and ate the same food they ate. In fact, it was the diet of the Inuit – fish, marine mammals, and other animals, with almost no vegetables or carbohydrates – that most intrigued him. He noted that, though their diet would be considered nutritionally bereft by most “experts” (hey, nothing’s changed in a hundred years!), the Inuit seemed to be in excellent health, with strong teeth, bones, and muscles. He was particularly interested pemmican. Revive your keto goals or learn the basics of this popular diet without the guesswork or tedious macro-counting. GRAB YOUR SPOT The Inuit, Stefansson noted, spent weeks away from camp with nothing but pemmican to eat and snow to drink to no ill effect. Stefansson, a Canadian of Icelandic origin, often accompanied them on these treks and also lived off of pemmican quite happily, so its sustaining powers weren’t due to some specific genetic adaptation unique to the Inuit. In fact, when Stefansson returned home, he and colleague adopted a meat-only diet for a year, interested in its long-term effects. A controlled examination of their experience confirmed that both men remained healthy throughout. So, pemmican has a reputation as a sort of superfood. While I’m usually leery of such claims, the fact that the stuff is essentially pure fat and protein (plus Stefansson’s accounts) made me think that maybe there was something to it. I set out to make my own batch. How to Make Pemmican What you need: 1 1/2 lbs I got about a pound and a half of lean, grass-fed shoulder roast, Salt and pepper Fresh or frozen wild blueberries Grass-fed bison or beef kidney fat, leaf fat, suet, or tallow Collagen Protein Bars in Dark Chocolate Almond, Chocolate Hazlenut, Coconut Cashew, Macadamia Sea Salt or Peanut Butter for a satisfying snack on the go Let the meat firm up in the freezer, then slice it thin. After adding liberal amounts of salt and pepper, set the oven to the lowest possible temperature (around 150 degrees) and lay out the strips of meat directly onto a rack. Keep the oven door slightly open to prevent moisture buildup. how to make pemmican dried bison Put a handful of frozen wild blueberries on a small oven pan to dry out with the meat. Let the meat dry out for about 15 hours, or until it takes on a crispy jerky characteristic that breaks apart easily. Pulverize the jerky in the food processor or blender until it becomes powder. how to make pemmicanAfter the meat, repeat the process for the blueberries. No need to wash the blender in between – you’ll mix the dried meat and dried berries together anyway. Again, you want a powder.how to make pemmican Now, render the fat. I used grass-fed bison kidney fat, which was already diced into tiny pieces. I put about half a pound of that into a cast iron pan and cooked it slowly over super-low heat. how to make pemmican I made sure to stir the fat as it rendered out, and watched closely so that it wouldn’t burn. When the fat stops bubbling, the rendering is done. Use a strainer to avoid all the crispy bits; you just want the pure, liquid fat. Mix the meat and berry powder together, then slowly add the hot liquid fat. Pour just enough so that the fat soaks into the powder. how to make pemmican If you poured in too much fat too quickly, you can add a bit of almond meal to firm it up. Once it firms, cut it into bars or roll it into balls. how to make pemmican Pemmican will keep almost forever. Pure, dried protein and rendered (mostly saturated) fat are highly stable, so I wouldn’t worry about it going rancid. If it does, you’ll know. how to make pemmican Now, my pemmican wasn’t exactly delicious. Without much spice, it comes out fairly bland. Maybe I’ll jazz it up next time with some more salt and spices, but I don’t think pemmican is meant to be eaten for pleasure. This is utilitarian food, perfect for long treks through the wilderness. It gets the job done, and I’ll probably make it again. It definitely doesn’t taste bad; in fact, the taste grows on you after awhile. My dog certainly enjoyed cleaning up the bowl.

Post: 15 May 15:55

Texas Dall The Texas Dall Ram looks similar to the wild Alaskan Dall Ram, although the color of the Texas Dall can range from a milky white to a dull creamy white or peac

Texas Dall The Texas Dall Ram looks similar to the wild Alaskan Dall Ram, although the color of the Texas Dall can range from a milky white to a dull creamy white or peach color. A hybrid sheep that originated in Texas, it is believed to be a cross between an Alaskan Dall and a Mouflon and this striking sheep is usually completely white. Their huge horns grow up, out, down, forward, up, and out. This beautiful ram is one of the most popular hunting trophies of all the exotic sheep.

Post: 4 May 12:43

Hunting in the Middle Ages In the modern US, hunting is not considered an elite activity. One tends to think of country folk and good old boys going hunting, often beca

Hunting in the Middle Ages In the modern US, hunting is not considered an elite activity. One tends to think of country folk and good old boys going hunting, often because they could use the food. The last time hunting was considered something for the wealthy and powerful was back when it was considered appropriate to go to Africa or Alaska to shoot elephants or lions or polar bears in Africa or Alaska. In the Middle Ages, in contrast, hunting was very much an activity for elites. Nobles loved to hunt, to the the point that giving up hunting was a sign of serious penance. Several saints started life as rich lords but were converted to the religious life when, on a hunting trip, they saw an animal carrying a cross. Fantastic stories often involved hunting, such as capturing a white (albino) hart or trapping a unicorn, as seen in this late medieval tapestry. Probably the main source of meat on a noble table was from hunting, rather then livestock raising. Nobles hunted various kinds of deer (hart, roe) and also boar, though boar were both rarer and a lot more dangerous. Hunting was both sport--competing to see who could catch the most--and a chance to show off. Until extremely recently, England had fox hunts, where well-to-do riders and their hounds chased foxes across the countryside, leaping hedges and having a great time. This was the last vestige of the medieval style of hunting, though in the Middle Ages they preferred to hunt something worth eating. Medieval men and women also hunted with hawks. A "mews," where the hawks were kept, was found in every castle. Training a hawk to fly off, catch a bird, and bring it back was an important and time-consuming skill. A variety of hawks went to the hunt on a rider's (gloved) fist, including goshawks, that could take a full-sized goose. Then as now, over-hunting will reduce the game. Nobles thus did not want the peasants to hunt, though no one particularly cared if they trapped a few rabbits or caught song-birds using lime spread on twigs. Great landowners created game preserves where only they could hunt. The New Forest in England is not actually "new," being established as a game preserve in the late eleventh century by King William II ("Rufus"). Although we think of the word 'forest' as just a place with trees, it originally meant a place set aside. The New Forest now is mostly known for its semi-wild ponies, to be feared for liking to eat an unattended picnic lunch.

Post: 23 December 14:18

Guns and Gear for an Alaska Caribou Hunt Editor's Note: Contributor Brad Fitzpatrick put the following gear to use on a recent Alaska caribou hunt. You can catch up on t

Guns and Gear for an Alaska Caribou Hunt Editor's Note: Contributor Brad Fitzpatrick put the following gear to use on a recent Alaska caribou hunt. You can catch up on that story here. Savage 110 Ultralite Savage’s new 110 Ultralite weighs just 6 pounds thanks to its polymer stock and carbon fiber barrel. Chambered in .280 Ackley Improved, the rifle is reliable and accurate and suitable for just about any North American game. Its stock allows for comb height and length-of-pull adjustments, and the adjustable Savage AccuTrigger came set at a crisp 2.5 pounds. MSRP: $1,595; savagearms.com. Hornady GMX Handloads I used handloads topped with Hornady’s 150-grain GMX. The GMX is a monolithic bullet and is versatile for big game, particularly at extended ranges because it performs reliably at relatively low velocities. The GMX has also proven to be very accurate out of several rifles I’ve tested, including the Savage. (The GMX bullet has now been replaced by Hornady’s new CX bullet). Leupold VX-5HD CDS-ZL2 Riflescope A Leupold VX-5HD 3X-15X-44mm CDS-ZL2 riflescope was the perfect complement to the Savage. The magnification range offers great versatility and the Twilight Max HD light management system is excellent. These scopes offer custom CDS dials, the easiest and fastest way to adjust for elevation in the field, and the ZeroLock feature prevents over-dialing. Adjustments are precise and accurate and this scope can take a real beating, making it a great option for any hunting rifle. MSRP: $999.99-$1,299.99; leupold.com.

Post: 2 November 20:29

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