Alaska is known for its abundance of wildlife and diverse hunting and fishing opportunities. The rugged terrain, pristine forests, vast wetlands and waterways of our area provide an ideal habitat for a wide variety of fish and game. These include moose, black bear, brown bear and a variety of small animals. Provided a person is willing to tromp through the swamps or rivers, and has the proper tools, meat for the table is abundant here.

Big Game Hunting:

Large game like bear and moose are a quick, though sometimes dangerous, way to fill a freezer for the year. Moose in this area average over 1,000 lbs, and one can feed a family all year. The season for moose is short though, with strict regulations to prevent over hunting. Black bear has a much longer season and higher bag (take) limits, though they provide less meat. I personally think black bear is delicious, though some people don’t like it very much. Black bears prey on young moose, so controlling their population through hunting also protects the moose population. I have yet to meet anyone that eats brown bear because the meat is not palatable due to eating more fish than black bears. Recent studies have shown that brown bears are less carnivorous than previously thought. I’d try some given the chance.

Small Game Hunting:

Small game species in this area include grouse, rabbits, and squirrels. Less commonly eaten animals include porcupine and crow. Hunting small game is a great way to practice hunting skills and enjoy the outdoors without the challenges and costs associated with hunting big game. Many small game species can be found in accessible areas such as forests and open fields. Small game hunting is also a great way to supplement a diet with fresh, wild protein.

Fishing:

There are many different types of fishing in our area, including gill net, pole, dip netting and ice fishing. Gill net, or set net fishing, requires a specific type of permit, of which there are a limited number in existence. We have one, and that allows us to catch salmon for ourselves as well as catching enough to sell to fish processors. Many families are multi-generation set netters, and it provides income for small communities around Alaska.

Pole fishing uses a rod and lure that is cast over the side of a boat, bridge, or from shore. Depending on the type of fish a person is hoping to catch, poles and line strength can change. Fish like halibut, salmon, and trout are often caught this way.

Dip netting is another fishing method utilized in this area. When salmon are spawning there are enough that simply dipping a large net in the water will catch them. Since it’s such a popular way to fish, certain rivers end up with fishermen standing elbow to elbow!

Ice fishing in Alaska is a popular winter activity where fishermen can catch a variety of fish species, such as Arctic char, lake trout, and northern pike in the state’s frozen lakes and rivers. However, ice fishing requires more preparation as it is done in colder temperatures. There is also a possibility of falling into freezing water if the ice is too thin to safely travel on. We usually bring an ice fishing tent and propane heater for the girls. That way they can stay warm and we can fish longer. Ice fishing is personally my favorite kind of fishing.

Trapping:

Trapping is another way to provide protein when grocery stores are hard or impossible to reach. In winter we sometimes avoid travel due to temperatures, and in summer the tides sometimes prevent us from leaving. Having snares set out for rabbits allows us to put meat on the table without spending all day out looking for it. There are also fur animals, like marten, that can be trapped as a source of income.

Utilizing the abundance of natural resources Alaska has to provide is important part of our lives out here.

While we are by no means experts at any of these, they are skills we’ve slowly been building over the years we’ve lived in Alaska. And I’m enjoying learning some of these things right alongside the girls!