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Volume 11 • Issue 9 www.aksportingjournal.com
Emphasis on Quality Accent on Innovation
PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott
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EDITOR Chris Cocoles WRITERS Paul D. Atkins, Tony Ensalaco, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Brian Watkins, Jenny Weis SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Mike Smith DESIGNERS Celina Martin, Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper WEB DEVELOPMENT/INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker
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ON THE COVER Brian Watkins made up for what had been a frustrating hunting season by scoring this nice bull moose with his bow. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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CONTENTS
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 9
FEATURES
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CHECK THAT BAG! Whether you’re heading out for that hunt or vacation of a lifetime, your goal is to pack smart, pack light and mostly pack right. Scott Haugen is a veteran of more than few hunting trips into the Alaskan bush and in his half of our Field to Fire column he shares wise advice on what to leave at home, what to put in your checked baggage and what to wear on the flight there. And for her recipe, Tiffany Haugen details campfire-friendly “hobo packs.”
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DANGEROUS DAYS Arctic Alaska offers some of the most exhilarating big game hunting opportunities in the world. But where you find moose, there’s a good chance a big, bad bear is also in the neighborhood. Or 12 of them. That was the terrifying experience Paul Atkins and a good friend had during one hunt for a bull moose. Atkins, no stranger to sharing his hunting grounds with bruins, recalls several moments of truth.
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A BULL WOULD MAKE IT BETTER Anchorage-area based correspondent Brian Watkins’ 2019 hunting season hadn’t exactly gone to plan, but grabbing his bow one day last September and heading up a trail he’d seen moose in the past, he meant to salvage the year – not to mention fill his freezer. Find out if Brian reversed his bad mojo.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE (TONY ENSALACO)
RIVER RULES TO KNOW
There are some things that just aren’t cool when you’re sharing a steelhead- or salmon-filled river with fellow anglers. From slowing down everyone else at the launch ramp to invading an already-claimed fishing hole, Tony Ensalaco (above with a Situk River steelhead) has seen it all on the water. Follow along as he offers up a few don’tdo-this suggestions that will make everyone’s outing that much better.
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The Editor’s Note Protecting Wild Alaska: Climate change’s potential impacts on the Last Frontier’s freshwater fish stocks Outdoor calendar The Gear Guy: Ice fishing equipment that passes the test of Arctic Alaska
Alaska Sporting Journal is published monthly. Call Media Inc. Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Inc. Publishing Group and will not be returned. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues) or $49.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Inc. Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168 or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues may be ordered at Media Inc. Publishing Group, subject to availability, at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Copyright © 2020 Media Inc. Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. 14
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EDITOR’S NOTE Ron Summerville (center) was named the Conservationist of the Year during the Alaska Safari Club International’s Alaska Hunting Expo and Sportsman’s Banquet, a great winter event taking place at the end of this month. (ALASKA SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL)
W
inter can be miserable for all of us. Granted, I’m rather spoiled having grown up in California. When I lived near Los Angeles residents practically panicked and feared the apocalypse when a cold front brought in a rainstorm (PSA: southern California residents can’t drive in the rain). But it wasn’t until I spent my first winter in a place where it snowed that I truly saw the seasons change and could truly appreciate the coming of spring and then summer after a cold winter’s chill. The Alaskans who have told their stories on the pages of these magazines can relate to the long, dark and blustery winters in the Last Frontier. But as I was compiling the calendar of events for
this month (page 29), I saw a couple of upcoming events that can help get you through frigid February (and March, for that matter). A great event with an even better cause is the Alaska Hunting Expo and Sportsman’s Banquet at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. Alaska’s chapter of Safari Club International puts on this annual event that salutes veterans, law enforcement and first responders in its Heroes banquet on Feb. 28 and then hosts its fundraising event the next night to help the state’s conservation and outdoor education programs. (More details at aksafariclub.org and 907-903-8329.) Promises of long summer days and plentiful salmon runs in rivers and
streams get many Alaskans through the snow-covered days of winter. But Homer’s famous winter king salmon derby on March 21 provides a chance to break out the fishing gear, and the prizes awarded at this popular annual event provide plenty of incentive to get out on a boat and pull in a big salmon. Last year’s first-place finisher, Shayna Perry, caught a 26.7-pound king that won her $28,000 and change. (More details at homerwinterking .com or 907-235-7740.) It’s cold. It’s snowy. It’s dark during winter in Alaska. But don’t give up hope. You can support a great cause or win yourself some money by catching a big king salmon. And summer isn’t that far away. Hang in there, Alaska! -Chris Cocoles
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PROTECTING
Adult and juvenile sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay waters have endured warmer than normal temperatures more often than usual in recent years, giving some concern that climate change is threatening fish species in Alaska. (MITCH CARPENTER)
WILD ALASKA
ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW ALASKA FISH MAY ADAPT BY JENNY WEIS
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019 was Alaska’s hottest year on record. If you’re thinking this isn’t enough to prove climate change, you’d be right. However, the latest record is part of a larger trend. The five warmest years on record for
the state have all happened since 2000, and four of the five have been within just the last six years. So what do warming seas and rivers, and melting ice mean for our freshwater fisheries? The short answer is that most fish in Alaska are coldwater species that will struggle with rising stream temperatures.
The longer answer gets a bit more complicated.
MOST CLIMATE STUDIES SPIT out the following basic expectations: Warmer temperatures mean more precipitation will fall as rain rather than snow. Lower snowpack and more rain will result in
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PROTECTING
WILD ALASKA
As author Jenny Weis states, “The five warmest years on record for the state have all happened since 2000, and four of the five have been within just the last six years.” (BRANDON HILL/TROUT UNLIMITED)
shifts toward higher winter stream flows and lower summer levels. Peak river flows are expected to increase, as are sea levels and water temperatures. More large flooding events are expected, as well as wildfires. We turned to the research to translate what these shifts mean for Alaska’s freshwater fisheries. Some studies were relatively straightforward. For instance, more floods – and more powerful flooding – will impact young fish that rely on shelter upstream. It can also mean dispersing or wiping away fish eggs within the stream. 22
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However, the impact of a continued climb in water temperatures is more difficult to fully understand. Current predictions suggest that temperature increases alone will render up to a third of trout habitat in the Pacific Northwest “unsuitable” by the end of the century. What’s more, salmon habitat may be more severely affected because it is generally restricted to lower elevations, which are often warmer. At present, increases in water temperatures could seem like a good change, because it often means more food instream. More food can cause fish
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to fatten up faster – a quality anglers tend to like. Researchers from the University of Washington published a study in Nature Ecology & Evolution showing that sockeye salmon in the Bristol Bay region now make the journey from freshwater to the ocean an entire year sooner. Warmer freshwater means more food for growing juvenile sockeye, allowing them to fatten up faster. As a result, they enter the ocean a year earlier and end up spending extra time in the Pacific. But researchers warn that this change is risky because it puts the fish at risk of
Climate impacts leading sockeye smolts to leave for the ocean earlier as well as decreases in salmon numbers have cascading implications for species like Arctic char (above) and rainbow trout (below) that prey on juvenile fish. (MITCH CARPENTER)
increased predation, a more acidic ocean (also a result of climate change) and other factors such as competition with hatchery fish over dwindling food sources. Food aside, water temperature is a common focus of study for the scientific community and Alaska residents alike. As fish floated downstream belly-up during a July 2019 heatwave, it was hard not to observe the impacts of rapidly changing climate.
IN SOUTHCENTRAL WATERS, RESEARCHERS observed water temperatures on the Deshka River hit 81 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Homer-based Sue Mauger has tracked stream temperatures in nonglacial systems across the Cook Inlet watershed since 2002. “When water temperatures get into the low 70s, we see salmon holding in the lower river, waiting for cooler nighttime temperatures or for rain to help cool the river,” Mauger said in a July press release. “For the last nine days, daytime water temperatures have soared and nighttime temperatures have not dropped much below 70 degrees and we’ve had no rain. On the Deshka River […] we’re seeing not just stressful temperatures for salmon, but lethal temperatures.” Last summer, this fish behavior was 24
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observed across the state. One group of researchers on the Yukon River cut open bellies of salmon and found many still full of eggs, meaning the fish had died due to warm waters before having the chance to spawn and reproduce. The American Fisheries Society has also shown through research that the number one factor influencing salmon due to higher stream temperatures is emerging diseases. That means if the heat doesn't kill the fish, diseases could. An Alaska with fewer salmon due to changing ocean conditions and higher water temperatures is a culturally and economically painful thought. It also has implications for other angler favorites
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such as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, which rely on ample salmon eggs, flesh and juvenile salmon for survival. According to a separate UW study, resident Dolly Varden could be forced to migrate unnecessarily to the ocean in search of food if there are low numbers of salmon reproducing in their home streams. Similarly, Dolly Varden rely on cool waters to conserve energy over the winters. If water temperatures warm, it could prevent the fish from living off their reserves each year and force them to change their feeding habits. However, one 2016 study of rainbow trout in Southern California show that the fish may be adaptable to changing conditions. The study took place in the southern reaches of the species’ range, but it suggested that the fish can adapt to warmer temperatures. But Alaska is warming twice as fast, on average, as the Lower 48, and how fast and how much they can adapt in their northern ranges is unknown. Researchers studying Arctic grayling in the Interior found pros and cons of the changes, noting the species survives best with alternating warm and cool years. However, they observed that fires, which are predicted to become more common with climate change, can be detrimental since grayling food (mostly insects) was less available after a fire. It’s clear that Alaska’s fish are already feeling the impacts of a changing climate. While a few impacts may be helpful, many detrimental ones and a few catastrophic changes are already starting to be seen, the full implications
"Researchers studying Arctic grayling in the Interior found pros and cons of the changes, noting the species survives best with alternating warm and cool years," Weis writes. "However, they observed that fires, which are predicted to become more common with climate change, can be detrimental." (CHRIS HUNT)
of which are not yet fully understood.
SO, WHAT DO WE know for sure? Healthy habitat and fish passage – the ability for fish to reach their habitat upstream
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– are more important than ever. This includes within riparian areas, which are the natural areas around waterways that contribute to healthy fisheries. For instance, large wood creates deeper
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pools that in turn creates colder, more highly oxygenated water. Researchers are also working on ways to preserve thermal refugia, or localized patches of colder water, and other cold-water sources. The best thing Alaskan anglers can do to safeguard our fisheries is limit additional stressors on the fish by working to maintain fish habitat and support efforts to research, adapt to and mitigate or lessen the impacts of climate change. Healthy habitat and clean, cold water are the building blocks of resiliency and it is going to take something from each of us to maintain every bit of it we have left. For the fish we have caught and released back to the wild and the fish that our grandchildren will catch, it’s up to us to ensure our fishing traditions can stay intact in the wake of a changing climate. ASJ Editor’s note: Jenny Weis is the communications and digital advocacy specialist for Trout Unlimited’s Alaska program. Go to tu.org/tu-programs/alaska for more information.
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OUTDOOR CALENDAR FEBRUARY
The late muskox season opens on Feb. 1 in Game Management Unit 18’s Nelson and Nunivak Islands. (KATRINA LIEBICH/USFWS)
Feb. 1 Feb. 1 Feb. 1 Feb. 1 Feb. 21
Yukon Quest sled dog race begins, Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory; yukonquest.com
Registration period opens for Homer King Salmon Derby; homerwinterking.com Muskox season opens in Game Management Unit 18 (Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta)
Resident moose hunting opens in GMU 19C (McGrath) Draw, Tier I, Tier II, and Community Subsistence Harvest results expected to be available online at adfg.alaska.com Feb. 28-29 Alaska Hunting Expo and Sportsman’s Banquet, Dena’ina Center, Anchorage; aksafariclub.org March 7 Start of Iditarod race; iditarod.com March 21 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament; homerwinterking.com
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SPORTS/OUTDOORS SHOWS Feb. 5-9
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Expo Center, Portland; otshows.com
March 12-15
Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show, Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond; otshows.com
March 19-22
Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, Spokane; bighornshow.com
March 27-29
Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show, Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, Wasilla; matsuevents.com/show
Great Alaskan Sportsman Show, Ben Boeke Arenas; greatalaskasportsmanshow.com April 24-26 Fairbanks Outdoor Show, Carlson Center; carlsoncenter.com/outdoor-show
April 2-5
Note: For more specific information on hunting regulations, consult the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Hunting Regulations handbook (adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildliferegulations.hunting) aksportingjournal.com | FEBRUARY 2020
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Author Tony Ensalaco, a longtime “river rat” who fishes not only Alaska but also the streams of his native Midwest, has some friendly advice for those who share the waters with fellow anglers. (TONY ENSALACO)
THIS IS HOW WE DO IT ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR FISHING STEELHEAD RIVERS
BY TONY ENSALACO
H
as anyone noticed that proper etiquette is disappearing from our lives? It wasn’t that long ago when it was mandatory to use the words “please” and “thank you” when appropriate, and people would always say “excuse me,” or at least ask for permission before invading someone’s space. Recently, I was about to enter a building when I noticed a woman behind me
who was having some difficulty pushing two small children in a stroller. The lady obviously needed some help, so I thought it would be polite to assist her by holding the door open. My friendly demeanor quickly turned to utter disbelief when she marched through the doorway without bothering to look my way to offer a “thank you.” Nor did she express any other form of meager gratitude. “What am I, Casper the friendly fricken ghost,” I thought to myself. I would have taken anything – a merci, a gracias or even
a “you suck!” – any acknowledgement to let me know that I wasn’t invisible. I wasn’t looking to be rewarded, but maybe I felt like some sort of recognition towards my good deed would have been nice. I was taken aback of the lack of common courtesy, but I wasn’t surprised either. Incidents like that are becoming more common, and if Emily Post were alive, she would be appalled by the absence of manners in today’s society, and would probably shred her journals and toss the scraps into a fireplace.
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to commend the anglers who are respectful to others, and I look forward to sharing a stream with them in the future. With that being said, I still encounter a fair percentage of anglers who will do some crazy, outrageous @&%# that I have trouble wrapping my brain around. Their apparent lack of compassion towards others might be unexplainable at first, but then at closer examination their behavior can usually be attributed to a few factors.
BLISSFUL IGNORANCE Crowded conditions at the boat launch – as well as takeout – can lead to frustration for those who are more organized than their fellow anglers. Before tying up the ramp, make sure your boat and gear is all ready to go instead of loading or unloading while others are waiting to use it. (TONY ENSALACO)
TIMES ARE CHANGING I pin most of the blame on the technology era. We have become too dependent on our electronic devices to communicate – via text messages and emails – so that now we’ve forgotten how to verbally interact with one another. Tasks that used to require another person’s assistance to complete can now be done electronically. It’s the new normal to go online and schedule appointments, make restaurant reservations, book hotel stays and purchase airline tickets. You don’t even have to leave your home to stock up on food and supplies. Just pick out what you need on a store’s website and those items will be dropped off at your door within a couple of hours. There is no question that oral communication has been severely diminished due to the digital age. Subsequently, human contact is becoming a lost art. It’s sad that there are so many individuals who don’t know what to do when they are unexpectedly confronted by another person. You don’t believe me? Try walking down a crowded sidewalk and impede someone’s path. If you are able to get that person’s attention long enough, look directly into his eyes and say, “Excuse me,” and wait for the reaction. Most of the time, that person will freeze in his tracks with a confused look on his face. And if there is an attempt to say something, it will 36
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usually come in the form of incoherent nonsense – and don’t expect eye contact. We can probe deeper into the subject, but this magazine isn’t the right platform for that debate, nor am I a spokesman. Instead, I want to discuss stream etiquette and how it pertains to salmon and steelhead fishing. Now, I can’t prove if there is a correlation between everyday life and the fishing community, but there has been a noticeable decay of civility along the rivers lately. But before I start ranting, I would like
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The first reason might be that they don’t have a ton of river fishing experience and have never been taught the unwritten rules that river rats routinely follow. It’s hard to hold someone accountable for messing up if he or she doesn’t know right from wrong. You can usually tell if someone is new to the game, so I will usually overlook any blunders that person commits. In some instances I might even offer some helpful advice if I think it will be well received. The second reason is much harder for me to tolerate.
DISTRACTED BY THE MOMENT When visions of fresh chrome consume a fisherman’s grey matter, there is nothing that is going to get in the way of achieving those piscatorial ambitions. Some anglers
Ensalaco’s buddy Danny Kozlow had had enough after anglers in a passing drift boat decided to try the same hole he and the author were fishing, so he purposely cast his spoon across their lines. “We were sending a message that we were here first and uninvited guests were not welcome,” Ensalaco writes. It worked and the others moved on. Even as all water is public, the chance to fish it generally goes to those who are there first. (TONY ENSALACO)
allow common sense to get placed on the back burner in favor of fulfilling their goals and, possibly, their freezers. This type of conduct can range from carelessly infringing on others to even so far as fishing illegally. A perfect example is when someone thinks it’s acceptable to use bait on a river where it is banned. Every steelhead season, I find evidence of fishermen using the stuff on a stream that prohibits any form of scent. I have even caught a couple of the offenders red-handed, which I couldn’t understand because they appeared to be competent anglers who didn’t need to resort to breaking the rules to catch fish. Not only did they lose my respect, but they were also lucky that they didn’t get caught by the game wardens.
TAKING THE RIVER FOR GRANTED There are some in the fishing game who believe they are entitled to special privileges because they consider themselves locals, and anyone coming from a dif38
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ferent zip code is basically trespassing. Even if they don’t live in the immediate area, they feel that as residents of the state it’s “their water,” which gives them the right to put their needs first and treat visitors like they are intruders. This bold attitude is more prevalent down on Lower 48 tributaries, but the Last Frontier is not immune from the arrogance. Whatever the cause, appropriate river etiquette doesn’t seem to concern some anglers. And even though I’m becoming desensitized when I see someone performing a faux pas on the water, I still have trouble accepting thoughtless mistakes. Here are some of the gaffs that I usually come across.
idle on the launch ramp, obstructing river access for everyone else. These selfish individuals act oblivious to the growing number of boat trailers that are lining up as they take their sweet time getting ready. Fortunately, this is a simple fix: If you suspect that this might be you, please remember there is plenty of room in the parking lot to prepare for the day. When everyone in your party is good to go, it’s now time to proceed down the ramp. Once the boat is safely in the water, move it off to the side and secure it while the vehicle is being parked so others can use the ramp.
LATE TO THE PARTY
The same efficiency should be applied at the end of the day. No one should have to wait to come off the river because someone decides to clean the boat and transfer the gear into the vehicle while it blocks the ramp. Or worse, use the ramp’s incline to empty the water from
Nothing can ruin the excitement of a new day on the water worse than when your start time is unexpectedly delayed by a group of fishermen who insist on getting dressed, rigging their equipment and organizing their gear while their boat sits
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DAWDLING AT THE END OF THE DAY
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“If you are fishing from a boat on a river that is congested with traffic, you will eventually end up having to pass some, and there is a correct way of doing it,” Ensalaco writes. “Don’t attempt to pass a boat if it’s moving at a decent speed. The correct etiquette is to keep a comfortable distance behind the boat until it slows down or stops.” (TONY ENSALACO)
the vessel. On my most recent trip, there were three groups, including mine, that were stuck behind a pair of dudes who thought it would be alright to tie up the takeout while they watched a trickle of water escape from the drift boat’s drain hole. It had rained for most of the day, so smart anglers had taken periodic breaks from the action to do some necessary bailing. Not these clowns. They must’ve thought it would be fun to see how much water a boat can hold before it starts to sink. There were a few irate fishermen who were concerned about making it back to town before the restaurants closed. It was understandable why they were losing their patience. Thank goodness an older gentleman was able to defuse the situation by convincing them to finish the job once the boat was trailered and out of the way because it felt like things might escalate into a physical confrontation.
UNWELCOME GUESTS And if you think conflict only exists in places where people are known to con40
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gregate, think again. My biggest WTH moments occur where I think I have a spot all to myself and unexpected visitors decide to join me. Alaska is huge and the runs of fish are abundant, so it’s hard to comprehend why some anglers can’t find their own water to fish. I once stayed at a remote tent camp where the only way to get there was to land a plane on the river, so you would think that seclusion would be guaranteed. Well, we still had guides from other camps surrounding us within easy casting distance from our boat. I am not familiar with the proper amount of distance that boats should be apart in that scenario, but it’s probably too close when you can identify the type of lunchmeat that’s on the other fishermen’s sandwiches. Everyone was busy hooking plenty of salmon, so we didn’t really care that they were on top of us, but it was conceivable that there could have been some tension if the fishing slowed down. The experience was fantastic and fishing was off the charts, but it felt far from a wilder-
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ness adventure at times. Of course, not all of the fishing in Alaska occurs in solitude. There are plenty of fisheries that involve sharing the river with other anglers, and people need to understand that river etiquette can vary depending on the location. What is standard practice on one river might not be acceptable on another. This becomes problematic when anglers feel that they don’t have to conform to that particular river’s protocol, and it’s alright to follow the same guidelines as they are accustomed to using on other bodies of water. A few years ago, I was at a lodge having breakfast with my buddy Danny Kozlow when we met three men sitting at the table next to us. “Nice guys” was my initial impression during our brief conversation. We discovered that they were steelheaders from the East Coast and they have been fishing some of the fabled Lake Ontario tributaries for over 10 years. We spent about 15 minutes talking to them before mutually agreeing that it was time to go fishing and we wished each other
good luck before heading out. About midmorning, Danny and I were bank fishing a long, sweeping bend of the river known as the “Corner Hole.” We were about 40 feet apart from one another when we recognized our new friends approaching us at the top of the run in their drift boat. Danny and I simultaneously reeled in our lines and waived for them to push through. As they slowly advanced towards us, I noticed the guy on the oars starting to take a few backstrokes. “Maybe they want to pull over to talk,” I thought to myself. I instructed Danny to step out of the river to give them some extra room. Then it happened! The oarsman positioned the boat in the middle of the run and held it in place while the other two guys started casting into the exact part of the run where Danny and I stopped fishing to
let them pass. They didn’t even have the stones to look back at us while they peppered “our water” with their fly rods. “No @%$%#& way!” I said to my partner as I opened my bail and belted out a cast over one of the guy’s lines. Danny had the same idea and chucked his spoon out to cross the other dude’s line. We were sending a message that we were here first and uninvited guests were not welcome. They quickly got the hint and bolted downstream once the lines were untangled. I don’t know what made them think that it’s alright to stop and fish someone’s run without asking permission, unless they have previously pulled that type of stunt back at home. I looked for them at the lodge that night so I could extend an olive branch, but I felt they purposely went out of their way to avoid us.
Alaska’s Situk River can get a fair amount of traffic, both on the shore and from boats. The bottom line is that you’re going to share the water with a lot of anglers, so being respectful and understanding fishing etiquette will make everybody’s day go more smoothly. (TONY ENSALACO) 42
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I don’t care if you are dying to fish a favorite run where you clobbered them the day before; if someone is already there, you need to find a different spot, or at least wait until it becomes available. I have actually had guys who have tried to fish my run while I was fighting a fish in it. The first time that happened, I thought it was my partner messing around when I saw a bobber drifting dangerously close to a 14-pound hen I was attempting to tame. Then, I realized it was attached to the line of a side-drifter who didn’t seem to think there was a problem fishing through while a hooked steelie was zipping around in front of him. My initial reaction was to break the fish off so I could teach him a lesson, but instead I took the high road (well, the middle road) by ordering him to reel in his line and sternly asked him to “Get the hell out of there!”
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Now it’s time for Ensalaco to pass along river etiquette to the next generation, in this case his son Anthony. “It’s hard to hold someone accountable for messing up if he or she doesn’t know right from wrong,” he writes. (TONY ENSALACO)
The chastising continued until they vanished downstream out of earshot. Looking back, maybe I could have handled things differently, but I’m not ashamed of my intentions because that kind of B.S. isn’t acceptable anywhere on the continent.
MOVE IT People come to Alaska hoping to experience its widespread, phenomenal fishing, so a trip’s success shouldn’t have to be contingent on obtaining a magic hole that you must fish, or else the day is going to be a bust. There are plenty of fish returning, so instead of competing over the same water, why not do some exploring? You’ll be surprised how many fish will hold in those discreet, overlooked places that fishermen oftentimes miss because they are focused on getting to the next honey hole. This is where another breach of etiquette usually occurs. It is when other anglers blatantly race one another to the next spot because they need the mental security that they’re fishing a proven area.
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Every year without fail, I see guys rowing like they were trying out for the Olympics or bankies who break into a full sprint, just so they can get ahead of any approaching anglers to stake their claim on the holy grail of holes. I don’t have a problem with conceding spots as long as the other anglers decide to spend some time there, and I’m alright with fishing behind them. My concern is when they decide to leave shortly after I go by because they want to get in front of me again. This unsolicited game of leapfrog results in only being able to fish every other hole, which does everyone involved a disservice. Whenever I feel that other fishermen want to implement the “stay in front at all costs” strategy, I purposely hold back and give them their space because I want to fish at a relaxed pace, instead of constantly looking over my shoulder and prematurely contemplating the next move I should make. Now, if you are fishing from a boat on a river that is congested with traffic, you will eventually end up having to pass some, and there is a correct way of
doing it. Don’t attempt to pass a boat if it’s moving at a decent speed. The correct etiquette is to keep a comfortable distance behind the boat until it slows down or stops. If a boat happens to be moving super-slow or the anglers are fishing while transitioning downstream, then feel free to pass when it’s safe to do so. Make sure the section is wide enough and obstacle free before you attempt the maneuver. I’ve had guys try to go around me in tight quarters instead of waiting for an open stretch. Their impatience has caused some precarious situations. If you are about to go by an anchored boat, ask the fishermen which side they would like you to go. If they happen to be fishing, the choice will be obvious to slip by on the opposite side where they are casting. If there isn’t enough room behind their boat or it might be unsafe, then it’s perfectly alright to go in front of them. Try to float as close as possible to their boat to prevent disturbing the run. Some fishermen are super anal-retentive about boats going over the holding
water, and I have seen meltdowns when anglers feel their water is being disrespected. Personally, I welcome boats to go over the hole because I believe that boat traffic can actually turn the bite on at times.
MAKING SENSE OF THIS When it comes down to it, river etiquette is basically using some common sense by showing respect for other fishermen. There isn’t a better example that requires keeping a level head more than when you’re fishing in a shoulder-to-shoulder environment, also known as combat fishing. I spent most of my adolescence fishing in extreme crowds around the Great Lakes, so I have seen it all. I have witnessed guys stealing someone’s spot while that person was off fighting a fish. I have fished in lines of anglers who were standing in ankle-deep water and some genius decides it would be wise to see how far he can wade out in front of the crowd. I have sat patiently watching someone fight a fish way too long in front of
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me because the angler was using light line, when he should have been using stout tackle. There have been countless incidents when the entire area was fishing in complete harmony, then one guy comes along and decides to follow his own agenda by trying something different that totally disrupts the order of the stream. Conformity is the name of the game when someone decides to engage in combat fishing. For example, if everyone is floating bobbers, then maybe it’s not the right place to set out a couple of plunking rods. If you’re not familiar with combat fishing or new to the area, I recommend observing the other fishermen to get a feel for the situation. Even if you’re an experienced combat angler, every river has a different set of rules, so it will always be best to show some patience before jumping in. Alaska attracts scores of anglers from all around the globe, so finding isolation on some of its world-famous rivers might not always be an option. In fact, with the increasing amount of fishing pressure that the state annually absorbs, some fisheries might feel closer to an urban environment rather than a remote wilderness destination.
RESPECT THE RIVER If you are planning a trip to the Last Frontier this season, please remember to be respectful towards others. And if you see another angler who seems to be acting out of line, don’t automatically assume that he is an insensitive jerk who only cares about himself. Perhaps offering some helpful guidance can correct the problem better than starting a confrontation. Finally, please don’t take the game too seriously. Fishing is supposed to be a relaxing activity that is meant to distract us from the rigors of everyday life. River etiquette usually becomes overlooked when certain individuals decide to take the sport to that next level instead of remembering that is supposed to be fun. Good manners might be dying in society and it feels like they won’t be restored anytime soon, but respecting our fishing brethren should never be an issue. ASJ 50
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IF IT‘S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ARCTIC ALASKA ... BY PAUL D. ATKINS • ILLUSTRATION BY JOSEPH FRUEAUF
I
t was 17 below and the wind chill even worse, but my fishing partner Lew wanted to go anyway. I did too. Still, I didn’t look forward to being outside and getting everything together to go ice fishing. The ice was thick, and even though no one had been catching fish, I knew someone had to make the first move. As the cold February wind blasted me in the face, I crawled underneath the house and pulled out my sled.
BREAK THE ICE February, March and most of April means one thing in Arctic Alaska: ice fishing. Specifically this means trying your luck for those big sheefish our region is so famous for. It can be brutal early on and if you aren’t prepared and don’t have the right equipment, you’ll likely spend more time griping about how cold it is instead of fishing. Through trial and error and a lot of years of experimenting, Lew and I have equipped ourselves with gear that works no matter the temperature or the conditions. Here are a few items we don’t leave town without.
ICE SHELTER In the old days we didn’t use shelters. We just braved the cold and took what Mother Nature dished out to us. It was cold and to be honest if they weren’t biting, then our fishing trips were cut pretty short. With more common sense nowadays we’ve invested in several ice shelters, or huts as they are sometimes called. The new and improved ones are incredible actually. They come in a variety of sizes
Having the best gear will make for a memorable – not to mention safer – ice fishing experience, and there’s literally no better proving ground for equipment than author Paul Atkins’ Arctic surroundings. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
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With how much equipment is required to ice fish, having a reliable sled to bring it all on is important. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
through ice and it always starts. In my opinion, it’s a pretty incredible invention.
and are extremely tough. Many of them come with insulated walls and really do a great job of holding in the heat and making wind chill a thing of the past.
SLEDS
ICE AUGERS Another product that has come a long way is the ice auger, or the drill as it is called up here. In the old days the only way you got through the ice was to use a hand drill. They were better than using a pick, but not by much, especially if you had to find your way through 6 feet of ice. Hand drilling left you gasping, soaked in sweat and usually too tired to fish. Not anymore. Today, augers come in a variety of configurations, everything from gas operated to electric and also what we have adopted up here: the propane model. The Jiffy Pro-4 is our favorite, especially the 10-inch model. We cut 56
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The Jiffy Pro-4 is the Gear Guy’s favorite auger, “especially the 10-inch model,” he says. “We cut through ice and it always starts. In my opinion, it’s a pretty incredible invention.” (CABELA’S)
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Snow machining onto the ice to go ice fishing is a given, but getting all your gear out there is another. Ice fishing requires several pieces of equipment, if not for success but having the right gear in one place makes it a lot more fun. Your goal is to keep everything in a nice little package if you can. In order to do this you’ll need a hauler, or a sled in this case, to pull behind your machine. Over the years there has really only been one sled that I have relied on and will spend the money to buy, and that’s the Siglin, made by Northern Sledworks in Fairbanks. In the 20 years I’ve been here I have had two. The only reason why I've had two is due to a sheep hunt through some pretty rough terrain that
left the first one in pretty bad shape. They are made of hard polyethylene plastic and are darn near indestructible. They attach neatly to your sno-go and pull behind with ease. The sides are lashed with ropes for easy tiedowns and can handle temperatures of minus 60 or lower. These are must-haves for ice fishing or any kind of Arctic adventure.
COMFORT GEAR Having the right gear to wear helps too. I don’t leave the house without my Cabela’s Guidewear Xtreme bibs, featuring pro-level waterproof protection and built for whatever the elements throw at you. You may, however, have to shed a few layers if you bring along the Mr. Heater, which I highly recommend. Just make sure you watch where you put it and have some kind of ventilation. ASJ Editor’s note: Follow Gear Guy Paul Atkins on Twitter (@AkTrophyHunter).
A Mr. Heater will keep you warm in the frigid confines of your ice shelter. (CABELA’S)
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UT O B A S S R ALE PECIAL E D UR OW S O Y ASK OAT SH B
FIELD
Wherever you will be hunting in Alaska, know the area and its weather intimately. Also, know how you’ll be accessing it, as that will determine how much gear you will be able to bring. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
BAG CHECK FOR HUNTERS HEADING TO ALASKA? HERE’S ONE HUNTER’S EXPERT PACKING TIPS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
D
uring my last 30 years of hunting throughout Alaska, I’ve learned a lot, especially when it comes to gearing up for a hunt.
Living a semi-subsistence life on the North Slope for most of the 1990s was an invaluable education, and it’s something I continue learning with each journey to different regions of the state. I have gained even more knowledge in the
past six months since moving to Hyder, on the east side of the lower Panhandle. Thanks to first-hand experience I have acquired, I’ve developed a prehunt packing routine that’s quick and efficient. When preparing for a trip to Alaska,
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FIELD
Combining veggies and harvested game birds in wrapped foil for your grill makes for a nice outdoor meal in camp. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
HOORAY FOR HOBO PACKS IN CAMP BY TIFFANY HAUGEN ne of the joys of hunting camp is cooking your quarry. Throughout Alaska many grouse and ptarmigan hunting opportunities will be going for a few more months, so don’t overlook the opportunity to cook them up fresh in camp. Regardless of what you’ve got in the game bag – grouse or ptarmigan – hobo packs are a great way to cook up a meal over the campfire and on your charcoal or gas grill. Preparing hobo packs ahead of time is a time-saver when it comes to camp cooking. And if all else fails and you come up empty-handed, you can whip up a nice vegetarian meal ready to heat
O
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up at the end of the day. Plan on two to four grouse or ptarmigan breasts and thighs per person. A combination of any or all of the following ingredients can be included in a hobo pack. Note that some vegetables need to be cooked ahead of time, as you don’t want to overcook your birds. Sliced potatoes, partially cooked Sliced carrots, partially cooked Sliced zucchini Sliced mushrooms Diced bell pepper Diced tomato Minced onion Minced garlic Corn and/or peas Butter
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Provolone cheese Salt, pepper and smoked paprika Cayenne pepper or red chili flakes, optional Heavy-duty foil Prepare hobo packs prior to leaving for hunting camp. Partially cook potatoes in an oven or microwave until they just start to soften. Steam carrots on the stove or covered in the microwave until tender. Let cool completely before slicing. Chop all other vegetables and cut two 18-inch sheets of heavy-duty foil for each hobo pack. To assemble hobo packs, put two pats of butter in the middle of the foil. Spread a layer of sliced potatoes on top of the butter into about a 6- to 8-inch square. Add carrots on top of potatoes and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, paprika and any other spices you’d like. Continue building your meal, adding any of the other ingredients desired. Add another sprinkle of salt, pepper and paprika on top of the vegetables. Finish with another pat of butter and close the foil. Store in a cooler or refrigerator until ready to cook in camp. Prepare grouse by removing breast and thigh meat. Chop meat into tiny pieces and inspect carefully for any shot. Sprinkle meat with salt, pepper, paprika and any other spices you’d like. Tuck grouse meat into the middle of the hobo pack above the potatoes and carrots but below the other ingredients. Top with a slice of provolone cheese, reseal the package and cook on the edge of the campfire, on top of hot coals or on a medium-hot grill. Packs should take 15 to 25 minutes to cook. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen’s popular cookbook, Cooking Game Birds, visit scotthaugen.com. Watch Tiffany online at Cook With Cabela’s and check out her blog for more great recipes.
FIELD weight and space are a hunter’s limiting factors. If you have the luxury of taking a commercial airline to your hunting pickup point, it’s not so much of a concern. But if you’re taking a bush plane or boat, space and weight are challenges to be dealt with prior to leaving home.
SPYING SAVVY TRAVELERS I see hunters from around the world traveling to Alaska. The veterans are
usually easy to recognize. They wear their boots and bulky hunting jacket on the commercial flight. They’re also wearing or have packed a day’s worth of hunting clothes in their carry-on bag with their toiletries and other essential items. Rifle and bow cases usually make their way onto bush plane flights, but bulky suitcases full of clothes sometimes get left behind. Wearing a set of hunting clothes on the flight into Alaska can save a day or more of hunting should luggage get delayed.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS I recently observed a moose hunter from
Limiting your gear to the absolute essentials increases mobility and success when hunting in remote Alaska. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
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out of state traveling to King Salmon. The weather in early September was warm – at least where he came from – as evidenced by the flip-flops, shorts and T-shirt he wore. His rifle made it, but that was it. The outfitter met him at the airport and they could have flown out to camp that afternoon if the hunter had dressed or packed accordingly. Instead, they ended up spending the next day and a half in King Salmon waiting for gear. There are usually enough bush planes in the air during hunting seasons that gear left behind in the hub town due to airline neglect can be organized to get to
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FIELD hunting camp. But if you take what you need with you, you’d be surprised how long you can actually go without fresh clothes every day.
PACKING VERY LIGHT An outfitter once told me, “Pack what you think you need and then take out half, and that’s what you really need.” It was good advice. The first time I tried it I was uncomfortable. Now, every time I pack for a hunting trip into the bush, I think of this rule.
A PERFECTLY PACKED BAG On my latest moose hunt, I took breathable waders, a thin and midweight base layer (top and bottom), a hooded sweatshirt, a long-sleeved shirt, a midweight rain jacket, gloves, stocking
hat, cap, three pairs of socks and underwear, wet wipes and toiletries. In my carry-on hunting backpack, I had extra clothes and wore my hunting boots. That was it for clothing. For the hunt, I took one box of rifle shells, shooting sticks, binoculars, a 4-inchbladed knife, a sharpener and game bags. I knew if my buddy and I had to pack the moose, my pack could handle it. A mosquito net and repellent were also in my checked bag, along with a small sleeping bag. My pillow consisted of clothes stuffed into a shirt. Inside my locking gun case – something that I check in – I put heavy items, including binoculars and any clothes that will fit. Inside my soft-sided checked bag of clothes I have a dry bag, which allows me to consolidate all gear on the bush plane and gives me an extra bag to put my camera in when I am out on the hunt.
OTHER SMART ITEMS A compact first aid kit is a good idea, and
I usually take a small roll of duct tape and zip-ties. My water bottle has a built-in purifier, which I drain into my hydration pouch in my pack. Should something happen to my pouch, I have a backup bottle. A headlamp and extra batteries are musts. Make sure to remove the batteries in the lamp until you need them. As you plan your next hunt, study the area closely. Know what the terrain is like and what the weather will likely be that time of year. This will help make your packing experience more efficient. When it’s time to head out, you’ll be amazed at how little gear you actually use and what you can do without. After all, hunting in remote Alaska isn’t about luxury; it’s about necessity. ASJ Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s best selling book, Hunting The Alaskan High Arctic, send a check for $38 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489, or order online at scotthaugen.com.
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DANGEROUS
S DAYS
TERRIFYING ENCOUNTERS WITH GRIZZLY BEARS DURING A MOOSE HUNT BY PAUL D. ATKINS
S
ometimes tales of past experiences get put aside like an old pair of boots, but they’re hardly ever forgotten. I think about them often and to tell the truth, they define who I am and what I’ve done here. They were events where mistakes were made. If not for a lucky decision here and there, things could have turned out quite differently. I’ve been a part of many here in Arctic Alaska. Honestly, there have been times when I didn’t think I’d make it home alive. I definitely learned from them and quite frankly, there are a few that are hard to write about. The struggles of each were real and the sheer closeness to sustaining bodily harm was a little too close for comfort. Many people shake their heads and wonder why I put myself in these situations. Looking back, I wonder myself sometimes. Was it the challenge? Or the adventure? Or maybe the sheer obsession with an animal that propelled me? All I know is that most people can’t comprehend what it’s like to come face to face with a sow grizzly or the sinking feeling that if something isn’t done soon, you will freeze to death. Crazy, to say the least. This is one of those stories – a flash from the past in my “Surviving the Arctic” series. Sometimes it’s better to just shake your head, back out and say, nope.
Author Paul Atkins and his buddy Carl got an up-closeand-personal encounter with a grizzly bear during their moose hunt. Even for a seasoned Arctic adventurer, it was a bit too close for Atkins’ comfort – and a reminder of the dangers of recreating in wild Alaska. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
IT WAS PITCH DARK and the big grizzly was
rushing full speed towards our tent. I carried a flashlight in one hand and a .44 in the other. All I could say was, “Here he comes again and this time I don’t think
The same flat riverside country that moose inhabit is home to bruins, but the scrub brush and willow make it difficult to see far into it from streams’ banks, hiding both prey and predator. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
he is going to stop!” The only comfort we had was being inside the tent, or so I thought. This was like a bad dream. Back in the old days I used to fly everywhere to hunt out of do-ityourself-type camps on the many rivers that line the tundra here in Northwest Alaska. This particular hunt began no different than any other year. We were in a place where I had taken moose before and on occasion a caribou or two. The fishing was exceptional there as well, and in good years you might see muskox or even a band of sheep in the lower mountain ranges to the east. Bears were always prevalent and I had encountered many during previous hunts. Those encounters were usually pretty low-key situations, though. Most times a person could easily scare them off by being cautious and using a little common sense. The morning we left was a rare day in Alaska – one with clear skies. We knew we had plenty of time to set up camp and prepare for the next day’s hunt. The longer-than-normal flight to our destination was fun, especially being able to see the ground from a different vantagepoint. Before, most of my views had been from either a boat 72
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or snowmachine, so to see from above how the country comes together was really special. When we reached our hunting area, you could tell this was the place to be and why it is so coveted by most of us who live here. It’s a long river lined with willows and gravel bars that go on for miles. This was moose country for sure, and we could see several big bulls feeding in the high willows as we passed overhead. We were excited, almost to the point of thinking that this was going to be a slam dunk. Looking back, that was something we should never have done. We were even more excited when we saw a huge bear feeding right along beside them, which was perfect since I had a bear tag in my pocket. Over the headphones, I told our transporter that this area would be perfect, and to drop us off. Once on the ground we unloaded our gear and began to set up camp. We cleared a place for two small tents and even though the day was clear, tomorrow would probably bring rain, so we gathered all the dead willow we could find and covered our firewood supply with a tarp. We then brought out the portable raft and blew it up. Having a small raft to float up or down the river
would be a big plus, especially if we happened to take a moose or wanted to search out other areas. When we were finished, we had a look around and tried our hand at fishing. The river is known for big char and catching a few was high on our list. Standing on the bank, flipping lines and talking I noticed several bear tracks in the soft mud, but thought nothing of it. I had seen it before, but the more I looked the more tracks and fresh scat I found. I told Carl, my hunting partner, that there seemed to be a lot of bears around, so we had better keep an eye open. Carl was from Arkansas and this was his first trip to the Arctic. As he was a longtime friend of my family and a person who likes to hunt, I told him to just come up someday and I would take him. He wanted a moose in the worst way, and I told him that I could probably get him on one if he drew a tag.
This is the track of the bear that charged the guys that night and ate their raft. A big track usually means a big bear, but sometimes it’s the smaller ones – the juveniles – that can cause the most harm. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
“I like two tents, one for sleeping and one for gear,” Atkins says. “How the bear knew which one we were in is still a mystery. Maybe he could hear Carl’s snoring.” (PAUL D. ATKINS) 74
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He did, we planned and now he was with me in Alaska. He had never seen a moose before – let alone a bear – so I knew that, like many, this would be a trip of a lifetime for him.
Damage to the hunters’ raft illustrates the depth of the bear’s anger. It totally ruined the opportunity for the men to cruise the river for moose. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
WITH A CLEAR SKY and chilly conditions,
we sat around the fire eating dinner and discussing the ins and outs of family life back home and me in Alaska. After a few drinks the conversation ended and we headed for the sleeping bags. It was hard to sleep through the night in anticipation of the coming day. But finally the sandman found us both and the snoring commenced. Early that morning, long before the sun made its appearance, I woke to the sound of “woof” and the clatter of our gear being tossed around. At first I had no clue what it was, but once my mind cleared I knew exactly what was outside our tent. All that separated us from the beast
After the raft was destroyed, the hunters had little choice about how they were going to continue their search for moose, so their waders came in quite handy. (PAUL D. ATKINS) 76
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Big game hunting in Alaska takes you to great places to fish. The river is well known for the incredible Arctic char it holds and anglers come from all over the world to try to catch them, perhaps even a world record. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
was a thin layer of nylon that was tied down with a bunch of cord. Not wanting to become a tent sandwich, I pulled my pistol from its holster and waited. The bear came crashing towards us, stopping inches from our door. With his deep growls and popping teeth, you could tell he wasn’t happy. I just hoped he wouldn’t get tangled in our tie-downs and drag us off into the willows. What an awful experience that would be.
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We could hear the bear circling our tent again, and although my instincts told me to have a look, I didn’t dare stick my head outside. Finally, the bear stopped. With an immense rush we could hear him coming a second time. As my thumb found the hammer on the Ruger, we started hollering and shining the flashlight in all directions. The bear brushed our tent and headed off to who knows where. Talk about a scary moment! Carl was visibly shaken and I could see that my good friend wasn’t having any of it. To say the least, it was a long night with no sleep.
It’s bittersweet once your ride home arrives. It can be a welcome sight, especially if your hunt wasn’t as grand as expected or a sad time knowing that the hunt is over – even after a harrowing experience. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
DAYLIGHT FINALLY ARRIVED, SO
we crawled out to see where the bear had been. Bear tracks bigger than my size 12s circled the tent. We then checked our food supply and thankfully our coolers and dry bags were intact but strung out across the tundra. After breakfast we geared up and prepared to go look for moose. We were excited but also a bit nervous due to the previous night’s events. We walked down the bank to where our raft was and
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thinking that we might drag it upriver and paddle down in hopes of catching something on the bank. No raft! We looked frantically and found it down the bank about 200 yards away. It looked as if the bear had ripped it to shreds with his immense claws. It was destroyed. Now, even more rattled and a little pissed, we decided to head across the river to look for moose on foot. The further we traveled, the more bear sign we found, and it was fresh. Tracks of all sizes lined the river, so we knew there were multiple bears in the area. Carl was carrying his .338 while I was carrying a bow, but at this point I wished I had brought my rifle. Venturing into the willows I caught movement to my right. It had started to rain and things were a bit blurry, but I thought I saw something brown moving in one of the deep ravines in front of us. I thought it might have been a moose or at least the back of one, but I wasn’t sure. We stopped and waited for whatever it was to appear. Finally, a head popped into view, but it wasn’t a moose; it was a bear – a big bear! Was this the same
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guy that had given us all the trouble the night before? I don’t know, and still don’t, but when his eyes met mine, I knew we were in serious trouble. Without hesitation he immediately came for us in a rush. Most people will never be charged by a bear. And if you have, it’s something you will never forget. It is like slow motion; even though things are moving quicker than you’re imagining, your instincts take over and defense mode kicks in. In a reverse motion, I dropped my bow and handed Carl my pistol while grabbing his rifle at the same time. We were stumbling backwards when Carl got caught up in a tangle of willows. I heard a loud bang but couldn’t comprehend the thought of what was happening. The pistol had gone off right behind me! In his frantic state, Carl had pulled back the hammer and when he stumbled, it fired. I gathered myself, raised the rifle and at 20 yards squeezed the trigger at the charging bear before watching him disappear into the bush. Shaking uncontrollably, we slowly backed out and waited beside the river.
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Carl was downright distraught and apologized profusely about the pistol incident. I told him it wasn’t his fault due to the circumstances we had just experienced. After gathering our wits, we gave it an hour and then circled a few hundred yards downwind from where the event occurred. As we inched forward our luck worsened. We ran into another bear! Was this the original? Had I missed? Was he wounded? Or was this just another chapter to this nightmare? He too was huge, but luckily didn’t see us. Finally, the bear moved off and we proceeded into the willows to where the charge had taken place. Now, I’ve been to Africa since then and have tracked wounded buffalo into the bush, as well as many of the horned species. It’s scary. Looking back, this felt very much like that. When we did get to the spot, I saw something big and brown lying in the willows. I have walked up to downed bears before and I can tell you it’s something you’ll never get used to. As I walked up slowly, I nudged him with the end of the barrel and thank goodness he didn’t move.
He was big, squaring about 8 feet, and heavy. We took a few pictures and then I set to skinning him while Carl watched for other bears. I must have set a new world record for skinning a grizzly, as we were out of there in record time.
AFTER FOUR MORE DAYS and 11 bears later, we ended up not getting a moose. But the hunt was a true adventure and while it was a bit scary at times, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Carl and I learned a lot on that hunt too. It was an experience like no other. Years later when I visit him back home, Carl still talks about that day and the incredible but dangerous experience we had. Something you can only have in Alaska. ASJ
"We were all smiles when it was all done," Atkins (left), says of his trip with Carl. "But a couple hours before this photo was taken, we were not. Bears are dangerous and if you get one that doesn’t like you, even more so.” (PAUL D. ATKINS)
Editor’s note: Paul Atkins is an outdoor writer and author from Kotzebue, Alaska. He’s written hundreds of articles on big game hunting throughout North America and Africa, plus surviving in the Arctic. Paul is a regular contributor to Alaska Sporting Journal.
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FROM BUSTED TO A BULL AFTER A SEASON OF LETDOWNS, A MOOSE HUNTER FINALLY SCORES
BY BRIAN WATKINS
F Author Brian Watkins wanted one last opportunity to fill his freezer after a frustrating start to his 2019 hunting season. A moose hunt was essentially his last chance to make up for the disappointments. (BRIAN WATKINS)
rustration was the name of the game with how my 2019 hunting season began. It started off with work schedules canceling an August sheep hunt. Then, a week-long caribou hunt turned into chasing bulls but not having an arrow connect. Later, an excursion for moose only turned up sublegal bulls. I was running out of time to fill the freezer. I was down to a few weekend hunts and after-work wishes. I was vocal to everyone
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around me about the mishaps and blunders that I had endured. I texted one of my clients that I figured my luck had finally run its course and this was the year I’d get skunked. He’s a decade-long friend who has as much passion for the outdoors as I do. His response back was, “You’ll get something. You’re one of the most dedicated outdoorsmen I know.” His words of encouragement didn’t fall upon deaf ears. I had to put faith in them. I left after work that day to head to the mountains.
MY PLAN WAS A simple one. I went to an area that I knew
held moose from summer hikes and past seasons. It was an archery-only zone and I hoped that the season’s pressure hadn’t pushed the moose too far out. During this time of year – mid-September – the bulls are cruising. They can walk for miles while thrashing brush
Watkins decided to hunt an archery-only area, and although moose weren’t rutting at that point in mid-September, decided to bring his cow call, what would prove to be a fortuitous choice. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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and picking up cows to mate later in October. It’s all about being in the right place at the right time. I have called bulls in on this trail in previous years, so I was hopeful. As I got to an area where I could shoot, I walked slowly and thrashed brush trying to imitate another bull. I used my bull horn to project grunts and scrape every tree within arm’s length.
The author shows off his bull moose, which made up for earlier setbacks during the season. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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Within minutes of hunting, a bull stepped out at 200 yards. With a rifle, it would have been a short hunt, but I had to close the distance. I dropped my bull horn and threw both arms in the air trying to posture like a rival bull. Using the whites of your hands as “paddles” will usually trigger a rutting bull into a fight. They’ll sway their heads back and forth trying to show you their paddles in an intimidation game. It was still a bit early for this tactic to pay off for me, as the bull wasn’t very interested in going toe to toe. He slowly started to walk in the opposite direction of me. I waited for him to disappear down the trail and I high-tailed it toward him. I was hoping to close the distance without scaring him off. This was a cat-and-mouse game that I was losing. Every time I did this, he would get further away. I decided to let out three long cow calls. I knew it was too early in the year to utilize cow calls to bring bulls in, but I hoped it would slow him down. It worked! The bull stopped in his tracks and allowed me to close the distance. I wish
Filling the freezer and taking home memories of a successful hunt made it doubly satisfying for Watkins, who looks forward to 2020’s seasons. (BRIAN WATKINS)
I could say I used some kind of amazing tactic to get closer, but I literally walked straight at him. I let an arrow fly at 61 yards and hit him hard in the lungs. He let out a loud roar – almost like a bear. I listened as the moose thrashed around
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in the thick alders and then lay to rest. The bull ended up being only 50 yards off of the trail, making the packout a lot easier. I was over a mile back, but the hike out was all trail. I used my inReach to get a hold of my buddies and
LIVE FREE OR DIE TRYING FEBRUARY 2020 | aksportingjournal.com
six of them came out to help pack. When hunting moose on foot, you must have reliable friends to lend a helping hand. Thanks to all those guys for helping me pack a dream bull back to my truck. ASJ
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ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
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