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Emphasis on Quality Accent on Innovation
PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott
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ON THE COVER Whether you’re interested in hunting mountain goats, moose or caribou, now is the time to apply for a tag for a 2020 Alaska draw hunt. (BRIAN WATKINS) MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE 14240 Interurban Ave South • Suite 190 Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 382-9220 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com www.media-inc.com CORRESPONDENCE Twitter @AKSportJourn Facebook.com/alaskasportingjournal Email ccocoles@media-inc.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 7
FEATURES 33
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST PEBBLE MINE PROPOSAL The roller coaster ride that is the Pebble Mine saga took another sharp turn in summer when the Environmental Protection Agency revoked the “Bristol Bay Proposed Determination” that would have helped protect the region’s salmon runs from the potential threat of mining accidents. In response, a coalition led by Alaska’s chapter of Trout Unlimited has filed a lawsuit against the feds. TU’s Jenny Weis has the details.
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’TIS THE SEASON – TO APPLY FOR NEXT YEAR’S TAGS For residents and nonresidents alike, putting in for a coveted permit to hunt moose, caribou or Dall sheep next year and waiting for the draw results to come out is an anxious time. Fortunately, Paul Atkins has been applying for special tags for years and knows how the system works. With the Tier 1 and II hunt application period open through mid-December Atkins shares tips he’s learned over his time in the Last Frontier.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
When our correspondent Brian Watkins (left) was looking to apply for a hunting tag back in the 2012 season, he made a game-changing decision to try for a Kodiak mountain goat. He drew a permit and went on his first goat hunt – and has been obsessed with chasing billies in the island’s heights ever since. Take a trip in Watkins’ wayback machine as this goat hunting veteran reflects on his days as a green rookie.
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HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FOR ALASKA OUTDOORSMEN The clock is ticking on the holiday gift shopping season. If your loved one is a sportsman or -woman, you know they’d love some fishing, hunting or simply outdoorsy gear. Scott Haugen reaches into his big bag of field-tested presents and shares some of his favorite new options for those on your Christmas list. Tiffany Haugen also whips up a savory holiday crabmeat tart recipe in our Field to Fire feature.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 17 20 43 77 93
The Editor’s Note French photographer follows polar bears in Alaska and throughout the Arctic for new book Outdoor calendar The Gear Guy: Top hunting boots on the market Popular gunstock company to open new manufacturing facility
(BRIAN WATKINS) 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 © 2019 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. 12
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Ashley Wallace, a U.S. Coast Guard petty officer then stationed on Kodiak Island, where she enjoyed hunting and fishing, was among those who provided memorable moments of 2019. (ASHLEY WALLACE)
H
appy Holidays, everyone. As we close out 2019, I wanted to look back at what we wrote and what was said in the pages of Alaska Sporting Journal this year. Enjoy! • Hunting guide and TV host Billy Molls (January) on getting his clients on an Alaskan animal of a lifetime: “I’m not so much about getting a 28-year-old kid who’s an ultra-marathon runner a Dall sheep. I want to get one for that 65-yearold man with two artificial knees who worked his full life so he can finally afford to go on his dream hunt. This guy’s only got one climb up the mountain, so he’s got to make it count.” • Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Ashley Wallace (February) on the experiences she had sharing the outdoors with her husband Branson, also a Coast Guard petty officer, on Kodiak Island (the couple has since transferred for duty in Louisiana): “You fly out to this island and you forget all the problems of the Lower 48. I feel at peace in Kodiak. I’ve never felt so much a part of a community as I have here.” • Survivalist Laura Zerra (March) on her experience in the snow of Alaska participating on Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid: “There were a lot of times when walking through the snow-
drift and we’re cutting up our feet, you had to laugh. Because it’s so absurd and so crazy, I thought a lot about my life and said, ‘What’s wrong with me? Why on earth are we doing this?’” • Gwich’in Native Bernadette Demientieff (April) on her people’s fight to prevent oil drilling near Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: “We very much still live off of our land, and we honor our tradition and our way of life. It’s been a really tough fight and a battle, because I feel like I’m trying to convince people that we matter.” • Writer Paul Atkins (June) on some of the dangerous Alaska situations he’s faced while hunting: “As you can imagine, I’ve endured a lot of close calls. These were times when I wished I was anywhere but the place I was in. Trips so bad you’d swear out loud that you would never do it again, only to do it again the following year. Crazy, right?” • Alaskan pro skier and outdoorswoman Elyse Saugstad (July) on the Last Frontier lifestyle that shaped her life: “For me, I can’t even really point a finger where I fell in love with the mountains because I fell in love so young. I was feeling like I wanted to be a skier. Kids want to be astronauts or firemen, but I wanted to be a skier.” • From Field to Fire writer Scott Hau-
gen (October) on a memorable black bear hunt with a first-time Alaska hunter: “There we sat atop a remote Alaskan mountain and admired one of the most spectacular views on the planet. There were also two bears only a few yards apart from one another.” • Author Tom Walker (October) about how the area around his home near Denali National Park has changed throughout the 50-plus years he’s lived in Alaska: “To love some terrain so much and see it change so much in a negative way, it has been difficult. Climate change is very real and to watch the effects on the wildlife and plants that have evolved over millennia is difficult. Here in the Far North, the concept is not abstract but a real ongoing process that people who look to nature can readily see and experience.” • Former ASJ correspondent Christine Cunningham (November), featured in the book Why Women Hunt, on conservation: “We have a civic duty and obligation because wildlife is held in the public trust. We can’t shirk it – the future of hunting relies on our ability to show this connection, and it isn’t about being badass, elite, athletic, or even entitled because of our conservation dollars.” I had to leave off several more, but here’s to you, 2019. -Chris Cocoles
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AN ARCTIC FRENCH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER CHRONICLES POLAR BEARS IN ALASKA AND BEYOND IN NEW BOOK
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BY CHRIS COCOLES
F
renchman Michel Rawicki was influenced a couple ways as a youngster and then an adult – first by photography, and then by the Arctic and those humans and its wildlife living there. “We have so much to learn from the observation of nature. When it speaks to us privately, it is a source of wonder and gives us a strong feeling of belonging to the universe,” Rawicki writes in a new book of 200 stunning images he compiled in a three-year odyssey spying the polar bear – known by the Inuit people in Alaska and throughout the Arctic as Nanuk – from the Last Frontier to Siberia and from Norway to Greenland. “It was the moment to publish a book which throws light on the reality of the situation of the polar bear today, but it is first and foremost a homage to the polar bear’s beauty and its poetry,” he writes. “Let’s protect all kinds of wildlife and nature, as we are part of it,” Rawicki, 69, said in an email Q&A when we asked about the polar bears he observed and other great big game predators around the globe, many of which are threatened, endangered or on the brink of extinction due to a variety of factors, including climate change. In the following pages, Rawicki shares his infatuation with icy landscapes and fascination with one of the world’s most graceful, feared and iconic species. The photos are courtesy of Polar Bears: A Life Under Threat, by Michel Rawicki and published by ACC Art Books. Polar bears clash in Kaktovik, located on Alaska’s Barter Island, east of Prudhoe Bay. French photographer Michel Rawicki traveled for three years to see polar bears all over the world, including Alaska. His photos are compiled in a new book, Polar Bears: A Life Under Threat. (MICHEL RAWICKI)
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Chris Cocoles Congratulations on a fantastic book, Michel. What inspired you to take on this particular project? Michel Rawicki My intimate relationship with this animal, a symbol of global warming and totem of the 21st century. CC Growing up in France you had a passion for photography. Did you get to take
photos of a lot of wildlife specifically or just scenery and people in general? MW I started my career in 1969 and I quit college to work with Claude Lelouch, famous filmmaker [who won one Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film and was nominated for Best Director] as an assistant. Then, I worked as a “people” photographer
in the show business area and photographed Tina Turner and Tom Jones. Then I worked as a still-life photographer for 15 years and discovered Greenland and its icebergs in 1992, and also (discovered) the polar bears in those same years. CC What did you know about polar
Frenchman Michel Rawicki has always been fascinated by photography, snowy landscapes and the critters that call those lands home. “I had always dreamed of witnessing the birth of the icebergs,” he says. (MICHEL RAWICKI) Nelson River, Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada. (MICHEL RAWICKI)
Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska. (MICHEL RAWICKI) 22
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bears before starting this journey? MW I was just fascinated by the animals and then learned and wanted to know more about them! CC Later in life, you became fascinated with icy locations and snow. How did that impact your career in photography? MW I was attracted from my childhood
by icy landscapes, and at this time I discovered Greenland. I had always dreamed of witnessing the birth of the icebergs, these ice monsters, and discover Ilulissat (Greenland) and the Bay of Disko, the biggest iceberg distributor in the Northern Hemisphere. I was overwhelmed and fascinated by this natural power. (I wanted to) share my
love of the poles and raise awareness as to the fact that the conservation of this fragile immense space concerns each and every one of us on a daily basis. CC What’s the closest you’ve come to a polar bear? MW A few meters, but I didn’t know he was behind me. I realized it after I dis-
Bakanbutka, Svalbard, Norway. (MICHEL RAWICKI)
Churchill and Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada. (MICHEL RAWICKI) 24
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covered his footprints 30 minutes later.
as natives around the polar circle.
CC Tell me about your experience with the bears in Alaska? MW It was such an amazing atmosphere in Kaktovik on Barter Island with this number of bears wandering around the “bone pile” and seeing all the whales’ carcasses.
CC So you really enjoyed your time there and want to go back and experience more of the rugged and beautiful landscapes, plus the diverse wildlife? MW Yessss!
CC Did you get an opportunity to talk to any Alaskans and what was that overall experience like for you? MW No, but I plan to travel over there some day. I focus my work now on humans such
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CC And worldwide, did you have a favorite place in all of your travels when photographing the bears? MW Of course. Svalbard, Norway, and Manitoba, Canada. CC Is there something that you learned about polar bears that surprised you?
DECEMBER 2019 | aksportingjournal.com
Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska. (MICHEL RAWICKI)
Karl XII-oya, Svalbard, Norway. (MICHEL RAWICKI) aksportingjournal.com | DECEMBER 2019
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Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska. (MICHEL RAWICKI)
MW Yes; their fantastic capacity to adapt themselves to the changing (conditions), like getting on a rock at low tide and wait for belugas when [there’s] enough water to catch them. CC What do you see in the future for polar bears given the threats of climate change and the perception that the Arctic’s glaciers are melting and habitat for these bears is getting smaller? MW Today the population is stable, even growing but tomorrow, who knows? CC After this adventure, is there another species or project similar to this one that you would like to pursue? MW Yes, of course. I will still travel and meet Nanuk again, as I will travel next year as a guide in Svalbard on a ship named Polarfront. Also, I am now very focused on a third book dedicated to all these people who live in the “cold.” These are the nomads who are taking care of their cattle like reindeer – from Norway with the Sami to Mongolia with the Tsataan and Russia, of course, with the (indigenous) Evene, Nenetses and Dolgan people. ASJ
Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska.
(MICHEL RAWICKI)
Savissivik, northwest coast of Greenland (Denmark). (MICHEL RAWICKI)
Kaktovik, Barter Island, Alaska.
(MICHEL RAWICKI)
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Editor’s note: Order a copy of Polar Bears: A Life Under Threat on Amazon and also at accartbooks.com/us/ store/pv/9781788840422/polar-bears/ michel-rawicki. For more on photographer Michel Rawicki, go to his website, michelrawicki.com, and follow him on Instagram (@michelrawicki).
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PROTECTING
WILD ALASKA
Commercial fisherman Mark Niver, Alaska Sportsman’s Lodge owner Brian Kraft and United Tribes of Bristol Bay executive director Alannah Hurley testify on Oct. 23 before Congress in Washington D.C. about the importance of Bristol Bay and against the proposed mine there. With the Pebble project moving forward again, Trout Unlimited is among several Alaska groups suing the Environmental Protection Agency to protect the salmon-rich watershed. (TROUT UNLIMITED ALASKA)
TROUT UNLIMITED-LED GROUP FILES SUIT ON EPA OVER PEBBLE MINE BY JENNY WEIS
I
n October, the sportfishing community across the country buzzed once again with news concerning Bristol Bay, one of the most prized and threatened fisheries in the world. Early that month, Trout Unlimited
announced it would sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a decision that helps pave the way for the proposed Pebble Mine. The announcement reignited lodge owners, guides and anglers behind efforts to stop the massive pro-
posed mine from moving forward atop a region known as “salmon country” and recognized as among the best of what’s left in terms of freshwater fly fishing. The lawsuit is focused around a decision made by the EPA this July to revoke
aksportingjournal.com | DECEMBER 2019
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a proposal – known as the Bristol Bay Proposed Determination – that could have protected the salmon- and troutrich region from harmful mining projects like the proposed Pebble Mine. The EPA’s decision threatens the fishery that had another record-setting year, with 56.3 million sockeye salmon returning. In response, a group of local tribal and commercial fishing organizations announced they would be suing the EPA. The next day, Trout Unlimited, along with a collection of other conservation organizations, filed a separate, third lawsuit. TU’s lawsuit alleges the EPA ignored science and the potential impacts of developing the mine when it withdrew protections for the Bristol Bay region – the Proposed Determination – and in doing so violated the Administrative Procedures Act and Clean Water Act. “Contrary to science, the will of the people, and common sense, Pebble is advancing toward their key permit, thanks in part to agencies giving them handouts. This lawsuit calls that out,” said Nanci Morris Lyon, local resident “Pebble is advancing toward their key permit, thanks in part to agencies giving them handouts. This lawsuit calls that out,” says Bristol Bay lodge owner Nanci Morris Lyon. “We can’t afford Pebble in Bristol Bay, and that means we need science, oversight, integrity and persistence.” (NANCI MORRIS LYON)
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and owner of Bear Trail Lodge. “We can’t afford Pebble in Bristol Bay, and that means we need science, oversight, integrity and persistence.” Each suit contends the EPA failed to follow the law when they withdrew the Proposed Determination. If finalized, the Proposed Determination would have limited the scope and scale of impacts from the proposed Pebble Mine to the world-class salmon, trout and water resources of the region. These limits were made after the EPA found a mine like Pebble would have “significant” and potentially “catastrophic” impacts on the Bristol Bay watershed. “When other runs around the country are measured in the hundreds or thousands, Bristol Bay’s are consistently in the millions. That is the massive resource that is risked by this unjustified and fundamentally boneheaded decision,” said Chris Wood, TU CEO. “We have spent $18 billion on unsuccessful efforts to try and recover salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers; meanwhile, Alaska’s resource is outstanding and all we have
PROTECTING
WILD ALASKA
Residents of Dillingham, Alaska, gathered this summer to send a message to the EPA to protect their home region, weeks before the federal agency announced it would remove a “Proposed Determination” designed to protect Bristol Bay. (UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY)
to do to keep it intact is have the good sense to leave it alone.”
PEBBLE’S KEY FEDERAL PERMIT is cur-
rently being considered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency cannot issue a permit to Pebble if the EPA’s decision on the Bristol Bay Proposed Determination is overturned. “Removing the Proposed Determination was one of the most poorly justified
decisions in the history of the Clean Water Act and is an affront to the fisheries, local communities, and sportsmen and -women around the world,” said Wood. “We are not a litigious organization, but we and millions of other sportsmen and -women will not allow greed to compromise the most important salmon fishery on the planet.” The Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska supports the world’s most abun-
dant sockeye salmon run, Alaska’s most productive Chinook salmon run and a world-famous trophy rainbow trout fishery. These fisheries are the foundation for a robust sportfishing industry, a rich cultural history and subsistence way of life supporting more than 30 Alaska Native Tribes, and a valuable commercial fishing industry. Bristol Bay fishing – including sport, commercial and subsistence – accounts
Commercial fishing boats in the Nushagak district sent off flares signaling an “SOS” to Alaska’s congressional delegation for help regarding the Pebble Mine’s rapidly advancing federal permit. Says Nelli Williams, Alaska director for Trout Unlimited, “Any action that jeopardizes this fishery and extremely unique place is unacceptable.” (MISTY NIELSON) 36
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for thousands of sustainable local jobs and more than $1.5 billion in annual economic activity. Citing this unique and wild character and the economic and cultural importance of the region, the EPA prepared the Bristol Bay Proposed Determination after years of scientific research and multiple peer reviews, with many thousands of Alaskans and millions of Americans voicing support for protecting the region. The proposal was released in July 2014 after the EPA extensively analyzed the Bristol Bay watershed and the effects of large-scale mining in the Pebble deposit area. Tribes, communities, fishermen and businesses of Bristol Bay requested the EPA undergo the process, and the agency conducted a three-year, twice-peer-reviewed scientific assessment to reach their findings. Over 1.5 million comments were submitted across the country on the proposal, 85.9 percent of which were in support of strong protections for Bristol Bay. “Any action that jeopardizes this fishery and extremely unique place is unacceptable,” said Nelli Williams, TU Alaska director. “This lawsuit is a step to hold the EPA accountable to their own science and American sportsmen and -women, not a foreign-owned mining company.”
GROUPS BACKING THE LAWSUITS are cur-
rently working out the schedule with the court and opposing council. It is likely that the three suits will be combined into one. The lawsuit will progress amid an important year for the Bristol Bay region as its key federal permit advances through the NEPA process and the mining company strives to gain financial backing. If anglers around the country don’t want to see the Pebble Mine advance within the unique and world-class Bristol Bay region, 2020 is a critical year to speak up. Learn more and take action at SaveBristolBay.org. ASJ
Editor’s note: Jenny Weis is the communications and digital advocacy specialist for Trout Unlimited’s Alaska program. For more, go to tu.org/project/alaska.
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DECEMBER OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Moose seasons will commence in December in several game management units, including Prince of Wales Island, the Mat-Su Valley and the Alaska Peninsula. (ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME)
Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1
Dec. 15 Dec. 15
Wolf season opens in Game Management Unit 2 (Prince of Wales Island) Resident antlered bull moose season opens in GMU 9C (Alaska Peninsula; Naknek River drainage) Resident antlered bull moose season opens in GMU 9E (Alaska Peninsula) Resident anterless moose season opens in GMU 14A (Mat-Su Valley) Resident antlered bull moose season opens in GMU 17B and 17C (Bristol Bay) Moose season opens in GMU 18 (Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta) Antlerless moose season opens in GMU 20B (Fairbanks-Central Tanana, within Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge Resident moose season opens in GMU 20F (Fairbanks-Central Tanana, Yukon River drainage downstream from but not including Hess Creek drainage and excluding Tanana River drainage) Resident antlered bull moose season opens in GMU 9B, 9C and 9D (Alaska Peninsula) Various moose seasons open in GMU 14 (Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson Management Area)
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 | DECEMBER 2019
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’TIS THE SEASON ... TO APPLY BETWEEN THE END OF ONE SEASON AND DECEMBER’S PERMIT DEADLINE, A HUNTER LOOKS TO ‘WHAT’S NEXT?’ BY PAUL D. ATKINS
D
epending on how you look at it, November in the Arctic can be a happy time or sad time for most of us. Hunting is done, the berries are picked and it’s time to relax or wonder. For me I’m kind of caught in the middle. The fishing trip upriver in early August seemed like a long time ago, and the few that we did catch were not nearly enough to make us happy. All those grizzly encounters in September still
lingered in our minds as well, especially wandering through the kunnichuk and catching the faint smell of bear hide on just about everything. It was a great time. However, my mind wandered and I started to think about the moose I didn’t get. It’s depressing, to say the least. But it wasn’t because of not trying. We searched everywhere, but they simply weren’t there. My freezer was not as full because of it, so my thoughts turned to that “what’s
Applying for permits is a bit like playing the lottery, but figuring out which areas to apply for does take time and effort. For those who know the system and take the time to study it, it can be very rewarding, especially if you bag a trophy and fill your freezer for the winter. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
Most hunts require a tag, but some require you to draw a special permit. Bear hunting was once like that, but there are places in Alaska where you can obtain a tag over the counter, unless you’re a nonresident. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
next?” feeling. Luckily for us, the next cycle begins and it’s time to start thinking about the future. For most of us this is the way it works, but if you’re like me and hunting is truly your passion, then you’re already starting to think about next season, which gives me hope. Everyone needs goals. For instance, I’ve been thinking about doing something totally different next fall. For sure I’m going to do a DIY flyout caribou, moose and bear hunt with my son Eli, plus take my hunting partner Lew and my good friend Garrett along with me. It will be one for the ages. I also plan to head back to Kodiak for deer and, if everything goes right, Dall sheep will be on the menu. I just need a little luck and time.
THE DRAW APPLICATION PROCESS Here are a few strategies when it comes to applying: Look over all the hunt permits offered and find what interests you. You can even look at detailed maps on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website to get a better perspective. Apply early; if there is a mistake, ADFG will contact you and help you correct it. Choose a hunt with high permit numbers. It has been my experience that you can’t go wrong with most hunts here in the state. However, some are a lot more challenging than others. Make sure your application is complete. Getting the correct information in the correct boxes, typing in the correct license number and then paying the fee – all will result in a better chance for being successful. Choose as many species as you feel comfortable applying for and can afford. I usually apply for several each year and usually draw one, and sometimes none. Don’t give up. If you don’t draw this year, then try again the next. You never know what can happen. And besides, you won’t get that tag unless you apply. More information can be found at hunt.alaska.gov. PA
The one Alaska permit that has eluded author Paul Atkins for 20 years is a bison tag. They are highly coveted, so he can understand why the species has the most applications year after year. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
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It was once easy to get a moose tag or draw a permit for one. Nowadays it’s a whole different story. Moose are vanishing here in Alaska, and in some areas there are zero tags available. Predators are the problem. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
FOR MANY OF US, whether we live here in Alaska or in the Lower 48, we find ourselves wanting, or sometimes wishing, we could hunt a particular species in a particular area. What may be common for some might be a dream for others, whether it’s sheep in the Alaska Range, goats on Kodiak or maybe a coveted brown bear tag down south. All are obtainable with good fortune and some long-term planning. But some of these hunts require a certain tag that can only be obtained through a drawing of some kind. Each year the state of Alaska has a permit drawing. As in most states, hunters can apply for certain tags to hunt a particular species in a specific area. Some are easy to draw and others downright difficult to get. I personally put in for several hunts each year, hoping chance will find me and I’ll draw that special tag. Then when spring rolls around, I 50
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anxiously check the computer to see if I drew it. I’ve been pretty lucky throughout the years, except on a couple. Here’s how it works: Each year the Alaska Department of Fish and Game makes available a certain number or permits to be applied for and obtained by hunters, both residents and nonresidents. The number of tags allotted is based on animal population surveys that biologists do each year. These surveys determine the number of animals that can be harvested from a certain area. They then allow hunters to apply for these permits through a drawing. The application period for applying for these hunts started on November 1 and continues through December 16 this year, with the results being posted usually in late February or early March. The drawing is species-specific and unit-specific. All Alaska species are included, with
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some of the more coveted tags being Kodiak brown bear, Dall sheep, goat, muskox and – the one that has eluded me for years – buffalo. Moose are also included, with caribou and grizzly tags available in some areas. Before November 2012, all hunt applications were done via the pen-andpaper route, but these days all applications have to be done online. It’s easy and ADFG’s website is easy to understand and navigate. Each hunt is number specific and hunters can submit up to six different hunt numbers per species. Each submitter must have a current Alaska hunting license to apply and hunters who are successful may only receive one permit per species, with the hunts all non-transferable. These applications do cost money – ranging from $5 to $20 per hunt number – but it is reasonably cheap compared to most states. Nonresidents have a few more rules
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than do residents, particularly when it comes to certain species. Nonresidents must have a guide to hunt brown bear, grizzly, Dall sheep and goats, but moose and caribou do not require a guide – yet. Here’s something to remember when you start applying for certain tags in some of the more remote country. It is suggested that if you are applying for a permit that requires a guide, you should get in touch with those who do guide in the area long before the application period begins. This way you can be assured they’re available if you do draw. Hunters should only select reputable guides who are registered with the state. Hunters who plan to apply for a permit that doesn’t require a guide still need to do their homework. Most of these hunts will require a transporter of some kind. Whether going in by boat or by plane, you’ll need to be in contact with someone who services the area. Most transporters book early and often. If you’re lucky enough to get a permit, you’ll definitely need their help. Remember that a transporter isn’t a guide; their
Some tags are highly coveted and if you do get drawn, many will count you lucky. If you come home from hunting with something, it’s even more good fortune. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
If you succeed in drawing a tag, the next step is working on logistics. If no guide is required, then a transporter will be the order of the day. Whether accessing your hunt unit by plane or boat, you’ll need to do your research and book early. (PAUL D. ATKINS) 52
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job is to get you safely from point A to point B. Most transporters are great, but not all are created equally, so make sure you do your homework. Also, don’t forget that if you’re 16 years or older you must have completed a basic hunter education course to hunt in Alaska. Additionally, some areas require a bowhunting education course, which all bowhunters must complete.
LIKE USUAL, MOST WEEKENDS this com-
ing season will still find me chasing caribou and moose, and hopefully I’ll be connecting on one or the other and filling the freezer. More importantly, I’ll get to be with friends and share camps in places that only Alaska can provide. Plus, who knows: I may get that bison tag yet. To those thinking about the future, I hope you’re successful in drawing the
“If you’re like me and hunting is truly your passion,” Atkins writes, “then you’re already starting to think about next season, which gives me hope. Everyone needs goals.” (PAUL D. ATKINS)
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tag or tags you want. Life is too short to just stay home and watch. ASJ Editor’s note: Paul Atkins is an outdoor writer and author from Kotzebue, Alaska. He’s had hundreds of articles published 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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HOW IT ALL BEGAN A GOAT HUNTER RECALLS HIS FIRST ALASKA ADVENTURE
BY BRIAN WATKINS
I
n November 2011 it was time for me to put in for the hunting tag drawings that Alaska offers. Alaska is unique in that it gives
residents the ability to harvest every game species that the state has to offer. From the deer of Kodiak Island, the bears of the Alaska Peninsula and the Dall sheep of the Alaska Range, to the goats of Prince William Sound and all the way
through the moose and caribou and even into the musk oxen, elk and buffalo, there are a lot of available opportunities here. There are drawings for all animals, as well as harvest and registration tickets, a whole other philosophy in management.
For Brian Watkins, who has become a diehard mountain goat hunter, his first trip to Kodiak Island in search of a billy was a defining experience that he looks back on fondly. (BRIAN WATKINS)
Watkins’ buddy and hunting partner Chris Cole was ready for action, even as bad weather delayed their arrival in Kodiak. (BRIAN WATKINS)
I believe that if there is a unique availability to hunt a limited number of tags, then everyone should try and take advantage of that. It allows hunters to be in different areas, with less pressure, and sometimes more challenging terrain. I put in for the Uganik goat tag because there was a substantial percentage of drawing it. And as luck would have it, when the tag winners were released in March, I read my name and the pertinent details: Brian Watkins: Uganik Tag DG474. The planning was on. I referenced archived posts from the Alaska Outdoors Hunting Forums. I messaged members who had hunted the tag or just hunted Kodiak goats before, as I was completely new to goat hunting, the island, and especially the Uganik area, to the west and southwest of the town of Kodiak. From March up until the day I left, I talked with fellow hunters. Looking back now, I’m so thankful for all those 60
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who helped me. Alaska is extremely unique in its hunting community, one in which fellow hunters reach out and help whenever possible. As long as you research and are knowledgeable, they are more than willing to share stories, ideas and tricks. I was also on the phone weekly with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and my transporter, Andrews Airways. It was time to look over maps, pick areas and draw up a game plan. It was becoming real.
FAST FORWARD UP TO Sept. 22, 2012, and Chris Cole, a great friend and hunting partner, and I were on our way to Kodiak. This was the first time both of us would set foot on the island and along with trying to fill my Uganik tag, we planned to do some deer hunting as well. The weather looked dismal for most of the week and it was going to be a tough hunt if the weather turned. Sure enough, we took off from Anchorage at 6 a.m., only to arrive right back in
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Anchorage 90 minutes later. The fog had rolled into Kodiak and landing was not an option. We were put on a later flight and finally arrived in Kodiak around 2 p.m. But the fog and wind picked up again and we were unable to fly out that night. We stayed at a wonderful B&B and were rested and ready to go on Sunday. It took most of the day for the weather to settle, but we finally got to the spot we had picked out around 5 in the afternoon. After looking our maps over and over again, we arrived at a spot that was on the list from the start. The terrain had a great bowl around a lake, and there were lots of goats. Within minutes of setting up camp and starting to glass, Chris found goats. In Alaska, you can’t hunt certain animals on the same day you fly in, so we were stuck glassing and deciding on a game plan for the rest of the night. We decided to cut around the lake, get high up fast and sneak along the ridge into the goats.
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ON MONDAY MORNING, WE arose at 6:30
and immediately were excited. When my alarm went off I jumped out of the sleeping bag – still in long underwear – and was out glassing the goats we had seen the night before. They were still in the same general area and grazing. Perfect! By the time we finished breakfast and got ready to go it was 8 a.m. I threw up
the binoculars one last time and was able to see the last of the goats going up and over the ridge, directly away from us. This threw a wrench into the game plan, but we decided to go with the original blueprint and head for where we had last seen them. This proved to be an excellent choice. Within half an hour of hiking, we had
Having never pursued goats or been to Kodiak before either, Watkins went online to pick the brains of more experienced hunters and those familiar with the Uganik permit area, which is southwest of the town of Kodiak and on the northwest face of the island. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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jumped a buck and a doe blacktail. Chris and I went back and forth on whether he should shoot the deer or not. “Let’s let them go,” Chris said. “I don’t want to ruin your goat hunt.” I disagreed. “Shoot! Get your gun out. He’s leaving! The goats will stay!” Chris stated his case. “No! It will spoil the valley.” We went back and forth for about a minute. To me, this showed Chris’s patience and the great kind of friend he is. If he had shot, it more than likely would have wrecked the goat hunt. But he waited and it proved beneficial for us. By noon we were up into the saddle, exactly where we wanted to be to have a chance at the goats. We got out the spotting scope and located the goats,
They’re not called mountain goats for no reason – Watkins said some of the country he and Cole traversed “petrified” him. (BRIAN WATKINS) 64
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which were on another lake that was far away from us, plus in tough terrain to battle. We glassed our valley for a while more and saw three different goats. Two were grazing together and one was alone in the crags. After glassing around for upwards of an hour, we finally decided that the lone goat was the best option. He seemed big bodied, but it was still too far to judge horn size. Getting to this goat was a bit of an obstacle. We had to side-hill through some of the scariest country I have ever traveled in. It takes a lot for me to get scared hiking in the mountains, but here I was petrified. The winds kicked up and blew hard in our faces. The fog came down, which kept eyesight to a minimum.
And the rain slickened the rocks enough to make hiking through them a slippery mess. Hiking in this terrain was dangerous but also quite exhilarating. It took me three times to realize it, but I learned that if a goat trail stops, so should you. Goat trails are about 12 inches wide as they crest mountains and slopes, and when they end and there’s an opening, it does not mean it’s hikeable. I would end up with three cliffs on either side with a turnaround in the only direction I came up. I was able to get around a little bit but could not find the goat we thought was there. Chris had gone down low and was walking the valley trying to help me spot. We ended up in the last valley, where the goat should have been. But there was no goat in sight. I started down towards Chris to try to devise another game plan. Halfway down he motioned for me to hurry along and get to him. The excitement was now starting! I got down as fast as I could, reached Chris and was thrilled to find out once the fog was completely gone, the lone goat was there. We rushed to the last spot he had
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Given how difficult the hiking was, Watkins and Cole cherished their camp, though also had to dig a trench around it to ward off flooding during a multiday rain- and windstorm. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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Watkins ...And here’s withthe hisreward first mountain for all the goat, hard work. which stoked The a passion author shows he stilloff has histo “redemption this day. (BRIAN ram.” WATKINS) (TREVOR EMBRY)
seen the goat. As we turned the corner of a cliff, the goat was there. It fed along and started to head out. We needed to act, fast! We made a plan. Every time the fog settled, we’d take off for the next rock. We couldn’t get a range on the goat as the fog was messing with our finders, but I knew we were too far for a comfortable shot. We got to a spot where it looked like there was no passing. The goat slipped behind a cliff and we were indecisive on where we should go. Finally, I took off. I’m still not quite sure how I got around the next rock. My instincts kicked in and I moved through the rocks like Spiderman. 68
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I got to a flat spot, looked up and the goat spotted me. In a bit of a panic, I dropped to a knee and set in on the goat. I’m not proud to say it now, but I had to shoot six times. I ended up missing the animal three times but was finally successful in taking my first mountain goat. However, the goat slid about 350 yards down the mountain. It got beat up, breaking off both of its horns and affecting the meat in a bad way. We were able to salvage a good portion of the animal and found both horns intact. We skinned the goat and quartered it. By then it was about 8:45 p.m. The sun had set and we were hiking back in the
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dark. I don’t know what made the hike back so tough. It may have been because it had started to rain and the wind was blowing us sideways. But it was also dark, I was carrying a 175-pound pack and the terrain was steep. It was probably a combination of it all, but I must say that that tough pack sure felt great.
FROM THAT NIGHT ON through the remainder of our stay, the rain came down and the wind blew! We figured the gusts to be near 100 mph, with sustained winds of 50 to 60 mph. We were stuck in the tent for two and a half days. The first day was great, as we were able to recover from a great hunt and
SCORING BONUS BUCKS A fter the excitement of harvesting my first goat, we decided it was time to hunt deer. We hiked to where Chris had seen the buck and doe that first morning. As soon as we got to the spot to glass, we saw two deer headed away. Once we got the binoculars on them, it was obvious they were bucks. Chris grabbed his rifle; unlike the first time, when he backed off to preserve our goat hunt, this time he was ready to shoot. He connected on the lead buck and
hit it well. I was able to get my crosshairs on the second buck and dropped him in his tracks. I have to say I was proud of my 220-yard freehand headshot. We hiked up and started to butcher the two bucks. I had left my pack in camp, thinking we’d only get one deer, so I headed back to grab it after we’d quartered one and a half deer. Chris would finish the second. On the way back, I stopped to take a break and saw two more deer above Chris. It was a buck and a doe. I hollered to see where Chris was and racked a round. He was between the buck and I, so I ran up to try and tell him where they were. He was unable to see them from his vantagepoint.
I ran just to the west of him and still saw the deer. Out of breath, tired from hiking and heart pounding from excitement, I had to shoot freehand in order to get a shot. I wasn’t very stable and missed big. I knew I had to take my time and settle down. I let a round go and down went the buck! It was a standing freehand uphill shot – one of the hardest I have ever made. Three bucks were now down and it was time to butcher the last one. We ended up packing out one buck plus another half each. And they were big! I would guestimate that both our packs weighed about 200 pounds filled with gear and deer. It took awhile to get out, but we made it. BW
The guys added to their Kodiak goat success by filling multiple deer tags during the trip. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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sleep all day. Then on the second day I got a little bit of cabin (tent?) fever. We also started to get flooded and had to dig a trench around the camp. Then, we set up alders to store the meat on and tied a tent over the meat to keep it dry. We told stories and read a few books. It was a great time. But when Thursday afternoon arrived it was the exact opposite. The rain and wind both subsided. The blue skies came out and it was amazing.
ON OUR LAST DAY we were treated to a gorgeous flight out. We flew right past the goats we had seen around the other lake and decided Chris would put in for the same tag the following year with another buddy, Dennis Casagranda. I was more excited than ever about this hunt; I felt like a little kid all over again. It’s quite a thrill to chase goats in the tops of the mountains. Different emotions drive through you – from excitement, to letdown, to extreme fear, to boredom while cooped up in a small tent. I think at this point I realized that I’d be addicted to high-mountain hunting. ASJ
“It’s quite a thrill to chase goats in the tops of the mountains,” the author writes. (BRIAN WATKINS)
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THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR HUNTING BY PAUL D. ATKINS ILLUSTRATION BY JOSEPH FRUEAUF
W
hen it comes to hunting, you’re only as good as your boots. I didn’t say it first, but it’s true. Your feet are what get you from point A to point B and back again. If your footwear fails, your hunt is done. And it’s not just hunting; it’s everything in the outdoors. Like Forrest Gump said,
Your feet will thank you for picking up a quality pair of boots for your hunting trip. These Kenetrek Mountain Boots are built for tackling the high country in any weather. (CABELA'S)
“I’ve worn lots of shoes.” I have worn a bunch of boots and in a lot of different environments on hunts that have taken me around the world. Some performed flawlessly and others not so much. The biggest lesson I learned happened while I was hunting antelope in western Kansas: New boots and Insulated or non-insulated, the Pronghorn made by Danner has been a favorite of Gear Guy Paul Atkins for a long time. They provide real stability, great footbed and claw-like soles. (CABELA'S) aksportingjournal.com | DECEMBER 2019
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lots of walking don’t mix. By the end of the first day my hunt was over. Painful blisters the size of half-dollars don’t allow you to go far. It was miserable. Over the years I’ve come to know a few brands, ones I've had really no complaints about. Their boots have been comfortable, kept my feet dry, provided sure foot placement and served me well the entire hunt or season. And in some cases they’ve provided years of use. Here are a few of those that are worth taking a look at.
even chasing caribou across the tundra. Gore-Tex-lined, they’ll keep you dry and in the game for the duration.
KENETREK
MUCK BOOT ARCTIC PRO
Long known for superiority in the mountains, these boots are, in my opinion, the best made. Whether chasing goats on Kodiak or sheep in the Brooks Range, they have served me well. They provide the support and sure footing that you need when traipsing up and down sheer rock or steep inclines. While not cheap, they are worth every penny to the serious hunter.
If I had one boot to wear here in the
UNDER ARMOUR BROW TINE This is the boot I wear every day and also hunt in when I’m afield in other states or countries. They are tough, but more specifically they are comfortable and almost indestructible. I actually have a pair that I’ve been wearing for five years. Even though they are scarred, they still look and feel great.
DANNER PRONGHORN These are one of my all-time favorites and though they have changed styles over the years, Danner Pronghorns still maintain the ruggedness and dependability required for long stalks chasing big game. These boots are perfect for flatland hunting or
Atkins’ favorite boots to wear whether hunting or at work are made by Under Armour. Their Brow Tine boots have traveled with him from Alaska to Africa and back again. “I can walk forever, climb mountains, climb trees and walk to work in them,” he says. “They’re incredible!” (CABELA'S) Muck Boots’ Arctic Pro brand is one of the Gear Guy’s all-time favorites, especially for his Alaska stomping grounds. They feature waterproof performance and superior flexibility that provide all day or all week comfort. “I never leave for a moose hunt without them,” Atkins says. (CABELA'S) 78
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Arctic, whether it be fall or winter, then this is the boot. It’s totally waterproof, comfortable and darn near indestructible. These boots can handle everything from chasing moose in the marshes to climbing rocks while looking for muskox. Plus, they keep you warm and toasty even if it’s below zero outside.
FIND YOUR PERFECT FOOTWEAR Now, there are a lot of boots out there to choose from and I know that everyone has their favorites. But the key is to find one that fits and serves your needs in the conditions you plan on using them, and then make sure they’re broken in before you go. Remember that if you’re out in the country far from home and your boots fail, then you fail. Choose wisely! ASJ Editor’s note: Follow Paul Atkins on Twitter (@aktrophyhunter).
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THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS. THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS THEY WRITE COUNTRY THEY WRITE COUNTRY SONGS ABOUT MORNINGS LIKESONGS THIS. ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS. ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS. ABOUT MORNINGS LIKE THIS.
BUT AT 70 MPH YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM. BUT AT 70 MPH YOU BUT AT 70 MPH YOU BUT ATAT 7070 MPH YOU BUT MPH YOU CAN’T HEAR THEM. CAN’T HEAR THEM. CAN’T HEAR THEM. CAN’T HEAR THEM. It’s a glorious sunrise, viewed in fast forward thanks to the power of your 250 ProXS. Because you need to get there while the fish are still eating breakfast.
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ALASKA
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Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply, Inc. Cumberland’s Northwest Trappers Supply is your one-stop trapping supply headquarters, featuring one of the largest inventories in the U.S. We are factory direct distributors on all brands of traps and equipment which allows us to offer competitive prices. Give us a try. Our fast, friendly service will keep you coming back. Over 50 Years Of Service To The Trap & Fur Industry
Request A Catalog Or Place An Order By Phone, Mail Or On Our Website If you get in the area, visit our store!
We are the new home of “Trappers Hide Tanning Formula” in the bright orange bottle. Retail & dealer inquiries are welcome.
P.O. Box 408, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 • (507) 451-7607 trapper@nwtrappers.com • www.nwtrappers.com 82
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FIELD
Looking for a great holiday gift for a hunter? The new and improved DS4K trail camera by Stealth Cam shoots ultra 4K HD video and 32 megapixel images. The black bear was captured in the rainforest of Southeast Alaska. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
GIVING THE GIFT OF THE OUTDOORS FROM FISHING RODS TO HUNTING DOG KENNELS, HERE ARE HOLIDAY PRESENT IDEAS
BY SCOTT HAUGEN
T
he Christmas and holiday season is upon us, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the hunter or angler in your life, I have some ideas. I’ve personally tested each of these items in various parts of Alaska, and believe in their reliability and performance.
RODS Over the last couple summers and falls I’ve been using a wide selection of G.Loomis E6X salmon and steelhead rods in many parts of Alaska. I don’t know of a more quality rod that’s out there for the money. The precision construction of the entire E6X line is reflected in the sensitivity, durability and reliability of these rods,
day in and day out. My son even landed a 32-pound chum on an 8-foot, 6-inch model. It handled that strong fish perfectly in fast water. I’ve caught all five salmon species on these rods using multiple approaches, and I am sold on them. Whether looking for a specialized salmon and steelhead rod or an all-around winner,
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FIELD
That cleaned crab sitting in your freezer or fresh-picked meat at your local grocery store can be made into a delicious tart that’s sure to be a big hit at your holiday party. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)
A NEW WAY TO CRAFT THAT CRAB BY TIFFANY HAUGEN
Form crab mixture into bite-sized cakes (make 10 to 12), cake-sized (make six to eight) or patty-sized (make four). Fry two to four minutes until golden and carefully flip, browning on the other side. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
T
he holiday season is here, and with it there’s no shortage of comfort food. Dips are another popular holiday food, and that’s what many people choose to do with their crabmeat that’s stored away in the freezer. This time, however, how about taking that dip to another level and creating some fun and tasty crab tarts? Crab tarts are easy to make and capture that succulent flavor of meat crab is famous for. Whether you’re pulling some Dungeness out of the freezer, feasting on king crab from a recent catch or shopping your local seafood market, this is a recipe everyone is sure to enjoy, no matter what time of year it’s prepared. 1 egg ½ cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon dry mustard 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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RECIPE ALTERNATIVES Substitute basil for parsley. Up to ⅓ cup of diced onion, bell pepper or celery can be added for more color and flavor.
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley ¼ cup chopped green onion or chives 1 cup breadcrumbs 1½ cups crabmeat ¼ cup peanut or coconut oil for frying In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, mayonnaise, dry mustard and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients – except for crab – and stir until combined. Fold in crabmeat, mixing gently.
DECEMBER 2019 | aksportingjournal.com
Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany Haugen’s best-selling cookbook, Cooking Seafood, and her many other cookbooks, visit scotthaugen .com. Follow Tiffany on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and watch for her on the online series Cook With Cabela’s.
The KennelUp, by Primos, is a durable, lightweight, very functional kennel for your dog that offers many features and is easy to handle. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
check out the E6X line at gloomis.com.
TRAIL CAMERAS Near our new home in Hyder, Alaska, I’ve been running a good number of trail cameras and have been most impressed with Stealth Cam’s new 4K HD model. Last year I started using Stealth Cam’s new DS4K trail cameras and loved them. The quality of video this camera produced was unmatched, and I’ve been using trail cameras for many years. Recently, Stealth Cam added an impressive upgrade upon releasing their latest version of the DS4K. The new and improved DS4K shoots ultra 4K HD video and 32 megapixel images. It also features a 100-foot infrared range and new adjustable burst interval options. I learn a great deal about animal movement and behavior by capturing ac86
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
tion on trail cameras set to video mode, and not just pictures. Throughout this fall and winter I’ve been using the new DS4K exclusively in Southeast Alaska’s rainforest. Here, heavy rain, intense fog, snow and freezing temperatures are the norm, yet this camera prevailed in every situation. It’s the best trail camera I’ve ever used and I will be getting more, hopefully for Christmas. Learn more about these trail cameras at stealthcam.com.
BIRD DOG KENNELS For bird hunters who have a dog as a hunting partner, you know there are many kennels on the market. I’ve tried a number of kennels and seen many more in use by fellow hunters. When it comes to picking a kennel, only you know what’s best for your dog. Recently I’ve used the new KennelUp
DECEMBER 2019 | aksportingjournal.com
by Primos. What I like about this kennel while traveling the many logging roads I hunt in Southeast Alaska – often amid rain, snow, and mud – is its lightweight yet durable construction, which makes it easy to handle in less than ideal situations. From summer training travel to snowpacked conditions on winter hunts, my dogs are very comfortable with the new Primos KennelUp Dog Kennel. Weighing just 37 pounds, this kennel is easy to manage thanks to its heavy-duty handles and streamlined design. The single-walled, one-piece rotomolded kennel features rubber feet and integrated aluminum tie-downs, which ensure it stays secure in the truck, meaning it’s a safe ride on those bumpy gravel roads. The built-in drains of the KennelUp
are great during waterfowl season. The adjustable vents are perfect on hot days. Plus, the vents can also be closed to hold in warmth on chilly outings. A comfortable, clean ride – that’s what the KennelUp has to offer. Go to primos.com for more.
BOOTS When we loaded the trucks and
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
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ZER
TIME TESTED LEATHER CARE Since 1929 PREMIUM BEESWAX FORMULA WATERPROOFS LEATHER GEAR
• Keeps new boots in top shape. • Renews and waterproofs dried-out leather. • Guards against rock and brush abrasion. • Safe to stitching and rubber soles. • Helps extend the life of leather boots. Available at sporting goods stores, shoe repair shops, and wherever leather care products are sold. Or visit the website to see the entire line-up of leather care products.
www.huberds.com 88
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trailer and moved up to the southern tip of Southeast Alaska in August, I brought along five pairs of knee boots. With all the rain we had in late summer, fall and early winter, I wanted to make sure I had the right boots for the job. With all the hiking I’ve done in the rainforest searching for grouse, mushrooms and setting trail cameras, I find myself going to one pair of these boots time and again, no matter what the conditions, and those are the new LaCrosse AeroHead Sport knee boots. The feature that first captured my attention with these functional boots was their light weight. As soon as I slipped them on, their level of comfort pleased me. I’ve worn the AeroHead boots in mud, icy rivers, snow and temperatures plunging into the 20s, and my feet remained toasty warm. I’ve hiked many miles in these boots, and love the snug yet nonbinding ankle fit. The polyurethane outer layer of these boots replaces standard rubber, and it is light, flexible, durable, waterproof and optimizes insulation. The soles provide ideal traction in mud and snow, while the abrasion-resistant shin guard offers super protection in sharp, thick grass, amid shoreline sticks and when wading through thorny devil’s club. Learn more about the comfortable, durable and effective AeroHead boots at lacrossefootwear.com. There you have it – a sampling of the best gear I’ve used throughout Alaska this year. It’s gear that I know will make the perfect Christmas gift, whether shopping for yourself or someone special in your life. Happy holidays! ASJ
Since 1929
Editor’s note: Signed copies of Scott Haugen’s many hunting and fishing books can be ordered at scotthaugen.com. Scott and Tiffany currently live in Hyder, Alaska. Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
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Also Available: Hunts in Saskatchewan, Canada! • Mallard Corn Pond Hunting on 16 Private Ponds • Freeze Up No Problem! Aerators & Springs in Most Ponds Average 6.1 Ducks Per Person in the 2018-19 Season!! Eastern Washington Tri-Cities • 509-967-2303 • www.pacific-wings.net See our videos on YouTube @ PacificWingsHunting and Jay Goble
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Florida-based Stocky’s, which manufactures gunstocks, is moving into a new facility in its West Palm Beach location. (STOCKY’S GUNSTOCKS)
STOCKY’S ANNOUNCES NEW GUNSTOCK-MAKING PLANT
S
tocky’s, America’s gunstock specialist, announces the completion of its new carbon fiber gunstock manufacturing and distribution facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. While formerly outsourced, Stocky’s is very excited to bring construction of its most popular models in-house, under their own rigorous quality control. Now shipping is the familiar VG2, at less than 2 pounds. Meticulous hand layups with 100-percent carbon fiber cloth, they are laminated under strict, climate-controlled cleanroom conditions and tempered in Stocky’s custom ovens to precisely control the curing process
COMPANY NAME Stocky’s WHAT THEY DO Promote, enhance and expand the enjoyment of the art and science of accessorizing modern rifles and shotguns with a focus not only on the experienced shooter, but also by keeping it simple enough for the average shooter with a normal amount of experience in the field. CONTACT INFO (561) 584-8500; stockysstocks.com for a shell that is pound-for-pound far stronger than steel. External and internally, they are very unique stocks. They are machined on their new, state-of-the-art CNC mill employed exclusively to transform the special bedding composites utilized into their super-accurate Accublock “V” bedding configu-
ration. They come in a variety of popular action inlet/barrel taper configurations, including Remington, Defiance, Big Horn, Weatherby and Howa footprints. Their most popular models are in stock and ready to ship in a variety of finishes. For more information or to order, visit stockysstocks.com. ASJ
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Just in time for Christmas $249
NEW AND NOW AVAILABLE SKINNER OPTICS 1-6X24 Riflescope 30mm Tube/Bright/Clear/BDC Crosshair with Lit Dot Center With Rings and Marlin/Henry Mount included Details at www.skinnersights.com/skinneroptics.html