The author’s good friend Jerry was patient. He took his first caribou 100 yards from the tent, while two other buddies spent an entire day packing theirs through some of the Arctic’s toughest country. As Tom Petty sings, “The waiting is the hardest part,” but waiting for a bull to wander in closer makes it a lot less physically demanding in the end. (PAUL D. ATKINS)
OUTDOOR TIPS OF THE MONTH
BUYING INTO THE PATIENCE PRINCIPLE Editor’s note: Each issue, our Paul Atkins will offer a tip outdoorsmen and -women can use as they prepare for an Alaska adventure. This month: Why having patience is critical during a hunting or fishing trip. BY PAUL D. ATKINS
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top, Lew; I think I saw something!” “What was it?” he asked as I pointed towards the big lake we
had just passed. “I think it was a moose standing on the backside next to the shoreline,” I replied. Lew maneuvered the boat like a pro and eased us into the opening of the narrow
slough. The wall of willows blocking our view slowly receded and brought us to a stop. With zero wind, it brought an onslaught of mosquitoes – vengeful and unforgiving in their quest for blood. We both brought up our binoculars and could see that I was right; it was a bull that was standing seemingly unconcerned on the far side of the lake.
aksportingjournal.com | JUNE 2022
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
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