OutdoorsDirectory.com

Hunting Alaska Newsletter
October 2004

Snow has already fallen over much of Alaska and hunting seasons are closed in much of the state. Coming on the close of the hunting season are the fall elections. Of local interest: the bear baiting initiative. Perhaps even more important is the presidential election. Because several US Supreme Court justices are expected to retire – and be replaced by the president we elect, whoever works in the Oval Office will make a difference in American culture, potentially including hunting, for decades to come. Our votes are important! See more details about the bear baiting initiative below.

In this edition, we have included some interesting news and updates of interest to hunting Alaska, new items on our website, and some forum threads that you may find interesting.

We have not published the newsletter for a year.  The original format was "more than we could chew."  I hope this less ambitious approach is more sustainable, and I hope that you find it useful.

Good hunting…..David

David M Johnson
Publisher/OutdoorsDirectory.com

--- NEWS & UPDATES ------------------------------------------------

Floating outpost eyed in Prince William Sound. Fairbanks Daily News Miner. “A proposal to sell fuel and supplies from a floating outpost in Prince William Sound 40 miles from Whittier has generated support from weekend boaters but protests by environmentalists.”

10 tips can help make this hunting season successful. NOW: Don't wait to get prepared for this year's hunt. Anchorage Daily News. By Bob Robb.

From the Anchorage Daily News: Proper field care of meat critical to table quality.
GAME BAGS: Citric-acid mix keeps bacteria and flies away. Anchorage Daily News.

ADF&G in Fairbanks reports in a news release that more hunters are reporting tapeworms than in past years, but a staff veterinarian says it’s probably normal. 

The State of Alaska, through efforts initiated by Senator Lisa Murkowski, recently adopted measures to benefit Alaska’s overseas soldiers. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) is PROVIDING REFUNDS TO MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO PURCHASED A 2003 HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE IN ALASKA and were since deployed to the Middle East. (Way to go, Sen. Murkowski! – editor) 

ADF&G / Wildlife is providing INFORMATION ON THE BLACK BEAR BAITING BALLOT INITIATIVE. This contains factual information about baiting and black bears in Alaska.

Alaskans for Professional Wildlife Management, the coalition of conservation organizations organized to defeat the animal rights and environmental extremists, has updated the "No" on Ballot Measure 3 website. Two new features have been added to the website in order to allow grassroots volunteers to more effectively communicate our message to the media and our friends: help with writing a letter to the editor and telling friends. You can use this website to help defeat this ill conceived ballot measure.

The next Alaska drawing permit hunt application period is November 1 – December 6, 2004. 

The application period for predator control permits for GMUs 13, 16, & 19 is open. 

Biologists Ponder Winter Impact of Summer Wildfire on Caribou. This has been a big fire year in Alaska. Does fire help or hinder caribou populations? For an Alaska Department of Fish and Game perspective

SHEEP DAYS 2005 will be on January 29th at the Downtown Anchorage Marriott Hotel. 

ALASKA OUTDOOR COUNCIL Auction/Banquets will be held in the Mat-Su on October 23, 2004 and Fairbanks on November 6, 2004. The Juneau banquet will be held February, 2005.

This is the first year of MANDATORY SEALING FOR DALL SHEEP HORNS in most areas of Alaska.  Hunters are now beginning to comment on their experience with this new regulation. See for example.


--- NEW on OUTDOORSDIRECTORY.COM --------------------------------------

STORIES: 25 September 2004: Humor from Jeff Varvil (author of the Goat Hunt from Hell). It’s not exactly a hunting story, but it could have been. Read it. You’ll laugh. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/magazine/ 

PRODUCTS: 27 August 2004: Best Places Alaska 3rd Edition Here is a guide to Alaska's BEST places. Written by Alaskans, Best Places Alaska has information on plenty of information on where to eat, where to stay overnight and what adventures to consider. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/best_places_alaska.htm 

PRODUCTS: 27 August 2004: Moose and Caribou Recipes of Alaska Bring the flavor and spirit of the North Country to your dinner table in all the splendor and variety that this beautiful land offers its people. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/moosecaribou_cookbook.htm 

PRODUCTS: 26 August 2004: Best of the Best from Alaska Cookbook The book is full of outstanding recipes that you will want to cook over and over again. Serve up a slice of Americana that is unique to the region and community. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/alaska_cookbook.htm 

PRODUCTS: 24 June 2004: Alaska Hunting Adventure (DVD) 700 Miles Along by Backpack and Raft. Featuring the highlights from five hours of footage of a dream hunt in the Alaska wilderness! It will take you over the mountains after Dall sheep, into huge caribou herds, and have you checking the safety on your rifle as grizzlies pop their jaws! It is truly unique! http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/alaska_hunting_adventure_dvd.htm 

PRODUCTS: 24 June 2004: This is My Alaska (DVD) An action packed two hour, big screen, color feature all filmed in the great Alaskan wilderness by Master Alaskan Guide Leroy Shebal. It is a true story of a man and the land he loves. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/this_is_my_alaska_dvd.htm 

PRODUCTS: 24 June 2004: Alaskan Adventure Guide (DVD) Anyone considering a trip to Alaska should watch this DVD, with stunning photography and non-stop action. http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/products/alaskan_adventure_guide_dvd.htm 

--- ALASKA HUNTING FORUM THREADS --------------------------------------

The Alaska hunting forum is the most popular part of the website with over 2,000 page views per day.  You can now search the more than 27,000 messages on the forum using keywords from this page: http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/forum_search.php 

Locating quality archery gear in Anchorage http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=26792 

Pack horses for big game hunting in Alaska http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=26656

Meat salvage caution http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=26637 

Gun safe vs gun cabinet
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=26585 

Common hunting mistakes
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=26347 

Chukar in Alaska? http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=27432 

Non resident violators
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akhunting_message.php?id=27237 

ALASKA SHOOTING FORUM  

Good OTC moose bullet http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akshooting_msg.php?id=26893 

ALASKA SWAP AND SELL FORUM   

A few great guns for sale
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/akforum/akswapnsell_msg.php?id=27304 

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David M Johnson
Publisher / OutdoorsDirectory.com
PO Box 609
Delta Junction, AK 99737
http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com