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Hunting Alaska News & Tips
November 2005

This month's tip | News | New on Website | Hot Forum Threads | Index of past months

If there is a woman in your life that you would like to introduce to the Outdoors -- or if you are yourself a woman wanting to learn some new outdoor skills -- consider the Becoming an OutdoorsWoman (BOW) program put on by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  A winter BOW workshop is planned for March, 2006, and summer programs are coming.  I taught map and compass at the first few BOW programs in the mid 1990's.  There was quite a bit of enthusiasm among the participants at those early programs, and I'm sure that continues today.

If you've got your gear stowed already good on you, but if not, Mike Strahan has put together some good tips for how to take care of it properly for long use.  Mike's tips are below.

Anchorage's first Hillside moose hunt in a couple of decades has concluded with little attending hoorah.  A hunt about 20 years earlier had ended ignominiously with many calls for its closure.  The hunt is important: moose numbers are high around Anchorage.  That's a problem both for the moose themselves in terms of available habitat, and it's a problem for people in terms of car crashes, garden problems, and even, occasionally, irate moose killing humans.  So...a tip of the hat to ADF&G for persevering on this issue.  Hopefully, the hunt will grow to allow some hunting opportunity, and begin to effect some reduction in the moose population.

A disturbing story from Kodiak this month: a bullet erupted at high velocity out of a gun case as it was being handled by airport personnel.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  We hunters depend on our ability to transport firearms by air.  We've got to make sure these accidents don't happen.  With as many air miles as our guns travel, it's a testament to widespread safe gun handling practices that this doesn't happen more often, but as this incident shows, we can't relax even a little.

Good luck hunting this month.....David

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

TIPS

Putting it all Away

Winter is knocking on the door and for most of us it’s time to put away the hunting and fishing gear for the season. Gear haphazardly tossed in the shed suffers from neglect and may have to be replaced later. Take some time now to go over your equipment and “put it to bed” for the winter and it will provide you with years of reliable service. Let’s look at items that require special attention.

1. Tents. Repair any damaged zippers, rips, damaged poles or other defects. Replace damaged stakes and tiedowns. Clean the tent and rainfly and hang them in a warm, dry area until totally dry before storing (damp tents will mildew).

Careful attention to your gear after the season will result in fewer breakdowns and repairs. (c) 2005 Michael Strahan

2. Sleeping Bags. If necessary, clean your sleeping bag before you store it. Don’t store it in a plastic bag (causes mildew). In most cases, storing your bag tightly stuffed or rolled will compress the fill material and shorten the life of your bag by reducing its thermal efficiency. Store the bag flat; under a bed or in the top of a closet, placing a bed sheet over it to control dust. Alternatively, store your bag loosely-stuffed in a box or other container that doesn’t compress the fill material. Store the stuff sack inside the bag so you don't lose it.

3. Clothing. Wash your hunting clothes in a scent-free detergent such as Sport-Wash, then store them in a separate container from your everyday clothes to keep them uncontaminated. Wash your synthetic socks inside-out to maintain their loft.

4. Electronic Gear. Remove and discard any old batteries (you’ll install fresh ones next season). Store electronic gear indoors for the winter; freezing temperatures can cause problems with some LCD screens and other components.

5. Optics. Clean and oil your firearms and your optical equipment. Take your rifle in for repairs and adjustments now, before the rush of next hunting season.

6. Rods and Reels. Store your rods in rigid tubes to keep them protected, and have your reels serviced. Don’t change the line yet; you’ll put fresh line on your reels when the season starts next spring.

7. Raft Adhesives. Store your adhesives and other liquids in a warm dry area for the winter. Raft glue that freezes is no longer effective.

8. Water Filters, etc. Clean your water filter thoroughly and leave it disassembled so the element can dry completely; a sealed filter element will develop mold. Store the filter in a warm dry area along with any other items that might be damaged by freezing temperatures. (Trapped moisture in the filter can freeze and crack the element.)

9. Storage Containers. Use plastic storage boxes to store your clothing and other gear for the winter, especially in areas where rodents are a problem.

With proper care, your gear should last many years. Take the time now to put it away properly so it will be ready for use next season.

Michael Strahan has been an Alaska hunting guide, author, and regular presenter on hunting topics at sportsman's shows and other venues.  He is frequent contributor to the Alaska hunting forum.

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NEWS

NEWS -- November 29, 2005 -- The Division of Wildlife Conservation closed two mountain goat seasons recently; one in southeast and the other in southcentral Alaska.  The season is now closed in a portion of GMU 1B near Petersburg in southeast, and registration hunt RG231 is closed in GMU 6C in the Cordova area.

NEWS -- November 23, 2005 -- A rifle belonging to a Fairbanks man discharged in its case at the Kodiak airport on November 18, according to the Kodiak Daily Mirror. The firearm was in a damaged case, and it discharged as baggage handlers were inspecting it and the case.  No one was injured.

PUBLIC INPUT -- November 18, 2005 -- The US Fish & Wildlife Service is developing a new management plan for the Skilak Wildlife Recreation area.  At issue, in part, is whether winter time hunting for small game -- with guns -- is compatible with the wildlife viewing usage of the area.  Viewing is primarily a summertime activity for moose and bears.  This turned into a problem earlier this year when the feds and the state disagreed over how the area would be managed.  The USFWS is holding public meetings on November 28, 29, and 30 to hear comments on how this area should be managed. The meetings will be in Soldotna, Cooper Landing and Anchorage, respectively.

TRAINING: November 17, 2005 -- The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Hunter Heritage Foundation of Alaska is hosting a winter Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop March 24-26, 2006 at Victory Bible Camp, Alaska (Mile 94.8 Glenn Highway). Applications will be available online mid December.  For more information on winter workshops please contact Tracy Smith  907-267-2896. For more information on summer workshops please contact Nancy Sisinyak at 907-459-7346.

INFORMATION: November 17, 2005 -- Discovery Channel Canada recently filmed an outstanding video clip on what to do if you go through the ice into cold water.  In the clip, Canadian scientist Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht purposely skis into a hole in the ice, and explains and demonstrates while in the water how to get out.  This film clip could be a lifesaver.

NEWS: November 15, 2005 -- State wildlife managers pointed out an important error in the drawing permit hunt supplement as it relates to hunting Dall rams in Chugach State Park.  A description in the permit hunt supplement is erroneous.  Corrected hunt area descriptions have been posted on the ADFG website. The drawing permit application period ends December 6.

NEWS: November 14, 2005 -- Alaska wildlife biologists are studying the Gustavus moose population in Southeast Alaska even more intently now that moose outnumber human residents of the area and it has become one of the densest populations of the big ungulates in Alaska, reports the Juneau Empire.

NEWS: November 9, 2005 -- Wolf control applications are now available for pilots wanting to take part in Alaska's program to manage wolf populations in several portions of south central and interior Alaska.

NEWS: November 9, 2005 -- ADF&G is asking southeast Alaska hunters to bring in heads from deer and elk they take this season.  The agency is testing for cronic wasting disease, according to the Juneau Empire.  There have been no reported cases of the disease in Alaska, and this study is designed to test the status of deer and elk in the state.

EVENTS: November 9, 2005 -- The Alaska Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) has set its annual fundraiser "Sheep Days 2006 banquet" for February 18, 2006 at the Anchorage 4th Avenue Theater. 

NEWS: November 9, 2005 -- ADF&G has closed a portion of the Afognak Island elk registration hunt RE755.  The harvest is expected to reach the 40-45 animal target set by biologists.  The Department also closed the elk registration hunt RE325 on Zarembo Island in GMU 3 in southeast Alaska.

ARTICLE: November 9, 2005 -- Mary Kay Salwey writes in Alaska Wildlife News about the amazing growth of antlers in moose, deer and other antlered wildlife.  Antlers are the fastest growing tissue of any mammal, and can grow an inch per day, she writes.

NEWS: November 9, 2005 -- The first moose hunt on the Anchorage Hillside in twenty years has been successfully concluded with four moose taken, according to the Anchorage Daily News.  The hunt was designed to start the process of taking some of the excessively large number of moose in the Anchorage area.  Anchorage Daily News outdoors writer Craig Medred writes that to the moose, humans are just another predator.

ARTICLES: November 5, 2005 -- Bowhunting.net columnist Dan Biehl wrote recently about hygiene for hunters.  Keeping human odors at bay can be significant during the hunt.

NEWS: November 5, 2005 -- The Alaska Board of Game will meet November 11-14, 2005 in Kotzebue at the National Guard Armory to consider over 40 proposals regarding hunting and trapping regulations in the Arctic and Western regions, among other topics.

NEWS: November 5, 2005 -- ADF&G Commissioner McKie Campbell said on November 4, 2005 in a press release that Fish & Game is opposed to the petition being circulated around Alaska that would lead to an initiative before voters to restrict the same day airborne shooting of wolves and other predators.

NEWS: November 5, 2005 -- The US Forest Service is promulgating new rules that will restrict the use of off road vehicles in the nations national forests, according to the LA Times.  Alaska has two large national forests, the Tongass in SE Alaska, and the Chugach in SC Alaska.

ARTICLES: November 4, 2005 -- The Division of Wildlife Conservation published a long article on using electric fences to repel bears in the November issue of Alaska Wildlife News.

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NEW ON WEBSITE

PRODUCTS: 29 November 2005:  Field Care Handbook A comprehensive guide book on field care for hunters and fishermen. The best information and directions available both for the care of trophies and proper techniques for caring for big game meat, small game, fish, game birds and waterfowl.

PRODUCTS: 29 November 2005: The Kenai Canoe Trails Compiled from over 70 aerial photographs and more than 30 years of field notes. Includes 39 detailed maps and more than 80 color photos.

PRODUCTS: 29 November 2005:  On Caribou Hunting A bountiful package of hunting lore. Learn how to hunt trophy bulls successfully. A generous package of giant bulls as well as charts and tables that will be helpful to the hunter of caribou.

DIRECTORY: 23 November, 2005: Alaska Raft and Kayak 401 West Tudor Rd, Anchorage, AK 99503. Tel. (907) 561-7238. Toll Free: (800) 606-5950. Email: info@alaskaraftandkayak.com. Alaska Raft and Kayaks experts offer Alaska's largest Raft, Canoe and Kayak Rentals with over 50 Boats. They are also Alaska's Largest Raft retail store offering Aire, NRS and Outcast.

MAGAZINE: 17 November, 2005: A story of hunting the elusive whitetail buck; the message is ethical hunting, including shot placement and tracking the animal in Monarch Buck.

MAGAZINE: 17 November, 2005: Jeff Varvil, river rat and Alaska fishing guide, takes you under the water in Class V rapids; learn some valuable safety tips from his experience in Survival in Alaska Whitewater.

DIRECTORY: 10 November, 2005:  Barney's Sports Chalet 906 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage AK 99503 Tel. (907) 561-5242 Fax: (907) 561-1027 Barney's has been outfitting Alaska hunters, skiers, campers and outdoor people since 1963. Our equipment is designed in Alaska and made in America for Alaskans and others who require heavy duty strength and ready-for-the-wilderness quality. See our on-line catalog or request a print catalog for on the shelf reference to our products.

DIRECTORY: 31 October, 2005: Alaska Wilderness Arts & Taxidermy 2944 Richardson Hwy Suite B-Dept. OA, North Pole, Alaska 99705. Tel. 907-488-9307 FAX: 907-488-9307. E-mail: akwataxidermy@gci.net  World class wildlife artistry and taxidermist Charles Livingston has created detailed craftmanship for over 30 years. Specializing in custom action fish reproduction.  From life size big game mounts to realistic gamefish skin and reproductions: we do wildlife art that lasts a lifetime. Bear rugs are a specialty with us. Drop us an email today for more information!  

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HOT FORUM THREADS

Old solo hunters. Spawner Nov 30 2005
Late Season Carubou Hunt from Anchorage Big D Nov 27 2005
Best Area for Large and Plentiful Black Bears? yankees1 Nov 25 2005
How do drop hunts work? turner1978 Nov 24 2005
Sub-legal bull -- NO! AK4Life Nov 23 2005
Satellite phones revisited AlaskaCub Nov 23 2005
TSA Restricted Items Michael Strahan Nov 22 2005
sents for black bears dismal swamp Nov 21 2005
Moose out of season court result foodog2 Nov 19 2005
kodiak deer geoff156 Nov 17 2005
License fee increase AkHunter45 Nov 17 2005
Need muzzleloader info bradb1169 Nov 16 2005
speaking of waders and sheep boots......another Me TradBow Nov 14 2005
crossing streams question FALCON Nov 13 2005
Buying hunting property...and where?......or not? tex-mex Nov 13 2005
tree stands jakec5253 Nov 12 2005
Hunting/moving redhawk1974 Nov 10 2005
driving the alcan in Nov grizzeyes Nov 08 2005
Help with the predators! Kort Nov 07 2005
What's in YOUR pack! Michael Strahan Nov 05 2005
Backcountry Hunters article bushrat Nov 05 2005
skinning knives jakec5253 Nov 04 2005
Hunting wives AkHunter45 Nov 03 2005
Deer hunting - Kodiak vs POW txhornhunter Nov 03 2005
Hunting with my daughter! Kort Nov 02 2005
Fairbanks' Sportsman's Warehouse DaveLuntz Nov 01 2005
Retriever Training Venture Outpost Nov 01 2005
Moose Air Transporter Waterboy Nov 01 2005

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