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Alaskan Dreamers

Posted By: otterman

Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 03:08 PM

All the reality shows lately have a lot of people looking at and dreaming of coming to Alaska. I just thought I would put this up to maybe bring some back to reality about how it really is here. This is not meant to discourage it is meant to make people think twice before jumping in the truck loading up the camping gear made for 20 degree weather and heading north on a whim.
1. If you saw it on a reality show it probably is scripted so don't believe that's how it always happens.
2. It gets cold and stays cold for a long time unless you are in SE you will spend more months out of the year in winter gear and driving a Snow machine than fishing in a Tee shirt
3. Commercial fishing is good hard work but landing a job on a boat is not something that happens every day
4. There is not a bull moose or brown bear behind every tree especially on the road system other palces may require special permits to hunt or maybe totally off limits if you aren't a resident of the immediate area do to land ownership.
5. Finding a place to trap if on the road system may take several years
6. you just don't pick a village on the map like Koliganek or Nupskiak and say I am moving to there.
7. You can not just fly into someplace along a river and build a cabin those days are long gone. Land is either private or federally or state owned
8. Done right with the proper thought and fore site you can do it but don't expect it to happen overnight

I am sure there is a lot more but I am not coming up with right now feel free to add to this. If we keep this serious and it doesn't get filled with junk we can pin it up top or archive it down the road
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 03:14 PM

9. You really don't know what a lot of mosquitoes is like.
10. Bring lots of tools because everything breaks.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 04:04 PM

11. If you have a product that works well, and you use it often, buy at least two.
12. Buy the best gear you can afford.
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 08:11 PM

13. Most of the stuff you order online has special pricing for Alaska. You can forget about free shipping to here.
Posted By: woodelf

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 09:43 PM

14. If you live in town there is no dollar menu.
Posted By: elkantlers

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 10:26 PM

15. Alaskans have a superiority complex. grin Couldn't resist
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 10:38 PM

This is a good thread. I hope that their will be alot of you who live in Alaska that will keep adding to it. I live in the lower part of the U.S. (Arkansas) I am learning that Alaska is alot different than what i had invisioned it to be. I remember watching an Oprah show where they had this family who was home steding in Alaska. That was in 1992. I recently looked up the Alaska home steding law and the last home sted awarded in Alaska was in 1988 and has since been done away with. I think the biggest part of us here in the lower 48 have the wrong idea as to what Alaska is like. Although i think Alaska is alot more populated and grown alot in industry/business's in just the last 30 years alone and is probably no where near as rual as it was 30 years ago. As far as the harsh living conditions go, the cold,snow,ice well that is just the climate there and always will be. But even things like that will get easier to deal with as urbanization moves in with all of its modern convinces. What i don't understand is why is the cost of fuel so high in Alaska. With all of its fossil fuel I would think the price of petroleum would be fairly reasonible ? Most of what i see and know about Alaska is from reality shows or some TV documentry show.
Posted By: Spek Jones

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 11:05 PM

Originally Posted By: elkantlers
15. Alaskans have a superiority complex. grin Couldn't resist


Elkantler, I can understand how it might be perceived that way from a distance, but that is far from what the OP is trying to convey here. The intent is more in line with what MA posted.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/29/13 11:25 PM

How on earth do you handle all of thoes mosquitoes ? I fish alot along the Arkansas river and we have alot of mosquitoes but nothing like what i see on the TV show's that i see of Alaska while people are out hunting/fishing just outdoors in general. What really amazes me is you will see people there in Alaska doing something outdoors and there will be swarms of mosquitoes covering them up and the people act as if it is nothing and as if the mosquitoes are not bothering them that much at all ? The mosquitoes that we encounter her don't seem to be as big as the ones i see on TV there in Alaska. I don't think you would be able to see the ones we have here on film unless you zoomed in quite a bit. And even thogh there are alot of them they are not in huge swarms like you have in Alaska. But they will drive you up the wall and you will be covered with mosquitoe bites in a shot time. And to when it gets cold here in the winter and i am talking like 40 degree's our mosquitoes for the most part disapear until the next Spring/Summer. You will never see them if we have snow and ice on the ground. But on some of the shows of Alaska i see Carribou looking for patches of snow to get away from the mosquitoes ? So are mosquitoes out in the winter there to ?
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 12:16 AM

Yes the mosquitoes start coming out when there are bare patches of ground. Mosquitoes serve a vital service in Alaska. They keep it from being a paradise that Hollywood nut jobs would buy up and Californicate. If you don't want to get bit up, never change your cloths, or take a bath, and keep layering the Ben's 100.
Posted By: holdengr

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:03 AM

Originally Posted By: Dirt
Mosquitoes serve a vital service in Alaska. They keep it from being a paradise that Hollywood nut jobs would buy up and Californicate.


In Northern Ontario the mosquitoes/blackflys/no-seeums/ankle-biters are considered the price you pay to not have neighbors from Toronto......LOL
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:04 AM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
This is a good thread. I hope that their will be alot of you who live in Alaska that will keep adding to it. I live in the lower part of the U.S. (Arkansas) I am learning that Alaska is alot different than what i had invisioned it to be. I remember watching an Oprah show where they had this family who was home steding in Alaska. That was in 1992. I recently looked up the Alaska home steding law and the last home sted awarded in Alaska was in 1988 and has since been done away with. I think the biggest part of us here in the lower 48 have the wrong idea as to what Alaska is like. Although i think Alaska is alot more populated and grown alot in industry/business's in just the last 30 years alone and is probably no where near as rual as it was 30 years ago. As far as the harsh living conditions go, the cold,snow,ice well that is just the climate there and always will be. But even things like that will get easier to deal with as urbanization moves in with all of its modern convinces. What i don't understand is why is the cost of fuel so high in Alaska. With all of its fossil fuel I would think the price of petroleum would be fairly reasonible ? Most of what i see and know about Alaska is from reality shows or some TV documentry show.


That last homestead was actually the last awarded in the nation. It was mine. When you say "it was done away with" you must mean the 1862 Homestead Act. That's correct. My homestead however, is still there.

To some extent you sort of get used to the mosquitoes. Also a liberal coating of DEET makes a big difference. Bur for sure, they are the one thing that makes summers so miserable no matter how nice the scenery and the fishing. BUT, there are worse things than mosquitoes. White sox and no-seeums will really drive you nuts. Unfortunately, they seem to peak during hunting season.

Fuel is expensive because of freight. Where I live it either comes up from Seattle on a barge or in a plane from Anchorage. In the urban areas most gasoline is shipped up from Washington. We have a couple of refineries but they make mostly diesel and jet fuel.

Modern conveniences are really modern problems, Most of them cost money and use fuel of one form or another.

I don't think urbanization will happen in my area very soon. The fact is rural Alaska is losing population. That's fine with many of us but it's a double edged sword. Fewer customers for a product means higher costs for the fewer units sold.
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:08 AM

Good stuff otteman.....must be the reality shows....been asked to do a piece on this very subject!

I would add a serious #15. The darkness gets more people than the bears or mosquitoes. The winter days are short....in some areas almost nonresistant for a time.
Posted By: neverfinished

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:46 AM

You AK residents constantly talk about how bad it is ''on the road system''. How far off the road does one have to be before they are considered no longer ''on the road system''. I have a policy along the lines of never going farther in by motor than i can walk out on foot.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:48 AM

White 17, It is nice to meet you. You being the last person to homestead in Alaska is history. There are not many people who can say they spoke to the last U.S. homesteader. I may have it all wrong but when i looked it up on the internet it said that the last homestead in Alaska was filed in 1976 by Kenneth Deardroff that filed for 80 acres along the Stony river. And it was declared his in I think 1988.

I really hope your right about urbanization not happening anytime soon. I am only 52 years old and just in my short time here on earth i have seen urbanization really change things here in North West Arkansas. Congress gave the go ahead to build dams through out Oklahoma & Arkansas down to the Mississippi river so that it could be used for barge traffic. Of course about the same time they were building interstates & new highways everywhere which in our case was interstate I40. It was all done in the name of progress. Unfortunately urbanization comes along with progress. I really liked the way things were before they built all of these new roads & highways and damed up our water ways. Beleave it or not we use to have some pretty good hunting/fishing along the Arkansas river. But now there are a hundred hunters for every animal we have to hunt here in this state. When i was a kid the majority of the small towns did not have indoor plumbing, you had to carry you water from a well thoes things were a little inconvinent. But i would trade thoes inconvineces for the way things were back then in a heart beat.

The meadia is sure doing its best to help your great state of Alaska to grow. They have all kinds of TV shows that makes Alaska look attracktive. They have " Buying Alaska which is a real estate show, Alaska state troopers, Gold rush Alaska, Ice Road truckers, Yukon Alaska, Mountain man Alaska. " I am probably leaving out a couple, I know i am because i can think of one where these guys are doing some kind of survilist show. One show about a Taxidermist & Gun sporting good store, several hunting shows." So the media is doing its best to promote the last Front tier. I forgot the show crab fishing the bearing seas, and the gold mining show in nome Alaska. I would almost bet that in 30 years Alaskas population grow by almost half of what it is now. Oh yeah ! another show about bush planes in Alaska. I am telling you the media is flat putting the shows out about Alaska here in the lower 48.

Do you all get all of these shows there in Alaska ?
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:53 AM

Yep that's me in your first paragraph.

I suppose we have all those shows here. I don't have TV so can't say for sure.

I suspect there are many who feel they were born a hundred years too late
Posted By: newhouse114

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:11 AM

Another thing folks don't think about is food storage. The voles, shrews, and squirrels are as ravenous as wolves and WILL find a way into dry goods unless proper storage methods (and critter control) are used.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:37 AM

I bet you are right. There are probably alot who feel they were born 100 years to late. I have never thought of it that way but i guess i probably fall in that category myself. I guess that is why Alaska is so appealing to alot of people. People wathch these reality shows of Alaska, its beautiful scenry,abundance of wildlife, then they convince themselfs they could move there build a cabin, trap to make enough money to buy supplys and kill enough game to live off of. Like the first settlers of North America did. But this day and time it is just not that way. Mr. White 17 again it was sure a pleasure to have met you even though it was not in person, i would have never thought i would have met up with the last homesteader on of all places the internet and on a trapping forum to boot ! You probably don't think much of it but you are and will be consider history. I hope that you write a book or someone documents your adventures while homesteading. You know i am sure there are books written by some of the earlier homesteaders and are equally impressive. But somehow being the very last and probably the last ever here in the U.S. is a pretty special thing in my oppinion. I would love to hear about your years homesteading but i won't bother you by asking about them because i know it would take alot of typeing on a key board to tell about them. But if you would not mind me asking how old are you now and do you and your family still live on the homestead ?
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:41 AM

Im glad the media keeps its focus on Alaska. If they were to compare land mass to population it wouldnt be so appealing. With a landmass of just over 650,000 square miles and a population of almost 750,000 it is way crowded by Canadian standards........Wyoming I think even has fewer people per sq mile......Yukon has about 186,000 sq miles and only 30,000 people on a busy day......

W17, you are not missing a thing without TV

#16 Life in the bush is hard work.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:54 AM

I'm certain you're right about the TV Dave. About Wyoming too for that matter.

MAAA: It was nothing but a fluke of timing I think.

I just turned 69 and do not live on my homestead any more. A divorce and an ex wife took care of that. I'm currently about 100 miles north of there.
Posted By: Big finn

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 04:21 AM

#16 learn what overflow is...
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 06:51 AM

I want to move to Alaska, but I know most of these things. But I also go fishing in Northern Canada every summer and the bugs are awful. Where I live in ND, mosquitoes are worse then most of the region. But what about transportation? That's always been my #1 worry. I can't drive everywhere like we can here...
Posted By: Aknative

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 07:12 AM

You'll need "tools." 4 wheelers, snow machines, boats.
Posted By: Family Trapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 08:53 AM

I have never and will never get used to Bugs of any kind. I choose to outfit myself against them. Not into Deet application other than on my clothes.
And I will take mosquitoes over noseeums any day.

This is my latest in combat attire. Having a simple bug net over your head makes a world of difference and this setup is even better.
http://www.bugshirt.com/products/elite/

From there website.


As fun as it is to shoot moose and caribou I always felt I had better access to hunting in Montana. From where I lived I could hunt mule deer, whitetail deer, and Elk and Bighorn sheep in an open hunt on the Yellowstone Park border. Bighorn, goats, moose by drawing if you were lucky. In a few hours I could drive and hunt turkey and antelope. Many different species of upland game birds and waterfowl. But times have changed there too I am sure.

Alaska has opportunity but you need to be prepared to work for it. And other times it falls into your lap. Finding yourself where it is good hunting for more than one big game species is an exception not the rule.
I have put over 500 miles on a three day weekend to hunt caribou by snowmachine. Over 400 miles on a trip with a 6 year old between my front legs. Most people could not even fathom that.
It makes for some memories and it takes a little different perspective on life to take advantage of what Alaska can offer up.



Posted By: TrappinAlaska

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 10:48 AM

Most Alaskans aren't from Alaska! Nearly everyone moved up at some point, very few were born and stayed. For everyone that did come up and stay more than a year or two I would be willing to say at least ten never lasted that long. What this means is you will have a lot of short term friends from every corner of the US. You will also get invited to birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions by people you barely know. Folks want to rebuild that family frame work and do it by assembling a bunch of folks in the same boat as them 3000 miles away from familiar.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 12:20 PM

Originally Posted By: Family Trapper
I have never and will never get used to Bugs of any kind. I choose to outfit myself against them. Not into Deet application other than on my clothes.
And I will take mosquitoes over noseeums any day.

This is my latest in combat attire. Having a simple bug net over your head makes a world of difference and this setup is even better.
http://www.bugshirt.com/products/elite/

From there website.


As fun as it is to shoot moose and caribou I always felt I had better access to hunting in Montana. From where I lived I could hunt mule deer, whitetail deer, and Elk and Bighorn sheep in an open hunt on the Yellowstone Park border. Bighorn, goats, moose by drawing if you were lucky. In a few hours I could drive and hunt turkey and antelope. Many different species of upland game birds and waterfowl. But times have changed there too I am sure.

Alaska has opportunity but you need to be prepared to work for it. And other times it falls into your lap. Finding yourself where it is good hunting for more than one big game species is an exception not the rule.
I have put over 500 miles on a three day weekend to hunt caribou by snowmachine. Over 400 miles on a trip with a 6 year old between my front legs. Most people could not even fathom that.
It makes for some memories and it takes a little different perspective on life to take advantage of what Alaska can offer up.






Should I ask the obvious ?
Posted By: HeavyGunner

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 01:57 PM

You are certainly right about Montana changing FT. Montana has a ton of misconceptions just like AK. Much of the good hunting here has been leased up by out of staters or they are even buying up farms and literally paying someone to stay year 'round to make sure you don't set foot on there land. I have heard that the cost of living is much higher in AK, do the wages reflect this? Or do things like not having a vehicle payment and insurance payment make up for this in areas where there is limited vehicle access? Are there things that are cheaper in AK then the lower 48?
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:12 PM

#17- You will almost certainly NOT strike it rich!
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 02:13 PM

FT is right about the hunting. I wrote an article for bowhunter about that a few years ago. In Alaska as well as northern Canada big game densities are much lower than most lower 48 states. Non resident hunters have a tendency to get frustrated very quickly because they dont see the amount of game they expect. I deal with that every year. Hard for guys who are used to seeing 100 deer a day wrap their head around the idea that they might only see two or three bulls in their entire hunt.
Posted By: otterman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 03:19 PM

#18. You were born with A brain use it! If it looks risky , dangerous or deadly it probably is and can and will kill you. Learn to make good choices and know your limitations. Every year people die because they made poor choices, This applies everywhere
Posted By: otterman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 03:20 PM

#19 extra days Be prepared for the worst weather and to stay out extra days
Posted By: Family Trapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 04:16 PM

I guess the not so obvious, for people with a skewed sense of humor (:D). It is much easier to deal with a Sleepy child on a snowmobile when they are in front of you rather then when behind you falling to the ground rather than into your arms when they can't stay awake any longer. Sometimes my writing leaves too much room for interpretation. Sorry.

#20 Day to day living is a lot cheaper in the bush than on the road system. A lot competing for the green In your billfold living in town. I would go a long time without taking my wallet out of my pocket in the bush. Isn't a day in the city that it doesn't happen. Not saying it isn't expensive as there are tradeoffs in expenses. But that availability makes it a lot easier to spend money.
Posted By: perrydog

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 05:42 PM

Originally Posted By: yukon254
Im glad the media keeps its focus on Alaska. If they were to compare land mass to population it wouldnt be so appealing. With a landmass of just over 650,000 square miles and a population of almost 750,000 it is way crowded by Canadian standards........Wyoming I think even has fewer people per sq mile......Yukon has about 186,000 sq miles and only 30,000 people on a busy day......

W17, you are not missing a thing without TV

#16 Life in the bush is hard work.


You are partially right....at least about density in the Yukon. Wyoming does have fewer people.....by ~160K, but it is much smaller( 97,000 vs 663,000 sq miles). Wyoming has 5.8 people per square mile vs 1.26 in Alaska.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 07:03 PM

Originally Posted By: Aknative
You'll need "tools." 4 wheelers, snow machines, boats.


And you will need a truck and trailers to haul it all around if you live on the road system.

#21 Everything you could possibly ever want is either not here or broken and being used for something other than its intended purpose.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/30/13 10:39 PM

650,000 square miles is indeed a very large land mass and if all 650,000 square miles were habitible Alaska indeed could have a very large population and not be very noticible. But when it comes down to it how much of that 650,000 square miles is frozen lakes,rivers,mountain peaks,glaicers, areas that people are not going to build towns, citys, subburbs on. When you look at it that way that vast 650,000 square miles gets dwindled down in size. With the worlds population currently at 8 billion people and steadly growing even Americas last frontier the great state of Alaska will get plenty crowed and i would bet it will be that way with in the next 50 years. Most of the lower 48 is in trouble with the economy the way it is now. There is only so many jobs to be had and people are looking for other ways to make a living. I know for the average family it is not realistic to think they could move to a place like Alaska and live mostly off of the land alone. But alot of them will and do try it. The more that do it, the more business & industry follow along behind them. Urbanization is taking over all over the world.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 12:08 AM

You can fly for several hours here and cross over no one depending on your heading. The road system will get more crowded than it is but I suspect there will be vacant areas the size of some states for a very long time to come.

When we travel to Anchorage from here it is a one hour flight. During that time we fly over probably 100 people or less until just prior to landing in Anchorage. The Alaska Range is between us and Anchorage (thank God !). At 250 mph it takes about 30 minutes just to cross the mountains. There are a couple peaks over 20,000 and several hills over 8000 feet. Pretty vertical country. Nobody living out there.
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 12:53 AM

Originally Posted By: white17
You can fly for several hours here and cross over no one depending on your heading. The road system will get more crowded than it is but I suspect there will be vacant areas the size of some states for a very long time to come.

When we travel to Anchorage from here it is a one hour flight. During that time we fly over probably 100 people or less until just prior to landing in Anchorage. The Alaska Range is between us and Anchorage (thank God !). At 250 mph it takes about 30 minutes just to cross the mountains. There are a couple peaks over 20,000 and several hills over 8000 feet. Pretty vertical country. Nobody living out there.


Fly a little lower and you can see all the recreational cabins in the Armpit. frown
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 12:54 AM

Yeah that's true but at that point you're over the outer marker, just about. smile
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 01:27 AM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
650,000 square miles is indeed a very large land mass and if all 650,000 square miles were habitible Alaska indeed could have a very large population and not be very noticible. But when it comes down to it how much of that 650,000 square miles is frozen lakes,rivers,mountain peaks,glaicers, areas that people are not going to build towns, citys, subburbs on. When you look at it that way that vast 650,000 square miles gets dwindled down in size. With the worlds population currently at 8 billion people and steadly growing even Americas last frontier the great state of Alaska will get plenty crowed and i would bet it will be that way with in the next 50 years. Most of the lower 48 is in trouble with the economy the way it is now. There is only so many jobs to be had and people are looking for other ways to make a living. I know for the average family it is not realistic to think they could move to a place like Alaska and live mostly off of the land alone. But alot of them will and do try it. The more that do it, the more business & industry follow along behind them. Urbanization is taking over all over the world.


A friend owns a gas station on the Alcan......over the last few years he has seen an increase in familys heading north......many of them are broke or close to it.....sometimes they trade stuff for fuel. Most are middle aged and have families ......very tough position to be in and I really feel for those folks but I look at it like this, America wanted change and they got it......voting that guy in once I can understand.....everyone makes mistakes. But twice! Yea the population of AK will grow......those people have no-where else to go....
Posted By: aknome

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 02:41 AM

I don't see Alaska growing very much without some new industry to bring people long term. You have to have some income to live whether in the bush or on the road system. Those broke folks yukon mentioned won't last. We have a bunch of dreamers here in Nome the last couple years and very few will be here long term, evan with the lure of "easy" gold.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 02:50 AM

The problem with 'new' industry is the cost of energy. It just doesn't pencil out to open a new type of business when fuel costs are what they are now and rising.
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 03:01 AM

come on now Yukon, not all of us voted him in! I voted for Ken!
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 03:07 AM

Yeah !
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 03:15 AM

Originally Posted By: Tradbow1
come on now Yukon, not all of us voted him in! I voted for Ken!


Thats a very common comeback.......all I can say is somebody did! ......twice! wink
wink
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 04:01 AM

I know this is a stupid question but why don't people there in Alaska farm moose like people do cattle in the lower 48 ? Alot of the western states farm elk and sell its meat. I know there would be a market for the meat ?
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 06:25 AM

they farm bison and tourists...isn't that enough?
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 12:19 PM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
I know this is a stupid question but why don't people there in Alaska farm moose like people do cattle in the lower 48 ? Alot of the western states farm elk and sell its meat. I know there would be a market for the meat ?


They eat an awful lot ! Better to let them feed themselves and then hunt them
Posted By: Spek Jones

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 03:15 PM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
I know this is a stupid question but why don't people there in Alaska farm moose like people do cattle in the lower 48 ? Alot of the western states farm elk and sell its meat. I know there would be a market for the meat ?


It's not a stupid question MAAA. IMO, there are places it could be done successfully, but it is against the law to farm them in Alaska.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 05:48 PM

And the beef industry would probably throw a fit like they did when did with the reindeer and lobbied to make it illegal for anyone but natives to raise them and that's probably why its illegal to raise moose as well.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 09:31 PM

I looked up moose farming on the internet and found that russia has been experimenting with moose farming for about the last 50 years. The way i understood the results was that moose tend to be a more solitary type animal rather than herd animals like cattle and would not fair as well farming them like you would cattle. But working with them on a larger scale like ranchers do was something that the russians were leaning toward. They were studying their milk production and other things.

I seen a documentry on TV years ago about the Inuit Eskimo's who managed herds of it was either caribou or reindeer and they were very successful at it. They traveled with the herds as they would migrate but what they were doing was a farming practice sort of like sheep farmers do in the lower 48 mostly in the Western states where they run sheep on National Forest lands. The herders move their sheep from one mountain meadow to the next.

yukonjeff, if that is the case to where it is only legal for the natives to raise reindeer and sell them, then if i was a native Alaskan I would take advantage of that and turn it into a money maker.

Actually there is probably nobody better than the decendants of the Eskimo's that has lived in Alaska over the last hundreds of years that would know what could be and how to farm Alaskas natural resources.

In my opinion alot of the old methods are better than the new ones.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 09:54 PM

Not as easy as it sounds refer to Dirts #9

The herds of Reindeer here in the state was impressive at one time now there are just a few small herds left not many people want to follow Reindeer around on the tundra 24/7
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 10:16 PM

If you run it like a business and got herds big enough it looks like you could have crews work the herds in shifts. Work so many days on and so many off. No matter what kind of farming you do in order to make money you have to do it in numbers. The larger the herds the more money you have to operate with. All of your farming exspense's that you are out from paying crews to manage the herds, equipment you have to have, fuel and anything else involved with your farming operation is all tax deductible. There are alot of people who would really enjoy following Reindeer arround on the tundra. Now them dang mosquitoes is another story. You people have the worst mosquitoe problem i have ever seen. And big mosquitoes to.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 10:28 PM

yukonjeff, what has happened to the Reindeer herds that has caused them to dwindle down to just a few ?
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 10:36 PM

Any Alaskans, do you have to live in the bush, or make 6 figures to have great backcountry hunts without running into anyone? I was told you do. They said I'll have to hunt the road system and fight the orange army to even tag out. That doesn't sound pleasant by any means.

And I don't want an outfitter, ever. Too pricey and wouldn't feel like I was the one that hunted it. I'd rather spend 1-2 weeks on a legal sheep (insert any big game animal here) until I seal the deal, ya know?

Thanks, Justin.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 10:53 PM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
yukonjeff, what has happened to the Reindeer herds that has caused them to dwindle down to just a few ?


The government enacted a law that eliminated all non Natives ownership of Reindeer bought up the herds and they were turned over to Native ownership by anyone that wanted to take them.

According to the book "Alaska's Wolfman" by Jim Rearden very good read BTW
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 10:55 PM

Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4
Any Alaskans, do you have to live in the bush, or make 6 figures to have great backcountry hunts without running into anyone? I was told you do. They said I'll have to hunt the road system and fight the orange army to even tag out. That doesn't sound pleasant by any means.

And I don't want an outfitter, ever. Too pricey and wouldn't feel like I was the one that hunted it. I'd rather spend 1-2 weeks on a legal sheep (insert any big game animal here) until I seal the deal, ya know?

Thanks, Justin.


Hey! Now! I make sure all my hunters feel like they could have done it without my worthless no-nothin arse being there.
People skills. wink
Posted By: Aknative

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 11:01 PM

You don't HAVE to make 6 figures. But it you will always bump into people any where near the road system. Everybody has vehicles, lots of people have ATVs, less people have boats, less have airboats, and even less have planes. The less people have the mode of transport you're using more area you can get where there will be less people.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 07/31/13 11:53 PM

You can't hunt sheep and a couple other species without a guide if you are a non-resident.

You could easily hunt moose or caribou or black bear and never see another soul for weeks or months. Charter a plane and get dropped off wherever you want (if landing/takeoff is possible). Maybe a couple grand depending on where you go and how much stuff you have.
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 03:13 AM

Even paying an outfitter in AK is no guarantee that you wont see other hunters......we get hunters every year who have done guided hunts up there and saw lots of other hunters.... Im sure not all areas are like that but it seems like quite a few.
Posted By: Kusko

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 03:18 AM

Rule number.....20??

Use the boyscout motto and "Be Prepared". It's the environment that will kill you, not the animals.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 03:12 PM

In Southeast, there is quite a bit of room, however, private land off the grid is hard to come by, and very expensive. There are a few alternatives, such as a "floathouse", or live-aboard boat. The thing is, the water, weather, and terrain pretty much dictates every aspect of an outing, be it a day trip, an extended hunting or fishing trip, or a full blown adventure. This is dangerous and unforgiving country, and as such, Mother Nature pretty much keeps competition and people density in check. (I'm talking about away from towns of any size).
There is certainly no lack of oportunity to get well away from the beaten path around here, and there are vast areas that probably haven't seen a human in 100 years. The challenge lies in getting there while carrying most of what you will require to survive on your back. Much of this country (southeast Alaska) is not suited for snow machines, and if you head inland from the coast, you are climbing mountains, steep, large ones. And the bulk of them are only climbable with techincal gear.
Then there are the valleys: Some are broad, glacier-fed systems that go for miles and miles, but are restricted to travel by specialized craft, in some cases air boats only. Others are small creeks with brush choked right to the bank, and other than a game trail here or there, are difficult to navigate at best.
Coastal travel is far and away the most popular mode of getting around here, and there is really a LOT of room. Yes, certain areas can get busy, and there are not many "secret spots" close to town, but one can certainly have a beach or cove all to himself with a little boat gas.
Posted By: Spek Jones

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 04:19 PM

Another thing that will impede population growth here is the fact that only a small percentage of the land is in private ownership. The federal government owns the majority of the land, and it's
all labeled and locked up in one designation or another. The state is in the real estate business and has subdivided some of their land, usually some of their least desirable land, and in out of the way places. But, most of the country is locked up, and the kings men keep tightening the regulations for use and access to it, so I don't see them ever allowing private ownership of any of their current holdings. If there was another population boom here like we had in the '70's, I honestly don't know where the people would stay.
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 04:40 PM

Originally Posted By: Spek Jones
Another thing that will impede population growth here is the fact that only a small percentage of the land is in private ownership. The federal government owns the majority of the land, and it's
all labeled and locked up in one designation or another. The state is in the real estate business and has subdivided some of their land, usually some of their least desirable land, and in out of the way places. But, most of the country is locked up, and the kings men keep tightening the regulations for use and access to it, so I don't see them ever allowing private ownership of any of their current holdings. If there was another population boom here like we had in the '70's, I honestly don't know where the people would stay.


It appears they are going to come here. I can't wait till they build the road, so I can get on it and leave. frown
Posted By: Spek Jones

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 04:56 PM

Dirt, I was in your neck of the woods back in the '80's. One of my brothers and I flew in there and finished a log cabin for a guy named Jerry Baker. He had acquired a lot in one of the state subdivisions I mentioned above. Swallowed a lot of mosquitos on that trip. We made sure not to leave anything there that we would have to come back for. smile
Posted By: Pete in Frbks

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/01/13 06:01 PM

#21 (with credit to my friend "Hook," a one-armed trapper on the Chatanika River...) "If you're gonna play 'dumb-azs," play it down South someplace where you don't die when you finish in First Place....!"

Pete
Posted By: fishermann222

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/02/13 01:54 AM

#22 "Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT like trapping in Iowa" LOL
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/02/13 02:47 PM

Ditches and farm ponds are few and far between!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 03:30 PM

#23- Summer is spent preparing for winter.
Posted By: P.A.L

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 04:06 PM

Originally Posted By: alaska viking
#23- Summer is spent preparing for winter.


That's living in north. 4 month's busy time and then the winter is here again and the darkness. 24 hours per day of sun is nice, but way too short period when compared to long winter.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 08:09 PM

#24 Have a few grand in cash and an old Ford pickup with a camper. Spend a couple months sightseeing and fishing and camping then leave at first frost.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 09:19 PM

How long does darkness last and is it a total darkness ?
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 11:01 PM

Not here. I'm a little north of 62 degrees. In December we have about 4 hours daylight. It's great ! I wouldn't care if I never saw the sun again !
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/05/13 11:03 PM

#25 When it starts raining it's hunting season, unless you're in Southeast.
Posted By: waggler

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/06/13 12:19 AM

Originally Posted By: MAAA
How long does darkness last and is it a total darkness ?


Barrow is at 71 degrees north and Ketchikan is at 55 degrees north, that's more than 1000 miles between the two. There's a lot of difference in daylight hours depending on how far north you are. Where I trap in S.E. Alaska I have more than six good hours of daylight on the shortest day of the year. If I really stretch it it's more like eight hours from first light to dark. Alaska is a huge place with very different conditions from one area to another. Where I trap the average daily temperature is about 32 degrees in December.
Posted By: martenpine

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/06/13 05:13 AM

#26 No matter how much your signifigant other loves Alaska in the summer, plan ahead for an alternative unless she's Alaskan grown.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 01:34 AM

I bet it would take a pretty special woman to live in remote Alaska ? But i would be willing to bet that if she was as you say was an Alaska grown woman, would probably be a pretty good woman. Might be a little more drama free as compared to these lower 48 women ? Don't get me wrong we have alot of good womens here in the lower 48 its just that you have to test drive several of them before you find a good one.
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 04:23 AM

Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I was told that southern Alaska is similar to northern Midwest. For example I live in east ND and I our winter starts in November and ends in usually beginning of May. Is that comparable to like Anchorage? The temps get down to -30 or colder every winter just about .

Obviously its a lot drier here as its not coastal.
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 04:24 AM

Its consistently in the teens-30s all winter long here.
Posted By: Hupurest

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 04:03 PM

Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4
Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I was told that southern Alaska is similar to northern Midwest. .


I heard it is pretty much like Iowa...
Posted By: fishermann222

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 07:52 PM

Originally Posted By: Hupurest
Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4
Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I was told that southern Alaska is similar to northern Midwest. .


I heard it is pretty much like Iowa...


Refer back to #22
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/07/13 09:54 PM

I believe you haha, but North Dakota is harsher than Iowa haha. But thanks for clearing it up.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/08/13 05:08 PM

Trapping in southeast.......
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/08/13 09:12 PM

Do you have any deep snow sets for coons ?
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 12:40 AM

I really like to hunt/fish/trap but if i got up, opened the door and there was that much snow on the ground, I would just go back to bed. That looks really cold.
Posted By: TrappinAlaska

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 12:48 AM

Heck, he is in jeans and you can see exposed skin, that not cold it's, balmy!
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 01:17 AM

Looks wet to me
Posted By: Steven 49er

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 03:07 AM

Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4
Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I was told that southern Alaska is similar to northern Midwest. For example I live in east ND and I our winter starts in November and ends in usually beginning of May. Is that comparable to like Anchorage? The temps get down to -30 or colder every winter just about .

Obviously its a lot drier here as its not coastal.


My part of MN is colder on average in the winter than Anchorage.

Look back to waggler's post about average daily temp in December in the SE where he traps. About 32 degrees.

You would be able to handle it.
Posted By: Birchcreekkid

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 03:18 AM

I actually prefer trapping at below 0 as the snow stays dry and fluffy instead of wet and sticky when it gets up above 0............
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 06:55 AM

Thanks for the reply Steven trapper 49er, looks good to me!
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 02:44 PM

I can assure you that at least where I trap, it doesn't average 32 during trapping season, and dealing with frozen bays and shoreline is a regular occurance. Also, with the exception of very near shore, snow shoes are a must.
Posted By: waggler

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 03:39 PM

Originally Posted By: alaska viking
I can assure you that at least where I trap, it doesn't average 32 during trapping season, and dealing with frozen bays and shoreline is a regular occurance. Also, with the exception of very near shore, snow shoes are a must.


Alaska Viking, I trap nearly 200 miles south of you. This illustrates my point on the great differences found from place to place in Alaska. For example; if you're standing on the north end of Wrangell Island and the temperature is 30 and you look about 8 miles to the NNE to Point Rothsay near the mouth of the Stikine River, the temperature will be about 10 degrees cooler at Point Rothsay. Go another 10 miles upstream and it will be another 10 degrees colder. Also I've notice that even thought there may only be a skiff of snow, or no snow on the beach, all I have to do is go up a river for half a mile or gain 100 feet in elevation and I can have snow nearly up to my waist.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 03:59 PM

I agree 100%. When I get up in the morning, the weather and temperatures at my house have pretty much no bearing on what it's doing on my line 30 miles north!
Posted By: woodelf

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 05:06 PM

Originally Posted By: Steven 49er
Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4
Please correct me if i'm wrong, but I was told that southern Alaska is similar to northern Midwest. For example I live in east ND and I our winter starts in November and ends in usually beginning of May. Is that comparable to like Anchorage? The temps get down to -30 or colder every winter just about .

Obviously its a lot drier here as its not coastal.


My part of MN is colder on average in the winter than Anchorage.

Look back to waggler's post about average daily temp in December in the SE where he traps. About 32 degrees.

You would be able to handle it.



I grew up in Minnesota A small town by duluth to be exact "Carlton." I thought I new what cold weather was. I joined the Air Force and got stationed in Eielson by Fairbanks. That is when I found out what cold really could be. You can learn to cope with it really easy with the right cloths though. Then I lived in Minot, ND. It does get cold there with the wind too. I would say on the really windy days in ND it could compare to some of the cold weather in Fairbanks. To date the coldest place I have lifed is Fairbanks. I really did enjoy it up there and hope to move back as soon as I retire. I lived in Anchorage for 4 years also. the weather is warmer, but finding a place to trap is REALLY REALLY hard. It is not like the lower 48 where two people can set each end of a culvert and still stay friends. Expect to drive at least 100 miles and then you will still be on someone elses trap line. It's their line and people better stay off it. If its your dream then move on up, but learn from other people. Dont think there is a moose behind every tree. Find a place to trap could take years.
Posted By: woodelf

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 05:20 PM

One other thing to keep in mind. There is not a farm house every other section or even roads for that matter. If you get in trouble you are on your own. It could be a days walk if not FARTHER to the nearest help.
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 05:45 PM

Where I live in ND, we have few hills, few trees, a LOT of wind, and a LOT of cold. But like you said, 90% of the time there is a farmstead within a few miles.

And most responses seem to be pretty negative about people making the move north, but I understand that 99% of posters saying they will, won't. And most are very, very unrealistic.

But YEARS to find land to trap? Wow. A guy couldn't get out in the bush for a few weeks at a time and have a good chance at least of not being on someones line?
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 05:55 PM

Originally Posted By: SloughTrapper#4


But YEARS to find land to trap? Wow. A guy couldn't get out in the bush for a few weeks at a time and have a good chance at least of not being on someones line?


sure you could what kind of airplane do you have? remember no roads.
Posted By: Hupurest

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 06:04 PM

here is a rule I kind of follow...
If you can drive there, so can anyone else.
If you use a snowmachine to get away, that helps, but anyone else with a snomachine can go there.
If you have a boat, it can get you to where other people with boats are.
same with a 4 wheeler...

and nearly everyone here has at least one of the boat, 4 wheeler, sno go, likely all of them...

So, when you think you are along ways away, you might be, or you might be with 2 or 10 other people...

this past fall i got to go on a moose hunt in the "bush"
we drove over 400 miles, then launched a boat...
traveled 400+ miles downstream by boat, up another river to moose hunt....

that is 800-900 miles and 2.5 days to get to a remote spot...... guess what? there were 100 other boats full of people doing the same thing...
Posted By: waggler

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/09/13 11:05 PM

I understand you guys talking negatively about how hard it is to find a place to trap. You don't want to give people the wrong idea that the country is wide open. However, I know that if a person is motivated enough and if they can think outside the box, they can find a place to trap. For example; the peninsula (Alaska Peninsula) is about 400 miles long and the areas I'm familiar with are loaded with fox, beaver, and otter, lynx in some places and wolves and wolverine. I know of very few that trap down that way, there are very few villages. I'm sure there must be other such places and opportunities like this. I'm not suggesting that it will be easy though.
Posted By: HFT AK

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 12:06 AM

I retired up here in 05, it took me 4 years to finally find a area that I could run a line, and that took alot of exploring, stepping on toes, and beating myself up. It ain't easy to find a spot.
It ain't that others are being negative, in all honesty they are being realistic. You need time, money, and the right equipment to be successful, along with a little luck. To think your just going to move up here and start a line that first year is NOT realistic.
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 12:57 AM

OK I really do appreciate your guy's help and it just goes to show that this website is awesome, a guy could easily move up there and be completely in the dark. I can focus on hunting the first year, or 4, and use that as scouting for my trapping. Does this sound at least a little better?
Posted By: Ronaround

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 01:03 AM

So would i be correct you cant trap on Naive land, unless your Native American?
can you buy land from the Native American land areas?
i guess as your all are saying the population boom is just about everywhere. when i went up to Alaska in the early 70s with my family it was less traveled and the Alcan highway was a grave road.

ahhhh... memories of paradise!
its just to bad my parents didn't leave me up their by accident..
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 01:08 AM

Hup

It sounds like you traveled to Seattle in 2 1/2 days......
Posted By: Family Trapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 02:05 AM

Or the Koyukuk. ;0) That seems to be a popular destination.
Posted By: Steven 49er

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 02:12 AM

Guys I am not trying to say that MN cold is on par with Fairbanks cold.

I was trying to let the young man know that if he can handle the North Dakota winters he'll be able to handle pretty much what a lot of areas in AK will throw at him.

Nome? Fairbanks? We'll that would take some getting used to but I think the problem isn't as much the cold as the remoteness coupled with the cold.
Posted By: Family Trapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 02:19 AM

Coming from Montana 28 years I did not find it that hard to acclimate to the weather. It was different. And I have not been in real cold for extended periods of time. Plenty of -30 and -40. Frankly I don't want to deal with the -60 stuff. No one does.
What I found to be different was how long the winter lasted and how FAST things froze up when temps cooled down. Ponds freeze overnight. You don't see that in the Lower 48. Takes some time to get them chilled down in much of Alaska.

Learning how to deal with the cold and dress for it for extended periods of time. That is something that takes some trial and error. Lots of good ideas out there.
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 02:25 AM

Originally Posted By: waggler
I understand you guys talking negatively about how hard it is to find a place to trap. You don't want to give people the wrong idea that the country is wide open. However, I know that if a person is motivated enough and if they can think outside the box, they can find a place to trap. For example; the peninsula (Alaska Peninsula) is about 400 miles long and the areas I'm familiar with are loaded with fox, beaver, and otter, lynx in some places and wolves and wolverine. I know of very few that trap down that way, there are very few villages. I'm sure there must be other such places and opportunities like this. I'm not suggesting that it will be easy though.


True but the Alaska Peninsula is a loooooooooong ways from the road system and some really lousy flying weather in that part of the world.

I'm sure you're right...there are other places like that, but what most of the people who talk about coming up here don't realize is the distances involved. Just to get to my line I have to travel far enough to cross some states in the L48. The cost of flying, just to get to the starting point, is more than some of these people spend on gas all year for their trapping. Then there's the little matter of getting back out. Don't even think about trying to maintain a set schedule. It won't happen. I've waited on weather for a month just to get home. I'm sure others have too. Don't schedule a doctor appointment or have a tooth go bad during that time. Need to get back to your job after the Christmas vacation? Might make it by groundhog day if things don't go just right.
Posted By: otterman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 03:37 AM

#27 File a trip plan with multiple people. I always try to have someone know where everyone of my sets are in case people need to start looking for me that's what a few select very good friends are for. I am solo 95% of the time on lines that are 70-120 miles long on snow machine so this is very important for me.
Posted By: waggler

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/10/13 04:15 AM

Originally Posted By: otterman
#27 File a trip plan with multiple people. I always try to have someone know where everyone of my sets are in case people need to start looking for me that's what a few select very good friends are for. I am solo 95% of the time on lines that are 70-120 miles long on snow machine so this is very important for me.


I now consider good communication methods essential, with backup for my backup. I now almost always carry a sat phone, ACR locator beacon, and a handheld VHF. Maybe I'm a little too cautious but since the technology is available I want to have it.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 12:09 AM

Are thoes satelite phones very exspensive ?
Posted By: waggler

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 12:14 AM

You can usually find an Iridium sat phone on Ebay for around $500. The minutes are still pretty expensive. There are several different plans available.
Posted By: Birchcreekkid

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 01:21 AM

I know a number of very motivated trappers trying to find traplines around Fairbanks with no luck but if your willing to overwinter in the bush then your chances are much better at finding one
Originally Posted By: waggler
I understand you guys talking negatively about how hard it is to find a place to trap. You don't want to give people the wrong idea that the country is wide open. However, I know that if a person is motivated enough and if they can think outside the box, they can find a place to trap. For example; the peninsula (Alaska Peninsula) is about 400 miles long and the areas I'm familiar with are loaded with fox, beaver, and otter, lynx in some places and wolves and wolverine. I know of very few that trap down that way, there are very few villages. I'm sure there must be other such places and opportunities like this. I'm not suggesting that it will be easy though.
Posted By: otterman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 06:18 AM

I have had batteries go dead on all the above mentioned items none of them are fail safe. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. I know we don't always wined up where we plan on all it takes for me to change is smoking hot wolf tracks but it gives someone a starting point if they need to come lookin for you
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 07:12 AM

I'll triple what BCK is saying...if you plan on trapping around Fairbanks plan on driving! I help run a line and run a short basically defunct line for fun..hmmm lol. last year, 0 on the 'fun' line! 1 toothless half blind, definatly non smelling wolf behind the house, and a whopping 6 marten on a 90 mile line for 3 guys.

If you're within a few hours of town you're likely running into people. And as friendly as most are on here, at the trappers meetings, at the fur tannery, or just about anywhere else OFF a trapline during trapping season, they are NOT that friendly when they find out you've crossed/come near/checked out an area that they trapped 20years ago/remotely thought of an area that MIGHT be open and happened to have someone in it from the dust bowl. Good luck! Even better...good luck getting a shove in any direction! The next person who says CHSR should be shot hung and drug through down town!

For the mn to Alaska winters, I'm a Minnesotan and had 0 issues. Its not the cold, I've been in Fairbanks the hole time (17 years now). What takes getting used to is the daylight. The darkness is a breeze.

get used to
-"we can order it".
-"I trapped this country back before Fairbanks had a living sole in it"
-"everyone with big asperations, till its -50 and they have to do anything, or better yet, its time to 'go' period. if you're a doer, you'll be going alone!"
-"local price tags for hand crafted items"
-"local price tags for junk! Dunno what it is but value here never goes down! Seriously if its falling apart it MUST be collector right?"
-"lots of land with nothing in it..nothing, 0, nodda. back to finding that partner whose willing to hump those miles..haha, ya ok! You're better off finding a wife in kaktovik!"
-"moose camps put up the end of july"
-"people sitting in your stands and claim them when you come in to hunt it, telling you to go F yourself! at gun point no less"

If you want good trapping, stay south!
if you want long seasons stay south!
if you want cheap easy access...STAY SOUTH!

You're better off coming and visiting to put that fire out once in your life.

If you're a do'er, and don't mind busting tail for some table scraps, to be constantly beat down by transplants themselves, find peace with blood sucking mosquito's or hospital toting bug dope, fish as fickle as a Friday night date with a tundra wookie, or any other hellish fun, get up here and live it! At some point you'll either return south realizing you can kill more monster whitetails from sept to dec, than you'll ever kill moose! Realize there are no single woman in Alaska, they all belong to someone else or are at some point being passed around the 'table'. The fishing, well its getting better, ha, really? Trapline? pfft, hunting? wait is there any moose left in Fairbanks? oh that's right, the wolves and bears are killing all those cows, yaaaa I get it. ME ME ME, how many freezers do you really NEED full of anything. Or you'll just get to be as much of a crabass'ed opinionated SOB as the rest of us and give in and stay. At some point you'll be let IN to the trapping community, when you're the 'old guy' ha.

but let me warn you, at some point you're going to meet these folks, those old who-ha's running 300 mile lines, that claimed a valley that hasn't had a track put through it in years, and you'll be face to face with a ornery, crotchety ticked off transplant from some other state yet for some unknown reason has claimed sourdough status and owns the land. It wont take long, and they never go away, they never quit, they never sell, they never retire, they never die! you can cut a line as Dean would tell you to do, but plan on war!!!

welcome to the road system in Alaska!
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 08:16 AM

Tradbow1 I vote for this ^ as the post of the year! smile
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 02:40 PM

Tradbow, sounds like you are really enjoying yourself up there!
Posted By: frozen okie

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 03:44 PM

Well said Tradbow!! I can attest to the trapline part,I have been asked to leave more places than I care to admit,some of them people were trapping near and some of them guys were letting "rest" for a few years, and some of them were people that play back in the hills and dont wont no trappers back in there cause a dog might climb a pole set or they dont want me back in there tearing up "their" trails on my tricked out '85 bravo smile

Oh ya #27 is a good one I always tell a few good buddys where am headed and show the wife on the map where am headed so she can tell someone where to go look for me.
Posted By: Backcountry

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/14/13 10:50 PM

haha sounds like fun up there...
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 12:23 AM

Very well said Tradbow! Ive heard the same from others........Reading posts like that I cant help but think registered lines are the way to go.........
Posted By: trapper ron

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 12:42 AM

Those that have registered lines (like myself) swear by them. Can not imagine trapping open ground. Those that do not have that option swear by open trapping. A controversial subject for sure. Having an area where you have the sole rights to trapping and management of the area has its benefits. Ownership is to obtain can be expensive. Being able to go and trap where every you please also has its benefits, but also has its drawbacks like referred to above.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 01:31 AM

Alaska is not like Canada where there are logging road everywhere so the competition would not be bad (I would think.)

Alaska only has a couple main roads so competition is high.

But anyone in Alaska that wants to fly in can find a place to trap its just most have jobs and can only trap on weekends on the road system unless they own a plane and then there are plenty places to trap of course that can be expensive just like buying a line in Canada.
Posted By: yukon254

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 02:43 AM

I sometimes wish the Yukon had more roads......would be less trail to cut smile
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 05:01 AM

Years ago north and east out of Fairbanks the road system was not maintained gravel roads. Travel was slow and the snow machines were too. Just to get to your line was like taking a trip down the Alcan.

In my case there were few houses past 18 mile CHSR, where the asphalt ended. The Hot Springs were owned by the Wilson family until it was closed for several years. My line was given to me by one of the Wilson's and was an active trap line prior to getting it.

I NEVER saw another person, tracks summer or winter.

My first line I hand cut in 1973. It is now the Compeau trail and fire break on Anaconda Ridge. In 1983 I was given my current line. I have trapped it every year since than and manage primarily the Marten with several different trails into different drainages.

If the snow machine of the day were Elans, the roads were not maintained and the trails had to be cut and maintained by the Trapper there would NOT be a problem finding a line.

You see the conflicts are over something already established. Ethics only work if you are ethical.

You can call me anything you want, yah I am old but guess what I'LL be there again...........this winter........and.....next winter.......and the winter after.....and....................

I am thankful that I came here when I did and waited my turn, cut many exploratory lines and ended up with what I have.

It's just like building a business, 1 day at a time, 1 dollar at a time and if you succeed you may end up as a businessman/ trapper.

Thanks for Trapperman
Larry Voorhees
Posted By: neverfinished

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/15/13 11:11 PM

So just to clarify their is endless opportunity's to hunt,fish and trap in Alaska as long as you move to the Bush of AK instead of anywhere near the road system?
Posted By: Malukchuk

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 12:07 AM

If you think your gonna be alone in the bush read what HUPUREST had pointed out!!!!
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 12:08 AM

It can be but since there are no roads if you are near a village the only trails available for travel including frozen rivers probably would be someone's trap line and the history of use goes back generations in most places.

And then you have Native corporation lands that in many cases are not open to non shareholders.


As long as there is public fed or state land you can trap no problem but access can be difficult and some places are not accessible at all no safe landing or all mountains thick trees or all of the above.
Posted By: neverfinished

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 12:39 AM

So you get a flight out to a national forest or State land far from villages or roads and set up camp on one of the million lakes in AK so you have water to drink daily and planes can often land on lakes frozen or not.

Head in early spring, Set your tent up and start cutting a new line and your good to go so long as you don't manage to run into anyone else's line.

If you do run into someone else's line then you start cutting your line a different direction or start over at a new drop off point.

It doesn't seem that complicated if your able to stay out in the bush for months at a time.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 02:50 AM

Easier said than done expensive too smile
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 04:04 AM

Neverfinished: your location is not adequate. Post your correct location in your profile
Posted By: Birchcreekkid

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 04:43 AM

that would be an expensive crapshoot just flying into a lake and hoping for the best. I guess since there's a moose behind every tree there must be 100's of marten just waiting to jump in your trap lol please let us know how it works out for you!!
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 01:58 PM

Consider too that when you get dropped off "in the spring" and start cutting your line that you have to walk to the end and back every day just to get started and then back to the tent to eat/sleep. You're going to get pretty hungry too since I doubt you can fly in a whole summer's worth of food along with all your gear. Even if you do manage to bring enough to eat you have to keep it from the bears and other critters. Better bring a dog too. Oh, better bring dog food too. You're going to have to spend a lot of time cooking and doing camp chores especially since you have no refrigeration and can't cook a lot of food ahead. You will probably spend some time fishing and cutting wood too.

Eventually you'll need to move your tent closer to the end of the line. Now you might have to pack water from the lake and all the supplies you had flown in.

I think I'd have a hard time knowing I had crossed some else's trail in the summer. Heck I'd have a hard time recognizing my own if I was in new country. Unless you stumble across an old set, what will tell you that you're on someone's trail ?

Somehow I suspect it isn't quite as simple as getting dropped off at a lake in the spring.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 03:18 PM

"Alexander Supertramp" thought it was going to be easy, too. And he had the luxery of a pre-installed bus!
Posted By: Alaskan

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 03:55 PM

Originally Posted By: white17
Somehow I suspect it isn't quite as simple as getting dropped off at a lake in the spring.

All Ye' doubters!!!!!!!!!

laugh
Posted By: Kusko

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 04:12 PM

Bring a canoe.....
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 04:21 PM

#28 Some people think that they cut a trail once and it stays cut. crazy
Posted By: Birchcreekkid

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/16/13 04:32 PM

and don't forget the swarms of mosquitos that will keep you company night and day!!
Posted By: neverfinished

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/17/13 04:19 AM

Originally Posted By: white17
Neverfinished: your location is not adequate. Post your correct location in your profile


I live in a truck that moves somewhere between Florida and Alaska Daily. I can put my taxable address if it helps?

I'll probably never move up there to find out if my idea would work or not. Too much good land,critters and milder winters to ever drive me 3000 miles north into a land that goes dark and frozen for half the year if your lucky. Seems like as good as an idea as any though. If you just sit here online nit picking all the difficulties of living in the bush as a trapper you'll never get anything done.

Identify a goal
Make a plan
Execute the plan

Heck, a poor plan well executed beats a good plan poorly executed any day of the week IMO.

Let me know if you want me to use my taxable address for the location tab White
Posted By: white17

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/17/13 04:56 AM

Yes that works as long as it''s one state.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/17/13 03:31 PM

#29: Unless you live in Anchorage, (and possibly there also), and something marine or aircraft related breaks, you will probably have to order a replacement.
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/17/13 05:50 PM

[quote If you just sit here online nit picking all the difficulties of living in the bush as a trapper you'll never get anything done.

Identify a goal
Make a plan
Execute the plan
[/quote]

We are not nit picking( as you put it)we are pointing out the reality of trapping in a VERY HARSH climate if you think living in Florida is somehow going to prepare you to launch off into the bush and live and trap in a tent in unseen country -40 temps you need a serious reality check this nit picking could of saved your life.

And thanks for the advice on how to execute our goals that sure helps keep in mind many of us left our Mama long ago and did just what your dreaming of now.
I do think Florida is a fine place with mild winters plenty to trap you should do well there.
Posted By: Vance in AK

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/17/13 08:35 PM

#30?
Most of those who come to Alaska with the dream of living on the line/in the bush & only coming to town a few times a year for supplies will end up living somewhere on the road system & have a "regular" job IF they choose to stay, & there is no shame in it. I know I did (25 yrs ago).
One thing I REALLY miss here compared to south eastern Oregon (Klamath Falls) where I grew up is open water trapping on those crisp fall mornings. Was down visiting my folks in November 2 yrs ago (1st fall trip since I left) & those open creeks & ditches were just SCREAMING muskrat & mink... Also those big straight sugar pine reminded me how much I missed logging there... BUT, God put me here & I aint whining wink
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/18/13 05:19 AM

Originally Posted By: EurekaTrapper
13. Most of the stuff you order online has special pricing for Alaska. You can forget about free shipping to here.

Not true!!

Originally Posted By: martenpine
#26 No matter how much your signifigant other loves Alaska in the summer, plan ahead for an alternative unless she's Alaskan grown.

Also not true!!

#31 If you truly think you can make it here, think twice, a third and fourth time, then if you STILL think you can, read all the above rules and give it a go.

I was told 13 years ago (by more than a few on this forum and others) that I'd not make it here, was laughed at and had a few say a couple not-so-nice things. Well here I am, and while I am not at a fly-in or snomachine in place, I am 4 miles in on a dirt road and off-grid. I still love it here and doubt that will ever change.

Not many have dreams that come true. I did.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/18/13 10:47 PM

Well i have a question ? I am kind of confused. I have read every reply on this thread and the way i understand it. Alaska is not a place that just anyone could make it even living in big towns like Anchorage working a 5 day a week job under the easiest living conditions if for no other reasons than the weather & darkness. And it is even harder to live in one of the small villiages where the only way in is to fly in 2 or 300 miles. And then to beat thoes living conditions it would be even harder for someone to live on out futher in the bush running a trap line to make a living by themselfs ?

Well where i am confused at is I had a guy who has lived in the Alaska bush running trap lines making his living at it most of his life and said basicly anyone could do it and it was and is not that big of a deal ? Any average person can do it ? But from reading this post I get an altogether different veiw. It looks like it would be hard as all get out and if you did not know what you were doing or have someone teach you how to live like that you could wind up dead fast ? So which is it. Anyone can do it or is this guy just pulling my leg ?
Posted By: Dirt

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/18/13 11:08 PM

Anybody can make it on the road system. The bush ain't that bad, but I routinely see them come and go. The problem I always see is they don't accept a lower standard of living. It is rare that you can maintain the same standard of living in the bush that you had on the road system or where ever they come from.
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/18/13 11:53 PM

MAAA, I gotta say, to me, it's not that big a deal IF you can CHANGE and ADAPT. Lots can't. I've seen more than a few people come here to (not so remote) Chickaloon, stay a winter and leave - often because it was too tough for THEM. I've seen more than a few stay.

Sometimes, yes it would be easier to turn on a faucet and have running water, rather than having to pick up a 5 gallon jug and pour it. Yes it would be easier to flip a switch for light, rather than finding a match or lighter and lighting the kerosene lamp. Yes it would be easier to walk to the next room to use the batheroom, rather than walking out in -30* to the outhouse.

Yes, easier. But not necessarily better. wink
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 12:57 AM

Wolfwoman, I agree with you easier but not necessarily better. I am 52 years old and was raised in a small town with no indoor plumbing. Their was Mom & Dad plus 7 of us kids. We had an outdoor out house, had to draw our water from a well and on ocassions when storms took the power lines down used kersosene lamps. I have very fond memorys of thoes rare nights with all of us eating supper using the light of the lanterns. And drawing a bucket of water from the bottom of the well during a hot summer day. As a kid i always hated having to go use the out house during the night and worried about snakes during the summer days only because i saw a large about 4 foot black snake crawl underneath the out house down into the hole where the barrels were burried.

But for us the coldest weather we might have to endure here in North West Arkansas would be maybe 10 degrees on rare ocassions nothing like there in Alaska. I consider myself pretty tuff skinned and for the most part capible of adapting. But it would be hard for me to get used to - 30 or - 50 degree weather. And for me I would have to be taught how to adapt to that kind of weather in order to make it. I just would not think the average person could come to Alaska thinking they could make it there without expecting someone to teach them how to survie the elements the way of making a living. And with a strong motivation of some kind. I can see someone who loves the outdoors, loves to hunt fish trap thinking that they would like living in Alaska. But even then they would need to be people who are what i would call real outdoorsmen, people who hunt for the meat, not just sport.
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 05:14 AM

you'd be shocked what you get used too when you want too...not to mention its a different kind of cold. Very dry for most of us. compared to a wet cold down there. I laugh when people laugh about it more now...after spending time on the east coast in their 'winters'. I had enough cloths on to be out here screwing off at -20, mind you I was getting blown upside down and backwards in a treestand at 20 above while I was there doing absolutely nothing but trying to remember what whitetails looked like.
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 06:15 AM

I grew up in Upstate NY in a non-hunting/trapping type family. I was NOT raised with animals of any sort, and while my childhood was just fine (no type of drama, very ordinary), I believe I was bored (in retrospect) - always wanted to come to Alaska. There's a lot more to the story, but, I digress...

The cold at 20* in upstate NY is BONE CHILLING BITTER cold. It's horrid, that WET nasty cold seeps into the bery FIBRE of your bones and is not tolerable. Here in Alaska at 30 BELOW I am out with just my long underwear, my FUR mukluks and a sherpa hoodie and FUR hat to take care of the critters. If I'm out for a long period of time, I get a good jacket smile It's just different!
Posted By: yukonjeff

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 06:53 AM

You folks need to visit Western Alaska some day smile
Posted By: otterman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 02:23 PM

We can discuss all day long how hard it is to make it in Alaska. The truth of the matter is there are a lot of people who come on here with a dream. When I was young my Mom sold real estate and she had a fair amount of contacts she called California Dreamers. They all wanted 20 acres in N Idaho with a trout stream running through it and deer and elk on the property and they expected to pay pennies on the dollar for what it was worth had such property been readily available. Many come on here thinking Alaska is similar the dreams are different they want a 10-100 miles of trap line with everything from marten to wolves and wolverine on it. The point is it just doesn't happen very often and when it does you are looking at years of hard work and a lot of bush knowledge to obtain said line. Combine that with some of the harshest most remote conditions in the world and you have Alaska. Throw in an over populated road system with guys claiming every trail ditch and roadside culvert and you have what the reality of it is. Some places trap lines can be found more easily but gaining access or finding much more than beaver and fox can be a challenge. Can you make it here? Probably. Will you make it here? The odds say probably not. Read the rules take the advice here and you might beat the odds. Ignore them and you may be one unhappy or very dead trapper. I don't think anyone here is trying to discourage a guy from coming up and trying it but are simply trying to let you know this isn't Iowa, Kansas, New York or any place else other than Alaska and it is not only very unique in its nature along with its individual characters that are already here, but it has a huge variety of climates and conditions within the state itself. This makes for a huge amount of responses. One of the first rules I learned here was never go out on the river without an ice pick or checker of some kind and a hatchet or axe doesn't qualify as that tool. I doubt seriously that someone boat trapping in SE needs that icepick every day if at all, even I don't but I never leave home without one. I hope this helps some who want to come realize a bit more of what to expect
Posted By: Ronaround

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 04:01 PM

Reality is a harsh friend. I too have them dreams but as it is explained in the mired of information above, truth and our concept is slightly off kilter. I should have done it in the late 70s, when I went up there. but work and responsibility kind of takes it to the side. I wish anyone going up that way finds an opportunity of a lifetime~! Send pictures and stories. I will find a way up there but not in the way i really want to be, as some of you that live that lifestyle.
Posted By: Mainiac

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 04:39 PM

If you want to go.... then go! Its not a cold inhospitable [Please excuse my language... I'm an idiot] you are walking into. Do the research, get prepared and do it. All great achievements and ideas have many people saying it can't be done or shouldn't be done. Take the advise but not the "nay-saying" and try for your dream.
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 05:51 PM

Originally Posted By: yukonjeff
You folks need to visit Western Alaska some day smile


I'm guessing that it's that nasty wet cold there?? LOL
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 05:55 PM

These guys are absolutely right, I ignored all the "you can't do it" people and did it anyways smile I may not be where Yukon Jeff or Otterman or White is, but I like where I am, and I'm far enough out to not want to shoot someone daily, yet with just a 4 mile dirt road between me and the highway, it's still pretty accessible for emergencies.
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 06:14 PM

Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/19/13 11:21 PM

note to self....never go pick up nice fur hat from Wolfwoman she may change her mind on shooting people from the big cities lol.
Posted By: bigshane

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 12:26 AM

this has been the most interesting thread I have ever read thanks to all.
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 01:54 AM

Originally Posted By: Tradbow1
note to self....never go pick up nice fur hat from Wolfwoman she may change her mind on shooting people from the big cities lol.


Unfortunately, lately that may be more the case than you think. The thieves are at it again in the Valley - Two neighbors have had gas stolen from them, and one has had trespassers that she didn't know.

Just bought a Moultrie M880 wink
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 04:11 AM

I have a couple cuddy's, not familiar with the moultries, hopefully its a IR...if not, they'll steal that too LOL!

They're stealing fuel like crazy around here last winter....broad daylight. Some of the places were people on vacation, perp pulled his truck in the vacationer's garage and told cops he was 'checking the place out to rent'. The 40 stays close! wink
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 05:09 AM

If I missed something, forgive me, but I don't think a single Alaskan on this thread suggested "Don't do it". This has been a reality check. The folks contributing here are not doing so to discourage. Most that don't live here simply don't understand just how imense and diversifided this state is. For those still following from down south, it really is the size of 1/3 of the entire lower 48. That would be like asking what the trapping is like from Florida to Minnesota, and Maine to the Mississippi. Bound to get a few different answers.
The REAL kicker is, add the difference in terrain and territory, add again the different climate, and again the access and travelability of vastly differing areas, and you are just now getting warm as to the generalizations of most questions pertaining to THE BIG MOVE TO ALASKA! Ultimatly, one needs to narrow down thier search in this great state, then ask the questions that pertain to that area. What would work in Bend, Oregon probably won't help you in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Oh, and yes, even S.E. Alaska gets cold. Getting the line out last December....salt water.....

Skim ice, thank God.
Posted By: Birchcreekkid

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 05:43 AM

I've run into a number of guys who came to Alaska and thought because they hunted and trapped in the lower 48 that they didn't need any advice, fools thought I. Take all the free advice you can get and be appreciative that some are willing to give it, the reality is this website is all about advice because we all need some at some point and if you look at the posts you will see a lot of it is people asking questions and others offering up their experiences whether it's with gear, snogo's, techniques etc. etc. and I for one am greatful that this free website exists because I've learned a lot here and have met lots of good people here.........Masii Choo Trapperman......................
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/20/13 06:50 PM

Originally Posted By: alaska viking
If I missed something, forgive me, but I don't think a single Alaskan on this thread suggested "Don't do it".


I don't think you missed anything on this thread about that at all. LOTS of good advice all around.

However, 13 (more like 15 when I was planning) years ago - I was told I 'couldn't' do it wink
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/21/13 02:51 PM

You certainly proved them wrong! And you created (literally!), a niche for yourself that is appreciated by many on this very forum!
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/21/13 06:57 PM

I'm glad to be here... I left for a few years, lost the forum somehow, and even tho I don't post a LOT, I READ a lot smile The info here is INVALUABLE! Not to mention reading some of the banter that goes on wink
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/22/13 09:43 PM

I am impressed with the replys that all of you who live or have lived in Alaska at one time have given to members like myself who live in the lower 48. Most of the forums that i have visited have been hunting forums in the lower 48. I have seen a big difference in the information that members are willing to give out between the people who live there in Alaska verses most states in the lower 48.

The replys that has been given by people who live in Alaska has been in my opinion very candid and straight forward. Like someone stated on here in a previous reply. No one has said that people could not come to Alaska and make it there. They have just laid it on the line and told it how it is there. Here in the lower 48 I dont think you would get that kind of information just because of the overcrowding most states have here. Alot of people would give you false information just to discourage you in coming to hunt, fish, trap, find a job basicly anything because most states here are way over crowed and have enough competition competeing for these resources as it is.

I hope Alaska dosen't wind up like the lower 48. Someone was talking about haveing some gas stolen from their snow mobile, Here in the lowere 48 they would still the snow mobile along with the gas.

On another note the temp here in North West Arkansas is 104 degrees today, lot of sun shine and real hot. When i walked in the office one of our inspectors was ringing wet with sweat, looked like he had fell into a lake or something. Any of you people who live there in Alaska have that problem today ? LOL !
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 03:04 AM

I don't miss those hot days like that. I'm originally from Arkansas as well, Heber Springs.
Posted By: MAAA

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 04:36 AM

Eureka Trapper, How long have you lived in Alaska ? I had an Uncel that lived in Heber Springs, alot of his kids still do. Every know Burel Bramlett ? of James Bramlett ? Is it the little red river that they trout fish on there in Heber Springs ? I know they trout fish some on the white river near there. I am a couple hundred miles South West of Heber in a little town called Ozark Ark, about 40 miles East of Fort Smith.

But now i think you are pulling my leg about missing this good old warm weather we have here in Arkansas ! LOL And i bet it was most of the time a little cooler in Heber than it is here ? How long have you lived in Alaska ?
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 05:46 AM

Last Friday someone stole 3 gas cans from one neighbor and 1 can from the other neighbor. Tuesday another house just up the road was broken into. They haven't messed with our place. ... yet. And they can't steal the trail cam. Those (insert many bad words here) thieves had BEST not try my house!

Yes, it's bad here - they send people around to scout and then the thieves come later and just grab things!
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 07:14 AM

I've been up here since 1998 but I left Arkansas in 1988 with the Army. I don't remember any Bramletts. Yup, that's the Little Red River there. That's where the world record brown trout was caught. Not sure if that record still holds though. It was around 40 lbs. Hot and humid isn't my kind of summer. I prefer 70's with the occasional 80's.
Originally Posted By: MAAA
Eureka Trapper, How long have you lived in Alaska ? I had an Uncel that lived in Heber Springs, alot of his kids still do. Every know Burel Bramlett ? of James Bramlett ? Is it the little red river that they trout fish on there in Heber Springs ? I know they trout fish some on the white river near there. I am a couple hundred miles South West of Heber in a little town called Ozark Ark, about 40 miles East of Fort Smith.

But now i think you are pulling my leg about missing this good old warm weather we have here in Arkansas ! LOL And i bet it was most of the time a little cooler in Heber than it is here ? How long have you lived in Alaska ?
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 07:19 AM

You should set out a nice tempting fuel can that's been enhanced with some corn syrup.
Originally Posted By: Wolfwoman
Last Friday someone stole 3 gas cans from one neighbor and 1 can from the other neighbor. Tuesday another house just up the road was broken into. They haven't messed with our place. ... yet. And they can't steal the trail cam. Those (insert many bad words here) thieves had BEST not try my house!

Yes, it's bad here - they send people around to scout and then the thieves come later and just grab things!
Posted By: TrappinAlaska

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 08:49 AM

That is called ethanol!
Posted By: EurekaTrapper

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 02:10 PM

They probably wouldn't need any more fuel after they use the non-distilled version.
Originally Posted By: TrappinAlaska
That is called ethanol!
Posted By: Wolfwoman

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/23/13 05:24 PM

Originally Posted By: EurekaTrapper
You should set out a nice tempting fuel can that's been enhanced with some corn syrup.
Originally Posted By: Wolfwoman
Last Friday someone stole 3 gas cans from one neighbor and 1 can from the other neighbor. Tuesday another house just up the road was broken into. They haven't messed with our place. ... yet. And they can't steal the trail cam. Those (insert many bad words here) thieves had BEST not try my house!

Yes, it's bad here - they send people around to scout and then the thieves come later and just grab things!


I Seem To Recall A Can Down There For Water.... But It Might Smell Like Gas.... wink

(PS: No Clue Why My Keyboard Is Capping Each WorD????)
Posted By: BucknDuck

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 12:23 AM

I've been holding back from posting on this subject. But my curiosity has gotten the best of me. Here is my situation: I'm single, own my own business, and also have a background in education, accounting, and finance. I've been interested in relocating to Alaska for quite a while, but just recently started pursuing it more, including working on obtaining my teaching certificate.

I would like to spend a week next year getting familiar with the areas of interest and see first hand if Alaska is really where I want to relocate my business and call home. Duck hunting is my other passion besides trapping, so I crave ducky weather. I was also once a ski school director so bring on the winter weather.

As for trapping, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't care so much about getting out on a line. Reading what some of you have posted, I will be giving up quite a bit of my trapping opportunities if I move there due to competition. So what are my chances that I may be able to assist on an already established line and work my way up to eventually having my own line?
Posted By: fishermann222

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 03:57 AM

If your willing to move to the bush to be a teacher you will be able to find a line.
Posted By: Tradbow1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 06:21 AM

no doubt on a teaching gig, this state is hurting for them from what I hear. and if you want ducks get to Kodiak!
Posted By: Vance in AK

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 02:42 PM

What type of business do you own B&D?
Posted By: tightlywound1

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 08:39 PM

fishermann222 i would be interested in learning more about teaching. i have a little over 6 years left till i retire from the army and this is one of the things i thought about doing after i get out.
Posted By: Tray

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 09:16 PM

Great thread, I have spent a couple of summers in AK working on fishing boats and now have gone back to vacation this past summer. I planned on moving up there out of high school, but decided that I just couldn't take the darkness in the winter I think I would fight depression.

Couple of questions-
With the restriction on homesteading can a person still build cabins along their line or only replace existing structure?
I remember seeing a Ad in Trapper Predator caller 15+ years ago for a line and cabins for sale, is this still done or is it even allowed.
Posted By: BucknDuck

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/24/13 10:54 PM

I'm an accountant. The first company I worked for when I graduated from college had me traveling all across the US training accountants. So I had to have an understanding of state tax laws and returns for personal and business in addition to the fed rules and regs.

Thank you for the feedback. I agree that this is a great thread in helping to give a realistic point of view on what to expect moving there. I'm looking forward to visiting next year and getting a first hand look at some of the areas.
Posted By: FairbanksLS

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/25/13 12:35 AM


I doubt there is a one size fits all Alaska dream. Over half the population lives in cities with the majority of those living in Anchorage. I would imagine that being far removed from family causes as many to return to the lower 48 as the length of days or severity of the weather. I know the only thing stopping me from moving to Alaska permanently is that my two oldest children both live in North Carolina, that and I'm afraid I'll not live long enough to establish a trap line in a state with a land area of approximately 365,000,000 acres with 8,000 trappers.
Posted By: alaska viking

Re: Alaskan Dreamers - 08/25/13 03:12 PM

Keep in mind that of those 365,000,000 acres, not all of it holds furbearers. Unlike the lower 48 that has extensive habitat and agriculture, a good portion of Alaska is literally or nearly void of that. And again, a very small portion is accessable through traditional means of travel.
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