On my way north!

[DakotaJeff]

Hi all!  I've never posted on the Alaska hunting forum before, but that may change.  Today I was offered a job in Anchorage.  My fiancee and I have been looking to move to Alaska and it looks like that'll become a reality now.  Seward was our top choice but Anchorage is better than not being in AK at all.  I've only been up there once but she has been there many times.  We're pretty excited and I'm really looking forward to taking in the wonderful scenery up there.  I've spent the past 8 hunting seasons in South Dakota chasing whitetails, mulies, elk, turkey and pheasants with bow, muzzleloader and rifle.  I'll definitely miss those critters but look forward to the wildlife Alaska has to offer.  I guess I have an entire year to look things over before I'm a resident.  At this point I doubt I'll be looking to pick up a nonresident tag for this fall.  Though I will get a nonresident fishing license.  Gotta draw the line somewhere!  Can't wait to call AK home.

Jeff

[WindWalker-AK]

Mr. DakotaJeff,
You might want to consider a non-resident Small Game License.  It is a real bargain and the hunting can be fantastic!
Best Wishes
Sawmill Creek, Alaska

[DakotaJeff]

True, a nonresident small game license is something I didn't consider.  That might help pass the fall by a little easier not being able to chase big game.  Moving from the pheasant capitol of the world to the ptarmigan capitol of the world.....that's something I'll have to try.

[31 bertram]

DakotaJeff
What will you be doing in Anchorage?  I am talking to some folks that need a Water Treatment Operator at a zinc mine.  It's a fly in to Anchorage and then fly to the Mine/Camp located way North of Fairbanks, located 160 km inside the Artic Circle.  It's a fly in, fly out deal, 1 month on and 2 weeks off.   I hear alot of positive things about Alaska, just not for sure how I'd like the Arctic.  Thanks
31 bertram   

[Moose-Hunter]

Plenty of black bears around the Anchorage area that you could hunt as a non-resident. I'd get the non-resident license and bear tag and go shoot one, but that's just me. I couldn't/wouldn't wait a year to hunt. I live in Wasilla, about 50 miles north of Anchorage, so if you ever want to tag along this fall on a couple of short moose hunting trips around the valley, send me an email. I'll be glad to show you around.

Matt

alaskahunter@gmail.com

[Dusty Miller]

Moose Hunter, do you know my cousin, Neil Branham?  He lives in Wasila.

[Moose-Hunter]

I can't say that I do. Lots of people in Wasilla and the surrounding area ("the valley").

[DakotaJeff]

Matt, thanks for the moose hunt offer.  I may just take you up on that, would love to tag along (and offer a moderately strong back should you have some luck)! 

Bertram, I will be working for the Nat'l Park Service as an aquatics specialist.  I work now for the state of South Dakota as a fisheries biologist, so similar work.  Though I'll be stationed in Anchorage, I'll be working in Katmai, Lake Clark, Kenai Fjords, Alagnak Wild River and Aniakchak.  I'm going into this blind as I've never been to any of those parks, only seen pictures.  Can't wait to see them for real!

Jeff

[Winter Hawk]

Jeff,

You are in for a treat.  Will your sweetie be able to accompany you?  It gets to be rather frustrating for the spouse who has to stay home.  I did that surveying in S.E. and it got real old for my wife after 6 years.  Of course, you could get your pilot's license and a plane and fly her with you   

-WH-

[Daveinthebush]

Start reading looking at the links at the top of the forum - Alaskan sites.  Anchorage Daily News is there as a wealth of other sites.  Remember to pay for gas in Canada with a credit card!  Or else you will get raped with fuel charges.  A small game license is the cheapest way to go.  Another idea is to offer to be a pack animal for other hunters.  You will learn how to hunt up here and ge some valuable lessons.  Shooting with a camea your first year is probably going to be very exciting anyways.  The beauty will astound you.

Best of luck on the journey if you decide to take it.

[corbanzo]

Even though everyone else in AK calls going to anchorage "going to town" it really isnt that bad.  there are a lot of beauitiful areas that surround anchorage.  Even in Seward, we have to go out of town (two miles) to ride snowmachines and shoot, ok, so not that long of trip.  But the area surrounding anchorage is still mountainous and costal at the same time.  (Though dont use the coast around anchorage, unless you have a hover craft)  You will be surprised at how many recreational opportunities the big city can offer.

[DakotaJeff]

Just got back from a 6 day trip to Anchorage.  Wow, that moist ocean air is cold!  At least for my midwestern bones that are use to the dry stuff.  But I'll get use to it.  Last Sunday I took a drive up towards Glennallen, very clear skies and great viewing of the Chugach and Talkeetna Mts.  On Monday we drove down to Homer.  What an absolutely gorgeous drive, especially from Anchorage to Kenai Lake.  I even saw my first Dall sheep.  By mid-May I'll be living up there permanently, can't wait!

P.S. While driving by the rifle range just south of Anchorage on Sunday I noticed it was rather busy.  Is it always that busy?  Or does the upcoming bear season have folks out getting in some practice?

[deltecs]

P.S. While driving by the rifle range just south of Anchorage on Sunday I noticed it was rather busy.  Is it always that busy?  Or does the upcoming bear season have folks out getting in some practice?

Jeff,  Just North of Anchorage at the North Birchwood exit and about 2 miles down Birchwood loop toward the airport is another rifle range.  This one is membership but very reasonable.  You get your key card and can shoot nearly anytime.  Pistol, rifle, trap, silhouette, almost anything you'd like to target practice at.  The range South of Anchorage has some odd hours of operation.  Keep us posted.