Saturday, June 22, 2013

Alaska Caribou Hunting Is A Popular Activity For Outdoor Types

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By Linda Maynard


Alaska caribou hunting is exciting and adventurous. Big game hunters come from around the world to seek out one of the Frontier State's iconic big game mammals. The state's caribou herd continues to thrive and offer hunting opportunities for residents and non-residents alike. Outdoor enthusiasts who come to the state need to be prepared for inclement weather, wild bears and other potential safety hazards.

Hunters bag on average between twenty and twenty-five thousand caribou annually in the state of Alaska. The estimated population of the state's herds numbers around nine hundred thousand animals. They range throughout most of the state, but are absent from the Southeast forested areas around Juneau.

Hunters in Alaska are eligible to shoot both male and female specimens, depending upon the type of permit they hold. Both sexes are antlered, although male animals have much larger antlers. Adult males weigh nearly four hundred pounds, while females often weigh only about half as much. For comparison, they are much larger than deer, but considerably smaller than either elk or moose.

Hunters who come to Alaska must be prepared to deal with the elements and other hazards. The weather can be unforgiving even in August and September. In addition, in some areas, hordes of mosquitoes can put a damper on the trip. Hunters also need to be alert for bears and other large predators.

For safety in bear country you should field dress your kill as soon as possible, but avoid opening the gut cavity until you have salvaged all other edible meat first. This will prevent odors that may attract a bear. Try to pack out meat as quickly as possible. Any portion of the animal that cannot be removed right away should be suspended in a tree or cached in an open area to minimize the risk of bear attack when you come back to retrieve it.

Bears are not the only hazard in the interior. Rising streams, plane troubles with personal aircraft and other unexpected circumstances can quickly turn a recreational hunt into a fight for survival. Hunters need to be fully prepared for unexpected conditions. Survival gear and survival skills are essential. A lapse in judgement in a dangerous situation could be fatal, so hunters must always be both mentally and physically prepared to endure difficult scenarios that may require special survival skills.

Hunters should familiarize themselves with all hunting rules and regulations. Ignorance is no excuse for violating the law and poaching offenses can carry heavy fines and sometimes jail sentences. Hunters also need to respect the private property rights of landowners where applicable.

Alaska caribou hunting can bring hours of excitement and adventure to the well prepared hunter. Hunting in Alaska is not easy, but it can be quite rewarding if you are properly equipped and prepared. The area boasts of abundant big game herds and it offers some of the finest big game hunting opportunities in the world.




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