Alaska, with its vast wilderness and tons of large game, is one place hunters all have on their bucket lists. Most of the Native Americans and some Alaskan residents make it their business to provide guided hunting and fishing trips in this state. In fact, you may have a very tough decision to make when it comes to choosing one of the hunting trips Alaska offers. The following are just a few suggestions for the many trips offered, based on location and authentic Alaskan wilderness experience.
Caribou Hunting with the Yu'pik
Native Americans who usually trade with each other for goods and rely on sustainable hunting practices sometimes act as hunting guides when they need actual cash for things they cannot trade for. The Yu'pik natives of southwestern Alaska often use snow machines or sled dogs to get around, and these are items for which they need cash. You can contact the Yu'pik tribal council members to inquire about known tribe members who work as guides. Then you can join the hunt for caribou in the late winter and early spring caribou runs.
Bear Hunting with a Guide
It does not matter how experienced you are as a hunter. Nothing prepares you for the feat of hunting and killing a bear. These huge beasts are no cuddly teddy bears! They will attack and they will shred you if you do not have a backup hunter or two that can prevent that.
Knowledgeable Alaskan hunters only go after bear for the pelts and the meat, and they know exactly when to hunt these beasts. Early spring, when the bears are just waking up from hibernation head to the springs, bays, and waterways of Alaska to catch the incoming salmon for food and to drink the water, is when you want to go. Some of these areas are privately owned, but the land owners are often hunting guides themselves. You should have no problem finding a guide to hunt bear when the guides own the land on which the bears roam.
Hunting Lynx in the Mideastern Part of the State
Hunting lynx has to take place at night as these big, beautiful cats are nocturnal. It makes the hunt even more challenging because several other predators in Alaska are out at night and they will not hesitate to attack you. Your guide here will show you how to use various traps and snares for catching lynxes. While your prize is the pelt of the lynx, you can also eat these "cats," if you are particularly adventurous.
Camp Kavik and Ptarmigan and Red Fox Hunting
If you really want to test your steely nerve, spend a few weeks north of the Arctic Circle in Camp Kavik. This camp is situated on a river, although in the dead of winter you cannot tell. The temperatures are not fit for man nor beast, and survival depends on the camp's caretaker. Be sure to bring gear that will withstand temperatures of up to seventy degrees (Fahrenheit) below zero; the temperatures are that brutal.
There are several cabins in which to camp down and avoid turning into a frozen meatsicle for the wolverines, wolves and bears in the area. A dining hall is available, if you would rather eat something from the kitchen than kill and cook something yourself. While you are there, the caretaker is also your guide to hunting and shooting ptarmigan (also known as "Arctic chicken") and red foxes. You may also encounter an Arctic fox or two, which would be nice to take home a red fox and a white fox pelt from your hunting trip here. For more information, contact companies like Outdoors International.
