Hunting

The Tongass National Forest near Sitka on Oct. 10, 2024. The remains of a hunter who the authorities believe was fatally mauled by a bear were recovered on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, from a remote region in Alaska where such attacks are rare. (Christopher Miller/The New York Times)

Deer hunter is killed in apparent bear attack near Sitka, authorities say

The remains of a hunter who authorities believe was fatally mauled by a bear were recovered Wednesday from a remote region in Southeast Alaska where… Continue reading

 

The village of Kake on Kupreanof Island in Southeast Alaska. (Flickr/Umnak under Creative Commons license)

Alaska lost a challenge to a COVID-era emergency moose hunt. Now it’s appealing for a second time.

It’s one of multiple cases where the Dunleavy administration is clashing with the federal government.

 

Travelling with a pack other than his hunting pack gave the author a false sense of security. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A holiday surprise from TSA

“There a knife in here?” “Shouldn’t be.” As a TSA agent, how many times has he heard that? Of course there shouldn’t be, but if… Continue reading

 

(Photo courtesy of the Alaska State Troopers)

Southeast hunters pay deerly for violations in large-scale joint state-federal operation

53 charges or citations issued during Southern Southeast Sitka Blacktail deer “rut,” AST reports.

(Photo courtesy of the Alaska State Troopers)
High tides make getting the skiff loaded a little tricky. The author’s wife avoids low branches on her way to the skiff after a successful hunt. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Tasty memories

The buck raked a small cedar tree glazed in frost, swollen neck twisting the antlers around the brutalized trunk. I reached behind me to get… Continue reading

High tides make getting the skiff loaded a little tricky. The author’s wife avoids low branches on her way to the skiff after a successful hunt. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
A moose is seen in an Anchorage neighborhood near Kincaid Park on April 27, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Federal judge rules against state of Alaska in lawsuit challenging COVID emergency hunt

Other disputes between state and federal fish and game managers are pending.

A moose is seen in an Anchorage neighborhood near Kincaid Park on April 27, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
A lone berry hangs from a bush on the edge of a muskeg in which the author and his wife sought a buck, but found a doe. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Muskeg mornings

Twenty minutes after the first call and maybe two after the last sip of coffee, a gray body walked casually behind a smattering of brush… Continue reading

A lone berry hangs from a bush on the edge of a muskeg in which the author and his wife sought a buck, but found a doe. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

After illegal Alaska moose kill, 2 men will be banned globally from hunting for 4 years

A plea deal pending in Anchorage’s federal court would ban two men from hunting anywhere in the world for four years as punishment for illegally… Continue reading

A moose is seen in Midtown Anchorage on Oct. 31, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
AI will attempt to replicate the feeling of a crisp morning in a snowy drainage, but it will never be the same…right? (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A new era

I asked the artist if he had Instagram. “No, I’m from the Facebook era.” We both laughed. He looked it, but you can never tell.… Continue reading

AI will attempt to replicate the feeling of a crisp morning in a snowy drainage, but it will never be the same…right? (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Sun is better than rain, but the author and his wife know both can make hunting difficult. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The heat of the moment

The tent was unzipped only enough for my feet to be outside. I was exhausted and needed a respite from the mosquitos that were able… Continue reading

Sun is better than rain, but the author and his wife know both can make hunting difficult. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
The author, his wife Abby and his friend Danny wait out the weather under a rock and a tarp on opening day of deer season. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The price of comfort

After a week of rain, I relished the few minutes of sunshine from my glassing spot on top of a ridge. Just behind me was… Continue reading

The author, his wife Abby and his friend Danny wait out the weather under a rock and a tarp on opening day of deer season. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
A nanny and kid cool down on a patch of snow near the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The (Hunting) New Year

Of all the ways to begin a new year, the agreed upon one is the least interesting. That is not to say the historical reasoning… Continue reading

A nanny and kid cool down on a patch of snow near the author. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
A female mountain goat on a rocky slope on Baranof Island. (Phil Mooney/Alaska Department of Fish and Game)

People now need to pass this quiz to hunt goats in Southeast Alaska

Officials hope online test helps hunters to identify and avoid shooting females.

A female mountain goat on a rocky slope on Baranof Island. (Phil Mooney/Alaska Department of Fish and Game)
The Alaska State Senate unanimously passes its first bill of the current legislative session Wednesday, sponsored by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, lower left. The bill makes disabled military veterans residing in Alaska eligible for free trapping licenses in addition to hunting and fishing, and makes free service-related licenses for all three activities permanent instead of annual. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Senate quickly falls for veterans’ traps

Juneau lawmaker’s bill giving disabled vets lifetime trapping licenses is first to pass floor vote.

The Alaska State Senate unanimously passes its first bill of the current legislative session Wednesday, sponsored by state Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, lower left. The bill makes disabled military veterans residing in Alaska eligible for free trapping licenses in addition to hunting and fishing, and makes free service-related licenses for all three activities permanent instead of annual. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner Designee for the Department of Fish & Game, speaks in front of the House Fisheries Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Fish and Game appointee looks for more state, not federal, control over fisheries

The importance of fishing and hunting isn’t lost on Alaskans or lawmakers.

Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner Designee for the Department of Fish & Game, speaks in front of the House Fisheries Committee at the Capitol on Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A Sitka black-tailed deer. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)

Opinion: Open your eyes to the deer on Douglas

In a letter to the editor on Dec. 22 Gary Miller states that he can’t see deer on Douglas Island. Yet I see deer tracks… Continue reading

A Sitka black-tailed deer. (Courtesy Photo | Kerry Howard)
Elizabeth Smart, national child safety activist and women’s empowerment speaker, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Reclaiming Own and Renew Women’s Conference. Registration for the conference is still open. (Courtesy Photo)

Register for women’s conference, deer seasons ends, Sealaska Heritage sponsors workshop

News briefs for the week of Jan. 2, 2019.

Elizabeth Smart, national child safety activist and women’s empowerment speaker, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Reclaiming Own and Renew Women’s Conference. Registration for the conference is still open. (Courtesy Photo)
A hunter’s guide to making the most out of life

A hunter’s guide to making the most out of life

I am living two lives and life is going twice as fast.

A hunter’s guide to making the most out of life
A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Let’s manage Douglas for deer

Wolves have decimated the deer population.

A young Sitka black-tailed deer finds fresh greens to eat along Glacier Highway on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Yukon River moose meet an Alaska winter hunting adventure

Yukon River moose meet an Alaska winter hunting adventure

A hunt for moose in the cold Alaska winter.

Yukon River moose meet an Alaska winter hunting adventure