Alaska Sporting Journal - April 2022

FISHING • HUNTING • ADVENTURE

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Volume 11 • Issue 11 www.aksportingjournal.com PUBLISHER James R. Baker

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn

GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES media@media-inc.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Andy Walgamott EDITOR Chris Cocoles WRITERS Paul D. Atkins, Scott Haugen, Tiffany Haugen, Brian Kelly, Mary Catharine Martin, Brian Watkins SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120 Renton, WA 98057 (206) 382-9220 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com CORRESPONDENCE Twitter @AKSportJourn Facebook.com/alaskasportingjournal Email ccocoles@media-inc.com

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ON THE COVER Pennsylvanian Brian Kelly has gotten the most out of his most recent trips to Southeast Alaska for coho salmon. Despite Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and some fishing challenges, bringing home plenty of silvers made it all worthwhile. (BRIAN KELLY)

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P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com

CONTENTS

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 11

FEATURES 16

WORKING HARD FOR SILVERS

Pennsylvanian Brian Kelly has become adept at planning what’s become an annual expedition to Southeast Alaska to fish for coho salmon. Where Covid-19 restrictions and mandates made 2020’s trip a challenge, in 2021 it was the fishing itself that tested Kelly’s patience. But thanks to some conversations with friendly anglers, Kelly found the right lure to trick some silvers. Find out how he did.

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HOMER’S APRIL SALMON SHOWCASE It may be spring this month, but the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament remains a marquee event for the Kenai Peninsula’s “offseason.” Covid pandemic protocols prompted the 2021 event to shift from its usual March date to April.

It was so successful – the fishing was excellent – the tournament returns again this month with an April 9 date. We caught up with Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, for the details.

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RAGE FOR THE MACHINES!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 9 11 15 31

The Editor’s Note

The Alaska Beat Outdoor Calendar The Salmon State: Chignik’s sockeye struggles 45 Tip of the Month: The best in backpacks and game bags 57 From Field to Fire: Training that mentally stimulates gun dogs; ricepaper-wrapped salmon and veggies

In the most remote corners of Alaska, the winter season means locals rely on their snowmachines like accountants lean on their calculators come tax time. Paul Atkins, who called Kotzebue his Arctic Alaska home for two decades, was always thankful for his sno-go, whether its purpose was escaping town to go hunting or fishing, or just traveling around on errands.

It’s something true Alaskans understand more than anyone else.

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BRING ON THE BLACKTAILS

In a state where moose, caribou and grizzly bears rule the big game wish list, smaller and elusive Sitka deer tend to get overlooked. Hunting them requires a lot of climbing (pro tip: bring along a mountain goat tag, since they share some of the same habitat), but it is a great experience for hunters in search of adventure. Brian Watkins (left) states his case for targeting Alaska’s B-listers, blacktail bucks.

(BRIAN WATKINS) Alaska Sporting Journal is published monthly. Call Media Inc. Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Inc. Publishing Group and will not be returned. Annual subscriptions are $29.95 (12 issues) or $49.95 (24 issues). Send check or money order to Media Inc. Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057 or call (206) 382-9220 with VISA or M/C. Back issues may be ordered at Media Inc. Publishing Group, subject to availability, at the cost of $5 plus shipping. Copyright © 2022 Media Inc. Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

I

didn’t grow up around snow. When you spend your childhood in a suburb of San Francisco, you had to be super lucky to be able to play in the snow in your backyard – it happened once when I was a kid, during a once-in-a-generation snowfall.

Living now in Seattle, where our company is based, I get to experience snow a few times a winter. Even though I also spent some time living in Arkansas, which like Seattle gets the occasional dusting, I’m never quite ready for the ground to be covered in a white blanket.

But that’s also what fascinates me about how Alaskans – particularly in the most isolated of locales – can get around creatively via transportation options like snowmachines (see Paul Atkins’ story on page 51) and dog sleds.

I have a hard enough time getting my car down the driveway or taking my dog for a walk on the slick sidewalks when my Seattle neighborhood gets snowed on. Once during a winter storm around the holidays, I slipped and landed on my keister while the pup and I traversed a sloped driveway.

The only time I could possibly relate to the importance of snowmachines for Atkins and other Alaskans was a winter trip I took to Finland in 2011 with a friend.

Among the snowy activities we participated in were piloting our own reindeer and dog sleds. It was an amazing experience to see these animals at work and allowed me to go on two of the most thrilling rides of my life.

But that was for my entertainment (though in both instances I envisioned myself on my own in the wilderness of Finland’s remote Lapland region and relying on my deer and dogs to safely get me home). In Alaska, having a reliable snowmachine could mean the difference between making it back alive or being stranded and in real trouble.

And that’s what makes the state known as the Last Frontier the first frontier for adventure. We hope you get as excited about the state as I’ve been. -Chris Cocoles

.

Whether searching for game in winter or just getting around town in heavy snow, Alaskans understand the importance of snowmachines. It’s something the editor, an admitted city slicker, can’t relate to but respects. (PAUL D. ATKINS) aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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“

ALASKA BEAT TWEET OF THE MONTH

Sara Boario, a longtime Alaskan, was recently named director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Region. “Sara was raised across Alaska and has a deep commitment to working with all of Alaska’s communities as shared stewards of fish, wildlife, and habitat,” said Martha Williams, USFWS Director. (U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)

“”

One of the most likable mushers in the game and a guy that loves his dogs as much as you can has won his first Iditarod. Congrats Brent Sass. His kennel is called Dazed and Confused and the winning pooches are all named after the cast from the movie. Why? They were born on 420! @geomaratos; March 15 –Brent Sass of Eureka, Alaska, won the 50th Iditarod in eight days, 14 hours, 38 minutes and 43 seconds.

THEY SAID IT

“I grew up learning from Alaskans, and in my career I’ve had the privilege to work alongside countless partners across the state on a wide range of projects and issues. It is an honor to contribute my experience and passion for the state, its people, our agency, and the wildness that sustains us all.”

-Sara Boario on being named the new regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Alaska Region

CONGRESS ENTERS PROTECT BRISTOL BAY CHAT

T

welve Congressmen and -women joined the crusade to implement permanent protections to Bristol Bay and its lifeblood, salmon.

They were spurred to action by an Environmental Protection Agency announcement that the agency would reassess the situation with the proposed

Pebble Mine by May 31, further delaying what many in the Bristol Bay fishing community and beyond have been fighting for for years – that the mine and other similar projects will never be allowed here in the future.

The March 7-dated letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan was signed by 12 U.S. Representatives from

mostly Western states (all Democrats).

“While the necessary permit for the Pebble Mine was denied by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in 2020, this permit denial is not a permanent solution. Permanent protections are urgently needed for this irreplaceable and significant ecosystem,” the letter read in part.

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NOTABLE NUMBER

100 After two years of Covid protocols, the popular Brooks Camp Campground in Katmai National Park and Preserve will be at 100-percent capacity this season, good news for brown bear viewers.

“As long as the mineral deposits remain recoverable, this land will always remain at risk. Mining in this area, whether it is the Pebble Mine or another mining operation, will devastate thousands of lives, forever harm Native culture, and decimate the economy of Bristol Bay communities. Salmon habitat across the nation is already being damaged by climate change and development, and we urge you to act swiftly to protect one of our last remaining pristine salmon habitats.”

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SIGNED THE LETTER Rep. Jared Huffman (D), California Rep. Ted Lieu (D), California Rep. Jerry McNerney (D), California Rep. Doris Matsui (D), California Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D), Arizona Rep. Adam Smith (D), Washington Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D), California Rep. Kurt Schrader (D), Oregon Rep. Mike Levin (D), California Rep. Derek Kilmer (D), Washington Rep. Donald McEachin (D), Virginia Rep. Suzan DelBene (D), Washington Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D), Washington 12

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There’s something special about taking a blacktail buck or bull moose or caribou in full velvet that hunters dream about. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

FROM THE ASJ ARCHIVES – APRIL 2021

A HUNTER’S QUEST FOR PURE VELVET

A

fter my first year of watching caribou, I became a resident, which allowed me to hunt the subsistence allotment of caribou within my unit. It was an awesome feeling, to say the least, and even more so knowing that my first outing would be with friends up the mighty Kobuk.

I remember sitting in the back of the boat facing the motor (probably another reason I didn’t know where anything was), watching and waiting until we found animals or made camp.

It was the first day of September, which – compared to today – was way too early to be hunting caribou. I knew if we did see animals they would probably still be in velvet, which was something I had never seen, except for the summer whitetails back home in the Lower 48.

There were several of us on this trip, all eager to fill our tags – plus our freezers – and even though we didn’t score on that first day, the second proved to be more lucrative.

Wes saw the caribou crossing the river while rounding a bend. There were big bulls led by a few cows. We quickly made anchor and waited to see if they would come our way. As I sat there, I noticed the mosquitoes and observed how green things were, signs of the season. But would the caribou come our way, or head in the other direction? Luckily, it was the former, allowing me to shoot my first caribou at 50 yards.

He was big, dark-bodied and had an impressive set of head gear. The cool part was that he was in full velvet. -Paul D. Atkins

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OUTDOOR CALENDAR*

Homer will host its annual king salmon tournament on April 9. (SERGIUS HANNAN)

April 1 Spring brown bear season opens in Game Management Unit 6D (Montague Island; North Gulf Coast) April 1 Spring brown bear season opens in GMU 8 (Kodiak/Shelikof) April 1 Last day of wolf season in several units April 1 -3 Great Alaska Sportsman Show, Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, Anchorage (greatalaskasportsmanshow.com) April 8-10 Fairbanks Outdoor Show, Carlson Center (fairbanksevents.com/outdoor-show) April 9 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament (907-235-7740; homerwinterking.com) May 21-Sept. 4 Valdez Halibut Derby (valdezfishderbies.com/halibut-derby) May 31 Last day of spring brown bear hunting in several units May 31 Last day of wolf season in GMU 1A and 1B (south of Bradfield Canal and the east fork of the Bradfield River) June 3-12 Valdez Halibut Hullabaloo (valdezfishderbies.com/halibut-derby/halibut-hullaballoo)

For more information and season dates for Alaska hunts, go to adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.main.

Note: Check with local contacts on events that could be postponed/cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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SPARKING THE

‘WEIRD’ COHO, TOP LURES LEFT AT HOME – ANGLERS STRUGGLE WITH JUNEAU FISH PUZZLE

BY BRIAN KELLY

O

ne would think that after 10 years of traveling to Alaska in search of salmon, the trips would get easier, as in get off the plane and start whacking chrome! Well …

Even with experience, the grind can happen. The fish have a mind of their own – especially coho – meaning they do not arrive on a set schedule. The best laid plans can go down the drain if the fish aren’t there. That’s when the fun starts – putting together the pieces of the puzzle, figuring out the bite and, most importantly, putting in the time to make the most of an active bite, even when your bum shoulder burns after eight hours of casting!

THE TRAVEL PORTION OF my 2021 trip was 16

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far less stressful than 2020’s, thanks to relaxed Covid protocols in Alaska.

Testing requirements were dropped and masking up was the only prerequisite on flights and in public spaces.

After a long, hot summer in Pennsylvania, it felt good to land in Southeast Alaska and the cool, wet weather the area is known for. Local reports had some fish around, but the big push had yet to arrive, though that could change on the next tide.

The first day on the water was fruitful; fat silvers were following and biting, and we had three chunky fish on the rope in a matter of hours. My fishing partner was on his way and filets were in the freezer on day 1; things were looking up.

And then … the silvers got weird,

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which will happen. But this was a totally different level of weird than I have ever seen in the past. The fish numbers were building, as evidenced by the crazy number of follows we were experiencing.

The fish were super fresh and curious, but they just weren’t committing to presentations that in the past had worked well for us. They would chase the spinner or jig to the end of the rod and turn away without opening their mouth.

It got to the point where I quit counting follows, as it was starting to get a bit annoying. The bite windows were very short, like two or three fish on the rope for eight-plus hours on the water.

We tried every trick in the book!

Stop and go; speed up; dead slow; sweep the rod one direction or the other

HE SILVER BITE

Lower 48ers made a return trip to Southeast Alaska for coastal coho fishing (here, anglers work an incoming tide at the mouth of Juneau’s Sheep Creek). But the salmon weren’t going to make it easy for them this time. (BRIAN KELLY)

way, which usually does the trick when fish are in follow mode. But they weren’t having any of it.

The next morning was more of the same, but the fish did fire up on herring in a major way on the afternoon incoming tide. We met some locals who got their hands on smaller whole herring that the silvers just couldn’t resist. Nothing fancy; hook a whole herring through the head, cast and retrieve slowly. Their group was the only one to limit out that afternoon, and while we had herring of our own, it just wasn’t what the silvers wanted, as we had had magnum herring cut into chunks.

Now, we’ve seen this before, where the smallest detail makes all the difference with finicky silvers. Is this how the trip would go? Playing chess with Kisutch? aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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A sea lion got a whack at this coho. Salmon anglers need to be careful with the local pinnipeds, which also are there for the fish. (BRIAN KELLY)

THE LIONS FEAST TONIGHT

W

hen you fish silvers in the salt, dealing with seals and sea lions is a common occurrence. When we see pinniped heads bobbing in the waves, we know the fish are coming.

While the marine mammals make a great fish finder, they also snatch hooked fish from time to time, as my fishing partners found out the hard way on this trip!

I had multiple encounters with the same sea lion during the week. And while he never grabbed one of my hooked-up fish, he did chase my fish around like a dog chasing a toy! One afternoon my pinniped friend popped up just off my rod tip, bobbing his head and barking at me. How dare I stand in his fishing grounds!

He did have a flair for the dramatic; every time he caught a silver, the fish would get tossed in the air, chomped and tossed about. These are sights we don’t get over in the Great Lakes states, and it certainly was a pleasure seeing sea lions do sea lion things! BK Even if the fishing was going to be a challenge for the gang on this trip, there are few places in North America more breathtaking than the Alaska Panhandle, including during first light on Gastineau Channel. (BRIAN KELLY)

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MY FISHING PARTNERS AND I tend to pack enough gear to make a tackle shop blush.

We’ve seen it all in 10-plus years of traveling to Alaska and being gear junkies, we are always adding new colors and lure combos for that hot bite that has been ingrained in our minds all winter.

The only problem on this trip is we didn’t pack the most obvious lure, and it came back to haunt us: the Mepps Flying C. It casts a mile and thumps like no other spinner. However, chucking and cranking that thing all day can be a drain on the body. Maybe Mepps should throw in a bottle of ibuprofen with the purchase of the Flying C? At any rate, the silvers that were ignoring our presentations were losing their ever-loving minds when the locals would show up with the C. It was almost comical as we stood there pounding the water and someone would walk in, make three casts, land three silvers and leave. Of course, the local store shelves were empty and our stash of C’s was sitting back at home – 3,000 miles away.

But if you spend enough time in Alaska, you will meet some of the nicest people.

We met Chad, who saved our hides for a couple days! On an afternoon incoming

Forgetting to bring a prized coho teaser, the Mepps Flying C spinner, was unfortunate. But luckily, making friends with another angler and a lure swap improved the trip markedly. (BRIAN KELLY)

These anglers from Texas got in on the action. (BRIAN KELLY)

tide, we saw a family come down and immediately start hooking fish. Mom, Dad and all three kids were hooking up at will – on the Flying C, of course!

We managed to get a couple fish on our usual assortment of Arctic Spinners, which Chad had never seen before. After chatting about the bite we just witnessed

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and mentioning our lack of foresight to actually pack the right lure, Chad was kind enough to give us a couple Flying C’s. No money, no tense negotiations.

Just here ya go and good luck, fellas.

I scrounged up a few of the pink Arctic Spinners that we were starting to get bit on and handed those to Chad

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in return. At the end of the day, we all just want to get bit and a random act of kindness got us over the hump.

And the silvers finally got over their case of the stupids and started acting like Alaskan coho, as in inhaling our presentations. We nicknamed our

Flying C’s “The Chad” and were happy to announce it when a fish was hooked on our new friend’s lures. Full ropes and quickly filled fish boxes became the norm as coho numbers built with each incoming tide.

The best part about a good bite is everyone around tends to be in a good mood. Shouts of “Fish on!” and wide grins and celebratory cigars became common the next couple days. It was a welcome change from sore shoulders and the angst of an all-day grind.

AS THE TRIP WAS coming to a close, I

had a day to myself, as the rest of the crew was gathering up their fish boxes and checking in for the long trip home.

Since I was done putting fish in the freezer, I decided to skip the waders and hop around to different locales on the incoming tide to check out the secondary spots we always seem to drive by.

Sure enough, as the water started moving with the tide change, here came the silvers! As I hooked up on a custom spinner I had built in the offseason, a couple locals came down the trail and asked if I needed a hand.

“If I land this, it’s yours!” The look on

“The silvers finally got over their case of the stupids and started acting like Alaskan coho, as in inhaling our presentations,” writes author Brian Kelly. The salmon and friendly locals are prime reasons he keeps coming back to this fishy corner of Alaska. (BRIAN KELLY) 22

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their faces was priceless! My newfound friends were thrilled when I slid the fat silver up on the rocks. Apparently, they were coming down to get a “dinner” fish and didn’t need to string up their gear.

Just like Chad, these guys were the usual happy-go-lucky types I seem to run into more often than not in Alaska, which is why I keep coming back.

Yeah, the fishing can be great and yeah, it can be a grind, but when you’re around good people who want to help you succeed and appreciate a kind gesture, it makes all the effort and hard work worthwhile. ASJ

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In 2021, Andrew Marley, 10, became the youngest ever champion of the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament when he weighed in the biggest fish, a 25.62-pounder. Last year saw the event moved to April instead of its traditional mid-March date, and that success means 2022’s tournament will be on Saturday, April 9. (LB PHOTOGRAPHY)

FIT FOR A KING TOURNAMENT

HOMER HOPES TO REPEAT APRIL 2021’S SUCCESSFUL SALMON DERBY THIS MONTH

BY CHRIS COCOLES

T

he season might be spring now, but that doesn’t mean it’s not time for the Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament.

After the Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the popular one-day event in 2020, last year’s edition was pushed back from the usual mid-March date to mid-April. The rationale was that a later start – vaccines had helped slow down the spread of the virus – would allow for better odds of staging a safer event, which it was.

So, why mess with a good thing?

The 2022 Homer Winter King Salmon Tournament returns on April 9.

We caught up with Brad Anderson, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, about the details of this month’s event.

Chris Cocoles After having to cancel a

tournament in 2020 and getting through a successful 2021 event, are you hoping for a little more normal Homer Winter King Tournament in 2022?

Brad Anderson It’s hard to say what is normal nowadays. From what we are

seeing with our early registrations and comments, it looks like we will be close to the number we had last year, around 1,500 anglers.

CC It looks like the decision to have an

April start worked out well last year and you’ll do it again. How has the later date had a positive effect?

BA We received many comments last year that the April date allowed more people to get boats out of the snow, so they were able to participate when they could not in the past. This was

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The later date for the tournament has allowed more local charter boat companies to take out anglers wishing to participate in the event, which last year paid out over $87,000 in overall prize money and side bets for the winning salmon. (LB PHOTOGRAPHY)

especially true for many Anchorage- and Fairbanks-area residents. We also had more charter operators that were able to take people out, as it became costeffective to launch their boats just a couple weeks earlier than normal.

CC Can you share some of the difficulties

you had last year in having to put together a successful tournament with the restrictions?

BA The biggest challenge we had with last year’s tournament was putting the process for the side tournaments online.

In the past, we would have hundreds of participants come to our chamber office to do those transactions, as they could not be done online due to gaming restrictions. It took a bit to work out the bugs, but it ended up working out great and we did not have to require people to gather in large groups in order to participate. We also moved our event area to another section of Homer Harbor, next to the cruise ship dock.

This was a big change after 27 years 26

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in the old location, but the significantly larger open space allowed us to spread people out more. This will now be our regular event area, as it worked out so well.

CC How do you expect the fishing to be?

BA I sure wish I could give you an

CC What can participants and visitors to

accurate projection on that, but any experienced angler knows well how conditions can change. There have been kings caught in the bay all winter, so we know they are there.

BA The weather is already warming

CC Can you summarize the prize money and

Homer expect on April 9?

up and moving out the snow and ice from Homer. So conditions look great for a great time out on the water, enjoying the beautiful ocean waters of Kachemak Bay. We have added a large tent to the event area, so people can get out of the weather more if they like and we can have more activities inside that area.

We are also receiving hundreds of donated prizes from vendors that we will be handing out all day long to the tournament participants. We are always looking for things we can do to improve the experience for our tournament participants and spectators.

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other awards for this year’s tournament?

BA The amount of cash prizes are

dependent upon the total number of anglers who participate in the tournament.

We pay out 65 percent of the registrations and side tournaments collected. Last year that amounted to over $238,000. Cash prizes are paid out to the top 10 fish and large prize packages are given to those who place 11th to 20th.

CC Alaska can have some long and cold

winters, so how much do you think the locals look forward to this event as kind of a springboard to spring and summer?

BA That was a key factor to creating this event. After the long winter, people are

very anxious to get out fishing once again and enjoy being outdoors among friends and family. Here in Homer, many of our seasonal businesses start opening in time to support the crowds coming down here, so the local residents look forward to everything opening back up.

CC Tell us about how much hard work

“After the long winter, people are very anxious to get out fishing once again and enjoy being outdoors among friends and family,” Homer Chamber of Commerce executive director Brad Anderson said of anticipation in the community’s marquee event. (LB PHOTOGRAPHY)

goes into this event from not only the Homer Chamber but also the sponsors and any volunteers who help.

BA We have a committee of nine people who work on this event all year long.

Our presenting sponsor, Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware, not only provides key financial backing. but they also are key to how we get so many prizes to give away during the tournament. It typically takes at least 50 volunteers to also provide all the support services from event planning to logistics on tournament day for an event this size. ASJ Editor’s note: For more info, go to the tournament’s website, homerwinterking.com, or call the Homer Chamber of Commerce office (907-235-7740).

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A TALE OF TWO SALMON RUNS Editor’s note: Bristol Bay’s sockeye run began breaking records in 2018. That same year, Chignik, which is on the other side of the Alaska Peninsula, failed to meet its minimum escapements for the first time in recent memory. Now, Chignik’s residents and fishermen are working to address and bring attention to these unprecedented declines, and to save their way of life.

BY MARY CATHARINE MARTIN

A

xel Kopun and George Anderson have fond memories of the Chignik purse seine fishery’s heyday. Once, Kopun was on a boat hauling in a purse seine so full of sockeye salmon that the corks holding the net up started to sink.

Fish were jumping out of it. And one of the crew members jumped right into the net seething with salmon to hold up the corks and keep fish in. In 2018, however, Chignik’s fishermen were left with no salmon in their nets or fish in their smokehouses.

Chignik has two genetically distinct runs of sockeye: one early, one late.

That year, for the first time in elders’ memories, both failed to meet their minimum escapement goals. Local salmon fishermen, both commercial and subsistence, were unable to fish.

People in the five villages that make up “the Chigniks” scrambled to respond, creating the Chignik Intertribal Coalition.

Chignik resident Axel Kopun and several family members use a gillnet to catch some subsistence fish. The region’s salmon runs are struggling to meet escapement goals. “Salmon puts a roof over our head,” the fisherman said, reflecting on the concerns about the fishing industry in his area. (AXEL KOPUN) aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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“The formation of the coalition was to make sure people had food in their freezers to feed their family that first year,” said Anderson, who serves as coalition president. “In my lifetime, it was the first time when we did not meet minimum escapement or were able to go subsistence fishing. Everyone was really in shock. We didn’t know where to turn. With our food security destroyed, that gave us a pretty clear direction to stabilize food security for our families. It went beyond economic viability.”

Since 2018, nearly every run has failed, and multiple late runs as well.

Commercial fisheries have opened only rarely. There have been federal

subsistence closures for both sockeye and Chinook almost every year since 2018. In 2020, instead of harvesting salmon with his granddaughter, Anderson was driving to the airport with her to help pick up Bristol Bay salmon, which was donated

by Northline Seafoods through the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust’s Seafood Donation Program.

Though he and everyone else in Chignik was grateful for the donation, “A part of me was sad,” he said. “I thought it was ironic. Here I am, teaching my granddaughter how to pick up fish at the runway donated from another area, instead of how and where to catch salmon in our home area.”

Chignik Lake is the first of two primary lakes in the Chignik River system; it is longer and deeper than the second, Black Lake, which is wide and shallow. (U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE) 32

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JUST AS IN THE Arctic Yukon and Kuskokwim regions, salmon failures impact much more than fishermen’s bottom lines.

“Salmon is pretty much everything,” Kopun said. “We eat it every way possible. My whole family. My friends, their families, my aunts, uncles, cousins – everybody in Chignik. You smoke it, salt it, dry it, freeze it for the winter, can it. Salmon puts food on the table, literally and figuratively. We eat them and we make money to buy all of the other stuff.

Salmon puts a roof over our head.”

Studies from the University of Washington’s Alaska Salmon Program, which has been studying salmon in

Bristol Bay and Chignik for more than 70 years, show that “Freshwater habitat in the Chignik watershed has become progressively more productive for juvenile sockeye salmon over the last 60 years, and has been consistently above average since 2005,” according to 2019 testimony from Dr. Daniel Schindler, a professor with the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences to the Alaska Board of Fish after the 2018 Chignik fishery disaster.

The testimony continued. “As can be seen for sampling in both Chignik and Black Lakes, juvenile sockeye were substantially larger than average in 2014, demonstrating they had experienced above average growth conditions during their freshwater nursery period. …

Overall, our long-term data show that growth conditions during the last 10 years have generally been better than the long-term average observed since 1961.”

IN A MARCH 8 presentation to the Chignik Advisory Council, Alaska Department of Fish and Game scientists presented on studies that show a possible link between colder-than-average waters in Chignik, low zooplankton levels, higher competition for food and less

The Mylia Lynn, Kopun’s boat, sits in the harbor at Chignik. For the first time anyone can remember, both the early and late sockeye runs last season failed to meet their escapement goals. (AXEL KOPUN)

healthy juvenile salmon in the years that corresponded to subsequent poor adult returns. But they also made clear that the reason for Chignik’s salmon decline is complex.

“No one is saying all the problems are in the freshwater environment, or that they are all in the marine environment,” said ADFG fishery biologist Kevin Schaberg.

Chignik residents and fishermen say they have a fair idea of one of the marine causes – as reflected in the Advisory Council unanimously passing a resolution soon to be considered by the Board of Fish, which all five Chignik villages also support.

“Chignik-bound salmon have to Kopun is among those who have called this area home for generations – that’s his great-great grandfather, John Erickson, with his grandpa’s oldest brother – but the fishing way of life could be in jeopardy for the next generation of family fishermen.

“We’ve got a pretty long history – but it might all be history pretty soon the way things are going,” he said. (AXEL KOPUN)

pass through other fishing areas before making it back to the Chignik watershed where they spawn. If too many of those salmon are caught before they make it back to Chignik, then the conservation burden falls solely on us,” Kopun said.

“We’ve had subsistence closures for both sockeye and Chinook in our watershed and even the upper part of Chignik Lagoon almost every year since 2018. Yet the interception fishery in Area M has continued, basically unchanged, the whole time. That’s unacceptable and that’s why we’re supporting Proposal 282 at the Board of Fish.”

Genetic studies have shown that fish caught by those fisheries can contain high levels of fish bound for Chignik.

So the proposal, from Chignik Lagoon resident Don Bumpus, would cut the fishing time in the Shumagin Islands and Dolgoi Islands areas in June and July, until ADFG is sure that 400,000 fish – the midrange of targeted escapement for Chignik’s early run – will make it

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up the Chignik River by July 31, or until Chignik opens for commercial fishing. If escapement isn’t met, Chignik fishermen wouldn’t be fishing, either.

Kopun, who started fishing at age four and whose grandfather started fishing in Chignik in 1936, would like to pass on his way of life to his children. But he’s not sure he’ll be able to.

“We’ve got a pretty long history – but it might all be history pretty soon the way things are going,” he said. “All those things come together and it’s been the perfect storm of dismantling our communities and our fishery. All we are asking for is our escapement. All we want is for our local salmon runs to be sustainable. Right now they are not.” ASJ Editor’s note: Mary Catharine Martin is the communications director of SalmonState, which works to keep Alaska a place wild salmon and the people who depend on them thrive. Go to salmonstate.org for more.

Like Chignik Lake, nearby Black Lake salmon could be intercepted by other fishing boats before they enter freshwater to spawn. “If too many of those salmon are caught before they make it back to Chignik, then the conservation burden falls solely on us,” Kopun said. (U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE)

As with the blessing of the fleet, seen here in summer 2017, it might require a higher power to preserve a way of life in this fishing-centric community that has fallen on hard times. (AXEL KOPUN)

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ALASKA ANCHORAGE Anchorage Yamaha Suzuki Marine 3919 Spenard Rd (907) 243-8343 anchorageyamaha.com

FAIRBANKS Northern Power Sports 1980 Van Horn Rd (907) 452-2762 northernpowersports.com aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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SALUTE TO SITKAS BLACKTAILS AREN’T ALASKA’S BIGGEST BIG GAME, BUT DON’T OVERLOOK THEM EITHER

BY BRIAN WATKINS

E

asily one of the most overlooked big game animals in Alaska is the blacktail deer, a subspecies of mule deer and similar to the more well-known Columbian blacktail.

Sitka blacktails are smaller than other subspecies of mule deer in terms of antler size and body weight. That is the only reason I can come up with for why they aren’t at the top of the list for adventure hunts.

The average October weight of a Sitka buck is 120 pounds, with reports of some over 200 pounds on the hoof. Without the massive rack of its Western open-country cousins, this deer falls behind when it comes to targeted species. But that is only for those who lack experience with Sitkas. Hunting them is fun and diverse.

In a state that boasts caribou, moose and brown bears, author Brian Watkins reminds Alaska big game hunters not to forget about Sitka blacktails. (BRIAN WATKINS)

Hunting blacktails will make you work for your prize. A lot of hiking and a lot of climbing isaksportingjournal.com required. (BRIAN| WATKINS) APRIL 2022 ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

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SITKAS IN SITKA I shot my first Sitka buck outside the Southeast Alaska town the subspecies is named after. I was brought along on this Sitka-area hunt by a client – now a friend of mine – who resides in Sitka. I had gone there for work and he couldn’t believe I had never hunted for these deer. This was back in 2012, when I was still “fresh” to living in Alaska.

It was early September, so well before the blacktail rut. We hiked right out of town and into the mountains. Before the prerut bucks like to hang out in high elevations. Often found near the top of mountains, these bucks will even inhabit the same country as mountain goats. The best bet to be successful is to get above timber and glass for bucks, and then make your approach.

We had hiked into country that my friend Seth had hunted for many years.

He was born and raised in Sitka, so knew

The author glasses for bucks in the high country. Watkins calls Sitka blacktail hunting “a great adventure.” (BRIAN WATKINS)

The early portion of deer season finds the animals in the same habitat as mountain goats, meaning that if you get a tag for a billy, you might double your rewards. (BRIAN WATKINS)

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the habitat bucks preferred. Harvesting a young buck would be quite an adventure.

WET DAYS Typical to Southeast Alaska, it rained on us all day. Being a relative novice to Alaska – I was two years in – I had changed into full Helly Hansen rain gear.

While great for sitting and glassing, this rain gear is not accommodating to hiking. Furthermore, it is an absolute hazard to high-country hiking.

I slipped and fell, and the gear’s slick outer layer provided the perfect slip

Where hunting Sitkas early in the season takes you into the heights, after heavy snows fall in autumn and winter, you can use a boat to patrol island beaches for shot opportunities. (BRIAN WATKINS)

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and slide, sending me towards the cliffs.

Seconds before falling to an imminent death, I dug in my rifle to stop myself.

Luckily, that did the trick and I was able to hike out unharmed. But I’ll always remember that slip and lesson.

MY BIGGEST BUCK This past season, I was lucky enough to take the current No. 26 buck in the Pope and Young scoring book. He scored at just over 104 inches and was an absolute giant of a Sitka. I had been hunting this buck in its summer range after we went in early September.

As my buddy Dave and I planned a stalk on a buck below us, I glassed a finger ridge at the same elevation we were. We were in goat country and glassing for bucks or goats at the time. This buck was partly in the shade and his rack glistened in the sun. My jaw nearly hit the ground.

“Oh my god,” I whispered to Dave.

The buck was about three-quarters of a mile away but feeding around. We watched him drop into a small upland valley, worked our way over to where we last saw it and dropped in at 52 yards.

We had excellent wind and good rock cover, so we repositioned and were able to cut the distance down to 19 yards. I made a double lung shot and the buck didn’t go more than 40 yards before falling.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE ALASKA BUCKS If you’re planning your next big adventure, don’t let the smaller size of Alaska’s blacktails fool you. They’re a great adventure hunt at the fraction of the cost of other hunts. They provide an amazing experience that you won’t regret. ASJ

These bucks don’t match the sheer size of a moose or caribou bull, but for Watkins, a Sitka deer is a trophy in its own right. “If you’re planning your next big adventure, don’t let the smaller size of Alaska’s blacktails fool you,” he writes. (BRIAN WATKINS)

FOUR WAYS TO HUNT TO SITKA BLACKTAILS

I

n summer, you have to hike high in elevation to be successful on Sitkas. Then, during the prerut, when the bucks are cruising around, you can catch them in their transient areas looking to find does. This is when they’re most active and stalking opportunities are quite abundant.

During the rut, bucks are hot on does’ tails and in their most vulnerable state. You can call them in easily and sneak into range just the same.

And in winter – postrut – bucks are in tougher shape, but I like to hunt them via boat that time of year. The snow pushes them onto the beaches, which is the easiest terrain for nonhiking hunters.

The different ways to pursue these deer provides completely different experiences for hunters. You can be in the paradise of summer atop the mountains. You can be in the thick of their movement in the prerut, getting ample numbers of shot opportunities.

You can be in the middle of the rut, which is always riveting to see bucks fight, chase does and be all-around crazy. Or you can hunt them on beaches, where you don’t have to beat brush or get vertical.

My favorite time to hunt them is during that prerut period, when you can see a lot of different bucks. You can be picky about what you want to chase, or just enjoy the atmosphere of the rut. I have had the most success during that time of year. BW

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OUTDOOR TIPS OF THE MONTH

Your pack should be of good quality no matter what you choose. A quality pack that comfortably carries a heavy load is worth the extra cost. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

LEADERS OF THE PACKS Editor’s note: Each issue, our Paul Atkins will offer a tip outdoorsmen and -women can use as they prepare for an Alaska adventure. This month: The best in packs and game bags.

BY PAUL D. ATKINS

Y

ou’ve been hunting out of camp for a week and each day takes you a little further away. Finally, on the last day you find the monster of your dreams and make the perfect stalk.

One shot from your rifle and the big boy is down. You’re excited and exchange high fives with your hunting partner, and you snap pictures of your harvest. Only then do you realize you’re 4 miles from camp and the hard work is about to begin.

In Alaska, accomplishing this step in the process is not an easy task. For most of us who pursue big game here, packs and packing are a fact of life. Whether you live in Southeast Alaska – with its rugged up- and downhill terrain – or the far north – think an endless sea of tundra – packing is not a job to be taken lightly.

Alaskan hunters pretty much live and die by their pack. I’m not talking just about the physical demand of getting downed game from point A to point B, but the whole hunting process. From choosing the right pack to selecting the proper game bags, all will come into play while hunting the Last Frontier.

BEST PACKS ON THE MARKET Let’s first start with packs themselves.

There are lots of packs made specifically

for packing meat, horns and capes, and they all come in a variety of sizes. Back in the old days a simple packing board was used. These were crude pieces of board strapped to your back with rope and canvas. They worked for the purpose at hand, but weren’t the most comfortable.

Today’s packs have come a long way.

Most high-tech packs on the market now have an internal frame system that has a loading compartment attached to the frame itself.

These packs are incredible by today’s standards. They can handle large loads by slipping your bagged meat or cape inside and securing the load with tie downs. The great thing about them is they are specifically built to fit close to your body and securely above or right at the hip, giving you a comfortable feel,

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If there are several hunters in your group, packing an entire animal out can be easy. Small packs work and just about any will do. One trick author Paul Atkins learned was to pack a few trash bags along to contain his kill’s blood, especially if it was warm. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

When you start out in the morning your pack is usually light, carrying only the necessities for the day. But if you’re lucky, on the pack back it will be full. You want to make sure you have everything you need before you leave the tent. (PAUL D. ATKINS) 46

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even if the load is excessive. And they are light.

The key, however, is to make sure your pack distributes the weight evenly over the hips and keeps it from shifting.

A good rule of thumb is to pack your meat or cape in the middle instead of the bottom. A lot of weight in the bottom of the pack tends to pull the hunter backwards and create a lot of strain, particularly if you’re in for a long hike.

Most of these packs come with online instructions and, in some cases, a DVD that shows how to fit the pack to your torso for the most comfortable fit. If you are going to pursue big game in the backcountry, take the time and get the specifics to make sure you’re getting the most out of your pack.

The Timberline by Kifaru is an excellent do-it-all pack that has multiple compartments with an assortment of attachments. The pack is perfect for taking everything in and bringing everything out. For long expedition-type hunts, such as goat or sheep, it fits the bill perfectly.

At 7,200 cubic inches the Kifaru seems a bit big, but it only weighs 9.2 pounds, something to consider when

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Frame packs make an excellent rifle rest, especially if there isn’t a tree or other stable surface in the immediate vicinity. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

your adventure takes you to the top of some of Alaska’s highest hunting peaks.

There are many similar packs, such as the Nice 7500 by Mystery Ranch and the Dragonfly by Eberlestock. They’re both capable of handling large loads and come in a variety of configurations.

These high-end packs are not cheap, but they’re tough and can handle just about any kind of abuse a hunter can throw into them. Before making a final choice, take your time and try on several. Also think about what you will be using it for.

METAL FRAME PACKS Another route, which seems to always work no matter the situation, is a simple metal frame. Like many, I have used these for years, specifically when I’m on a fly-in drop hunt or hunting out of a close camp. They are strong and can handle a tremendous amount of weight.

Cabela’s Alaskan frame is a very popular model, and they last for years.

These packs have a large detachable 48

ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL

compartment that you can take off and use as a bag, leaving the frame for the heavy chore of hauling meat.

These frames usually come in two varieties. One contains a floor that folds out and gives your load something to rest on. The second type has no floor but is somewhat lighter and can still handle a load. These frames are cheaper in price compared to those mentioned above, but you still need to take the time to make sure you get a proper fit.

Choosing the right pack is much like choosing the right rifle or the right bow.

You will spend a great deal of time with it, and just like that rifle or bow, it will be a constant part of you as a hunter.

IT’S IN THE BAG Packing is not just about choosing the right pack. Game bags are also a fact of life when you’re a hunter. In the past game bags were just that: game bags. Most were made of cotton or cheesecloth and not much attention

APRIL 2022 | aksportingjournal.com

was given when selecting them. Today’s game bags are far more advanced and have been manufactured in a way that provides a ton of options.

Basically, there are two types of game bags: form fitting and loose fitting.

Form-fitting bags fit to the contour of the meat, while the latter is usually a square bag and allows the meat to move freely without restraint. Form-fitting bags are made of cotton and provide good breathability, but are susceptible to odor and in most cases can’t be used again, plus they tend to pick up debris and stick to the meat itself. Loosefitting bags are a bit better in terms of protecting your meat and they’re super tough, but at the same time they are heavy and bulky. If they get wet, drying time could take forever.

So, which to choose? Both form- and loose-fitting bags have pros and cons and if we could combine a little of both with a few added features, we could probably come up with the perfect game bag.

There are some very good bags out there. Alaska Bags, sold at several sporting goods stores, is a popular choice.

These cotton form-fitting bags are thicker and more durable than the cheesecloth bags that you can get for a few dollars and can handle most situations.

Another choice that is relatively new on the scene is Big Game Bags by Caribou Gear. These synthetic bags are not nylon or cotton, but a special blend of fiber that allows your meat to breathe.

They also come in a variety of sizes and are species-specific. In addition, they come with locking tags and a reflective color to prevent mistaken identity. They are lighter than most canvas bags and can be used again and again with no shrinkage after washing. They also do not stain. I have used these bags and I can honestly say they are what they say, very innovative!

Packs and packing are a big part of the hunting adventure, though sometimes not our favorite. But they are a must; the more selective you are in choosing the gear you need, the more enjoyable the hunt will be. ASJ Editor’s note: Got a question for Paul on Alaska hunting or fishing? Email editor Chris Cocoles at ccocoles@media-inc.com.

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RISE OF THE MACHINES

IN THE SNOW AND ICE OF ARCTIC ALASKA, SNO-GOS ARE A LIFELINE FOR THE PEOPLE

BY PAUL D. ATKINS

T

he only thing you could see was the hood above the icy-cold water.

I was still hanging onto the handlebars as the snowmachine’s track settled on the hard ice below, bringing me to a complete standstill. My snow pants and boots were full of water, and I was in panic mode, wondering if this was the end for yours truly.

Luckily, I made it out of the overflow – water on top of ice – and built a fire to

warm up, easing the pain of what could have been a bad situation. The two guys I was with wrestled my machine from its slushy grave. It reminded me of what I should have done, as well as the fact that I was wasting valuable hunting time. This experience happened 20 years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.

I MISS SNOWMACHINES. I long for the just “jumping on” of turning the key and going

– heading out of our Kotzebue, Alaska, yard towards Front Street and out onto the ice. It was fun, but even more so, it was freedom. There were those early morning meetings with Lew in front of the post office, deciding what we were going to do for the day. I miss it all.

The snow and ice we had here in Oklahoma recently reminded me of all that and how much I truly cherish those Last Frontier memories, and it

It doesn’t matter whether you call it a sno-go, snowmachine or snowmobile, you need one if you live in the Arctic. They are easy and fun to run, and author Paul Atkins sure misses his from when he lived in Kotzebue. (PAUL D. ATKINS) aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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also got me thinking and reminiscing..

The first snowmachine I ever saw, I rode. I call it an awkward experience, to say the least, and it was something that I wasn’t comfortable with, especially as a newbie from the Lower 48. I buried it more times than I can remember; instances like I related above happened more often than not. It wasn’t until years later that I learned to ride one and came to realize the importance and significance of these incredible machines, especially to the people of the far north.

SNOWMACHINES, OR SNO-GOS, AS they’re

sometimes called locally, are truly the workhorses of Arctic Alaska. Without one life can prove to be difficult, especially given that much of the year the land is covered in snow and ice.

Starting in October, when the first cold spell hits and snow begins to fall, a frenzy of snowmachine activity begins.

Covers are pulled from machines and inspections start taking place in yards and garages around town. Tracks are

Along with being the “workhorses of Arctic Alaska,” snowmachines also make great seats to fish from in spring. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

inspected, grease guns emptied and new spark plugs take the place of old ones.

It’s time to get ready!

People rely on snowmachines for all sorts of reasons; for many who live in rural Alaska, they’re the only mode of transportation. Sometimes there’s not even a car, truck or even a four-wheeler to rely on; just your trusty snowmachine

Sometimes it is probably best to just stay home and not go out in treacherous conditions.

Things break in the extreme cold, especially if they are made of metal, and if you don’t have spare parts or know how to fix it, it could be very bad news. (PAUL D. ATKINS) 52

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waiting to make its appearance once the snow starts to fall. All brands are represented too, and in all sizes, from the big machines made for hauling freight or hitting the backcountry, to the smallest models loaded down with kids and found circling backyards all over town. It’s a great time that creates a new appreciation and a sense of celebration

The Arctic is an amazing place in the spring.

Everything is new again and on the move. “Lew Pagel and I came over a hill and saw this: A never-ending herd of caribou heading north for the summer,” Atkins says. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

that only the cold dark months provide.

I have seen my share of snowmachines over the years, but I’m still a novice when it comes to most. In the Arctic, being able to ride one is only part of the sno-go experience, but to truly understand one you must know how your machine works and be able to fix it when and if the time

comes. Believe me; that time will come.

Most hardcore snowmobilers – those who push the limits in the backcountry, where things can go wrong in a hurry, – are truly some of the best mechanics.

You have to be, especially when you're miles from home in subzero weather and your machine breaks down.

Snowmachining in the spring, especially in April and May, is a rite of passage for most people who live in this remote corner of Alaska. Whether it be for ice fishing on Kotzebue Sound or heading up into the mountains looking for bears, you must use a sno-go to get there. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

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Being able to fix the problem and get back home before you freeze to death will give you a better appreciation for what you can and cannot do. Some guys go solo, which is even more demanding and the danger levels are a bit higher, while others choose to travel in bands, hoping that somebody in the group has experience. I belong to the latter, for good reason.

A FEW YEARS AGO, I was traveling north

through miles and miles of snowinfested tundra with a hunting friend of mine. Our goal was to make camp that evening in hopes of taking a few wolves and maybe, if we were lucky, a sheep or two. It was 100 miles from town and would take us all day to get there.

Everything was going well until we ran out of snow. Amid below-zero weather and miles from any marked trail, we did something dumb and tried to push through it. We shouldn’t have.

My machine immediately overheated and fried everything inside. It was scary, but luckily there were two of us and we were able to limp back home. That was a long night and it was three months before I could get back up there and get

my machine.

Even the newest machines can have problems. Some of the old-timers still swear that the older machines are better, while the younger generation only wants the latest and the greatest. One thing is for sure: Snowmachines have evolved over the years, especially in the last decade.

Everything from four-stroke engines to super-wide tracks to digital controls with built-in global tracking systems is the norm now. How did we ever do without them?

If you're new to the over-snowtraveling world, deciding on a specific brand of machine to buy can become as important as selecting a soul mate; at times it may carry an even higher degree of difficulty. It’s a hot topic among those who love trekking through the snow on the back of one. When you pull out your wallet, it will forever seal you to that particular camp.

Much like the Ford versus Chevy controversy for car owners, choosing

For years Atkins and Pagel would rendezvous near the Kotzebue post office to decide where to go that day. “If we were going north, it was on the ice in front of the post office,” Atkins says. “And if south, heading onto the lagoon next to the airport.” (PAUL D. ATKINS)

what is best depends on what you like.

There are many brands to choose from and many places throughout Alaska to buy one. Skidoo, Polaris and Arctic Cat are the more popular selections in the Arctic, each with its own pluses

and minus. Size is also important and depending on what you plan to do with it should dictate your decision.

There are many places throughout rural Alaska that offer rentals as well. It is a growing business, which in some of the

“Sometimes we came home with something besides meat,” the author says. (PAUL D. ATKINS) aksportingjournal.com | APRIL 2022

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bigger communities has become quite popular. Rentals run from $100 a day and up. Most of those who do rent are visitors or tourists who want to experience what gliding across the tundra is really like.

MANY YEARS AGO, I drew a muskox tag in a community other than my own. I didn’t have a way to get my machine there other than pay to have it flown in by aircraft, which was not feasible due to the expense. I checked around and found a place that had a couple of older machines that I could borrow.

After arriving, I could see that these were older models but they appeared to be in decent shape. After 20 miles on the trail, I could see that they actually weren’t. I did get my ox that trip, but getting it back became enough of a problem that we ended up having to call for help. Luckily, we were found by a couple of true-blue backcountry guys who knew snow and were riding machines built for the Arctic.

It was an incredible experience, to say the least, and it made me realize just how important having the right snowmachine is when you live in the Last Frontier.

I still own a snowmachine, even though I retired and moved south. I kept one old Polaris and my old wooden sled. They both reside at my pal Lew Pagel’s place in Kotzebue now. They sit in his Conex, lonely and waiting to get out on the snow.

Hopefully I will get back up there one day to travel the ice and cut trails through the deep mountains, even though I always left leading up to Lew. ASJ Editor’s note: Paul Atkins is an author and outdoor writer formerly of Kotzebue, Alaska. He has written hundreds of articles on big game hunting and surviving in the Arctic. Paul is a regular contributor to Alaska Sporting Journal.

“Kotzebue Sound was quiet and cold and covered in thousands of snowmachine tracks,” Atkins recalls of his days riding through the snow back home. “The northern lights were cool too.” (PAUL D. ATKINS) 56

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FIELD

A DOG’S MENTAL STIMULUS PACKAGE

TRAINING SHOULD EXERCISE YOUR FOUR-LEGGED HUNTING PARTNER’S MIND TOO

BY SCOTT HAUGEN

T

he past two falls I spent a couple weeks in Cold Bay, Alaska, hunting puddle ducks, sea ducks, Pacific black brant, emperor geese and willow ptarmigan with guide

Jeff Wasley of Four Flyways Outfitters (fourflywaysoutfitters.com). That’s also where I met Josh Powell and his Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar, Eudor.

The instant I rolled into camp and saw Eudor I fell in love with him; partly because he looked nearly identical to my black male pudelpointer, Kona, but largely because of his demeanor, which was also a spitting image of Kona’s.

Eudor had the exuberance, fun spirits and desired mannerisms you like seeing when you first meet a dog. But Eudor also showed respect for the newcomers in camp, and immediately obeyed Josh’s calm commands.

When it comes to gun dogs and their owners, it takes a lot to impress me, and Eudor and Josh made an instant

impact. During my time in camp, not only did I hunt many times with these two, but I also observed their daily training sessions. It’s one of the most authentic relationships I’d seen, and Josh and Eudor held the utmost respect for one another, but there was never any question who was in charge.

Josh is a professional dog trainer and breeder. The more I watched Josh and Eudor work together, the more intrigued I became.

“I want to keep things fun and build a dog’s mind as much as its body when training,” Josh shares. “It really starts with simple things that can prevent problems and bad habits from forming before they begin. For instance, I never give a dog squeaky toys, as this Professional trainer Josh Powell gets ready for a bumper workout with his dog Eudor. Josh and Eudor have one of the best relationships the author has seen, something all gun dog owners would appreciate and should strive for.

(SCOTT HAUGEN)

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FIELD RICE PAPER PERFECTION FOR YOUR FROZEN SALMON

BY TIFFANY HAUGEN

I

t’s time to start cleaning out the freezer, as fishing season will be here before you know it. Well, hopefully. It’s been a long, harsh winter in Alaska, but with spring in our sights, now is a great time to use up that salmon that’s been sitting in the freezer before it’s too late.

There are endless places to find inspirational food videos, from social media to streaming services to YouTube. My favorite personality is Beryl Shereshewsky, because she focuses on unique, interesting recipes contributed from all around the world, and she radiates sunshine.

Highlighted in one of Beryl’s videos last year was a French chef who simply goes

by Alex and made salmon wrapped in rice paper. This was a recipe I had to try, and because it was so delicious, I had to share my version with you.

Banh trang, or rice paper, can be found in the specialty section of any large grocery store. It takes a bit of practice working with rice paper, but it’s well worth the trial and error. The added flavors to this dish can be as simple or complex as you wish, and it works great with any of Alaska’s salmon species.

Ingredients per portion, increase as desired: One 4- to 6-ounce salmon fillet Three sheets rice paper 1 tablespoon shredded cabbage 1 teaspoon shredded carrot 1 teaspoon minced red bell pepper One thin-sliced fresh ginger, optional Fresh dill, parsley and/or cilantro, chopped Sprinkle of granulated onion and garlic Dash of soy sauce Dash of toasted sesame oil Inspired by a YouTube chef’s recipe, Tiffany Haugen offers up her own twist on salmon fillets prepared by wrapping the fish in rice paper. (TIFFANY HAUGEN)

Prepare salmon fillet by removing skin and any pin bones.

Fill a large bowl half full of cool water. Dip rice paper in water for 10 to 15 seconds or until slightly flexible. Place on a large, clean surface in a flower pattern, overlapping like a Venn diagram. Place cabbage, carrot and bell pepper in the middle and spread to the size of the salmon fillet.

Place salmon on top of cabbage mixture and add a sprinkle of granulated onion and garlic, ginger slices and herbs. Top with a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil.

Wrap rice paper securely around salmon and place seam-side down in a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for eight minutes.

Then carefully remove salmon packet from steamer and serve immediately.

Editor’s note: For signed copies of Tiffany’s popular book, Cooking Seafood, plus other best-selling titles, visit tiffanyhaugen.com.

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promotes hard mouth (chewing). I also avoid playing with rope toys, as this leads to displays of aggression and fights for dominance, be it two dogs tugging on it or one dog wanting to play with you.

You, the owner, need to be in charge at all times, and eliminating problematic toys and games is important, especially early in a pup’s life.”

IF YOU’VE RECENTLY BROUGHT home a new puppy, Josh offers several helpful tips.

“Be sure and crate train it right away.

Make the crating experience a positive one, as the dog, and you, will rely on it for the life of the dog. Also, start playing with the dog’s mouth early on, as you'll be inspecting its teeth and gums its whole life. And no matter what you do with your pup, always use hand signals,” he says.

“Even when my dogs eat, for instance, I direct them to the bowl with hand signals,

be it left, right or in a line. These hand signals carry over into many hunting and future training applications, and they’re a great way to communicate with your dog.”

Josh also suggests using dummies only for training, not play. “Dogs quickly learn the difference between work and play, and they should not be confused by mixing up toys and training tools.

Also, be sure to play with the puppy in the area you’ll later be training in, as this allows it to get familiar and comfortable with the environment.”

Josh is a big advocate of stimulating a dog’s mind when training. “So many people think of only the physical work and overlook the mental aspects of training,” he says. “These dogs are so smart, and their noses are so, so good, they need much more mental stimulation than people realize!”

“For instance, don’t just throw a

FIELD ball in the same place and in the same direction every time. Your dog will get bored and just start going through the motions. Take them to different places to train, toss different objects and always change things. Breaking routines when training is a great way to stimulate their mind and challenge them, something dogs need regularly.”

JOSH IS CONSTANTLY MIXING up bumper

colors, and he also includes duck and goose bumpers when training. He has dogs regularly run obstacle courses in order to engage their mind.

“Have them walk on a teeter-totter, through tunnels, over pallets – anything

Powell works a flock of geese in Cold Bay, while Eudor, his male Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar, has ’em pegged, yet he sits calmly amid the excitement of the moment. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

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FIELD

The author’s dog Kona gets after a goose training dummy. Changing out bumpers, dummies and never using them as toys are key tips to successful dog training. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

that forces them to think. This is fun for them, and they need that change and constant mental and physical stimulation,” he says.

This dog owner is always calm and patient when working with Eudor and never in a rush. “You attract a lot more bees with honey than vinegar,” Josh said with a smile when I shared my respect for his calm approach. “A dog will tell you when it’s ready to learn. Its muscles will be relaxed, the ears down, they’ll start licking their lips and making eye contact.

When a dog looks to you for direction, you know you’re doing things right.”

Whether you have a new puppy or an adult dog in training, don’t overlook the value of building mental stimulation. No matter how old the dog or how bad of habits it may possess, it can be trained.

Gun dogs are highly intelligent, but it’s up to you to bring out the best in them. ASJ Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen. com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.

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