We have located a series of 58 photos in and around the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and Prudhoe bay.

There are a few cute ones such as the bears walking up on top of the pipeline; the caribou 'hanging out" by the drilling rigs; the circus bear doing acrobatics on the support members, polar bears and more. And check the hordes of caribou in photos 17 and 18, casually walking on some roads and around man made structures. They just adapted fine. Very casual.

Be patient, it takes a while to load. Then scroll down. To enlarge each photo click on it.

http://www.anwr.org/photo.htm

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We also located several photos of Kaktovik, the "hotel"; fire house, post office, etc. And of Barter Island.

You'll want to take you bathing suit here, of course!

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/mra/Photos/Kaktovik_Photos.htm

Click on each photo to enlarge - enjoy!
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Tyler R.T.

Edited by Tyler

[This message has been edited by William E. Tibbe (edited 07-12-2001).]

Unfortunately I've never had a chance to swim in the Beufort see, I did dunk my head in, and I was there on a day where I would have jumped in had I had a swim suit, that rare 70 deg and sunny day. I have walked on the Beufort!

Paul: I dunked my head in a little ice-cold creek near Summit Lake, and I can swear the headache lasted about 10 minutes. That water was cold!

In the summer of '93, I became an official member of the "polar bear club" in Barrow Alaska.

There's a great lady who owns "Pepe's, North of the Border" Mexican restuarant there, who goes down to the beach with you, records the water temp, and air temp, and witnesses your plunge into the sea. There was still pack ice 100 yards offshore when we went in. The water temp was 32 degrees, the air temp 38 degrees.

Got a certificate, a very cool patch, and even a Cristmas card for a few years from her.

Even had a bus load of tourist watch!

Last year, way down here in S.E. Alaska, I had to jump in the water again. I fouled my prop with my anchor line, and couldn't reach it from the boat. I had to use the kicker to get to a sheltered bay, a couple miles away, then beach the boat. I jumped in the water (probably a balmy 50 degrees), take off the prop (still mostly submerged), free the line, and put the prop back on.

Ever since then, I carry chest waders onboard, as jeans don't insulate well when wet!

BTW, if you didn't already know it, a half inch diameter rope, will stop a running Chevy 350 in a split-second!

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

Unguided Hunt Vs Guided hunt.

If you had your druthers what would they be - Unguided or guided.

How do you like this report?

Ross E. Starner has very good things to say about an Alaskan hunt handled for him by Bob Adams of Adams Guiding Service, booking agent Jim McCarthy Adventures (4906 Creek Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Tel. 717-652-4374). Starner hunted with Adams last September in Game Unit 19B, where he says he took a 7-1/2 foot grizzly bear, a 58-inch moose and two caribou bulls.

Starner says this hunting unit has abundant numbers of animals in prime condition. As he flew over the area on his way into camp, he says he saw lots of moose and later saw two grizzlies that night. On the first day of the hunt, Starner says his guide put him on a large bull moose. During the stalk on the moose, a grizzly bear appeared out of the brush only 33 steps from the hunters. Starner says this is the bear he killed. The next day, he shot the same moose he had stalked the day before and discovered bear claws and bites on the animal. "The bear I shot the day before had apparently been hunting this moose at the same time we were," says Starner. As for the caribou, Starner says the migration had just started coming through when he was there, and he shot the first two "nice" bulls he saw in a herd of about 200 animals. He also reports seeing numerous wolves, but says they were very difficult to get a shot at.

Starner describes the area he hunted as "typical Alaskan terrain," with completely open areas surrounded by thick cover, and lots of pine timber along the rivers. Starner warns that this is a hard hunt, requiring physical fitness on the hunter's part. "I worked out three months before going on this hunt, and it was still tough," he says. All hunting is conducted by spotting and stalking the game.

Starner gives all the guides here high marks for their positive attitudes and hunting abilities, particularly for knowing how to move the hunter in for a good shot. He also gives Adams an all-excellent rating for the quality of his camp, equipment, food and trophy care. Starner says this was his second hunt with Adams and that he is already booked to return in four years for another bear.
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Tyler R.T.

BW, I know Fran quite well. She is a true Alaskan character. Haven't yet had the guts to join the polar bear club, as I am alway there in winter. Had the opportunity this last New Years Eve as the Arctic Ocean was open righ up to the beach, but with ambient temps down around -30, no way was I going in. It was cold enough spending a couple of hours setting up and shooting the fireworks show.

As for Musk Ox, I drew a permit on Nunivak for next spring so I will be able to give you all a report on what it is like.

Adak Island Caribou:

Looks as though it is all coming together. Here is the information about Adak Island from The Aleut Enterprises Corp.
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Dear Mr.Tyler R.T..

Thank you for your E-Mail, as we are always exited to hear from folks interested in visiting us. I've been told that we're up to around 2000 head. However, that might be a little exaggerated. I just checked with Fish and Wildlife who stated that they completed a survey in 1998 and recorded 900 head. We've probably been pulling out a couple dozen a year. If I understand correctly the herd has been recently recognized by Boone and Crocket (they were not last year). According to a hunter out of Kodiak the body mass is the largest in Alaska and the rack he got was the largest recorded. The Island supports several herds that roam throughout the uninhabited portions of the Island. The most efficient way to obtain one would be by boat, otherwise hiking in and packing out still works.

AEC Visitors Summary

Hotels: $100/night

We currently offer hotel units that are actually two bedroom town houses that have three bathrooms a solarium, living room, laundry room, kitchen, and garage. Cable TV, Telephones and Internet access can be made available. These units are also conveniently located within a few hundred yards of the Adak General Store, Racquetball courts, swimming pool and sauna, fitness center, and combination basketball, volleyball and tennis court. We also have several facilities for group meetings and conferences.

Vehicles: $80/day

We have four 42-passenger busses and a fleet of pickups and vans. Most of our rental fleet consists of seven to ten year old vehicles that have been exposed to the Adak conditions but run well and are safe. We are in the process of renewing the fleet (three 2001 four door four wheel drive pickups are scheduled to arrive in June 2001). Most of the roads in Adak are dirt with the downtown streets paved. Off-road vehicle traffic is strictly prohibited.

Food:

A general store is available six days a week. It has basic foodstuffs and general merchandise. We currently have a gift shop, one restaurant and one bar open with another restaurant under consideration, and these businesses are operated and owned by local residents.

General:

Our current population is around 250.

School operates K-12 with about 35 students enrolled

Hunting is allowed as an open season, open limit (but only as much as you can use)

Air Transportation:

Pen Air has scheduled service T,W,Th,F departing 9:30am arriving 1:40pm

Reservations can be made at 1800-448-4226 or 243-2323.

Keith Martin is the point of contact for hotel and vehicle reservations and any special needs for your visit. He can be reached at:

(907) 592-ADAK (2325). Or E-Mail to KMartin@adakisland.com. Fax (907) 592-3199.

www.adakisland.com
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There it is men, BIG caribou, biggest in Alaska with what was acclaimed a trophy rack. *( One wonders how many are left ). Open season, no limit. And how about that "hotel rate" for a full spread accommodation!!!

But - too late for the moment. Some of our guys are packing now. Two vehicles will be on the road, headed north, the week of July 22.

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Regards;

Tyler R.T.

Also, cargo service is going to be starting soon through evergreen. Northern air cargo is also flying once a week into adak. So getting the meat and antlers back isnt a problem either if you cant get it all on the plane.

JoelS:

Thanks very much for the information. I found Northern Air Cargo on the I-net. Looks impressive. Maybe the way to go would be to talk them into hauling the hunters, with all of the camp gear, in a cargo plane! Just pile everything on board, roll out a sleeping bag and take 40 zzzzzzz's on the way out. Those world record trophy antlers probably would fit through their doors!

http://www.northernaircargo.com/about/index.htm
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Rob & BW:

Found some great photos of Barrow to make you homesick.

http://www.dced.state.ak.us/mra/Photos/Barrow_Photos.htm

and

http://www.galen.u-max.com/barrow.htm

*( The old whaling station looks like it was struck by a tornado! )

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Tyler R.T.

[This message has been edited by William E. Tibbe (edited 07-14-2001).]

Bill, when everything is covered with ice and snow for 10 months a year, no one worries too much what their yard looks like.

Rob:

Good point, well taken!

Therefore, we should keep them out of ANWR and only let the "squeaky clean" oil companies in - right?

And - I can see other distinct advantages to having snow 10 months.

* - No grass to mow.
* - Save on fertilizer.
* - Don't have to spend money on landscaping bushes and trees.
* - No pesticide spraying.
* - Don't have to worry about deer eating the bushes.
* - No deer ticks.
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Tyler R.T.