One of my hunting partners just decided today that he is going to take 3 months, Jul-Sept, off of work and girlfriend and head up to Alaska for fishing and hunting. It's nice to be that footloose, I asked where he was planning to go, and he indicated finding all that out is 1/2 the fun.

He'll be driving a 4wd truck with Camper and towing trailer with an ATV and probably a small boat. I told him I thought a plane was the only way to get in to most of the areas but I certainly don't know.

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated - I'd like to help him with some of that 1/2 the fun stuff.

I would go to the Kenai Peninsula during that time. Salmon fish during July and August and buy a moose tag for September.

I would go to North Pole, Alaska.......the hunting and fishing are much better up there!!!!!!

Joe

I would go fishing in Valdez alaska for Pinks and Silvers and take a halibut charter.I would moose hunt in unit 20d .It has the most moose of anywhere in the state.I just drove back through Montana and crossed at Sweetgrass mt.They were nice there at the border.You need to get firearms permits for Canada before you go.Dont forget to leave your handguns at home Canada wont let you bring them.

Kenai Peninsula closes June 15th.
I think the mountains of california would be nice that time of year!

hmmmm...that actually sounds good

Ironbender
You call those mountains?? I've driven thru there and I did'nt see any.

but seriously...

There are lots of places to go even with a three month window. Southeast is great-salmon and halibut out of almost any port--perhaps "drive" the marine highway (ferry system). Kenai is wonderful, truthfully! Halibut is probably best out of Homer and then Seward. Kings (Chinook) and Reds (sockeye) in the Kenai River. Sightseeing cruises out of Seward, or from the east side of Prince William Sound (PWS) out of Valdez. check with fishing shops when you get here about road-fishing. Fly out of Anchorage for a Caribou hunt.

There is more to see/do than can be done in three months, IMHO. Logistics are another thing!!! Bring more money than you think you need--it's spendy up here!

Call back when you have specifics. Get the Milepost travelguide.


--Mike

This may be overstating the obvious, but have him download a copy of the Hunting and Fishing Regs before heading out and make sure they understand them. Some places are drawing only, some areas are "non-motorized", etc...

It's a big state, but small road system. Just because it's the "Last Frontier" doesn't mean it doesn't have regs and the fin and fur cops love to enforce them.

Don't forget about the Canuks and their lovely set of gun laws, besure to study up and no pistols.

Hog Killer

Thanks for the tips - He'll check the websites and knows at least one resident for first hand info.

I'll have to remind him about the canadian pistol ban. He asked what I thought about a sidearm for fishing in Bear country. I guess I'll tell him to trust to pepper spray becuase he doesn't have a choice.

One thing he might look into is UPSing his pistol to a FFL where he is going. Then picking it up at the other end of his road trip.

Hog Killer

Remember if you're hunting Sheep, Goat or Bear, you'll need a guide. Any other critter requires a fat checkbook for non-resident tags. Enjoy.

specneeds,

Check with the Canadians as one of the officers told me last trip through there that they allowed handguns to be transported through to Alaska with a relatively new form so.......also a guide is required for brown bear, not black bear...........a good suggestion above is to read the F&G regs then read them again.

Joe

Coming to Alaska just for such a long vacation sounds great, specially if you can afford it. Lots of people do that each year. They drive their RV, park at one of the numerous campgrounds throughout Alaska, drive a smaller vehicle around, and then start driving South by mid September.

In you friend's case, I would come to Alaska by mid June, and leave by mid September, since that's the time when the moose season closes. The problem would be trying to figure out how to freeze the meat should he kill a moose or other game, and how to get it back home. However, he can always freeze some, eat some, and donate the rest, since there are local organizations, churches, etc. that accept the meat to feed folks at the home shelters, or to feed whoever needs it.

He should be able to catch some salmon and other fish, most of which he can eat or freeze. There are places in the Kenai Peninsula where the season my close early for one species, but it may stay open for other species. The season for Kings ends in early June I think, but by then the reds and silvers are coming in.

I would travel to the Kenai Peninsula and Seward, and also to Valdez. Then for hunting, by the end of August and the beginning of September, I would try off the Parks Highway, or other roads around Alaska. There is also black bear hunting during the summer (I would check the regs. on that).

Even if he does not catch any fish, or if he kills game, the experience will be expensive, but unforgettable. Alaska will create everlasting and happy memories once you experience them.

Hog Killer
The frickin lovely set of gun laws you spoke about... are the canadian govts. NOT the canadian peoples they were rammed down our throats by the bygone dictator/Prime minister and bear no resembalance to any real legislation and Canuck is spelt with a "C".
There I have vented and now I feel better!

WestCoaster,

If the old PM/Dick-a-tater is gone, why do you still have his old laws choking your freedoms?

Bad laws can be reversed. It can be done. I wish you and the rest of the Canucks the best on getting rid of your bad gun laws.

Hog Killer