At play where the midnight sun holds court
“Are you gentlemen ready for a late night?” The sun sat above the mountains but it wouldn’t be more than two hours before darkness descended upon us within the throes of the valley. Dave unslung his rifle from his pack and placed his pack along the trail. We answered his question with nods and smiles … Read more
When it comes to trapping, there are a few animals that quickly come to mind. One is wolves, which are iconic among wild animals, are sought after by trappers for their prized pelts and draw the support of those against the practice of trapping. Another is the beaver, the animal that brought men to the … Read more
The frigid temperatures of winter prevent many from living in the area on a permanent basis, even with all the modern conveniences found in today’s world. But the Arctic environment is not without its multitude of benefits, one of those being the ease of storing food in the winter season. Once the mercury drops below … Read more
My forearms strained against the pole, I struggled to hold the net against the current. I wore a PFD with a rope loosely tied from my waist to a tree that didn’t appear to be moving anytime soon. A few feet away, my friend Justin had a similar setup. He moved along the rocks trying … Read more
I often hear negative opinions* on trapping whenever the topic is brought up with someone from outside the northern regions (Alaska and Canada). Living in the wilderness offers a lifestyle where one sees the direct result of their actions and bears the consequences, both positive and negative. Animals are killed by those consuming them, wood … Read more
“Sik rik.” The noise is something anyone will encounter who treks through rocky terrain of Northern Alaska. It is the call of the Arctic Ground Squirrel, or the sikrik as named by the Inupiat after its call. The ground squirrel is a small mammal, often no more than two pounds in mass. Despite their small … Read more
For those pursuing the subsistence lifestyle, fall is the busiest time of the year. Gardens that were planted in early summer are ready to be harvested and stored, final preparations and additions are made to the wood pile and people go out in the country searching for game. Without a garden to harvest and a … Read more