Alaska Wildlife

Alaska’s pristine environment abounds with wildlife. Many people visit Alaska. Very few places in the world offer such an abundance of animals in such breath-taking setting. Whether hunting or just viewing, visitors to Alaska can explore wildlife in a variety of ways. Whether hiking,camping, fishing or viewing wildlife plan to be wildlife safe. It's definitely not Yogi or Bubu bear you are meeting in the woods. Alaska wildlife tend to be on the huge side so show them the proper respect and watch from a safe distance. It's a good idea to carry a bear spray. You don't have to be pinpoint accurate - it sprays out a wide spray and some studies I've read said that bear sprays have been 92% effective in bear encounters while guns have only been 67% effective.

Hunting
Hunting in Alaska is a combination of survival skills and hunting experience. Hunts can be either guided or unguided. Make sure, if you are being guided your guide has the appropriate state licenses. Those on a guided hunt are often provided all the gear needed on the hunt. The guide will lead his party to the best spots to hunt. Sometimes these may be open tracts of land or sometimes you will be hunting from specially constructed blinds. If you are planning on an unguided hunt make sure you are fully prepared both for hinting and for survival. Unguided Alaska hunting should only be attempted by those who are mentally and physically prepared. You can bring home trophy bears, moose, caribou, and wolverines if you are prepared and have the right guide. The Alaskan wilderness is a vastly rewarding place, but also an unforgiving one.

Fishing
Fishermen in Alaska have spectacular opportunities and options to catch that big one they will always remember. Gigantic salmon and trout fill the rivers, streams and lakes. Often the challenge isn’t so much in catching the fish as in reeling it in. The first time I went halibut fishing I was offered a pole with a motorized reel. The real wasn't designed to pull the fish in just to get the retrieve the heavy weight and rebait your hook. I thought what am I a wimp? I don't need no stinking motor. After you spend the day continually cranking the line up from the 300 feet depth where these huge bottom feeders dwell and rebaiting your hook you'll see the wisdom in a motorized reel. Fishing in Alaska is perfect for all skill levels. An expert angler and a beginner can be in the same party and both enjoy the trip equally. My wife, on her first day out was fantastic at getting a fish on the hook - better than me. But as soon as she hooked it she handed her rod to me so I could bring it in since that was the part she hadn't gotten down yet. Hey for me a fighting fish on the line is great so it was a match made in heaven.

Ways to Watch
Visitors who just want a chance to see Alaskan wildlife have many ways to get to where the wildlife is. In Alaska wildlife is pretty much everywhere. An Alaskan float trip is a unique way to see wildlife. Float on nearly 200 miles of beautiful river. Pass by mountain ranges, glaciers, and untouched forests. Snowmobiling is another option for getting up close with Alaska’s animals. Either on a tour or a self guided trip, snowmobiles reach parts of Alaska virtually impossible to get to by other means.
Take a hike. Nearly every lodge and private tour guide offers some kind of hiking trip either by itself or as part of a package vacation. Scurry cross-country over glaciers, trails, or one of the national parks.

Bear Watching
Bear viewing is becoming an increasingly popular activity for visitors to Alaska. Several lodges have set up special camps with camouflage blinds for viewing bears up close. Charter planes offer “flightseeing” trips. The bears aren’t as close, but more can be seen.
A fun fact: the world’s largest bear was shot in Alaska. The brown bear weighed 1200 pounds and stood 10 feet tall. Considering the average bear weighs only 300 pounds, that’s a pretty big bear!