Alaska News

Our Alaska: The bowhead whale hunt

01223-ourak-whaleAlaska Natives have hunted bowhead whales for hundreds of years. Bowheads can stretch more than 50 feet and weigh tens of thousands of pounds. In October 2007, we caught up with a whaling crew in Barrow after a successful hunt (featured in this footage). Soon the crew realized they had landed a pregnant whale. There was no way to know that fact, however, when they harpooned the whale.

While "Sarah Palin's Alaska" has finished its eight-week run on TLC, Alaska Dispatch continues to take a look at the Last Frontier as it's experienced by residents across the state -- urban and rural, young and old, from all walks of life. You've seen "Sarah Palin's Alaska" -- now welcome to Our Alaska.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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