Outdoors

JOHN SCHANDELMEIER

When the lights go out, blame humans

Several years back, I woke my kids in the middle of the night. "Come on, get up, look at the northern lights!" The sky was a brilliant red, from horizon to horizon. They did get up and look, but didn't seem quite as impressed as I. Today they don't remember that night.

Outdoors hotline (2/7/12)

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Federal subsistence board renews review of Alaska rural designation

The state's federal subsistence board has discarded seven years of work to determine which rural federal lands in Alaska are eligible for subsistence hunting.

Alaska Ski for Women scheduled Sunday

The Alaska Ski for Women 4-K ski race will take place this Sunday at Kincaid Park. Funds raised go toward local charities to fight domestic abuse.

Outdoors hotline (1/31/12)

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Government can crowd out other forms of working together

New York Times columnist Ross Douthat warns against government that uses its authority to force churches and other groups to toe its philosophical marks.

Kodiak bear guides aim to give guests low-impact adventure

Harry and Brigid Dodge's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their business have won them several awards. This month, their business, Kodiak Treks, was recertified by Adventure Green Alaska, the sole Alaska organization offering a certification process for ecotourism.

Public welcomed on summit of Max's Mountain at last

For the first time ever in the ski area's history, Alyeska Resort opened Max's Mountain to the public on Saturday from the peak's summit.

Tour of Anchorage: 25th could be the biggest ever

In 1987 the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was completed after years of public debate and land negotiations. The trail, which follows the Anchorage coastline from downtown to Kincaid Park, intersected the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail at Westchester Lagoon. Skiers looked at the new trail map and saw the possibility of a "mountain to sea" ski race.

Photos: 2011 Tour of Anchorage

JOHN SCHANDELMEIER

Willow tree does more than simply feed moose

Willows are the most common shrub in Alaska. Depending on which source you access, there are 170 to 400 types of willow. About 40 species occur in Alaska.

Woman crosses Antarctic solo on skis

British adventurer Felicity Aston became the first woman to ski alone across Antarctica on Monday, hauling two sledges around crevasses and over mountains into endless headwinds, past the South Pole and onward to the coastal ice shelf, persevering for 59 days in near-total solitude.

Outdoors hotline (1/24/12)

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6 artists to be in residence at Denali

Six artists have been selected from more than 300 applicants to participate in this year's Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve.

Rossi investigators examine signature of Kenai hunting guide

Detectives are continuing their investigation into the 2008 bear hunt that prompted the resignation of a top state Fish and Game official, turning their attention to the mystery of how the signature of a licensed guide from Kenai appeared on a deceitful hunt record written by the ex-official.

Rossi stayed on job despite hunt probe

State-of-art fish hatchery in Fairbanks gets first batch of eggs

The Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery is alive and breathing -- finally.

Rossi stayed on job despite hunt probe

A top Fish and Game official charged with illegal bear hunting was allowed to remain at work for roughly a month after his boss learned of the pending investigation.

Alaska wildlife chief charged with illegal hunting, resigns

Collar-cam videos provide grizzly bear's view of Alaska

Grizzly boar 6041 had a busy day on May 26. The 700-pound, 10-year-old Alaska bear woke up at 3:17 a.m. as the sun peeked out beneath gray skies. Within 15 minutes, he was attempting to impregnate a willing sow. Then it was off to eat fish.

Alaskans testify on killing bears with snares

Former Gov. Tony Knowles stepped before the seven-member Alaska Board of Game on Friday to urge an immediate end to the snaring of bears, including grizzlies, as a management tool to boost moose populations.

Ex-governor joins opposition to expansion of bear snaring

The use of snares to kill bears is a "train wreck" of wildlife management policy, a former Alaska governor said Thursday as he announced he would join biologists in opposing the expansion of such methods to boost moose populations.

Alaska Newsreader: Fish and Game proposes aerial shooting of bears

Game Board to consider Peninsula predator control

Alaska wildlife chief charged with illegal hunting, resigns

A top official in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game quit his job Thursday after being charged with 12 hunting violations. Troopers say Division of Wildlife Conservation Director Corey Rossi, a controversial Palin appointee, lied on big-game hunting reports.

Critics see opportunities with Rossi resignation

PDF: Charging information against Rossi

Outdoors hotline (1/10/12)

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