Outdoors/Adventure

Outdoors in brief: Calling all Chitina dipnetters; goat hunt halted

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is reminding Chitina dipnet permit holders they must report their harvest and participation to the state by Oct. 15.

Even permit holders who didn't end up fishing must respond by checking a "did not fish" box on the form.

Report online at www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/PU/ if you have your permit number. Otherwise, mail in your dipnetting harvest cards.

Chitina dipnetting took place June 7-Sept. 30.

The personal use fishery, which began in 1989, has grown steadily, particularly in years with strong sockeye salmon runs.

In 2014, a total of 11,618 permits were issued to Alaskans, resulting in a harvest of 161,149 salmon, down a bit from the harvest of 182,904 in 2013.

"Sockeye runs this year and last were pretty phenomenal down there," said Fairbanks-based Fish and Game biologist Nancy Sisinyak.

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Popular Prince William Sound mountain goat hunt halted

Worried that too many mountain goats could be killed, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on Monday announced the closure of a portion of Game Management 6D in Prince William Sound on Tuesday night.

The area called RG249 — which includes areas east of Columbia Glacier, north of Valdez Arm and west of Port Valdez and Shoup Bay — contained 381 goats, according to an aerial survey conducted last year.

Heading into this season, the harvest was set at 19 goats — including four for federal subsistence hunters. Fish and Game's Cordova-area biologist, Charlotte Westing, said hunters have harvested 10 billies and two nannies this year. One other goat killed could not be recovered. That adds up to 15.5 "goat units, according to the formula used by state managers.

"Hunters are currently in the field, and therefore it is likely that additional goats have been taken and not yet reported," Westing said in a press release. "This closure is necessary to prevent unsustainable harvest. Additional take beyond the harvest objective could harm the long-term stability of the mountain goat population."

How’s your ax throwing measure up?

Lumberjacks and wannabe lumberjacks can answer that and other woodsy issues on Saturday (Oct. 10) at the 18th annual Farthest North Forest Sports Festival at the UAF.

There is no entry fee and anyone 18 or older may compete. Expertise isn't necessary, just a willingness to try. Events begin 10 a.m. at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm fields, across from the Georgeson Botanical Garden, and include log rolling, pulp toss, bow saw and crosscut sawing, and ax throwing. The competition migrates to Ballaine Lake around 1 p.m. for campfire building and birling (staying upright on a log in the lake).

Participants are advised to bring a towel and change of clothes if they plan on competing in birling. A warming fire will be available at Ballaine Lake. People may compete as individuals or teams of four to six. At the end of the day, the "Bull of the Woods" and the "Belle of the Woods" will be announced.

For information, call Pete Fix at 474-6926.

Fairbanks recreation tips

To help Interior families enjoy the outdoors, a free "Family Friendly Outdoor Recreation Guide — Fairbanks and the Surrounding Area" — is available through the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center. The 12-page guide describes outdoor opportunities and includes a pull-out map and information about recreating on public lands close to Fairbanks.

The guide is posted on the web, too. ?Copies are available at the information center, located in the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center at 101 Dunkel Street in downtown Fairbanks. The center is open daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

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