Outdoors/Adventure

Ship Creek moose hunt shuts down

Moose hunt shut down

A registration permit hunt in Anchorage's upper Ship Creek drainage has been shut down by emergency order after nine bulls were taken in Game Management Unit 14C.

Corey Stantorf, an assistant area wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, wrote that an aerial survey estimated 199 moose were in the drainage. In order to maintain an appropriate bull-cow ratio, officials decided that the harvest should not exceed 15 bulls.

Veterans get into parks for free

In honor of Veterans Day, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees Nov. 11.

"It's a special responsibility to be the stewards of the memorials, battlefields, and historic sites that tell the story of the honor, courage, and sacrifice of our veterans," said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. "All 413 of our parks nationwide offer the chance to reflect on what our veterans fought to protect."

The National Park Service cares for many sites across the country related to the military experience, including more than 25 battlefields, 14 national cemeteries, and hundreds of memorials and monuments.

Active duty military members and their dependents can pick up a free military annual pass at any national park that usually charges a fee.

A free lifetime pass is also available to disabled veterans. These passes provide free entrance to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational areas. Information about the passes can be found at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.

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Albert Loop Trail reopened

The Albert Loop Trail near the Eagle River Nature Center in Chugach State Park has reopened for public use. The trail closes between late summer and winter freeze-up to reduce the potential for human-bear encounters.

Even though most bears have hibernated, park officials say trail users should be prepared to encounter an animal and be knowledgeable in recognizing bear behavior.

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