Outdoors/Adventure

Big-game drawing hunts deadline approaching

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is reminding hunters that the Dec. 15 deadline to apply for Alaska big game drawing hunts is fast approaching.

Among the changes for next year:

*Applicants can apply for up to six hunts for the same species.

*For most hunts, hunters can apply for the same hunt up to six times, though there are exceptions.

*License fees are increasing Jan. 1. Until then, you can purchase 2017 licenses and tags at 2016 prices.

Find details and apply here (www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/). Results will be posted on Fish and Game's website Feb. 17 and emailed to individual applicants.

Klondike park seeks help identifying old photos

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is reaching out to the Skagway community for help in identifying historical photos.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Wednesday (Dec. 14), park staffers will display a number of photographs from the park's collections, hoping that interested community members will share any information or stories they know about the people, places, and buildings depicted.

Not all of the images are from the gold rush; any information will be useful. Superintendent Mike Tranel will attend and talk about the park's sculpture project.

"Many of our photos are missing the stories behind them," Tranel said in a press release.  "We hope to tap into the immense knowledge base of our friends and neighbors to learn and share the stories more widely with all park visitors."

The event will be 9-11 a.m. at Bites on Broadway.

Rent a hut, ice fish in comfort

Interior ice fishermen can give themselves a little more comfort by renting huts from the state.

Five huts are at Birch Lake, Mile 305.5 of the Richardson Highway. Three are at Quartz Lake, Mile 277.8 of the same roadway. They rent for $20 per day and can be reserved online at http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/cabins/icehuts. To make reservations in person or phone, visit the state Department of Natural Resources public information center at 3700 Airport Way in Fairbanks or call the center at 451-2705.

The huts, constructed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, measure 8-by-12 feet. Each has a wood-burning stove and four fishing holes. Other equipment must be provided by the user. Consider bringing an ice auger and/or spud bar, stools or seats, a lantern or flashlight, a shovel, firewood (one-foot lengths), matches, fishing tackle and bait.

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was a longtime editor for Alaska Dispatch News, and before that, the Anchorage Daily News.

ADVERTISEMENT