Life Without Elk ?!

[Huntrgathr]

It's a scary thought. But that was the first thought I had last week when my wife and I talked about (and decided to move to) Alaska. I've spent my whole life in " The West". I've got decades invested in " my spots". And nothing I've found so far compares to hunting elk and mule deer. But I think maybe I can find something as good , maybe better, in Alaska. So talk me into it. Those of you that have lived there -those that have visited - what do you love/hate about Alaska ? how does the hunting abd fishing compare to the west ? How competitive is it ? what didn't you figure out til you got there ?

Any opinions are appreciated. If the powers that be want to move this thread I understand. Just wanted as many folks as possible to chime in...

[WapitiTalk1]

I can't imagine living in a non elk state brother. After retiring from the Army in 04 I received good job offers (position/pay upgrades in several states E of the big river and I didn't bat an eye to say no thanks). We're planning our final move from WA to ID in 1 to 2 years so I can get better hunting seasons across the board and continue to be in elk country (and for cheaper property taxes, native trout in streams/rivers, mule deer, whitetail, four distinct seasons, quality of life, etc.). I've been to AK a few times and yes, it is beautiful and certainly has hunting and fishing opportuniites but it's a different world IMO. One of my brothers lives way up thar and the winter temps he reports are way colder than I would be interested in tolerating. Are you looking at moving for work, the adventure of it all, grow your own cannibas (don't answer that, LOL), big moose/caribou/fishing or a combination of all of the above?

[Huntrgathr]

Dang RJ, now that I know you might be in Idaho full time it makes it that much easier to head North. You and Paul in the same state ?! There won't be an elk left !! Seriously though, part of my motivation for moving is to find less pressured areas. I make a living from collecting mushrooms and shed antlers and both of those industries have seen an explosion of popularity in recent years. Same with hunting. Everywhere I go I have to go deeper and take more risks to get smaller and smaller returns. There is definitely less competition for mushrooms and shed antlers up north. Hunting and fishing in Alaska, I've heard can be somewhat crowded but a bushplane can put you out there by yourself pretty easily ...

Underlying that is our desire for a better quality of life. We plan to homestead and live " off the grid". Subdivision life is killing us. Salmon is a big motivation as well. Sure we've got Salmon here in the PNW but it's all combat fishing. I want to be able to fill freezers with salmon and enjoy the experience - build a big smokehouse and put up enough fish to last the year.

Our main focus right now is looking at the different regions of Alaska to narrow it down. Access to things I already mentioned is #1 but weather is definitely #2. When we lived in Seattle the 100+ days of no sun was a lot harder to take than I expected. I'm somewhat prone to " seasonal depression" or whatever they call it when you start to feel like you're turning into Golem. The " dark period" I think I can deal with better because it happens on a schedule. I can plan for it. I know when it ends. In Seattle you never knew when or IF the sun might come back out. I don't mind the cold nearly as much as the heat. Granted " really cold" to me is -10F but I think we can handle it. I don't work in Winter so we would just hunker down and eat from our food stores for the season...

It's not out of the question that I might be able to come back to ID every Sept but if not I have to make sure the trade off - elk and mulies for moose, caribou , bears etc. is a fair trade...

[Trophyhill]

Just googled "elk in Alaska". Looks like some Rosies were transplanted on several Alaskan islands. So there is hope for you

[Fridaythe13th]

Go for it!!!!! It's about 3 hours a day extra you have to think about caribou, moose, brown bear or fishing. I know I spend 3 hours a day on elk hunting according to my wife. I'm sure it has it ups and downs, here in Minnesota we have 2 seasons winter and road construction and the state bird is the mosquito. Depending where you would live in Alaska the 2 season would be winter and tourist season. The winter's cold would not bother me it's the dark for months that would drive me crazy.
I know in my little section of the world everyone that has moved to Alaska has come back. Not because they didn't like it. They just filled one of there bucket list and moved on. You can move back if it don't work and have made new friends along the way.

PM me if you find a big caribou, that is on my bucket list.

[Huntrgathr]

Just googled "elk in Alaska". Looks like some Rosies were transplanted on several Alaskan islands. So there is hope for you

Nice ! I've always been told " there's no elk up there". Looking at the regs it looks like there are a handful of hunts, even one general season hunt... Coastal hunting is definitely not my first choice but it gives me an option. Thanks for catching that Trophy !

Looks like a boat is mandatory up there. Snow machines , four wheelers, a plane...

[WapitiTalk1]

Just googled "elk in Alaska". Looks like some Rosies were transplanted on several Alaskan islands. So there is hope for you

Nice ! I've always been told " there's no elk up there". Looking at the regs it looks like there are a handful of hunts, even one general season hunt... Coastal hunting is definitely not my first choice but it gives me an option. Thanks for catching that Trophy !

Looks like a boat is mandatory up there. Snow machines , four wheelers, a plane...

Man, you must make good dinero brother Yep, my bother in Anchorage said the same thing... a boat is key to hunting/fishing up thar.

[Brendan]

Just googled "elk in Alaska". Looks like some Rosies were transplanted on several Alaskan islands. So there is hope for you

And they're big. Up to 1200 lbs body weight I believe. Remi Warren did a write up in Extreme Elk about a hunt he did with his brother. Ended up losing two quarters to a grizz though!