By Larry Hatter Resolve has a tendency to elude us as we toil through life. Days of repetitiveness become years and losing sight of purpose can be a commonality. Every once in a while, however, we are granted a brief moment of absolute clarity, a moment where the most important aspects of our life become vivid and we’re steadfast in our conviction. I was privileged to experience one of these moments in late September, 2011, but much to my chagrin, it occurred as the icy waters of an … [Read more...]
Alaska Fishing Continued
October 12, 2012
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Lets dig a bit deeper into Alaska fishing tackle. Its good to take a basic tackle box on almost any big game hunt in the north woods. A dozen spinners and maybe a half dozen flies will easily get you through a hunt. The spinners should range in size from #1 to #4 and the flies should emulate something popularly seen in alaska during the early fall. Something that resembles a bumble bee is a personal favorite of mine. A small pair of needle nose pliers and a small pouch of split shots are … [Read more...]
Coastal Black Bear Hunting in Alaska
October 1, 2012
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A Blast From The Past By Larry Hatter Some of the most unique reminders of our country’s history reside in the most inconspicuous places. They rest in the corner of an old, dusty attic beside a rickety chest of drawers or on the rack at a downtown pawn shop, mostly unappreciated and uncared for. Make no mistake though; firearms have played an integral role in our ascension from a few middling colonies into a thriving nation. It’s for this … [Read more...]
Fall Grizzly Bear Hunting in Alaska
September 19, 2012
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Secrets of a Camfire By Larry Hatter Dusk had crept silently into my midst as I plodded doggedly along the meandering creek bottom. The mountains that stretched dauntingly to the west, an impenetrable fortress of snow, shale and sheer bluffs, had long since claimed the blazing arctic sun for their own. A failed stalk on a lumbering grizzly, once promising, had in reality been long on promise and short on time. Leaving me with precious few minutes to reach my makeshift shelter before a … [Read more...]
In Memory of Tammy
June 3, 2012
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One of the most difficult things for a man to endure is the loss of a hunting partner and great friend. I suppose though, if we have no understanding of pain and loss, adversely we will have no appreciation of happiness and good fortune. Tammy left us a few days ago, fifteen years after she entered this world as no more than a squirming puppy with her tiny eyes closed and nothing but her nose to trust. Little did she know, that wonderful nose would take her across more mountains and unbroken … [Read more...]
The Grizzly Who Came For Supper
April 7, 2012
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Grizzly encounters are normal in Alaska. Thankfully most of them end in a calm fashion. Most grizz don't want a confrontation and will inevitably head in the opposite direction once they deduce you are a human being. The encounters that we read about in the papers are few and far between, mostly resulting from confrontations with sows with cubs, a startled bear, a bear on a kill, or a starving bear. So hunters need not fear ursus arctos horribilis, they just need to mind him and 99% of all … [Read more...]
For the Love of Hunting
March 31, 2012
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Why do we hunt? It's an age old question that can't be answered in a single sentence. Sure there's the instinctual drive that man has possessed ever since he decided to get up off his knuckles and run a woolly mammoth off a cliff. The cave man who came back to the village with enough sustenance to feed the clan was held in the highest regard. So there's definitely some of that left in us today, when we bring home that big whitetail buck or cooler full of moose meat from Alaska. It gives us … [Read more...]
Last But Not Least, When We Hunt Let’s Have Good Eats!
February 18, 2012
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One of the most important aspects of a hunt whether it be in Alaska or Africa is good food! You may not realize it now, but when you remember a hunt years down the road an exquisite meal at a fine restaurant may be just as vivid a memory as the tale of the hunt! On a recent hunt for black bear in Alaska, I was honored to sit and dine, with the finest company (my brother Miles and best friend Fred), on the finest meal, possibly, of my life. In the bottom of the Gilmore Hotel in Ketchikan … [Read more...]
Hunting Barren Ground Caribou in Alaska
February 4, 2012
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Hunting caribou in Alaska can be one of the most action packed and rewarding hunts in North America. We hunt caribou for arguably the most impressive set of antlers on any game animal on the continent. We hunt caribou for some of the finest table fare that grows naturally in the wild. We hunt caribou because we see plenty and its not as stressful as other hunts. For me personally I hunt them for all the above reasons but most importantly I hunt them to breathe that wonderfully crisp and clean … [Read more...]
Halibut Fishing in Alaska
January 19, 2012
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One of the most popular game fish in Alaska coastal waters is the mighty halibut and rightfully so. Besides their propensity for wearing your arms out before they surface, they are also world famous for their delectable fillets. A halibut that weighs between fifty and seventy pounds is arguably the finest table fare, as far as fish are concerned, to be had. Immense power and succulence aren't the only reason sportsman flock to Alaska to find the big halibut however, they tend to be found … [Read more...]
