Dreams of Alaska
#6117961
01/08/18 09:18 AM
01/08/18 09:18 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12 Kansas SE
Free Range
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Kansas SE
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I have a fantasy to move to Alaska for a couple months and trap. Down here in Kansas we don't have Wolf, Lynx, Wolverine, Martin, all the "cool" animals like you folks do. So, in your opinion how hard would it be to find a unoccupied area to trap? Now lets not take this thread into the realm of my fitness, experience or ability to make this happen, lets assume I'm fit and wise in the ways of wilderness living.
Any ideas? Where would you start? Would the DNR be able to recommend areas to scout out? Is the trapping scene in Alaska already over crowded and cutthroat like it is in some areas here in the lower 48?
Lost! I ain't never been lost,,,,, been mighty confused for a few months, but never lost.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118068
01/08/18 11:30 AM
01/08/18 11:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827 Alaska, USA
Top Jimmy
"Assistant Speling Zcar"
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"Assistant Speling Zcar"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,827
Alaska, USA
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This comes up 2-3 times a year. I will condense the past conversations for you.
It would be almost impossible to do what you want to do, just for two months, unless money was no object. Just to hack a line out of untouched wilderness will take you years to catch all you listed.
Best bet is to hook up with a trapper with an established line and buddy up for your two months. Only other option might be as a caretaker at a lodge over winter, and those are very few and far between.
-TJ
Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118154
01/08/18 01:41 PM
01/08/18 01:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12 Kansas SE
Free Range
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Kansas SE
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Well I'm not the only one.
Edit: I was not thinking about just coming up and start trapping, OF COURSE, I would pre-scout, it might even take a couple years getting things ready. I think my real question was, is there anyplace left where a guy could find critters worth cash money when skint? That isn't already being trapped by someone else?
Lost! I ain't never been lost,,,,, been mighty confused for a few months, but never lost.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118204
01/08/18 02:58 PM
01/08/18 02:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,285 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,285
Alaska and Washington State
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Yes, there are a lot of places. But the places might not be what you envision. For example you could pick just about anyplace on the Alaska Peninsula a few hundred miles southwest of Anchorage and have as much country to yourself as you want, you'd find wolf, red fox, beaver, otter, mink and in places lynx. The climate is mild but windy.
You could also find many other areas in the interior that you could drop into without stepping on someone else's toes, but you'd have to do some checking to make sure the area isn't on someones else's line. Generally the more remote the better your chances will be, but don't just assume that because you're 100 miles from the closest village you won't find someone there, other guys fly into their trap lines also. You'd probably have to spend some time in a couple of areas and check with air taxi operators, area fish and game people, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge personnel (if you're on a refuge), etc, etc,. And just because one of these people says that no one is trapping a particular area, that is no guarantee that there isn't. You have to be pretty diligent in your research.
Alaska is a huge place, with many different climactic, geographical, and cultural differences. What you would like to do is entirely possible; it just going to take planning and some money, and some brains.
I don't know your age or other abilities, but if you're young you might want to work for a hunting guide in a particular area, that's a good way to get a feel for a place, and will help you figure things out.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118616
01/08/18 09:32 PM
01/08/18 09:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518 Orergon
alaska viking
"Made it two years not being censored"
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"Made it two years not being censored"
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518
Orergon
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I knew someone had to say it.
Just doing what I want now.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118744
01/08/18 10:34 PM
01/08/18 10:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518 Orergon
alaska viking
"Made it two years not being censored"
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"Made it two years not being censored"
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518
Orergon
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I agree. Heck, back in '82, or was it '83, I showed up on the shores of Kodiak with $6.15, and a dream...........
Just doing what I want now.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118764
01/08/18 10:45 PM
01/08/18 10:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518 Orergon
alaska viking
"Made it two years not being censored"
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"Made it two years not being censored"
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518
Orergon
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Positive. And, I had a dog. Hmmm. It might have been $6.20, in hind sight. Just imagine if I had run into Ol'Blister back then! History would be re-written.
Just doing what I want now.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118767
01/08/18 10:47 PM
01/08/18 10:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518 Orergon
alaska viking
"Made it two years not being censored"
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"Made it two years not being censored"
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,518
Orergon
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I didn't get to THAT island 'till 84, right before I got run off the Emerald isle.
Just doing what I want now.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6118998
01/09/18 01:39 AM
01/09/18 01:39 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 397 Interior Alaska
EurekaTrapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 397
Interior Alaska
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There are plenty of places left to trap. Just do like I did and drive hours from town, then blaze a trail thru miles of brushy and swampy furless terrain, then cut your way up a brushy steep hill where there are only a few critters until you get to some suitable Marten habitat that has a handful of fur that might pay for your gas on a really good year, if you're lucky.
"Wise men learn more from fools than fools learn from the wise."
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: EurekaTrapper]
#6119092
01/09/18 08:00 AM
01/09/18 08:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,395 Northern MN
Osky
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,395
Northern MN
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There are plenty of places left to trap. Just do like I did and drive hours from town, then blaze a trail thru miles of brushy and swampy furless terrain, then cut your way up a brushy steep hill where there are only a few critters until you get to some suitable Marten habitat that has a handful of fur that might pay for your gas on a really good year, if you're lucky. So your saying there's a chance....... Seriously, take a good tradesmans skill up there and a will to work and good things will happen. Osky
"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it" Jabless in Minnesota www.SureDockusa.com
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: waggler]
#6119447
01/09/18 02:09 PM
01/09/18 02:09 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686 Alaska
drasselt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,686
Alaska
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you might want to work for a hunting guide in a particular area, that's a good way to get a feel for a place, and will help you figure things out.
This right here. Check out APHA. Camp hands and packers are in demand, you don't need to be a guide. Try to find an outfit with a lodge. Work for the season and caretake for the winter. Saves your bush flying fare, you have lodging and instant access to local knowledge. You'll need about 6-8 months minimum to see this through.
you can vote your way into socialism, but you will have to shoot your way out.
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6119553
01/09/18 03:46 PM
01/09/18 03:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 207 Alaska Mat-Su Valley
Plum Billy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 207
Alaska Mat-Su Valley
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Keep in mind though that there are guides who don't participate in APHA, so you may want to do a little looking around besides there.
Life is hard; but it is harder if you are stupid.
John Wayne
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: Free Range]
#6120031
01/09/18 11:14 PM
01/09/18 11:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,318 Mt.
g smith
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,318
Mt.
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Don't screw around ,go for it before your body starts to decline ! Get at it.
You can ride a fast horse slow but you can't ride a slow horse fast .
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Re: Dreams of Alaska
[Re: white17]
#6121309
01/11/18 09:52 AM
01/11/18 09:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12 Kansas SE
Free Range
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12
Kansas SE
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love it, you guys have a great sense of humor, what was the name of that movie were the kid ended up dead in the school bus?
Again this is just a dream, not looking to make money, just thinking if I had the time and money, maybe after I retire spend some time scouting and setting up a small trap line in Alaska, kind of a bucket list thing.
Thanks for the responses, both constructive and humorous.
Lost! I ain't never been lost,,,,, been mighty confused for a few months, but never lost.
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