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Moose Hunting Extends into January

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Hunters in Alaska will receive a belated Christmas gift this January. Moose hunting in Alaska normally opens in the fall, but this year, with an increased population in moose calves in the Western region of Alaska, wildlife managers have decided to grant an extension. Throughout the month of January, hunters may continue to enjoy their sport until 10 cows and 15 bulls have been taken. This extension is particularly good news for those who have yet to bag a moose, and with the underwhelming caribou population this year. So, load up your Avis Alaska car rentals and let the games begin!

Restrictions on the extension

As mentioned, the quota for the extension is 10 cows and 15 bulls. The wildlife managers have identified this quota as the maximum harvest that the increased moose population can withstand. Only those who have not yet bagged a moose in the regular hunting season may continue their quest and may take up to two moose.
The hunting region for this extension is limited to Game Management Unit 17A, where the moose population increase has occurred. This region is closest to Togiak and Twin Hills villages, and expands between Cape Newenham and Cape Constantine.

Getting to GMU 17A

If you’re staying in the more popular region around Anchorage, then getting to GMU 17A may be a bit of a journey. We recommend taking your Alaska car rentals. Though the drive is just under 400 miles to Togiak village, you’ll get a peek at some of Alaska’s less populated areas and see more of the beautiful landscape offered by this state.

Make sure to register

Whether you’re a resident of Alaska or a visitor from out of state, you’ll need to make sure you’re properly registered in order to take part in the hunt. As you likely already know if you’re a seasoned hunter, registration is an important part of maintaining and keeping track of game populations. Remember that you are also required to report your harvest to wildlife management. All reports must be completed in person or by mail, and in many cases now, by an online service.

During this extended season, in particular, it is essential that the wildlife management of GMU 17A can keep an eye on how many moose are being bagged per day in order to remain within their quota of 10 cows and 15 bulls. You don’t want the season to be affected next year!

Plan ahead. Register online before you make your trip to Alaska to avoid last minute complications. We would also recommend remaining updated with the extension, especially if you’re travelling to GMU 17A later in January – you don’t want to plan your trip only to find out that the quota has been met. If you can’t, go sooner rather than later.

How to identify restricted moose

You are restricted from hunting some moose. As this hunt is an “antlered” bull moose hunt, all hunters are prohibited from taking male calves. You’ll know these by the short antler growth just beneath a layer of skin and hair. If you see that small growth, move on.

Off road driving

We just want to take this opportunity to remind our loyal customers that Avis Alaska car rentals are limited to the use of paved roads only. We’d like our vehicles to help you in your hunt as much as possible, but be aware that coverage of our Alaska car rentals does not extend onto off-road areas.

Often, there are hunting lodges that will be able to take you to and from the hunt and we would recommend teaming up with one of these seasoned professionals. Not only will this save you time and effort, but these professionals often know the best places to find game.

Get your hunt started with your Alaska car rentals reservation from Avis today.

 

 

 

 

 

Discover Alaska with Folk Lore and Alaska Car Rentals

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Folklore holds a special place in the northern territories, and Alaska is no different. In your journeys with your Alaska car rentals, you may see or hear hints of the history of mythology in these regions without even realizing. But these stories tell more than just haunting tales of beasts and inhuman creatures – they speak to a history of the region and the people.

If you really want to get to know the state, rather than simply race through in your Alaska car rentals, then you may find interest in the lore that still whispers through the region.

Taught in schools

While it cannot be a general statement for all schools across the state, some elementary and secondary schools continue to teach of the folklore in Alaska and of the Inuit peoples. Alaska’s history as an American state is not so long, after all, and history classes must be filled with all of Alaska’s past.

In the art of the state

Perhaps because of the prevalence of folklore and because the tales are still told in indigenous communities, mythology and folklore continue to be present in the art of the state. Artists across Alaska depict Qalupalik, Adlet, Tizheruk, and others. If you know the lore, you may be able to immediately identify these figures. If you don’t, however, all you need to do is ask. Some of these pieces may also have explanatory placards. We highly recommend taking the time to read these – the lore is not only informatory of Alaska’s history, but they are thrilling tales of ethereal, super human mystery. You may just find yourself driving your Alaska car rentals all over the region to find more art with this lore on display.

One Alaskan artist who hopes to revive the prevalence of mythology is Kray Van Kirk, a finger stylist singer-songwriter who plays both 6- and 12-string guitars. Though he does not specifically focus purely on Alaskan folklore, his newest album entitled “The Queen of Elfland” hopes to bring back mythology. He sees mythology as one of the major driving forces in contemporary culture – one that has been ignored and forgotten by many today. He would like to remind mainstream culture of the significance of mythology by remaking the myths in his music. He has traveled across the United States and internationally to perform. If he is playing a show near you when you visit, it’s well worth a trip in your Alaska car rentals to see him play.

The hunt continues?

It’s tough to believe that any one in the 21st century would continue a hunt for these mythical creatures, but in fact, it has happened in recent years. In the early 2000s, there was in fact a hunt for a sea serpent that became known as “Caddy”. On the hunt were brothers and expert fishermen, Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. They based the origins of their hunt off of video footage from 2009. In the clip, which was taken off the coast of Alaska, there appears to be some kind of enormous white sea creature that does not perfectly match a description of any other kind of sea creature. The Hillstrands believed this was the final proof that Caddy – a creature that has claimed sightings over the past century – truly exists.

They began their hunt along the Pacific coast, into British Columbia, Canada. There are skeptics, however. The video is extremely dark and out of focus, making the description of the creature both ambiguous and unreliable. Of course, this isn’t the first time that seafarers and myth-chasers have hunted after legendary creatures. Stories of sightings have popped up around the world for centuries and continue to do so, even into the 21st century. Though many of the most recent sightings have proven to be false identification or even well-planned hoaxes, the desire to discover these creatures as real remains strong.

Why not take a drive to the coast in your Alaska car rentals? You may see Caddy for yourself – or at the very least, catch a glimpse of a walrus.

Why has mythological creatures fascinated so many for so long? The answers are varied, and debatable. What’s not debatable is that Avis Alaska car rentals will offer you the best deals on comfort and style for your trip to Alaska this January. Reserve your Alaska car rentals today.