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Alaska --
We made it through January, which was filled with Board of Game meetings, a few great Pint Nights, and a lot of news about public lands conservation in Alaska. Not all of this news bodes well for the iconic Alaskan wildlife we love to pursue, which require large, expansive, unfragmented landscapes to thrive. Salmon and other unique fish species, like sheefish, that we love to hook on our lines and enjoy over a fire or yearround from our freezers also require these intact landscapes.
Well into the 21st century, Alaskans have the unique opportunity to continue to live off the land, if we want to. Some of us have to. Hunting and fishing, and even trapping, is more than a seasonal hobby, but a lifestyle to many. In Alaska, we need wild, expansive landscapes to live the way we do. Public lands are what make it all possible.
Land management in Alaska is complex, but one thing is clear: without public lands, the traditions and sustenance that define our way of life are at risk.
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Stay tuned for updates on the January 2025 Central & Southwest Region Board of Game Meeting in a special newsletter later this month.
We'll have a recap of our ADF&G Small Game Program Pint Night as well as updates on regulation changes to be aware of.
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CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY
The Brooks Range is America’s most wild and remote hunting and fishing grounds. The weather is extreme, the terrain is difficult, and the promise of adventure is guaranteed. We at Hunters & Anglers for the Brooks Range need your help in maintaining the wild character of this place. By signing up to receive updates on how you can speak up for this wild place, you’ll be entered to win a suite of gear that will equip you for your own adventure into the Brooks. - HABR
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EVENTS
Juneau: Public Lands Pint Night: An Evening with Blacktail Deer Foundation, Nationally Presented by onX Hunt
Special guest, Scott Leorna, Alaska Regional Conservation Coordinator for the Blacktail Deer Foundation (BDF), will introduce BDF and share the exciting conservation work they have planned in Alaska to improve Sitka black-tailed deer populations and their habitat. Scott will provide an overview of Sitka black-tailed deer and the habitat challenges they face, highlighting the Sitka Black-tailed Deer Pre/Post Treatment Monitoring Project and its critical role in developing effective habitat restoration efforts across Southeast Alaska. This project is designed to provide a comprehensive, long-term monitoring strategy to assess the impact of habitat enhancement activities on deer populations and their habitat and inform adaptive management strategies. Through collaborative partnerships and community involvement, the project aims to provide actionable insights that will guide future conservation strategies and help ensure the resilience of both deer populations and the communities who rely on them across the region. Join us to learn more about what BDF is doing in Alaska, the importance of habitat enhancement for Sitka black-tailed deer, and how the monitoring project will inform future conservation strategies.
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CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITY
Juneau: Tongass Forest Plan Revision Open Comment Period
The U.S. Forest Service, specifically the Tongass Forest Planning team, is asking for any feedback you have on their recently published Draft Assessments, such as factual corrections, other sources of data, and sub-topics that you would like added, or gaps you see in sections.
They ask that you submit your comments at: Tongass Plan Revision Comment Site by February 24, 2025.
If you haven't already, take our survey here and help us inform our feedback from Alaska BHA!
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EVENTS
Valdez THIS SATURDAY February 8th at 6PM
Join Kaden Addler, Outdoor Leadership Instructor at Prince William Sound College UA Extension at Valdez Brewing on Saturday Feb. 8th, and learn how packrafts open up the map for trip planning. Using the blue lines on the topo maps, rather than being afraid of them, opens up a world of opportunity to travel swiftly through the backcountry of this state. They can be versatile tools depending on your desired uses and the choice of raft.
Kaden will have his whitewater Alpaca Gnarwal raft and Pristine Ventures PR49 hunting raft for folks to check out at the talk. If you've ever been curious about how to expand a backcountry trip or explore a whole new area, but needed to navigate those blue lines, this is a presentation you should attend!
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EVENTS
Avalanche Education for Backcountry Hunters with NAVHDA Tuesday Feb. 11th
Do you hunt on skis, showshoes, or snow machines? Getting out after critters in the backcountry in the winter is a favorite activity of many. Being safe while in the snowy mountains is also good to keep top of mind!
Join Alaska BHA and Northern Lights NAVHDA on Tuesday February 11th at Pizza Man in Eagle River for a presentation by Peter Wadsworth about Avalanche Safety for Backcountry Hunters. This event is also great for folks in the Armed Forces stationed in Alaska. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there!
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2025 Alaska Wild Project Draw Tag Results Party: Nationally Presented by onX Hunt on Friday Feb 21st!
Alaska BHA will be joining Alaska Wild Project on February 21st, AKA Draw Hunt Day at Double Shovel Cider Company from 6-9PM.
We will have a rifle raffle (as long as there are still tickets remaining-- only 150 sold!) for a Weatherby Mark V Hunter in 6.5 RPM.
Thanks to Double Shovel, Governor's Reserve Cider will be on tap in honor of AK BHA's two Governor's tags that we're raffling off. RSVP and your first one is on BHA!
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EVENTS
Fairbanks: Fairbanks ADFG Draw Tag Results Party 2025 - Nationally Presented by onX Hunt
This event is a presentation of the winners and losers of the ADFG draw tag nights. Attendees will receive a notice of success or failure depending on the result. To receive an envelope with your result please RSVP ahead of time, otherwise you won't have a prepped envelope with your result. You can still come out to the Pint Night, though!
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KODIAK
Join Alaska BHA at Double Shovel Cider Co in Kodiak on Friday February 21st-- DRAW TAG DAY!
Join Alaska BHA at Double Shovel Cider Co in Kodiak on Friday February 21st-- DRAW TAG DAY!
Anyone who would like their results announced at the party can email Dave ([email protected]) and we will present your results during the event! There will be a raffle for a Traeger and door prizes for attendees who did not draw a tag.
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BHA's 2025 Alaska Governor's Tag Raffles
Proceeds from BHA's 2025 Alaska Governor's Tag raffles will help fund ADF&G conservation efforts, providing opportunities for stewardship, citizen science, and more via BHA's partnership.
70% of the proceeds from this raffle will fund help fund ADF&G Conservation efforts, including the bison restoration. BHA plans to use the 30% of the proceeds we keep for specific conservation uses, towards supporting the Blacktail Deer Foundation's ongoing pre/post treatment deer monitoring project in Southeast Alaska.
Enter to win a Chugach Brown Bear or Copper River Bison hunt with gear package from some of BHA's generous partners, like:
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"BHA + JMR Pint Night in Juneau"
On January 29 the Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) hosted a pint night at Forbidden Peak Brewery in Juneau, Alaska. BHA invited Juneau Mountain Rescue (JMR) to give a presentation on the crucially important work they do for Juneau and the surrounding areas. JMR drove this point home through their presentation and Q&A session. Additionally a BHA Gerber hatchet was raffled off, in order to raise funds-- which Sharon Forrest of JMR won!
Juneau Mountain Rescue is a non-profit that has been supporting the Juneau area for over forty years. JMR is one of two rescue teams in Alaska which is accredited with the Mountain Rescue Association. Alaska Mountain Rescue based out of Anchorage being the second. JMR relies on donors to fund their rescue missions and training, of which over forty occurred last year alone. It is important to remember to have a plan when recreating in any capacity in the backcountry. As members of a community which oftentimes finds themselves in the backcountry in a state that can be unforgiving, it's reassuring to know that JMR has our backs.
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Kevin Fraley
Alaska BHA Vice Chair
Alaska BHA Board of Directors consists of dedicated hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the state. We recently asked Alaska BHA Vice Chair, Kevin Fraley, about his history with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and here’s what he had to say:
“In Alaska we have so many unique and productive fishing and hunting options, like spearing for whitefish on the Chatanika River, and occassionally, Sandhill Cranes! However, there are many threats to our fish and wildlife populations such as fishery bycatch contributing to salmon declines throughout our state. Most outdoor recreation groups shy away from engaging on conservation issues. I gravitated towards BHA and became involved as a volunteer board member because BHA is the best hunting and angling group for learning about, organizing for, and making your voice heard on conservation issues that relate to our world-class outdoor opportunities.”
Want to get more involved with BHA? Check out our membership options.
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Would you like to be featured in an upcoming BHA Newsletter?
We’re excited to introduce a brand-new column in our BHA newsletter: BHA Member Spotlight! Each month, we’ll feature a fellow member and their experiences with BHA. Our community is built on passionate outdoorsmen and women, and we want to highlight YOU!
Have a story to share? We’d love to hear it! Select the button below to proceed to the survey.
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VOLUNTEER WITH ALASKA BHA
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Alaska BHA celebrates our members and supporters that show up when it counts. We are always looking for helping hands to assist with chapter events, stewardship projects, and policy in various regions of the state (Interior, Southcentral, Western, and Southeast).
If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportunities please email us at [email protected] with some information on how you might like to help and where you are located in Alaska.
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CHECK OUT OUR ALASKA CHAPTER SPONSORS!
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Each year we are generously supported by businesses and organizations around the state. Please be sure to give them your business throughout the year!
If you're interested in becoming an Alaska Chapter Sponsor in 2025, please reach out: [email protected].
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Have questions about what Alaska BHA does or why we engage on certain issues?
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Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
https://www.backcountryhunters.org/alaska
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