by Rory O'Hanranhan - Events & Outreach Assistant Chair
This September, our Alaska chapter board packed up for four days at the Susitna Adventure Lodge, home to Squid Acres Kennel on the middle of the Denali Highway. It wasn’t your average meeting. No conference rooms, no fluorescent lights, just big country, sled dogs, wild game, and a group of people passionate about keeping Alaska’s backcountry open and accessible.
We came together for a simple reason: to reconnect as a board, set priorities for the year ahead, and make sure we’re serving our members in the best way possible. But like most things in Alaska, the trip turned into so much more.
Photo: Mark Lindberg
A different kind of team building
Every morning started with something unforgettable. Instead of a jog around the block or an icebreaker game, we clipped into sled dogs hooked to ATVs and ran with the kennel team across the tundra. Watching those dogs pull, tails wagging and voices singing, was the kind of reminder we all needed about what draws us outside in the first place.
Photo: MarksPicsAK.com
We also spent time hunting grouse and ptarmigan, adding fresh upland game to the long list of wild foods that made their way onto our plates throughout the retreat. Hunting together gave us a chance not just to gather food, but to share the kind of camaraderie that makes this community strong.
Photo: Mary Glaves
A feast from the land and sea
One thing is certain, nobody went hungry. Over the four days we built our meals around what Alaska and beyond provides. On the table: halibut ceviche, Hawaiian boar, beaver meatballs, caribou and duck breakfast tacos, plus freshly harvested grouse and ptarmigan. Every dish told a story, every bite reminded us why public access and conservation matter.
It wasn’t just about eating well, it was about honoring the landscapes and waters that feed us, and the people who work hard to keep those opportunities alive.
Photo: Mary Glaves
Why we gathered
Between hunts and meals we dug into the heart of why we were there. We talked about setting priorities for the year ahead, about planning pint nights across the state, and about how best to raise awareness for access to public lands.
Access is at the core of everything we do. Without it there is no hunting, no fishing, no backcountry adventures. Our retreat reminded us that the work ahead, whether it is advocating at the state capitol, cleaning up public lands, or creating spaces for members to connect, is not just important, it is urgent.
Photo: Rory O'hanrahan
The last night
On our final evening, Alaska gave us one last gift: the northern lights spilling across the sky. Greens and purples shimmered above the lodge, and the whole board stood outside in the cold, heads tilted back, quiet for once. It was the perfect closing note, a reminder of why we fight for wild places and why they matter to every one of us.
Photo: Mark Lindberg
What’s next
Our time on the Denali Highway gave us energy, focus, and a clear path forward. Now we’re ready to bring that momentum back to our members and communities. Here’s where you come in:
- Join us: If you’re not already a member, consider signing up to be part of the Alaska BHA family
- Show up: Watch for upcoming pint nights across the state, grab a beer, meet your fellow hunters and anglers, and let us know what matters most to you
- Stay connected: Follow our work and share it with others who care about Alaska’s backcountry
Together, we’ll keep working to ensure that the northern lights, the sled dogs, the game birds, and the wide open country remain part of Alaska’s story for us and for the generations to come.
Photo: Rory O'hanrahan
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