Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska If you could live any where in AK what location would you pick?

Let's say you are planning early retirement & are in good health. The 1st passion is hunting, doesn't matter what, big game, small game, wingshooting...all of it! Fishing, backpacking, photography... all on the important list.
Budget has limits, so lots of air transport probably would not be in the cards. 4 wheel drive, ATV, moderate boat all doable.
Help me dream guys, pros and cons to different locations?

Thanks, 2nd wind

2ndwind,

I couldn't help to notice that you left "snowblower" off the short-list! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, just about any place in Alaska will offer what you seek...as long as you stay out of the "Las Anchorage" or "Very-coldbanks" areas you'll have a good time of it.

Climes and terrain differ as much as do Kalifornia and Arkansas and Maine! Put any bear on your to-do list and you will fit right in! Fishing is as good as it gets, whether in South Central or South Eastern.

By the way, there are no longer any game animals to be hunted or fish to be caught on the Kenai Peninsula. The wolves, moose, black bear, brown bear, caribou, sheep, goats, and coyote are all gone. Some tourist caught the last salmon and halibut and left nothing but flounder. I also heard that the steelhead and large Kenai rainbows migrated south for the winter and never returned! Might want to keep lookin... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

best,
bhtr

I would stay right where I'm at. Western Alaska. Of course in another 5 years I will be over on the Kenai to see if what bearhunr says is true. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Lets see...



I'm 39, just getting ready to retire from the Coast Guard, and have already made my choice. Guess I'm qualified to answer! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



Okay, I can't really 'retire' on my new pension, but it sounded cool.



I know some of the guys here have moved around Alaska too, but having lived in Fairbanks, Kodiak, and now Sitka, and having spent a least a couple days, to a couple months in Anchorage, Cordova, Nome, Barrow, Cold Bay, Sand Point, St. Paul, etc. There's not much of the State, except the far reaches of the Chain that I haven't seen.



By far, the best part is the Kenai Pennisula!!! Move there! They locals will love ya, $30 an hour jobs going unfilled everwhere, and the wild animals are practically knocking at your doorstep begging to be shot! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />



If for some reason you don't believe me, then check out the location under my handle for the real answer. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree with BW. The Kenai is by far the best place in Alaska. You really need to move there. They hardly get any tourists. All other parts of AK suck...........

Nothing wrong with Los Anchorage if you are only looking at living CLOSE to Alaska... economics make Anchorage the choice, even for hunters. A good ride out of town costs less here and every direction is available from here.

Wasillabillies and Squarebanksians are just jealous. No sales tax (yet) and lower property taxes are hard to overcome. But the commuting concept that some Wasillabillies do not seem to understand leaves me shaking my head, especially with Big Oil getting fat right now...

Burn the savings on consumed commuting expenses and brag about how much less your house cost in a Wasilla subdivision!
art

Its a tough call. I've been all over the state and I have to say I would live around the Tok area or SE. SE is more appealing for the winter time but I just love the northern part of the state.

Anchorage sucks, I dont care how some people try to sugar coat it. The kenai is much better but its becoming a big tourist trap as well nowadays. The old lady and I talked about moving to sterling (that way its only a 2 hour drive vs the 6 hour from anchorage to fish <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) but I just cant do it.

Its gotta be north or south for me.

Uhhh thanks guys... I live in an area that is being "discovered" too. I admit that there have been times that when I hear the phrase "tourist season" I wounder if there is a bag limit this year...
I had to swear an oath that I would drive my lovely Southern bride back and froth to work when ever it snowed to get her to agree to build this far out of town. I have a 100 yard range in my backyard & a bench rest set up in my reloading room. A few weeks ago I get a visit from the Sheriff's dept. telling me that my neighbors ( city folks who built a vacation cabin 1/2 mile away) have been complaining about gun fire.
I understand about finding a great place and then wanting to "pull the ladder up behind me".
In regard to the Mrs. I should add that she is very outdoorsy, but if I am ever going to sell this idea gardening options will need to be considered. Would this limit us to Southeast AK?
Are greenhouses used much to extend the season?

Thanks again guys. 2nd wind

Kodiak

Though that is based on wanting to spend more time on the water and fishing than strictly for hunting. I have yet to find another part of the state that I instantly thought, I want to move here, but I haven't visited SouthEast. I have traveled the entire road system. From Kodiak you can always hop on the ferry with your vehicle, and take a month or two road trip around the state once a year.

If you get off the road system, prices are much, much higher.

You don't have to limit yourself to Southeast for gardening, in fact, the interior is better because you get more sun and higher temps. You need a greenhouse to get your seedlings started, but asside from that, Palmer/Wassila is a good location for Southcentral, and North Pole/Delta up North.

Uh...Sitka DEAR...
Time to check the handle and location again? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
best,
bhtr

bearhuntr
No, I knew who I was addressing... it was more in the spirit of getting SOME agreement form SOMEBODY!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I am quite happy with the way I am set up to do things... Combat fishing drives me nuts and you get that in almost every direction...

Snowmachines are NOT my cup of tea, yet being close to a little culture beyond the Yoplait at the local supermarket never hurt anyone... all of which leaves Los Anchorage as a decent place to live...
art

I'm watching this thread with great interest as things are really going to pot here in Delta......the Missile Defense project is bringing in new people but the animals are really taking it from another large group that just moved here and don't give a hoot about game laws.....many of us consider the bison herd to be in jeopardy....you will notice that there were 130 tags available in 2003 and only 90 available for 2004....ADF&G doesn't talk about it as it would reduce their revenue from drawing applications.....I had hoped it was cold enough here to prevent the riff-raff from moving in but Social Services is buying their heating oil so what's the problem with a bit of cold....don't have to go out in the cold to get to work anyway.....need to stay home ....in case a cow or calf moose wanders into the yard where we can skid the carcass into the garage quickly....

Sorry about the rant but it's really getting frustrating.

2ndwind,

"Pay no attention to the BW or MB behind the curtain!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

They is just young "whippersnappers!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

best,
bhtr

Art,

I feel your pain! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

best,
bhtr

2nd:
For me, it's the Interior. I've been here for 37 years (wow!, didn't realize it was that long). I've spent several summers in Anchortown & put a year in a Barrow. No thanks to either.

Yeah, we get cold weather & lottsa skeeters but hopefully they keep the riff-raff out. Far as I'm concerned all the tourists oughta leave their money at the border & hit the bricks south as well. Can't handle Anchortown since I wanna live in Ak. & not near it. Kenai Peninsula is kinda nice but too many touristas. Gotta admit that I've never been to southeast but I do like Kodiak & think Afognak Island is even better. Just gimmee my Arctic Oven tent, my dog & some grub. Naw, think I'll stay in Fbks. instead. Bear in Fairbanks

At the rate I find myself getting more & more curmudgeonly , in a few more years I might fit right in. BTW, have any of you read Arctic Homestead by Norma Cobb? It is the true story of the last woman in the USA to file for homestead land. I just got it today. A good read so far but the really good news is that my wife started to read over my shoulder. Then being the cleaver fellow I am I asked her to hang on to while I went to the bathroom.... now I am back at the puter posting to you guys.... she is still reading. Any of you that could stand the idea of one more family moving North, keep your fingers crossed... 2nd wind

Dont move to alaska man, theres too many fish and the critters walk into the yard and eat your garden and trees. Theres water all over and boats too. The wind blows and the snow falls gets mighty deep too, good for snowmachining. Stupid moose wont leave anything green alone and the bears and fox get into the garbage. The water is a little rusty as well. O man hat a horrible place. did I forget to mention that there are too many fish?
Where ever you land I am sure it will be great, except for anchor town, cant stand that dump. too gray. not enough green. The valley is nice but the fishing is best on the kenai, not for kings though. good luck