What Happens In Alaska: A Hunting We Will Go....

For New Year's Eve, we decided to go hunting since it was the last day of the season. The kids are not able to hike up mountains to quietly sneak up on any deer so we decided to go in the boat and watch the shoreline for any deer. I figured that we would just be enjoying a day in the boat and not be coming home with any meat. Boy, was I ever wrong!!

Troy had only been able to get one deer so far and we shared it with the friend that he went hunting with so we did not have many packages of venison in our freezer so we were really hoping to get another one to help that meager little pile out. So anyway, we got all our cold weather clothing on, loaded the dry bag with lots of blankets, put food in the cooler and hot water in the thermos, checked to make sure we had enough propane bottles for the space heaters and headed out on a very cold morning, excited and ready to go.

Our first potential problem was the boat ramp - if it was too icy then we would not be able to launch the boat. I actually had images in my head of the truck loosing traction and sliding into the water and being gone for good! That would not have been good since we had the plow on it and of course, the boat! But the ramp was sanded so we got launched without any problems. Then it was starting the motor and hoping it was not frozen inside. But it purred like a kitten. So off we went.

The heaters helped keep the chill off and soon after we started we had sunshine coming in the boat so that helped extra. But it was still cold. We started out at 17* and I don't think it got above 25* all day. But when you live in Alaska, you own a LOT of fleece so we managed to stay warm.

We were headed to Fish Bay and we scanned the shoreline as we went but did not see anything. It was a smooth day so the ride was real comfortable. As we were coming around the corner to enter Fish Bay, I caught a glimps of mist and knew that there was a whale in the area. I was able to get a few shots, which are below. We then continued on our way. After entering the bay, we drove up to a little cove and could see tracks in the snow coming down to the beach. So we beached the boat and the girls and I stayed on the beach to tend to the boat while Troy and Andrew followed the tracks into the woods and up a hill. They climbed to the top, about 500 foot level, and blew the deer call but returned about 20 minutes later with no deer. So we got back in the boat and continued along the shore.

Not long after I spotted a deer on the beach so Troy got off and aimed while we held our breath. He shot the deer and we started the gutting. About 10 minutes into it I looked down the beach and there, about 250 yards down, was a deer standing there watching us and then eating the seaweed. We couldn't believe it! So Troy grabbed the rifle, took aim, and dropped her. So we doubled our work and soon had a boat full of fresh burger! By this time we are quite satisfied, but still ready to add to our bounty, so we got back in the boat and continued on. Right around the bend we passed another hunter on the beach cleaning his deer.

We got to the end of the bay and had to turn around since it was iced over. We decided to go along the same shoreline since the sun was on it and as we near the other end, I spotted a nice sized buck standing there. So once again, I dropped Troy off and he crept down the beach. Soon we heard the shot and saw the deer drop like a rock. By this time the sun had gone behind the hills and we knew that we were cutting it close to getting home before dark. We still had a 40 minute boat ride ahead. So Troy quickly gutted the deer and we threw it in with the others and headed for home.

We made it there just as our friends were starting to think about coming to check for us! It was a very cold ride home since by now we have been out for 7 hours. I think my feet were there, but I couldn't feel them!! We managed to get ice built up on the side of the boat from the freezing spray, which messed with the stability a little so we were relieved to pull up to the dock.

The kids had a grand time and had no problems at all with watching the deer be shot and cleaned. We were wondering how they would do since they had never seen it before and were real happy with their reactions. In fact, they can hardly wait until they are big enough to shoot a gun so they can shoot their first deer! Our little Alaskans!

Below are the pictures. The first three are of the whale and then there are some of the deer. They are not detailed photos, but if you are not able to see a deer that you know has been shot, then scroll slowly!!

The whale is coming up to blow.....