[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Nonresidents and Wilderness #14482

No argument from me, Steve. I’ve always acknowledged that Alaska is the biggest welfare state in the country. And while the statistics you cite are accurate, they don’t change the fact that Montana is one of the county’s poorest states. Here (I’m in Montana now for the winter) wealthy out of state interests are using their economic power to tie up tremendous amounts of prime hunting property for their own use (including locking all of us out of public land that we the citizens actually own.) Residents of these backwater states are getting trampled by outside wealth, and that isn’t right either. A differential between resident and non-resident license structure is about all we have left. As I said, it’s a complicated problem. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Nonresidents and Wilderness #13851

Even as a believer in the North American model, I have to politely disagree with Steve. For the last 45 years, I have been a resident of either Montana or Alaska. Montana constantly ranks in the bottom five states in median annual income, and life in Alaska is tough (no matter what the “reality” TV shows would have you believe.) We are the people keeping these states running 12 months a year, even though thousands of people from wealthier areas would love to come reap our bounty during a week or two of hunting season. If the pie isn’t big enough to give everyone a piece… I’m just saying. As I first stated, it’s a complicated problem. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Nonresidents and Wilderness #12683

This is a complex problem. Montana used to have a non-resident guide requirement, but out of state hunters challenged it in court and won. That is why no such law exists in Montana now. In Alaska, non-residents are required to have a guide to hunt sheep, brown bear, or goats. This means that if I move back to Montana I can’t hunt those species, even though I WAS a guide in Alaska. On the other hand, I can honestly tell you that 90% of the hunters I guided on the Alaska Peninsula would have had trouble staying alive on their own, let alone killing a bear. All this said, I believe in the North American Model, which holds that wildlife should be managed democratically. In Alaska’s case, the regulation is purely due to the economic value of those hunts and the lobbying strength of the guide industry. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: WY Grizzly encounter, bear spray etc #10883

Murray–I’ve been in the woods–sorry for the late reply. I have heard of using a marine flare gun in this circumstance and Doug often carries one for bear deterrence. I have no direct experience with it. One advantage over spray is that wind direction isn’t a factor. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Tents #62030

The choice depends entirely on the purpose, and I’ve covered the spectrum over the years. If weight isn’t a consideration, a canvas wall tent with a sheepherder stove is impossible to beat. I’ve survived some truly nasty weather in comfort that way on Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula. (Montana Canvas is a great choice.) On a long backpack hunt, weight becomes the prime concern. This summer I field tested a Big Bertha 2-man (actually a 1-man, as is always the case)on a long backpack hunt. There were no creature comforts, but it held up very well to some nasty weather and weighed barely more than three pounds. Since I had to carry it 20 miles before we started hunting, the light weight was huge. In places where weight considerations are in between (float trips, horseback) and wind is a major consideration, you can’t beat the Alaska-made Hurricane Huts.They keep you dry in any weather, and it’s impossible to blow one down. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: WY Grizzly encounter, bear spray etc #62024

Preston–Those studies were done some time ago, and I can’t lay my hands on them now. Basically, they did Ashby-style studies with various weapons on brown bear carcasses. The conclusion was that neither shotguns (buckshot or slugs) or handguns were capable of obtaining adequate preparation to stop a bear, and that if you chose a firearm for that purpose it should be a big rifle–.338 or preferably heavier. I carried a .458 when following wounded bears into the alders. I have seen brown bears absorb some incredible punishment even from large caliber rifles before going down. For the purposes we’re talking about, bear spray is definitely the way to go. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Mushrooms #62018

I love chantrelles. Unfortunately, I am allergic to them! The secret to chicken of the woods is to carefully trim off just the thin outer rim–no more than an inch and maybe less than that. The rest is tough and pulpy, but you can cook the trimmed edge just as you would any other mushroom. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: WY Grizzly encounter, bear spray etc #61104

After many years of experience in Alaska as a resident and a brown bear guide,I’ve had hundreds of close encounters with both species of bears. I think that Bruce did a very good job of summarizing the issue, and I’ll simply state that I agree with him. A few points bear (no pun) emphasis: 1. Handguns are a very poor means of self-defense against brown/grizzly bears for all the reasons mentioned. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game agrees, based on history and penetration tests. 2. Pepper spray really works! I’ve only had to use it once, but the results were impressive. 3. Don’t underestimate black bears. I’ve had far more trouble with them, and they kill more people in Alaska than grizzlies. Three times I (or a companion) had to shoot a bear (with bow no less) that continued to advance despite knowing exactly what we were. All were black bears. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Binos in Forested Areas #32464

I use them constantly, and find them essential at close range in dense foliage. They’re what allow me to pick a deer’s antler tine out of the brush. Unfair advantage? When you’re still hunting wary game with a traditional bow, I think you’ve conceded enough advantages already. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Lets sit on our kills #31152

You know, I went back and looked at this photo in light of the criticism. While I agree with that criticism in principle, I just didn’t find the shot terribly bothersome. The hunter looks quiet and contemplative, a guy who has just done a great job on a challenging animal and is about to face a whole lot of work getting it out of the woods–pretty much the opposite of the “look at me” that none of us likes. And while I hate to make excuses, this was just a darn good story that happened to have limited photo support. Nonetheless, point taken and we’ll be careful in the future. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Lets sit on our kills #30104

I do not advocate portraying hunting this way and neither does TJ or anyone else on the staff. This was a mistake. I am sorry it happened and we will certainly take pains to insure it does not happen again. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Moose thoughts #30103

My thoughts: 1. Those of us who know nothing more about the event than what was reported in the media are not in a position to pass judgement on the ethical question. 2. Every one of us who has killed an animal with a bow has done something that some people will condemn out of hand, and that someone in the media can report in a negative light. 3. This is a good argument in favor of hunting in the backcountry. Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Brooks Range #30091

I’ve been out in the field–no surprise this time of year–and apologize for the late reply. All good suggestions, Mike. Of course you could write a whole book about hunting Alaska and not cover everything, but we are starting a new “Backcountry” column in which we’ll look at many of these issues. Best, Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: Brooks Range #18985

What a coincidence. I just got back from a three-week backpack hunt on the North Slope. (I’m an AK resident, so no guide needed.) It’s great country and it was a terrific, physically challenging trip, but the hunting this year was very tough. I know the area from prior trips, but sheep numbers were way down and the rams were farther back and high up in the toughest terrain I’ve ever seen them in. When we got back we learned that almost no rams had been taken anywhere there, guides were canceling hunts, and ADFG was considering an emergency closure of the sheep season. There’s a lot going on with sheep and sheep hunting there, and you might want to wait a few years until it gets sorted out. I don’t mean to be discouraging. This is one of my favorite trips in the world because of the country and the wildlife, but sheep numbers are way down. (This is well north of mountain goat range, BTW.) Don

[Don Thomas]

in reply to: What to do with turkey legs :) #24799

Remember that there is always a great use for tough parts of any critter you shoot: game stock! We make gallons of it and freeze it in aliquots, from venison bones, left over duck carcasses, pheasant legs, fish bones, crab shells, whatever. Fill a large pot with water, cut whatever it is up to create a lot of surface area, clean out the vegetable bin in the ‘fridge, and simmer slowly all day long. Remember not to add salt, pepper, or pungent herbs and spices until near the end of the reduction–these go in easily but don’t come out. Uses: soups, sauces, gravies, etc. in endless variety. Far tastier and healthier than anything you can buy at the store. Don

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