Don’t let winter chill your outdoors fun

MAT-SU — Even if ice fishing is not your forte, don’t think frozen rivers and hibernating bears mean you will be a bored sportsman this winter.

From improving strength and conditioning to plotting the next route, the off-season affords the hunter and fisherman a chance for preparation to make the most of their time in the field.

Staying in physical shape is a priority during the cold, dark months, said Bob Jewett, the owner of Top Gun Treks. The guiding service ran out of Wasilla takes customers to some of the harshest terrain in the world, and the last thing those customers want is to let physical limitations get in the way of bagging their sheep.

Jewett said a combination of both strength and endurance is essential. He recommended something like running or cross-country skiing in addition to time at the gym to keep the legs and respiratory system in shape. You have to get to the animals in addition to packing them out, Jewett said.

“I’m not sure what you do mentally, but mentally being in shape is a big part of it,” Jewett said. “Working through that little bit of pain and keep going is very important.”

Hunters should also spend the winters looking at potential areas to hunt, Jewett said. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes information on the success of hunters in certain areas, he said, and the local game biologists are a wealth of information. Hunters are known to be close-lipped about specific information, but a lot can be gleaned from word-of-mouth if you keep your ears open, he said.

Once you start looking at places to go, think about modes of access. Planes are out of reach for most people, and most hunters have turned to four-wheelers. But, Jewett said, even the most popular ATV trails can provide some pristine opportunities. Few people are willing to walk even a short way off the path, he said, and hunters often travel too far and pass up very good areas. With a little more logistical planning, other modes of entry can put you away from the crowds. For example, Jewett said he spent his childhood hunting from a canoe.

When hunters find where they are going and know they have the ability to get there, they need the confidence to put lead on-target. The winter is a great time to go to the gun range. Shooters should simulate the conditions in the field, Jewett said. To do this, practice both off-hand and off-bench shooting at the variety of distances you expect to be shooting.

“Picking up your gun and having confidence you are going to make that good shot is huge,” Jewett said, “and that only comes with practice.”

Jewett said small game hunting in the winter for ptarmigan, spruce hens and rabbits is a great way to keep up on your skills during the winter. Just make sure you check the local regulations first, he said.

As for fishermen and women looking for something away from the ice, Mike Hudson said “There’s always Costa Rica.”

But in all seriousness, the owner of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle said there are some people who fish on the Kenai River all winter long. When the weather permits, there are opportunities for rainbow trout, Dolly Vardens and the occasional silver salmon, Hudson said.

In the warmth of his Wasilla shop, Hudson said he offers classes in both fly tying and fly rod building. He said there is no where in the area to practice fly casting indoors, but the certified fly casting instructor said he hopes to start casting lessons this spring or next year.

Beyond simply preparing yourself to hunt or fish, use the winter to make sure all Alaskans are afforded the same consumptive opportunities, Hudson said. There are seminars about management decisions and proposals to the Boards of Fisheries and Game, which not enough people attend, he said.

“There are opportunities to get involved in the decisions with Fish and Game on the rules and regulations to fight for their rights,” Hudson said. “I know it’s something different, but it’s amazing how little involvement there is in the public in hunting and fishing decisions.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.