Going to Alaska in 3 weeks,should I take a handgun

[Sebago Son]

I Fish Alaska Often.

If you go to the big rivers, Russian, Moose, Kenai the area you can actually access is limited and they are heavily patrolled by Alaska Fish and Game guys armed with .375 H&H rifles. Still, I took my 4" 629 in it's Bianchi M84 holster on every trip and never regretted it.

We saw bears but they gave us a very wide birth. Still just before one of our trips to the Russian in 2003 a fisherman, Dan Bigley was nailed, dragged to the river had his face ripped off and eaten. He was with the first group of a couple dozen guys to cross the river that morning, he survived the attack, but was still in a coma when we left 2 weeks later. You should have seen the ordinance on the river that week....

Dan survived and he related is story later for Discovery Channel: I Was Bitten: Mauled by a Grizzly : Video : Discovery Channel

Thought provoking....

There's usually a glacier at the head of Chickaloon Bay near Girdwood or Portage that's very close to the road and approachable. Not far from the Whittier Tunnel.

You didn't mention anything other than bears, but Alaska has other "problem wildlife".... In Anchorage, Seward, Homer, or Soldatna you may want something a little more concealable.

Have fun.... been a couple of years since I've been back.... need to plan another trip.... My daughter and her husband live there....

If you're going to book Halibut out of Seward, look up "Cracker Jack"... great boat and a very willing to please Captain. Tell him you want to go all the way out to "the mountains"...

Drew

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I think your wife will like the trip as much as you!
Halibut are the best tasting fish from the briney blue but are very similar to winching up a manhole cover as a sport. I was staying the night in a motel in Tok, between Fairbanks and Canada the night before a sheep hunt. As we were preparing to settle in for the night my hunting partner loaded up a Freedom Arms .454 Cassul and slid it under her pillow. I inquired as to why, "Drunk Eskimos"she said. About 330 that morning there we were pointing our single actions at the door (mine a Peacemaker) as all hell broke loose up and down the hall.
Another time my father was salmon on the Situk river and landed a fish. He whacked it on the head, laid it on the beach and returned to the water for another. He looked over his shoulder to see a young brown bear snatch it up and run into the alders. He wished he had his gun! Take your gun, have fun. I bet you stay longer next time.
OZ

 

[DeadAye]

...Besides it will be just 2 days fishing and the rest traveling and seeing the sights and enjoying the nice restaurants.

Wish me luck.......

There's *nice* restaurants?
If you're going to run the sightseeing loop (Anchorage - Fairbanks - Denali - Anchorage) you'll be BLOWN AWAY by the sights! I've taken that loop several times and am still in awe at every turn in the road. Not too many (if any) restaurants along the way though - Some in Fairbanks and North Pole and Talkeetna.

Good luck - You might not want to leave though

 

[zoom6zoom]

Just have your case and a TSA lock.

No, this is wrong. Re-read the TSA regs; YOU must be the only one with a key or combo to the lock. A TSA lock is in violation of this. Have on on your outer suitcase, but on your gun case have a regular lock. It's also not a bad idea to keep a spare lock inside your gun case in the event some idiot cuts the other one off.

 

[BKDinTexas]

I have stayed for a week in Tok, and I can vouch for the fact the local Indians are mean drunks. They really don't seem to like Texans either. Also, Alaska State Troopers were the only law there, and they were very few and far between. My recommendation is to stay out of the bars there... the woods and the bears in them are a lot nicer and safer! :>)

 

[Sprefix]

Absolutely!!

I have lived in Alaska for about 23 years. I have never had to protect myself from a bear, BUT!!!!!, there is no way in H E double-toothpicks I will go into the woods not heeled. My 625 Mtn. gun is my choice with some stout Hardcast loads. I'm just a 45 Colt guy. The .44 will give you a chance at least, and a piece of mind. Also, if things looked real serious and you had to be there, carry it on your chest. If you needed the handgun as a last resort, you don't want to be sitting/laying on it or fending a critter off while trying to pull your piece from where his feet are placed on you(as in cross-draw). JMO, and goodluck fishing. I fish Seward quite a bit. The turn around Rugged Island (on a typical crappy day) will get your attention in anything less than a 54 footer.