Excerpted From Alaska Department of Fish and Game Technical Paper No. 121, July 1985.

Contemporary Fall Hunting Patterns

Currently, moose hunting by residents of the four communities occurs primarily in September prior to and during the rut. During this time, moose are often found along the main river and sloughs that serve as the transportation corridors for the hunters. Moose also frequent certain lake areas accessible from the river by short portages. The animals are active at this time, and bull moose can be "called." Moose are still in good condition, and temperatures are usually cool enough to keep meat without a freezer. Weather conditions are not as significant a factor in moose hunting in September as during other times of the year.

For Stevens Village residents, September is also a critical time for securing a winter wood supply. . . . Moose hunting is often conducted in conjunction with wood cutting activities for efficient use of travel time and fuel. Temporary campsites at wood cutting areas, trapping camps, and cabins along the river are sometimes used during this season as a base for moose hunting activities.

Hunting trips are typically two to three days in length with a range from one day to about two weeks. Some hunters return to the village each evening and, if unsuccessful, may hunt for several consecutive days in this manner. . . .

Hunters from Stevens Village sometimes travel up to 90 miles upriver to the village of Beaver in search of moose. Efforts are often focused along sloughs and islands upriver from the village to Purgatory and Marten Island approximately 50 miles away. Some residents travel downriver from the village to Dall River or the upper reaches of "the canyon," hunting in the vicinity of their winter trapping areas. . . . Hunting parties are commonly composed of two to three individuals related through kinship ties, such as father and son, brothers, or spouses. For example, 54 percent of the hunting parties from Stevens Village consisted of father-son or sibling combinations, 31 percent included spouses. Groups also are composed of cousins, uncles and nephews, and friends. A few individuals typically hunt alone.

Hunters usually travel in aluminum or wooden riverboats. Boats used by Stevens Village hunters range in length from 12 to 20 feet, the most common being 16 and 20-foot boats powered by outboard motors of 18 to 75 horsepower. Canoes are sometimes brought along on hunting trips as they allow hunters to scout areas such as large lakes or areas of shallow water that are not accessible with a larger, motorized boat or on foot. Falling water levels in September limit the number of waterways that can be negotiated using boats with outboards. A canoe may facilitate the successful harvest of a moose spotted across a lake or swampy area and the subsequent hauling of meat back to the main river. A few hunters travel on foot a short distance from the community to hunt.

Typically, two to three hunters travel together in one boat looking for moose tracks along the riverbank or other signs such as broken willow branches or scraped bark that may indicate a nearby moose. As hunters travel along the riverbank, they may stop periodically to check specific islands, meadows, lakes, trails, or stands of willow where moose have been found previously or which appear to be areas where they are likely to be found. If moose sign is found, hunters search the area more intensively. Occasionally, a group of hunters participates in a moose drive. During the fall rut, moose are sometimes spotted as they are standing on the riverbank and are readily harvested. Moose are generally killed within one mile of the river. Hunters do not want to pack large quantities of meat further than this (Caulfield 1983:55; Schneider 1976:93). . . .

Contemporary Winter Hunting Patterns

Moose hunting during winter involves very different conditions than the fall hunt and requires different hunting strategies and tracking techniques. Hunters interviewed in the permit area communities expressed that hunting for moose seldom takes place in December when daylight is short, and temperatures are extremely cold. Later, as daylight increases and moose move down to the flats and rivers, hunting is more likely to be done.

Individual hunters and groups of hunters undertake winter hunting. Windy or even stormy weather conditions are preferred during winter hunts because they function to mask the sounds hunters make while stalking moose. Snowmobiles or dog teams are used for travel to winter hunting areas, and tracking and stalking moose are generally done on snowshoes or on foot.

Hunters search for tracks in areas where moose are likely to be found, such as stands of willow where they may be feeding. If tracks are spotted, the age of the tracks and the direction of travel are determined. Hunters attempt to travel parallel to the tracks, being careful to remain downwind of the animal that can readily detect human scent. When a moose is ready to bed down, it may double back downwind from its direction of travel, a maneuver allowing it to pick up the scent of any predators that may have been following it. This knowledge enables the careful hunter to avoid detection during the stalking of the animal. When the hunter is within shooting range, he may make a noise alerting the moose of his presence and causing the animal to rise up and look about allowing the hunter a clearer shot.

A moose drive is another strategy used during winter hunting. This involves a group of hunters who make a general reconnaissance by snowmobile around certain areas which as islands or stands of willow where moose are likely to be found. If tracks or sing are found, hunters carefully assess the surrounding terrain to determine directions of trail systems and possible "escape" routes. Older hunters who are familiar with the area often facilitate this process. Individuals are then placed at strategic points along the perimeter of the area, where the moose might emerge. One or two of the hunters follow the moose tracks on foot to flush the moose out toward his companions who are ready to shoot the escaping moose.

As stated previously, it was typical for area residents to combine hunting and trapping activities from late fall through early spring when trapping effort was high. Some residents of the area still combine these activities, hunting for moose if tracks or other moose sign are seen while checking trap lines. Others will make specific trips in search of moose. . . .

MOOSE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY: THE EXAMPLE OF STEVENS VILLAGE

Moose remains and important resource for the communities in the area. The importance of moose is reflected in the great effort made to harvest moose, the utilization of nearly the entire animal, and the social significance of sharing moose meat. Hunting, butchering, and processing moose can involve substantial effort, as well as cash. Its special cultural significance is evident in the importance placed upon having moose for funeral potlatches and other ceremonial occasions.

The harvest of moose is an important component of the seasonal pattern of hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering activities of the communities in the Yukon Flats. Moose hunting in Stevens Village is one subsistence activity in a seasonal cycle of activities including salmon fishing, whitefish fishing, bear hunting, furbearer trapping, small game hunting (such a ptarmigan and hare) and berry picking. Variations of this pattern occur for the communities of Birch Creek and Fort Yukon because of differences in local conditions and availability of resources (see Caulfield 1983:119, 1540. However, the general reliance of the seasonal appearance of wild resources is similar to Stevens Village. . . .

Caribou were in closer proximity to Stevens Village, Beaver, and Birch Creek in the past (Schneider 1976:111; Caufield 1983:64-65). Older residents of these communities remember harvesting migrating caribou before migration patterns changed in the 1940s and 1950s.

In Stevens Village, black bear are harvested occasionally during summer, fall, and spring months. "Nuisance bears" are attracted by hanging fish during summer and early fall months; those that disturb fish camps or pose danger to the village are often killed.

Small game such as snowshoe hare, porcupine, ptarmigan, and grouse are also available near Stevens Village, although they too exhibit population fluctuations. Currently, ptarmigan and porcupine are considered rare around Stevens Village.

Salmon fishing during summer and early fall supplies a seasonal source of fresh food for Stevens Village. Dried salmon and some frozen fish are used throughout the year. Salmon also supplies an important food source for dogs. Non-salmon species such as whitefish, northern pike, shellfish, burbot, and suckers are used for both human consumption and dog food.

The only furbearers currently used for human consumption in Stevens Village are lynx, beaver, and muskrat. The availability of these animals is subject to extreme cyclical fluctuation, and the animals cannot be relied on a sources of meat for trapping households on a regular basis. Currently, beaver populations are reported to be relatively low in the area around Stevens Village, whereas muskrat are beginning to return to the area, and lynx are moderately available.

Residents of all communities within the study area trap furbearers. The species harvested include marten, lynx, fox, muskrat, beaver, mink, otter, wolverine, and wolf. . . .