Excerpted From Alaska Department of Fish and Game Technical Paper No. 140, 1989.

CONTEMPORARY SEASONAL ROUND

Beaver residents harvest over 30 types of fish and wildlife in a cyclical pattern repeated each year. The seasonal pattern incorporates knowledge of migratory movements of different species, environmental conditions, efficient methods of harvest, preferences for certain resource attributes, and more recently, state and federal hunting and fishing regulations. This established seasonal round guides when and where each resource is sought and how it is taken.

The migratory patterns of a number of fish and wildlife species are a major determinant of seasons of harvest. The return of waterfowl in the spring signals the shift toward increased hunting and fishing activity, and the season is characterized by the harvest of waterfowl and muskrats. White-fronted and Canada geese are usually the first species to appear in the area, followed by a variety of duck species such as canvasbacks, mallards, pintails, and widgeons. Scoters or "Black ducks" are generally the last arrivals, appearing in early June.

Once breakup occurs in mid-May, nets are set to harvest whitefish and pike for human consumption and to feed dogs. Fishing for these species often continues until the arrival of king salmon in late June and early July. Early summer is also a preferred time for cutting house logs as high water facilitates their transport to the village from logging sites upriver.

The harvest of waterfowl tapers off as birds begin to nest, and summer activity focuses on salmon fishing with set gill nets and fish wheels. Sheefish are taken during summer months in fish wheels and nets incidental to salmon fishing. Hooking or rod and reel fishing for pike occur at this time. Nets are sometimes set to harvest whitefish and other freshwater fish species. Black bears are sometimes taken during this season. Summer is also the time for seasonal wage employment such as fire fighting or construction work as well as local house building.

The summer run of chum salmon usually appears by the end of July or early August, replacing the run of king salmon. At this time of year, molting waterfowl are occasionally taken during the course of other activities. The fall chum and coho salmon runs occur in late summer toward the end of August. As fall approaches, certain species of waterfowl appear again along river corridors; hunting ducks and geese is again undertaken.

Some households continue fishing for fall chum and coho salmon during the fall. Smaller species of whitefish are often harvested in fish wheels while fishing for these late running salmon. The predominant activity shifts to hunting moose and black bear. Black bear are hunted in fall as the accumulation of a thick layer of winter fat makes them especially favored. Grouse hunting also takes place or, like porcupine, grouse are encountered and harvested as people are doing other things. Woodcutting for the initial supply of winter firewood is undertaken at this time of year. Fall fishing with nets or fish traps for whitefish, pike burbot, long nose suckers, and arctic grayling occurs, primarily for fog food. Hooking for pike or grayling is sometimes pursued at this time.

As lakes and rivers begin to freeze, activity is temporarily halted as the changing environment thwarts travel. Later, when the ice thickens and conditions improve, fishing for whitefish, pike, and burbot resumes with nets set under the ice or occasionally by hooking through the ice. Ptarmigan are taken in the flats in late fall and early winter and during mid-winter can be found in the surrounding hills. Snare lines are set for snowshoe hares ("rabbits").

Preparations for trapping and snaring furbearers are made during October and November. Hunting moose and small game occurs in conjunction with running trap lines. In years when caribou migrate north of the village, they are hunted during early spring (March and April). By March, trapping effort is concentrated on the harvest of beaver and muskrat. By this time, the return of the geese is eagerly anticipated, and another seasonal round begins.

HOUSEHOLD PARTICIPATION IN HARVEST ACTIVITIES

During the 12-month period from November 1984 through October 1985, all households in Beaver harvested some type of fish, wildlife, or plant resource. . . .

The percentage of households reporting successful harvest was greatest in the resource categories of small game and waterfowl at 83.9 percent (20 households), 61.3 percent (19 households) harvested furbearers; berries were harvested by 48.4 percent (15 households), 38.7 percent (12 households) harvested salmon, and 35.5 percent (11 households) harvested big game. Levels of household participation for resources ranged from a high of 77.4 percent for snowshoe hare to a low of 6.4 percent for wolverine and arctic grayling. For instance, of principal species, the percentage of households harvesting was 74.2 percent for ducks, 71.0 percent for geese, 58.1 percent for pike, 41.9 percent for whitefish, 32.3 percent for king salmon, and 29.0 percent for moose.

The overall participation of households in harvest activities increases if unsuccessful attempts at harvest are considered. Attempts at harvest were unsuccessful for at least one household in over 50 percent of the 32 resource categories. The greatest differences between attempted and successful harvest occurred for the large mammal species of moose and black bear. 21 households (67.7 percent) undertook moose hunting although only 9 households (29.0 percent) successfully harvested a moose during the survey year. Similarly, 14 households (45.2 percent) hunted black bear with 3 households (9.7 percent) harvesting a bear. . . .

SHARING FISH AND WILDLIFE SESOURCES

Sharing fish and wildlife is another component of the pattern of resource harvest and use by Beaver residents. Resources are typically shared with relatives and elders in other households. These same resources are also shared with households in other communities through ceremonial occasions such as community potlatches. Secondary levels of distribution are common. With households haring resources they have received. . . . King salmon, moose, whitefish, and waterfowl were the most commonly received resources whereas waterfowl, salmon, moose, small game (grouse, muskrat, and hare) and pike were the resources given by the greatest percentage of households.

Both fresh and processed king salmon are given to households within the community. King salmon is a highly valued resource and is distributed by fishing households to relatives, elders, and friends. Fish are sent to relatives in urban areas and communities where they are not as readily harvested. Residents of other communities especially desire it where king salmon are unavailable such as Venetie and Arctic Village. In some cases, distribution is the "payment" for assistance in fishing or processing activities. When a hunter is successful in harvesting a moose, portions are often widely distributed to many households in the community. Moose is a resource, which is commonly redistributed by households that receive large quantities of meat. Spring waterfowl is another resource frequently distributed to a number of households by successful hunters. Freshwater fish are generally shared with households owning dogs for use as dog food.

Distribution of resources also takes place by trading fish and wildlife. One household traded dried king salmon for caribou leg skins from relatives in the Kobuk River region. Other households mentioned sending fresh king salmon to Arctic Village in exchange for caribou meat. Another form of cooperative sharing takes place when older residents or households with a steady source of income who do not participate directly in subsistence pursuits, provide equipment or monetary support to others in exchange for a portion of the catch. . . .