During the first years of homesteading, we had many encounters with the wild game of the area we were taking over. We always carried a sidearm or rifle and whenever challenged by a bear, took the necessary action as shown here. In later years our children watched out for bear problems and my oldest son, David, took care of it here. Children grew up fast by necessity on a homestead.

We soon learned moose were not a problem unless protecting their young or hungry. The bull moose do not care about moose calves and present very little danger, other than rutting season in the fall. We have spent many enjoyable hours watching wild game around the homestead and only shot them for protection or food.

I hope this gives you some insight of what real Alaska is all about for us homesteaders and we all feel privileged to be part of the last Alaskan frontier.