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7 Reasons You Should Visit Alaska During Winter

August 30, 2024 by Everyday Alaska

”Oh, you don’t want to go there during winter!” “It’s way too cold, isn’t it?” “Is there even any daylight?”

You might be thinking those same thoughts, but have you ever heard about all the fantastic reasons you should visit Alaska during winter? It’s likely that you haven’t since Alaska isn’t necessarily a winter travel hot spot. But, it should be! If you’re wondering why you should visit Alaska during winter check out the reasons below, and start planning your Alaska winter vacation today!

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Moose during winter near Eureka, Alaska. — Moose trotting around on a frosty winter day.

How long is winter in Alaska?

The length of winter in Alaska varies year to year and place to place. Since we’re the largest state (and pretty proud of it!) you can have very different winter experiences based on what region you’re in. For example, in Utqiagvik there is no daylight for a large portion of winter and it’s bitterly cold. If you visit Valdez, you’ll have a bit more daylight but also encounter the largest accumulation of snow.

The short answer, though, is that most of us who have grown up here spent Halloween trick-or-treating in snowsuits and things start feeling springy by April, so basically you can consider the end of October though April to feel wintery.

Will there be enough daylight to enjoy Alaska during winter?

Yes! Although it’s brief in most places (and nonexistent in some) there are still ways to enjoy an Alaskan winter with minimal daylight. The best ways to do this are to plan activities around daylight hours if possible, and invest in a good headlamp! It might sound crazy, but it’s worth it to enjoy winter and get outdoors!

What do I need to wear to stay warm on my Alaska vacation?

Great question! I’ve got some detailed posts you can check out to see exactly what you’ll need to to stay warm and enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here you can find out how to layer for winter weather and the best winter boots to have for your trip that will keep you warm and toasty for all the winter activities.

Early winter walk with our chocolate lab. — Using **HotHands** and layers to stay warm during early winter.

Why should I visit Alaska during winter?

Winter is my second favorite season in Alaska, right behind our (very short) fall, and for very good reasons. The activities, less crowds, the peace, the snow, and more are some of the many reasons I love it so much. But, I know you all came here to find specific reasons to visit Alaska during winter, so I’ll go into detail below, and hopefully I can convince you to visit the beautiful 49th State during one of my favorite times.

Celebrations

When the cabin fever starts to kick in, we start to party! But really, celebrations across Alaska during the winter are great ways for us all to put the winter blues in the backseat and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Fur Rondy in Anchorage is one of the most popular ones, along with the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, but there are many other local celebrations for winter solstice, Christmas, New Years, and more.

Iditarod start in Willow, Alaska. — Join in on the fun at the official Iditarod start.

Activities

Oh what fun it is to do winter activities! You can check out my detailed winter bucket list here, but some winter activities I’d definitely recommend trying on your visit to Alaska would be ice fishing, skiing, sledding, and snowmachining. There are places that do guided tours and rentals for those options, and as for sledding you can always pick up an inexpensive sled or even use a large trash bag as a sled to enjoy the snow!

Ice fishing with our Eskimo tent on the Kenai Peninsula. — Getting ready to spend the evening ice fishing.

Northern Lights

You know how I mentioned the lack of daylight earlier in this post? Well, with that comes something incredibly beautiful: the northern lights. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is a spectacular sight to see. The variety of colors and intensity makes it the most epic natural light show you’ll ever see. Fairbanks is a popular hot spot to see this, and there are even tours that will help you find the best spots and times to see this beautiful phenomenon.

Hot Springs

Speaking of Fairbanks, what’s better than soaking in some warm water on a frigid day? Head to Chena Hot Springs and experience natural hot springs after a night of aurora watching. You can’t do that just anywhere!

Scenery

Alaska is beautiful year around, but winter really brings out a different kind of beauty. Seeing scenery covered in snow and frost makes you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland straight out of a Christmas movie. Watching snow fall, seeing the frost on the trees, watching moose trek through deep snow, and coming back to a warm cup of hot chocolate are memories you won’t forget.

Frost on the trees during a blue sky day on the Kenai Peninsula. — A bluebird day with beautifully frosted trees.

No Crowds

It. Gets. Crazy. During summers in Alaska. Everyone converges on the Last Frontier to see the midnight sun and all the adventures of summer in Alaska, checking things of their Alaska summer bucket list one by one. I can’t blame them. Summer in Alaska is beautiful, but the busyness of it all makes it a little chaotic sometimes, and I really prefer the peace of winter.

Don’t get me wrong though, there are some times and places where it gets crowded during winter. Alyeska Resort is busy with skiers and snowboarders, any good snowmachine spot is packed after a fresh snowfall, and the Iditarod start gets busy with visitors and locals alike. But, during winter you’ll find there are a lot less crowds and it’s a more relaxed time to visit.

See the Real Alaska

I don’t think you can really have the full Alaskan experience without visiting during winter. Local’s are out and about doing tons of recreational activities after a busy summer, everyone is half frozen but out enjoying life, and it’s just a whole different feeling than the hustle and bustle of any other season here. Visiting Alaska during winter is not for the faint of heart, but it will fill your heart and you’ll make amazing memories during your winter visit to the Last Frontier.

An icy winter walk on the beach in Kenai, Alaska. — Beach days look a little different in the winter.

If you have questions about visiting Alaska during winter, or how best to build your winter travel itinerary, feel free to leave a comment below, sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, or send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. I’m happy to help you get the most out of your time in our beautiful Last Frontier, and I hope you enjoy Alaska as much as we do!

How to Layer Clothes for Winter Weather

January 9, 2024 by Everyday Alaska

We’re deep into winter here in Alaska and I figured what better time than now to share some tips and gear we use to stay warm all winter long. Whether you’re looking for gear to buy now to warm you up, searching for clothes for the coming winter, or are just trying to figure out the best way to layer clothes for winter weather we’ve got you covered from hat to snow boots!

Why is it important to layer for winter weather?

Alaska is the land of layering. Summer, winter, spring, and fall, we’re always layering. If you’re wondering why that is, the answer is weather. The weather here is unpredictable, and you have to be prepared for the every changing conditions during any season. Truly, layering is a really great way of dressing for the variable weather. No matter what weather comes your way, you’ll find yourself prepared and comfortable since you’ll have a variety of layers to choose from.

Layering for winter weather always includes a hat. — Never forget to bring a warm hat! (And a fun snow dog!)

How do I layer my clothes for winter weather, and what is the best winter gear?

Obviously, the number of layers and type of layers you’ll wear will depend on the climate in your area and what activities you’ll be doing. You’ll also want to consider material options. Steer away from cotton items, especially if you’ll be getting wet or sweating, and consider wool and waterproof fabrics to wick moisture away or keep it from penetrating your other layers.

Let’s start from the top and work our way down through the various sets of layers you’ll want to consider wearing this winter. Below, I’ll list my favorite winter clothes and the various layering options you can use to stay toasty warm this winter.

Hats, Headbands, and Neck Gaiters

Keeping your noggin toast warm is essential to staying comfortable in winter weather. You’ll see many people wearing this hat, which comes in a variety of colors and sizes for men, women, and kids. It’s one of my favorite hats and keeps my ears nice and warm. Merino wool hats are also a great lightweight, warm, and odor-resistant option as well. If you want to keep your ears warm without covering your whole head, consider using a headband. I’d suggest fleece or Marino lined ones.

Next, well move on to neck gaiters, not to be confused with leg gaiters which we’ll talk more about below. Neck gaiters are something you don’t think you need till you really need it! When your nose starts to get chilled and ice is building up on your hair, you’ll be wishing you had a cozy neck gaiter to pull up over your face. Trust me, this year has really convinced me that gaiters are a winter layer necessity!

Base Layers, Mid Layers, Vests, and Jackets

We’re moving on down to the core. Let’s start with base layers here. If you’re looking for base layers at a great price point, check out ColdPruf. I purchased three different sets of these in a pack years ago, and they have held up very well. They aren’t the warmest layers on the market, but they do the trick and are priced very reasonably.

If you have more room in your budget for base layers, the warmest ones I’ve tried are by North Face. These layers are very fitted and hold up well, along with being incredibly toasty. You can check them out here, or check outlet malls for a great bargain.

As for mid layers, this can really vary. Depending on the weather and what activities we’ll be doing, I’ll wear a regular sweatshirt over my long sleeve base layer, or something like this Mountain Hardware half zip. On warmer winter days that is often enough, and I’ll end up brining my jacket but not wearing it. Other times I’ll skip this layer and wear a heavier jacket if I’m just running errands. The mid layer gives you a lot of flexibility as weather changes throughout the day, and can give you that perfect amount of warmth as the day cools off, or cool you off if you need to shed your jacket during winter activities.

A great in between option is a vest. I have a lighter weight one for wearing over a mid layer on winter walks, and very poofy down Canada Goose vest that’s great for single digit and below zero temperatures. Adding a vest to your collection winter clothes is a very versatile option.

We’ve made it to jackets! I love this jacket. It’s fitted, comes in great colors, and is very comfortable. The hood is an added bonus when you forget your hat or just need some extra warmth. This isn’t the jacket for snowmaching in fresh powder or sitting by the bonfire (you don’t want to burn a hole in it!), but it’s great for winter walks, skiing, snowshoeing, running errands, and activities when the temps are above zero. Many people are also choosing to have knee length jackets for more leisurely outdoor activities as well, and although I don’t have one I think they’d be quite warm.

When things get really cold, wet, and miserable you’ll want to break out the down or another heavily insulated jacket. Making sure your outer layer is water and wind proof is in important aspect. Trust me, once you get wet it wont be much fun to be outside, so invest in a good outer layer if you plan on spending a lot of time outside on frigid winter days.

Waterproof gloves on a winter day. — Waterproof layers always come in handy.

Gloves and Mittens

If you’re like me, your fingers get chilled fast in winter weather. If you’re wondering how to avoid that, there are some great ways you can layer your gloves and have your digits stay comfortably warm. First things first, you’re going to want some HotHands. These little packets of warmth are a game changer!

Once you’ve got your HotHands warmers set, it’s time to get on your glove base layer. You’ll want a pair of thinner gloves, such as these, to layer under your mittens. This will give you dexterity but also keep your hands warm when you take your mittens off. They great for wearing alone when the winter weather is milder, too.

Next, you’ll want mittens. I have two varieties that are my favorite. One type is wool on the outside and fleece on the inside. They’re made of repurposed wool sweaters, and are incredibly cozy and cute. You can likely find them at craft fairs and probably Etsy, too. Or, you can make some yourself with patterns on Pinterest!

Another great option is the North Face Montana Mitt. They’re waterproof and well insulated to keep you comfortable during your winter outings. These are more for activities such a skiing, snowboarding, snowmachining, or winter adventures where you may be playing in the snow more.

Layering up for a mild winter day. — Layered up and ready for adventure! (I promise he loves to be outside, he just looks grumpy in all these pictures!)

Base Layers, Mid Layers, Snowpants, and Bibs

Now we’ve made it to lower layers. The same goes for base layer bottoms as tops. ColdPruf base layers are great if you want to purchase something more budget friendly, and North Face layers will keep you warmer for a bit higher of a price tag, which is well worth it if you’ll be outside a lot. Just remember to check out the materials so you purchase base layers that have moisture wicking fabrics to keep you warm and dry.

As for mid layer pants, I think fleece pants are the way to go. Honestly, if I need a mid layer pant I just wear sweatpants! And, if the weather is nice enough, that’s sometimes the only other layer I’ll wear for some activities. But, for more hardcore outings and weather, a really solid pair of fleece pants is great to have. I’m hoping to try the made in the USA Versa fleece pants sometime soon, and when I do I’ll be sure to post a review!

Next up, you’ve got to decide if you’re a snowpants, bib, or even snowsuit person. I wear snowpants. The reason being is that I have short legs and a long torso. I don’t think anyone particularly enjoys having a wedgie, and I definitely don’t, so snowpants are usually my only option. Plus, it makes things much easier when you have to use the restroom, so that’s something to consider! I currently have a pair of MooseJaw ones I’ve used for one season, and they work pretty well. Whether you’re shopping for snowpants, bibs, or a snowsuit, check into the insulation, and look for reinforced knees and cuffs, waterproofing, and pockets.

Socks, Boots, and Gaiters

Head, shoulders, knees, and now were onto toes! First things first, grab some HotHands toe and/or foot warmers. These will help your feet stay warmer, along with Darn Tough socks. I highly recommend Darn Tough. These American made socks are comfortable, durable, and warm, and are guaranteed for life!

Next, we’re onto boots. I have an entire post dedicated to the five best winter boots, which will give you an idea of which type of winter boot is best for the activities you’ll be doing. Lastly, don’t forget about gaiters! T&K makes lifetime guaranteed gaiters right here in America which will help keep snow out of your boots and keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable.

Snowshoes and HotHands toe warmers for a winter adventure. — Getting warmers ready for a bit of snowshoeing.

Well, I think that about wraps up our lesson on how to layer clothes for winter weather! If you have questions about layering, winter in Alaska, or anything at all about Alaska feel free to leave a comment below, or sign up for the Everyday Alaska newsletter, and send me an email. You can also join the Everyday Alaska Travel Tips, Information, and Advice group, and/or our New to Alaska Tips, Information, and Advice group to ask any questions you may have. Stay warm, stay dry, and have fun out there!

6 Mistakes to Avoid when Visiting Alaska for the First Time

November 18, 2023 by Everyday Alaska

You’ve saved and saved, and now you’re planning your dream trip to the majestic wilderness of Alaska. Road trips through waterfall walled canyons, plentiful moose sightings, and hikes through untouched mountains fill your mind. But, to truly enjoy your time in the breathtaking Last Frontier, there are a few mistakes you’ll want avoid making.

One of the many waterfalls in Keystone Canyon.

What should I avoid when visiting Alaska?

There are a few things you should avoid or account for when visiting Alaska. Don’t worry, though, these aren’t trip ruining mistakes. With the right attitude, no trip to my home state can truly be bad. These are just some suggestions and guidelines to help you enjoy Alaska to the fullest.

I want your dream vacation to become one of your favorite memories. It’s my favorite place to be, and I’m hoping it will become one of your’s, too. So without further ado, here are a list of mistakes to avoid when visiting Alaska.

Underestimating the Size

Don’t underestimate the truly vast size of Alaska. It’s the largest of the United States, coming in at over 2.5 times the size of Texas! This is a very important fact to keep in mind when visiting Alaska, especially if you plan on doing a bit of traveling around the state.

It may sound fun to travel from Anchorage down to the Kenai Peninsula, and then make a quick drive to Denali National Park and Fairbanks during a five day trip. It doesn’t look too bad on the map, right? Well, maps can be a bit deceiving. That would be like driving through multiple states, and when you factor in construction season, weather, road closures, and extra traffic from visitors (learn more about those variables here), it’s quite the trek. Most of that time would be spent viewing Alaska from the inside of a vehicle, and although the drives here are extraordinary that’s not what you want to spend your vacation doing. So, all said and done, consider the size of Alaska and plan accordingly with the amount of time you’ll be visiting.

Mile 123 of the Denali Highway. Plan extra time for more remote roads as they are not usually paved.

Forgetting Layers

As I’m sure you’ve heard, weather in Alaska is unpredictable, so layering is your best friend when packing for your Alaska vacation. Having a variety of layers will help you stay comfortable no matter what weather you encounter or what season you visit during. This will help ensure that you can enjoy the activities you’ve dreamed of without being too hot, cold, or wet.

Downtown Anchorage during the Iditarod Start. Time to put those layers on!

Being Unprepared for the Season

This ties into a couple other points, but it’s important to be prepared for the season you’re visiting in. If you show up in the summer, expect road construction. If you visit during the summer through early fall, be prepared for mosquitoes. If you visit during the winter, know that daylight hours are lean. This goes for clothing as well, as I stated above, and also time on the road.

The time it takes to go from town to town will change per season as well. Things slow down in winter with the snow and ice. Fall is a more normal pace, but still has some construction. Summertime can be a mixed bag. Because of the midnight sun you can travel in the light a majority of the day, but all of the visitor traffic can often make road trips slow going. Those are just a few things to think about for the different periods you may be traveling during.

Expecting Public Transportation

Alaska is not known for its public transportation system. Surprisingly, many people think it’s easy to hop a bus and head to the next town a couple hundred miles away. There are so many other visitors heading in that direction, so of course there’s a bus right? Nope. You won’t be seeing any Graylines here.

Although there may be tour buses and some shuttles, there are no major buses that will take you around the state at scheduled times. There are, however, Ubers, taxis, rental cars and RVs (the most popular options), the ferry, the Alaska Railroad, and some city buses. Not all of those are consistent and reliable options, though, and some are very seasonal so check into schedules when planning your trip.

Not Making Reservations

Skipping over making reservations and not planning early can leave you in the lurch for some of the bucket list activities you may want to enjoy. If you’re set on doing an aurora tour, jet skiing around glaciers, zip lining, going on a fishing charter or day cruise, or mushing with sled dogs, you may want to look into getting a reservation. The same goes for lodging and rental cars/RVs as well.

Although there are things you can schedule last minute, it’s best to call ahead of time and check. We get an immense amount of visitors here every year who likely want to do the same activities you do and stay at the same places you want to stay. Thus, things book up quickly and reservations are out over a year in advance sometimes.

Fishing trips book up quickly. Book in advance to make sure you get a spot!

But, if your trip is coming up soon and you haven’t made any reservations, or if you’re just winging it day by day, don’t fret! You can sometimes book activities and other reservations on short notice and also check for cancellations. If an activity or place you wanted to experience doesn’t work out, don’t worry! Alaska has a plethora of beautiful places and epic activities to enjoy, so pivot and find a new experience you may not have thought of otherwise!

Thinking You’re the Only Ones

Alaska is a bucket list destination, so naturally there is a large number of people that travel here. But the thing is, as large as our state is it’s just not built for a lot of people. We have a small road system. Our towns aren’t built for populations to double and triple over the summer. We don’t always have the workforce to fill the positions needed to accommodate visitors.

Some visitors get frustrated with long lines and slow food service. Others can’t believe the traffic would be so slow, or that places would run out of food or rooms. And it’s not that we’re not happy you’re here! We really are (most of the time 😉 ) happy to have people come enjoy the beautiful 49th state. Who wouldn’t want to visit Alaska, after all? It’s just hard to prepare for such an influx of people when there really isn’t the infrastructure or workforce to support that. It also takes time for supplies to get here, and things are often late to arrive. Even if business are prepared, other things may be running late. So, if things are slow try your best to go with the flow. That’s what we do. You’ll have a much happier trip overall.

In summertime you’ll see traffic backed up even in “the middle of nowhere”.

These mistakes to avoid when visiting Alaska are suggestions that I feel will help make your dream vacation go as smooth as possible. Many travelers only make it to Alaska once, and I want your trip to be all you hoped it would be. Although no trip is exactly “perfect”, a vacation to Alaska is about as close as you can get, and I hope you have a wonderful time visiting the Last Frontier.

9 Apps that Pay You to Shop

November 15, 2023 by Everyday Alaska

Nope, it’s not a scam, these nine apps really do pay you to shop! There’s no purchasing items you wouldn’t otherwise buy, either. These apps pay you back for everyday shopping such as groceries, fuel, gifts, and more. If you’re buying it anyway, you might as well be earning cash back, too! I’ve tested out the following apps and earned enough money to pay for gifts, household items, groceries, and more. Check out the apps that pay you to shop below, and start earning today!

Fetch

All you need to do to earn gift cards is scan your receipts, which is all you have to do on the majority of these apps. Sign up w/ code PNAVK & get bonus points!

Upside

Get cash back on gas and restaurant purchases with this easy to use app. There’s no scanning here, just link your account, claim an offer, and earn! Click this link or use promo code TCYNW2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase.

Receipt Hog

Scan receipts, take short surveys, and earn spins at “Hog Slots” for gift cards you can use on anything you need! Points add up fast and you can earn gift cards quickly with this fun and simple app that pays you to shop. Download Receipt Hog and enter code driy1594 to earn a special bonus when you upload your first receipt.

ReceiptPal

Earning cash back couldn’t be easier than this! Scan receipts to fill up cards, earn points, and redeem them for retail gift cards. It’s that easy!

Rakuten

I’ve been using Rakuten for years now (literally since 2017!), and have earned hundreds of dollars in cash back from rebates. I just ordered Christmas cards and earned 11% back from Minted! They have a huge variety of stores that offer rebates, and Rakuten also lists coupon codes for you to use. Just login to the app, choose the store you’d like to shop at, make your purchase, and get earn money back! Join with this link today to earn $40 back on your first qualifying purchase!

TopCashback

TopCashback is like Rakuten but sometimes has a better rebate or different variety of stores. Rebates take longer to process, but you can get some great deals. Check out TopCashback here, and start earning rebates today.

Honey

I haven’t used this one as much as others, but they have good online coupon finds and do rebates as well. It’s very similar to Rakuten and TopCashback. I check all three for apps before I make a purchase to find the best rebate option and coupons. You can join Honey here!

Ibotta

Ibotta is another receipt scanning app, but you have to select offers before you scan your receipt. All you need to do is select a store, choose the items that match what you’ve purchased, scan your receipt, and earn! I’ve earned almost $50 so far with this app, and you can use this link to earn $10 from your first receipt!

Pogo

I just started with Pogo. You just scan receipts to earn money back, and it’s worthwhile doing if you’re scanning receipts for the other apps as well. It takes some time to build points, but is quick to scan. You can sign up through my link and enter code DEKZ61. You’ll get 250 bonus points after you’ve earned 5,000 points in the app.

Bonus!

Amazon Shopper Panel

Join the waitlist for the money earning app! It’s so easy to scan receipts and take surveys, all Amazon gift card rewards!

The Everyday Alaska Journal: Year 1, Weeks 4-8

November 10, 2023 by Everyday Alaska

Whew, time has really flown by lately! I just got in from shoveling our recent dumping of snow. I think we’ve had about nine inches fall in the last twenty-four hours, which isn’t too bad, but the shoveling took awhile. Now seems like a good time to have some tea and catch up on journaling.

We had a late start to the snowy season this year. It only started sticking a couple days ago, and it was even warm for Halloween. It was great to see trick-or-treaters without snowsuits on; it’s not often that you really get to see the costumes because we usually have snow by then!

We managed to get our Christmas pictures done in early October, so we didn’t have to freeze for our photos as we did in the below zero temperatures of last year’s bunny boot photo session. It was so much nicer out and there were still some fall color showing. I highly recommend taking your Christmas card photos in the fall, it’s much nicer when it’s above zero! (P.S. If you’re looking for an easy way to create and order beautiful Christmas cards, check out Minted.)

Freezing for last year’s Christmas photo.

It wasn’t long after our photo session that you could really start to tell that the daylight hours were steadily going down. I started thinking about some projects to do over the winter and came up with an arts and crafts list for small spaces. Since our house is fairly small it’s hard to have huge craft projects going all the time, but I love crafts, and they’re so fun to do on bitterly cold winter days that I thought it would be beneficial to round up some ideas to do. Hopefully you can enjoy some of those ideas as well.

Once again, we’ve spent some time around Cooper Landing glassing for animals. Normally when we head out it’s been foggy here but clears up once we get closer to Cooper Landing. I’ve been checking the Alaska 511 Highway Cameras (super handy for any travel around Alaska) before we go, too, to see whether the fog has lifted enough to see some sheep. We really lucked out on our last excursion and saw a band of rams near the top of one of the mountains. One of them was near full curl and it was so fascinating to watch them interact with each other. We’ve also seen a brown bear, many swans, and goats.

Along with spotting some beautiful animals, I’ve spotted our next summer project: a picnic table! They have some heavy duty picnic tables at Quartz Creek Campground in Cooper Landing, just like what we’d like to build. I took a ton of photos of them to use for inspiration when we get started on one next summer.

Aside from our trips to Cooper Landing we took a weekend trip to Palmer/Wasilla for my birthday. It was a fantastic weekend. We attended the Alaska Outdoor Council/Alaska Gun Collectors Association banquet where David won an Accubow, which I’m pretty excited to test out. I also went to Poppy Lane Mercantile in Palmer, which has a ton of cute things, including many items that are made in Alaska! We ate at the Noisy Goose, spent some time at the Extreme Fun Center, and found a great place called Bushes Bunches Produce Stand where we got some birch caramel.

There was some beautiful weather in Palmer.

Other than that I’ve just been walking with the pup and eating birria tacos from Yo!Tacos, which is pretty dandy! But now it’s time to get some rest and get ready for more shoveling tomorrow!

Out with the pup before the snow really fell.

How to Take Care of Wild Game Meat in the Field

November 2, 2023 by Everyday Alaska

We’re just coming off a successful September moose hunt, so I thought what better time than now to impart some knowledge I’ve gained over the years with you regarding wild game care in the field. Some has been gained through friends and family. Others from books and videos, and yet more from trial and error. So, let me save you some time and break down these simple tips below so you can take care of wild game in the field the best way possible.

Where can I learn how to field dress game and take care of wild game meat?

Taking good care of your wild game meat is just as much about knowledge as it is about having the right gear. But, how do you gain that knowledge without ruining your meat in a trial and error process? Luckily, there are a number of great resources you can use to learn about gutting and field dressing animals.

The best way to learn how to field dress and quarter out animals is first hand experience. How do you get that experience without fumbling your way through your first few animals though? Mentors. If you have friends and family that hunt, they’ll most likely be happy to have you tag along. You might not be the one doing the shooting those first few times, but putting in the grunt work, watching, participating, and learning from people who have hunted for years will give you a ton of insight into how to take care of wild game meat.

Moose meat pole Alaska hunting — Moose meat hanging up to stay dry and cool.

But, what if you don’t know anyone who hunts? Who can teach you then? Check out your local hunting and shooting organization chapters (SCI, NRA, groups local to your state like the Alaska Outdoor Council and Resident Hunters of Alaska for us northern folks). Getting involved in these organizations will help you meet like minded people who are interested in helping new hunters learn. You can also check local Facebook hunting groups to find people who are looking for hunting partners and to get more information.

Another great source of information is videos. There are a variety of great YouTube channels that discuss how to field dress and/or quarter game. The Bearded Butchers YouTube channel is a great resource, along with these videos by Outdoor Edge. Most hunting shows and how-to videos online will give you a great insight into what you’ll be seeing when you’re in the field.

Last, but not least, reading can help you learn how to take care of wild game meat in the field. Blogs (like this one!), books, and even cookbooks like this one can give you some great first hand information on game care and processing.

What gear do I need to take care of wild game meat?

The gear you need to field dress and quarter game is pretty minimal. Below, I’ll list the items we keep in our kit, along with the uses for these items.

Knives

Clearly you’ll need some good sharp knives to get the job done. One of my favorites is this one with replaceable blades. It’s so convenient and cuts through hide very well. This Outdoor Edge kit also has a variety of knives and other important tools that we have used for multiple seasons now. I would highly recommend getting both the knife with replacement blades and the knife kit. Just be aware that these are incredibly sharp, which leads me to my next item.

Making that important first cut: the tag.

First Aid Kit

As careful as you think you are or as you may try to be, accidents can happen to anyone. It’s best to be prepared incase you, your hunting partner, or anyone you come across in the field gets injured while hunting or while you’re taking care of your game in the field. These handy medical kits are great to take with you incase of any mishaps or injuries.

Knife Sharpener

A dull blade is a dangerous blade. For the knives without replacement blades you’ll need a knife sharpener to keep things running smoothly and safely. Grab the Outdoor Edge Field Dressing Kit which includes this and many other things you’ll need.

Having good quality, sharp knives make field dressing much easier and safer.

Rib Spreader

I wasn’t sure how useful or necessary a rib spreader would be until our last couple hunts. This past hunt especially sold me on the idea of this handy item since it was just the two of us gutting the moose in the field. It was an immense help to have the spreader (which is included in the above mentioned Outdoor Edge kit) for propping the ribs open while getting the guts out and cooling off the meat. I highly recommend it.

Keeping gear separated and organized will help your game processing in the field go smoother.

Bone Saw

It takes a bit of elbow grease to use, but a bone saw really comes in handy for cutting ribs and likely for other bones if an animal is smaller. The Outdoor Edge kit comes with one of these as well.

Tarps

Grab at least one or two inexpensive tarps for your field dressing and quartering. These are incredibly useful when trying to keep meat clean. Once the quarters and other meat are off the animal you can transfer it to a clean tarp to check and bag, which keeps your meat almost spotless.

Having a tarp to transfer skinned quarters to will help keep meat clean.

Citric Acid, Spray Bottle, Water

Why do you need this interesting combination of items? Flies. Mix citric acid with water and spray it on your wild game meat to create a protective crust that will keep flies at bay. It works extremely well, and we’ve never had any issues using it. We even spray it on the game bags after the meat has been placed in them.

Game Bags

It probably comes as no surprise that we use the Alaska Game Bags. We have tried others, but these work the best. They are sturdy, strong, stretch well, and are easy to clean. They come in a variety of sizes for whatever your target animal may be.

Gloves

It’s really personal preference whether you want to wear gloves or not while field dressing your animal, but it’s highly recommend that you do use gloves.

Thermacell

Once an animal is down the bugs go absolutely wild. You’ll want a Thermacell around to keep the bugs at bay while you process your kill.

What are some tips for taking care of game meat?

One of the best things you can do to take care of game meat is to know how to quarter and field dress it correctly, which you can learn by checking out the above tips. The next thing is to keep it clean and dry, which I’ll go over in these next few tips.

Keep It Clean

Pick off any leaves, hair, or other debris ASAP. The meat will be sticky and the tackiness of it will pick up any little thing it touches, so clean it off as quickly as possible because once the meat starts to cool off the debris will become adhered to the meat.

Keep It Dry

Keeping your meat dry will help prevent spoilage. Using one of the aforementioned tarps will help with this, along with hanging it on a meat pole or at least placing it up off the ground so your game bags aren’t resting on wet ground.

Meat staying cool, dry, and ventilated after the hunt.

Keep It Cool

This may be one of the harder meat care tips to keep depending on how remote your hunting area is and what the weather is like. Try to store your meat in a shaded area, hang it from a meat pole if possible, and get it back to a freezer as soon as you can.

Keep It Ventilated

Keeping airflow around the meat will help to keep it dry, cool, and keep it from spoiling while you’re in the field. A meat pole does the trick for this, but also keep ventilation and the other tips in mind when transporting meat out of your hunting area. If you’re moving it in the bed of a truck, keep it on a pallet or have something between the meat and the bed. This will keep good ventilation going and prevent the heat from the truck from spoiling your meat.

The last thing you want to do is waste any of your wild game meat, so I hope these tips I’ve learned through the years help you learn how to best take care of your wild game meat and get the most out of your harvest. If you’re looking for more hunting tips, check out our hunting tips, tricks, and lessons post. Happy hunting!