I have been tempted by Alaska for the last 12 years, ever since myparents moved there. My Sister and Bro-in-law live there near them outside of Wasilla (Anchorage). I have come to the conclusion that Alaska is a great place to visit for a hunt, but I don't want to live there. Fortunately for me with family there who hunt, I don't have to hire a guide for game like grizzly, moose, sheep or goats.

Giving up whitetails is no big deal, since I am more of a novice whitetail hunter. But, I'd have to give up them, mule deer, and my favorite..Elk...so no way

One thing my father told me that is different up in AK than in the lower 48 is how you have to hunt there. Back here it is usually just jump in the truck, drive a little bit (stopping off at the 7-11 for some munchies on the way), and then hit your hunting haunt...oops...forgot something...run back home real quick and get it.
Up there most hunts are expeditions.There are no easy access roads. Usually you have to boat, fly, snow-mobile,trek, drive for hours, etc. just to get to your destination and pray you didn't forget anything.

For those with a sense of adventure and the money and time to pull it off, then AK offerssome fantastic opertunities. I personally can't wait until my next north slope caribou bow hunt, moose hunt with my dad, grizzly with my bro-in-law, and all the salmon & halibut I can fly home.

Oh, one other point about AK. My family says they welcome the dark of winter, because after a summer of light when the sun goes down for maybe an hour or two, theyhave runthemselves ragged and need the time to catch up on sleep. They say it is harder to get used to the light of summer than the dark of winter.