The Last Alaskans

[Odell]

A bit off subject, but concerning Heimo.  When working in Elfin Cove one of the clients was a pilot who lived in Fairbanks and knew Heimo from flying him/supplies into ANWR.  At the end of the fishing season the lodge owner, myself, and the pilot flew into ANWR on the Coleen River for a caribou bow hunt.  We happened to hit the migration in full force.  It was a matter of picking out a bull and trying to get in front of him. 
The pilot was not too ambitious nor picky in his quest.  He tied a plastic fence, which was just a couple feet high, to his airplane and strung it down the gravel bar landing strip.  He then set up under a wing in a comfortable camp chair.  Their curiously and perceived fear of jumping the low fence pulled them in the trap.
Anyway, at the end of the hunt the lodge owner and myself donated our meat to Heimo.  On the last flight out the plane was so loaded with meat for Heimo and camp gear that the passenger seat was taken out and my job was twofold.  One, pull stumps and debris out on the landing strip so no one else could land at "the pilot's spot".  Two, put the seat on my back and wade across the Coleen and trek to another landing spot.  He then picked me up after delivering to Heimo.
Always regret not meeting him, but later he did send me a wolverine pelt and 4 autographed books for my boys. 
You bet, I relive all the fond memories of that hunt when watching the tv episodes.  If I may say, I think it is an absolute travesty that the feds are doing away with such a unique lifestyle.

That is awesome! What a great story


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[MtnMuley]

A bit off subject, but concerning Heimo.  When working in Elfin Cove one of the clients was a pilot who lived in Fairbanks and knew Heimo from flying him/supplies into ANWR.  At the end of the fishing season the lodge owner, myself, and the pilot flew into ANWR on the Coleen River for a caribou bow hunt.  We happened to hit the migration in full force.  It was a matter of picking out a bull and trying to get in front of him. 
The pilot was not too ambitious nor picky in his quest.  He tied a plastic fence, which was just a couple feet high, to his airplane and strung it down the gravel bar landing strip.  He then set up under a wing in a comfortable camp chair.  Their curiously and perceived fear of jumping the low fence pulled them in the trap.
Anyway, at the end of the hunt the lodge owner and myself donated our meat to Heimo.  On the last flight out the plane was so loaded with meat for Heimo and camp gear that the passenger seat was taken out and my job was twofold.  One, pull stumps and debris out on the landing strip so no one else could land at "the pilot's spot".  Two, put the seat on my back and wade across the Coleen and trek to another landing spot.  He then picked me up after delivering to Heimo.
Always regret not meeting him, but later he did send me a wolverine pelt and 4 autographed books for my boys. 
You bet, I relive all the fond memories of that hunt when watching the tv episodes.  If I may say, I think it is an absolute travesty that the feds are doing away with such a unique lifestyle.

 

[Odell]

How do they keep enough fuel for snow machines, saws, boats, etc?

[Grit dog]

Id never heard of or about Heimo and Edna, but their daughter Krin, who's on the show now worked for me up on the North Slope. She's the real deal, so I'm certain they are and that means the show is not staged like some of the other AK shows.
Krin was one of the best hands on the job and tough as nails and just a nice person. She put a lot of guys to shame when we were working at -30, -35deg and dudes were wimpering like babies and wouldn't come out of the break shack.

[Grit dog]

Most of all I'm jealous of how those folks get to live.
I'm no grizzly Adams, but I'd sure the he___ like to be for a while!

[Skyvalhunter]

 

[actionshooter]

How do they keep enough fuel for snow machines, saws, boats, etc?

Its all flown in,
I have always wondered if trapping could actually pay for all of the air time that it takes to maintain that lifestyle.... Its not cheap.

[Cougartail]

How do they keep enough fuel for snow machines, saws, boats, etc?

Its all flown in,
I have always wondered if trapping could actually pay for all of the air time that it takes to maintain that lifestyle.... Its not cheap.

No. Watch all the "Alaskan Shows" and you will see the change in lifestyle once they start getting the network checks.   

[actionshooter]

How do they keep enough fuel for snow machines, saws, boats, etc?

Its all flown in,
I have always wondered if trapping could actually pay for all of the air time that it takes to maintain that lifestyle.... Its not cheap.

No. Watch all the "Alaskan Shows" and you will see the change in lifestyle once they start getting the network checks.   

I don't watch the other shows... they are a joke.  Have you been to Homer? The Kilchers are 15 minutes from Safeway

[Calvin Rayborn]

The way you know this reality TV show is super fake is that they somehow survive hunting and fishing in Alaska without any KUIU, Sitka, First Lite, Kifaru etc.

Other than that its pretty great

Wat!?!? They’re makin it without lookin like the “Columbia sportswear crowd?” (Like we used to call em back in the day!)

[Stein]

I enjoy the show, I'll watch it if it's on.  If someone wants to give them a new Sitka coat and boat motor, good on them.  Somebody has to pay the bills to get the show on the air.

[Cougartail]

How do they keep enough fuel for snow machines, saws, boats, etc?

Its all flown in,
I have always wondered if trapping could actually pay for all of the air time that it takes to maintain that lifestyle.... Its not cheap.

No. Watch all the "Alaskan Shows" and you will see the change in lifestyle once they start getting the network checks.   

I don't watch the other shows... they are a joke.  Have you been to Homer? The Kilchers are 15 minutes from Safeway

If you watch all the Alaskan shows the equipment upgrades become apparent. Even if they weren't close to Safeway they could afford T Bones every night. The clan is worth millions!

[BD1]

Just watched the episode after Bob Harte died...say what you want but he was the real deal too. Amazing what they are all able to accomplish up there...can't blame him for a little whining when he was battleing cancer...btw cancer Sucks!!!! RIP Bob

[Skyvalhunter]

Time to catch up on the episodes, Eimo is catching beavers and wolves now.

[Stein]

I think what makes some of the shows fake is the producers, not the people in the show.  After a few times of hearing how they will starve if they don't get their Sitka blacktail, but when they do it will feed the family for the year I get a bit bored and change it.  Great scenery though.