292 



RECREA TION. 



tain and where the winters are longer and 

 much more rigorous. 



" The Copper river country is wholly 

 within the jurisdiction of Uncle Sam — no 

 customs duties; no percentage; no reser- 

 vations. Then the climate is milder as you 

 approach the coast. The influence of the 

 Japan current is plainly manifest in the 

 Copper river 1 basin. The ground thaws to a 

 greater depth, while the summer season is 

 all of 30 days longer. 



" There is plenty of game in the Copper 

 river country, both large and small. In the 

 interior are moose, caribou, mountain sheep 

 and bear. Mountain goats are found along 

 the coast. The fur-bearing animals are foxes, 

 wolverines, sable, beaver and otter. On the 

 lakes and streams wild fowl are to b,e found 

 in great numbers during the summer, com- 

 prising geese, ducks, swans, cranes and 

 pelicans. Blue grouse and ptarmigans 

 abound in the hills. Those who go to 

 Alaska for the one purpose of digging gold 

 had best take along a shotgun, in prefer- 

 ence to a rifle, as much valuable time must 

 be consumed if one attempts to hunt big 

 game. 



" The best boats for navigating the rivers 

 and lakes in Alaska are something after the 

 model of a Peterborough or Canadian 

 canoe, made of thin, light slats, covered 

 with stout canvas and well painted. Then 

 there should be 3 light strips of wood ex- 

 tending the entire length of the bottom, 

 outside of the canvas, to give protection 

 when the boat is pulled up on shore. There 

 should be a canvas cover, provided with 

 manholes, eyelets and strings, to be tied 

 over the boat to a strip along its sides. This 

 is necessary to protect the supplies from the 

 spray, in shooting rapids or in going 

 against a stiff current. The canoe should 

 be large enough to carry 2 men and 1,000 

 pounds of supplies. 



" A better boat still is the bidarka, or 

 kyak, a skin canoe made by the natives and 

 used by them in hunting sea otters in the 

 North Pacific Ocean and in Bering Sea. 

 Properly handled these boats will live 

 where a ship would founder. 



" There are plenty of these kyaks on 

 Prince William sound, but the fur com- 

 panies discourage the natives from selling 

 them to outsiders. The companies buy them 

 up as fast as made, allowing the natives to 

 use them, however. This precaution is 

 taken lest others should engage in sea otter 

 hunting. The boats are worth $25 to $100. 

 They are the best made, in the hands of an 

 experienced man, in bad water. They are 

 light as a feather, and can be easily repaired 

 by keeping on hand a piece of rawhide and 

 some sinew. The framework is seasoned 

 willow. The raw seal skins, with the hair 

 off, are stretched and sewed over the frame- 

 work, when green, and allowed to dry 

 thereon. This renders the covering as taut 

 as a drum head. The bidarka is not a 

 ' cranky ' boat if understood. 



" There are reports that the Indians on 

 Copper river, and in other sections of the 

 interior are hostile, but this is not true. On 

 the contrary they are the most peaceable, 

 hospitable race of people I ever encoun- 

 tered. That report originated from some of 

 the trading companies whose object, for 

 many years, has been to keep people from 

 exploring the interior; as they have all 

 along foreseen that when once the richness 

 of the country, in furs and mineral, became 

 known their monopoly of the trading busi- 

 ness must end. 



" The Copper river Indians are few in 

 number and could make little headway 

 against prospectors, were the}' - so disposed. 

 They are ever ready to render aid and as- 

 sistance where needed. They are scrupu- 

 lously honest and will faithfully discharge 

 an obligation. Prospectors need have no 

 fear of the natives of the interior, so long as 

 they treat them right." 



I have known Mr. Bales 12 years, and 

 have always found him honest and reliable. 

 He is now located at Sitka, Alaska, and of- 

 fers his services as guide for prospecting 

 and exploring parties. — Editor. 



There are still some unfortunate sports- 

 men who are not readers of Recreation. 

 If you know any such send in their names, 

 and greatly oblige them and 



The Editor. 



