Subsistence moose harvest

There are great celebrations here today.  Hunting season is open from Sept 1-27 this year, extended due to job insecurity and the need for food.   Of the 15 families or so that live here, 3 took moose yesterday, including a 6th grader.  The definition of family is very fluid here since so many folks are related to each other, so households would probably be more accurate.   It is tradition for a young person to give away the meat from their first kill, so I am hoping to be a lucky recipient.  If they don't they will be labeled "stingy" and the moose will not give of themselves in the future.  Or so I've heard.

Here's a butchering operation in progress.  M gave me a nice roast which I will be freezing to take to Fairbanks.  The hunter, M's youngest son, said the heart was his favorite part of the moose.  Sadly, he won't give me the heart and he didn't keep the eyes so I have nothing to dissect in science class yet. 

This bucket contains strips that will be smoked and dried.

 Households can take one moose in this area, so it is great for families to get them early in the season so they can relax.  All 3 of these moose were about 15 minutes out of Stony River by boat.

Lake and Pen Air came in with a passenger and freight for Stony River Lodge.  Curly, from Stony River Lodge offered to take me up to Sleetmute on his small plane but I had to say no.  First of all, I had no way to get back.  Secondly, no one was expecting me so my friends might not be there.  And guess what?  I'm working!  (Well, not during those 20 minutes- it was my lunch break)