KCDtAK, OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST
All of us know of Kodiak’s existence. Perhaps we remember it as the last time
we saw a substantial number of trees, or the last outpost on the way to isolation.
Many Adakians go to Kodiak on hunting trips and-recreation trips sometime during
their tour of duty here and in case you didn’t know we thought we would tell you
a bit about Kodiak,
The temperature range is from 7° in the winter to ,a hot 80° in the summer with
a mean average temperature range very similar to Adak. The WilliWaw’s hit Kodiak
too and the average rainfall goes to Not much different than Adak, actually.
The first difference we find is a city - THE CITY CF KODIAK, which is located
seven miles from the Naval Station and has a population of 4000 or so.' It has all
the various stores and shops one would expect to see in any small town plus a few
places for entertainment such as bars, night clubs, theatre, etc. The prices are
comparatively reasonable, approximately 25% above stateside prices, due mainly to
freight costs to ship merchandize in.
Before 1923 the only land mammals on Kodiak Island were the Kodiak Brown Bear,
(the quarry of many Adak hunters who go there), Red Fox, Land Otter, Weasel,Ground a
Squirrel, and Meadow Mouse. In recent years Deer, Snowshoe Hare, Beaver, and Musk- ™
rat have been introduced and are well established, Mountain Goat, Mink, Red Squir
rels and Martin have been introduced but their success is not yet known.
A small herd of Reindeer range over the southern part of the Island. The seas
around the Island are inhabited by Whale*, Porpoise, and Hair Seal, There are a
number of large SeaLion Rookeries around the island which are readily accessible
by small boat. ' - •
At present it is estimated that over one thousand Kodiak Bear inhabit the isle*
During the winter months they hibernate. Some find dens in rock caves while otheis
seek protection under spruce trees' or large depressions on high slopes and let the
snow drift over them. By the 1st of December most bears have entered their dens
however, occasionally one may be seen as late as Christmas.
Approximately 3/4 of the island is National Wildlife Refuge which is managed by
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service* The lure of the Kodiak Bear brings hunters from
all over the world and one of the objectives of the Service is to sustain the Bear
population and still allow an annual kill of 100 to 200 bear.
Elk Hunting on Afognak and Raspberry Islands is possible for eligible Kodiak
residents. Deer hunting is good on Kodia’k and there is fairly good small game
hunting which includes the Snowshoe Hare, Ptarmigan and waterfowl such as Mallard,
Teal, Widgeon, Golden Eye and the Pacific Eider which is the largest of all Wild
ducks. Kodiak is not on the "fly-a-wey" but it gets its share of migratory fowl.
; Kodiak is a "fishermans paradize" with all five kinds of salmon hitting their
waters. Sockeye (Red), Humpie (Pink), Dog (Chum}, Silver (Coho) and King (Chinook)
come to Kodiak by the thousands to spawn along with the Dolly Varden trout which
eat the salmon eggs. Karluk River and Karluk Lake produce prize Steelhead Rain
bow Trout and Adak is fortunate in being able to have been given eggs from time
to time which have produced the -rainbows found on Adak, Halibut weighing 200=300
lbs have been caught around the waters of Kodiak. Kodiak is also the home of the
King Crab and during May and June Dungeness crabs may be caught with common garden
rakes at low tide by the bushel.
Citizens of Kodiak have a strong sense of responsibility in Wildlife Resources,
They obey the laws and regulations set up by men who have dedicated their lifes1
work to protecting and sustaining their wildlife resources so that you if you have
the chance, may enjoy the recreation of hunting and fishing. If you go to Kodiak
do your part in helping to conserve and improve hunting and fishing, obey all of
the laws. Do it here on Adak too.