HEKLIST OF ITEMS TO TAKE TO MNEIL RIVER STATE GAME SANTUARY Read arefully! PERMIT & PITURE ID Make sure to bring your State Game Sanctuary Guided Viewing or Standby Viewing permit and a picture ID (Drivers Lic. or passport). You will need to bring this with you to access the sanctuary. Bring clothing that will provide warmth while being stationary in the wind and rain. Several changes of clothes including extra socks. Synthetic or wool clothing is best for rainy cold windy days (generally, the worst you can expect is rain and wind with temperatures in the 40 s and at best, it will be sunny with temperatures in the 60 s). Warm hat and gloves - waterproof gloves (neoprene gloves or rubber gloves with liners) & non-waterproof. Good quality raincoat and rain pants. Ponchos are NOT recommended. Brimmed rain hat if you like. Hip boots or chest waders (hot in warm weather, but warm in cool weather) with wading boots are essential for wading through mud and water in the bear viewing area. The icy cold water may be 2-3 feet deep. The mud can be like walking in peanut butter - it is very easy to step out of your boots and lose your balance so your boots should fit your feet well. Felt soles are not recommended they get coated with mud and become slippery. Tent - A storm proof, high-quality sturdy tent able to withstand high winds and driving rain with a good rain fly, ground cloth, stakes (enough to stake tent completely), tie-down cord(s), and a tent repair kit. A low-quality cheap tent will not provide you adequate shelter. Hiking boots or shoes for around camp and while at the viewing sites. Sleeping bag. Sleeping Pad - Air mattress or foam pads (tent sites are graveled). ook kit and eating utensils - There are two three burner countertop propane camp stoves in the cook cabin so you do NOT need to bring a camp cook stove. Thanks to Friends of (FOMR) we also have a supply of pots and pans for public use. You do need to bring plates, bowls, utensils and any specialized cooking gear. Water bottles and a water filter or other water treatment method (water supply is creek water and should be filtered or treated before consuming). Food for your intended length of stay plus several extra days (in case weather delays your departure). Foods that create minimal scraps and come with minimal packaging are preferred non-burnable trash has to be removed from the Sanctuary. Lantern or flashlight with extra batteries. Matches and/or lighters. Toilet paper, etc. (Pit toilets are available only at camp. NO used paper products may be left at the viewing area or in the surrounding brush. Bring sealable plastic bags to hold your used items for the return trip to camp). First aid kit and Insect repellent. Toilet articles (including towel for the washhouse!). Sunglasses and sunscreen (just in case!). Backpack for transporting camera equipment, extra clothing, food and water between camp and the bear viewing areas (some method for keeping contents dry is a must i.e., waterproof pack, dry bag, waterproof stuff sack(s) or plastic bags to protect food, clothing, camera equipment, etc.). Binoculars. River dry bags, duffle bags lined with plastic bags or other water resistant containers to transport your gear (in case it s raining when you arrive or your gear gets dropped in the water when loading or unloading the float plane). oolers are allowed at McNeil, but confirm with your air carrier before you leave home. Photography Equipment: amera, lenses, tripod, etc. Bring lots of digital storage capacity, film and extra batteries (please note that there is NO ELETRIITY at the camp to recharge batteries). Excellent photographs can be made without specialized equipment. Bears may be as close as 20 feet at times. But the general distance is 75-200 feet. Fishing equipment and a valid Alaska sport fishing license. Sealed container or plastic bags for fish. Reading material and playing cards (in case of foul weather). 4/15/2013
AIR TAXI OPERATORS FOR MNEIL RIVER STATE GAME SANTUARY (UPDATED MARH 2016) The only commercial transportation available to the sanctuary is by floatplane and several air taxis operate from nearby communities. The following list provides information on air taxi operators who have obtained, or indicated they plan to obtain authorization from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to transport visitors to the sanctuary. The Department of Fish and Game cannot endorse nor guarantee the service of the air taxi operators listed below. This list should not be considered a recommendation of any particular operator nor should it be considered a complete list as additional operators may obtain an authorization. For information on rates and schedules, we suggest that you contact these or other air taxi operators of your choice. Please remember that it is your responsibility to contact the air carriers and make your own flight arrangements. All arrangements made between the air taxi operators and permit holders do not involve the Department of Fish and Game. Some air taxi operators offer seat fares (SF) to the sanctuary; otherwise you can charter () the entire plane and split the cost with fellow permit holders, if you so choose. We will provide you the names and contact information of the other permit holders in your time block. The maximum number of passengers is restricted by the total weight of the aircraft s load (passengers plus gear). Air Taxi Operator Adventure Airways Inc P.O. Box 519 Homer, Alaska 99603 907-299-7999 Andrew Airways, Inc P.O. Box 1037 Kodiak, Alaska 99615 907-487-2566 Beluga Air LL P.O. Box 3662 (907) 235-8256 Branch River Air Service P.O. Box 545 King Salmon, AK 99613 (907) 246-3437 Emerald Air Service Inc. 1244 Lake Shore Drive 1-877-235-9600 or 907-235-4160 Katmai Air, Inc 4125 Aircraft Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99502-519 (907) 246-3079 (summer) or 1-800-544-0551 (all year) Northwind Aviation P.O. Box 646 (907) 235-7482 Regal Air, Inc. 4506 Lakeshore Drive Anchorage, AK 99502 (907) 243-8535 Seahawk Air, Inc. P.O. Box 3561 Kodiak, AK 99615 (907) 486-8282 1-800-770-4295 Steller Air Service PO Box 1271 (907) 299-0284 Seat Fare (SF) or harter () SF SF Permitted to Access Kamishak River Kamishak River Location Type of Aircraft of Aircraft (Max passengers*) Email/Web Addresses Homer essna 185 (3) adventureairways@gmail.com adventureairways.com Kodiak essna 206 (5) Beaver (6) Homer Beaver (4) 1200 # max King Salmon essna 206 (5) Beaver (6) info@andrewairways.com www.andrewairways.com/ angela@belugaair.com www.facebook.com/belugaairllc www.belugaair.com bras@alaska.net www.branchriverair.com Homer Beaver (6) Emeraldairservice@gmail.com www.emeraldairservice.com/ King Salmon Otter (10) essna 206 (4) essna 207 (5) Homer Otter (8) essna 206 (3) Anchorage Beaver (6) 206 (3) info@katmailand.com www.katmaiair.com northwindak@gmail.com www.northwindak.com info@regal-air.com www.regal-air.com/ Kodiak Beaver (6) info@seahawkair.com www.seahawkair.com Homer essna 206 s (5 persons or 900 lbs combined persons & gear) fly@stellerair.com www.stellerair.com 3/23/2016 11:16 AM
McNEIL RIVER STATE GAME SANTUARY General Information Read arefully! OOK ABIN There is an approximately 16 X 24 (5m x 7.5m) cook cabin for visitor use at the McNeil campground. The cook cabin has tables, benches, and a collection of natural history literature; as well as a wood stove that will allow you to dry clothing and warm up. There are two three burner countertop propane camp stoves in the cook cabin so you do NOT need to bring a camp cook stove or fuel. There is also a supply of common pots and pans which was thoughtfully provided by Friends of, so you do not need to bring cookware unless there are specialized items you require. You do need to bring your own plates, cups, bowls and utensils. Untreated drinking water will be collected by visitors from a nearby creek and/or a rain barrel at the cook cabin. Drinking water will be collected in 5 gallon jugs and stored in the cook cabin. Visitors will need to filter or treat their own drinking water. SAFETY FOOD - FIREARMS PEPPER SPRAY All of your FOOD and any scented items (toothpaste, lotions, etc.) will be stored in the cook cabin for the duration of your stay at McNeil. Be sure to keep your tent and any items that will be in your tent food free. You are required to sign a liability waiver because there are inherent risks anytime one travels in brown bear country. We have an excellent safety record at Sanctuary and no one has ever been injured by a bear at the sanctuary. Armed department personnel accompany visitors to bear viewing areas and are ready and available should a bear wander into base camp. Therefore, we advise against carrying personal firearms and pepper spray etc. These items can be a safety hazard if not handled properly. If you do carry pepper spray to McNeil YOU MUST NOT ARRY PEPPER SPRAY IN THE OKPIT OF AN AIRPLANE. Prior to flying give the pepper spray to the pilot and the spray will be placed in the floats of the plane. GARBAGE & EXESS GEAR Please try to keep excess gear and non-burnable garbage to a minimum. Non-burnable garbage (plastic, rubber, metal, etc.) must be flown out of the Sanctuary. And while we appreciate the gesture, do not leave excess gear items (boot, tarps, raingear, water bottles, etc.) at the Sanctuary for donation at the End of Your Visit without conferring with the ADF&G staff. ** Do not forget to bring your State Game Sanctuary Bear Viewing Permit.**
SPORT FISHING INFORMATION These guidelines are for visitors wishing to sport fish while at State Game Sanctuary. Bears are intelligent animals and may be attracted to any fish they can see, hear or smell. If they obtain a fish from you (whether by accident or on purpose), they will learn that humans are a potential source of food and they will repeat the behavior that rewarded them. This can lead to aggressive interactions with people, which threaten both the bears and subsequent visitors. It also diminishes the quality of the experience for those viewing the bears. You should always conduct your activities so that a bear cannot obtain fish, fish scraps or other foodstuff from you. Where to fish: sport fishing is allowed anywhere on the gravel spit but the best location is at the end of the spit. When to fish: fish may be caught at any tide level but at low tide fish are concentrated and this increases your chances. What to use: flies or streamers for red salmon (3-4 pounds) in June, lures for chum salmon (7-12 pounds) in July and for silver salmon (6-14 pounds) in August. Do not bring wading footgear with absorbent felt or fiber material on the soles; they can introduce and spread invasive plants and organisms, into Alaska waters. As of January 2012 these types of boots are illegal for sportfishing purposes. These type boots also get coated with tidal mud and become very slippery and ineffective. Guidelines if a bear approaches: 1. STOP fishing and move away from the water if a bear is within 100 yards. A jumping fish will attract a bear within hearing or visual range. Resume fishing when the bear moves away. 2. BREAK your line if you have a fish on and a bear inadvertently gets too close or is attracted by your struggling fish. 3. When you catch a fish: clean it in the water throw all waste into deep moving water put the fish in a plastic bag put the plastic bag in a back pack, and Immediately return to camp. Do not discard a fish or your backpack if a bear approaches simply put the fish in your pack and allow the bear to move away. 4. You may only keep what can be eaten within 24 hours. PHOTOGRAPHY INFORMATION The State Game Sanctuary offers a wonderful opportunity to observe and photograph wild Alaska brown bears. Excellent photographs often can be obtained without specialized equipment. Some bears may approach very closely while at the viewing sites and may be as close as 20 feet, but generally are 75-200 feet away. Lenses such as 70 210 zoom and 400mm provide good focal lengths for close up bear photos. Bring lots of digital storage capacity, film and extra batteries as it is very easy to shoot hundreds or thousands of photos during your stay. Please note that there is NO ELETRIITY at the camp to recharge batteries or equipment.
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