What is subsistence living in Alaska?

Asked by: Mike Holloway

Subsistence is defined by federal law as “the customary and traditional uses by rural Alaska residents of wild, renewable resources for direct personal or family consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools or transportation; for the making and selling of handicraft articles out of nonedible by-products of fish …

What is subsistence lifestyle?

Subsistence can have many different meanings to people, but in our family, subsistence is the act of maintaining, producing, and supporting our household self-sufficiently and taking from the Earth at a sustainable level.

How many people live subsistence in Alaska?

In 2017, about 83% of Alaska’s population (613,958 people) lived in nonsubsistence areas (urban areas) defined by the Joint Board of Fisheries and Game and about 17% (123,122 people in 264 communities) lived in rural areas (outside nonsubsistence areas) (Figure 1).

What is subsistence hunting in Alaska?

Subsistence Hunting in Alaska



Respect the land and the animals. Harvest only what you need and be sure to take care of what you harvest. ‘ Subsistence hunting occurs throughout Alaska all year long and is central to the customs and traditions of many cultural groups in Alaska.

What is subsistence Why is this traditionally important to Alaska Natives?

“Subsistence’ is the word used to describe a traditional way of life among many Alaska Natives. In a physical sense, it refers to the practice of relying on the surrounding environment as a source of food and materials for daily living.

How do you live a subsistence lifestyle?

Living a true subsistence lifestyle is not easy, and is not done out of desperation. It involves dedicated time and skill, as well as financial investment in equipment and fuel. Also required is a lot of dedicated time for harvesting, processing, distributing, and preserving food.

Can Alaskans hunt year round?

Most Alaska hunting seasons begin in August and September and end by October. Seasons in some areas continue into the winter months. In locations where certain animal populations are large enough and local subsistence needs are being met, hunting for some species may be permitted all year.

What do subsistence farmers do to make a living?

Subsistence farming, or subsistence agriculture, is when a farmer grows food for themselves and their family on a small plot of land. Unlike other types of farming, subsistence farming is focused more on survival. There is very little or no emphasis on trading and selling goods or operating as a business.

Do Alaskan designated hunters get paid?

How much does a Hunter make in Alaska? As of May 29, 2022, the average annual pay for a Hunter in Alaska is $65,002 a year.

Can non residents hunt in Alaska?

Nonresident Aliens:



A nonresident alien must be personally accompanied by an Alaska-licensed guide to hunt ANY big game animal, including black bear, brown/grizzly bear, bison, caribou, Dall sheep, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, muskox, wolf and wolverine.

Can I live in Alaska for free?

While it’s a common misconception that you can move there for free, you can get paid to live in Alaska. The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) takes the state’s oil wealth and shares an annual portion with all permanent residents (both children and adults).

How much is an elk tag in Alaska?

Licenses, Stamps, and Tags