Utah or Alaska

Fitz · #1 12-26-2009, 05:13 PM

Well, it is looking like I'm going to be medically discharged from the Air Force. Now I have to decide where I want to live. I have family in both Alaska and Utah. I plan on attending a college to earn a Microbiology degree and head to Physician Assistant school. I'm able to achieve this goal in both states.

Now enough about "business" and on to the important part. Which state would you choose, between Alaska and Utah, for the outdoorsman?

Each state have pluses and minuses. Utah for example, has great mule deer and elk hunting. With the wide open areas, I will have no problem find my goal of taking an elk at 1,000 yards. The downside, moose is a one a lifetime hunt and is hard to pull a tag. Not to mention the mormons, I apologize if you are LDS. I lived there for 20 years and was hounded for my beliefs. Utah also has some of the best fly fishing for trout! great mountain streams!

Now Alaska... My mother lives up there and I am technically an Alaska resident, for tax purposes. I love the fishing up there. I can't count how many times my mother yelled at me for staying out in the stream for over 20 hours fishing for silvers. Another plus, the length of the hunting season. If I do not pull my moose for a year, I shouldn't be allowed to hold a gun! The downside to Alaska, the winter. I am used to not seeing the light for months on end, due to my job in a building without windows. But I believe the April-September seasons make up for it.

So... What is your opinion?

Chas1 · #2 12-26-2009, 06:01 PM

Neither they are both too cold.

Seriously, if it were me I would probably consider a braoder specrum of things ie-What are the 10 most important things to you(and any significant others) in life and how do these two states stackup against that.

Another approach might be to pretend for a moment that fishing and hunting wasn't of interest to you...but, you could only live in these 2 states which would you choose. You may be surprised at how quickly you picked a state and why you did...the why you did will be all the pros and cons that maybe your not even considering because you may be so focused on the sport. I hope this helps even though I didn't pick a state...only you and yours can decide. Good luck and let us know what your decision was. Thank you for your service.

Aldon · #3 12-26-2009, 06:01 PM

I am currently living in UT, although I came here for a job and stayed for three years, I will likely soon be transferred elsewhere within the year.

I am also a non offended Mormon/LDS

I would choose Alaska and find a way to deal with the winters.

I grew up in the east where it is green most of the time.

I miss that the most.

Alaska has always been a goal and someday I will at least visit/hunt there.

The Draw system for hunting here in UT is less desirable than it could be.

Not just for Moose but for Elk etc as well.

JMHO

Chas1 · #4 12-26-2009, 06:21 PM

Aldon, I'm not Mormon either but, what is LDS? Just curious.

Fitz · #5 12-26-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas1

Aldon, I'm not Mormon either but, what is LDS? Just curious.

latter Day Saints i.e. Mormon...

Chas1 · #6 12-26-2009, 06:52 PM

LDS- oh well, although it didn't make me laugh...thanks anyway. Darn and I was getting set for a good laugh thinking it may have meant Liberal Democratic Sh*$#.

MontanaRifleman · #7 12-26-2009, 07:11 PM

Why not both? Spend 3 or 4 years in AK and do some hunting there. Get a couple of Brownies and Griz, moose and caribou, sheep and goat and then move to Utah. I've been to AK and it's a great state but not easy to get around. And like you said, winters are dark, long and cold. I like it here in MT where there's deer, elk and trout and some places in UT are like that. Wouldn't want to live anywhere near Salt Lake though.

Living a few years in AK would be a great opportunity to hunt a few critters that would cost the rest of us multiple thousands to hunt. It would still be spendy as res to do it there, although not near what it would cost a non-res.

You didn't mention if you were married and if you are, that would be your top prority. But it sounds like you're single which would give you a lot more flexabilpity. You need to figure out your short term and long term priorities.

If I could wind the clock back, I would like to spend about 5 years or so in AK and get my fill of that and then settle permenantly in MT.

Just my tow cents