Alaska Fish & Wildlife News
October 2008

Mountain Goat Sex Education

By Riley Woodford

Until recently, telling the difference between a nanny goat and a billy goat was most important only to another mountain goat.

It's tough to tell the sex of a mountain goat. Discerning hunters prefer billies, which are larger than females, but both nannies and billies have sharp horns, burly bodies and thick white wooly coats. Size is relative and goats are elusive, making goats difficult to inspect. Mountain goats favor hard-to-reach, open country - cliffs and ridges that allow them to ...   Nanny or Billy Goat ArticleContinued

Alaska Weavers Seek Mountain Goat Wool

By Riley Woodford

Got goat wool?

Southeast weavers are seeking wool for Chilkat and raven's tail robes. The traditional art of weaving ceremonial robes and blankets is experiencing a revival, and Fish and Game biologist Kevin White, among others, has been working with Native weavers to help them acquire wool.

“I've gotten to know a couple of the weavers and they're really interested in getting wool,” White said. “I think what they're doing is important and fascinating. Especially the efforts to ...   Weavers Seek Wool ArticleContinued

A Sea Lion Life

By Riley Woodford

On a blustery July day in Glacier Bay, about 50 Steller sea lions were hauled out on the rocks at South Marble Island. Amid the caterwauling and bellowing animals jockeying for position rested one placid male, a letter and a number on his left side, H 465.

Another marked male rested nearby, = 465. According to marine mammal biologist Lauri Jemison of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, these are “northern boys,” young sea lions that favor northern Southeast Alaska. It's a coincidence ...   A Sea Lion Life ArticleContinued

Venison Roast Marinade

By Doug Larsen

MARINADE FOR VENISON ROAST (4-5 LBS)

Courtesy Doug Larsen, director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation. Larsen says this is a family favorite.

• 4 cloves garlic (smashed and chopped)
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper
• ½ tsp. hot sauce (Tabasco)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 tsp. dried whole thyme
• 1-2 bay leaves (broken up)
• 1 tsp. onion powder

Mix ingredients to make the marinade. Soak roast ...   Venison Marinade ArticleContinued