The Chisana News Wire Issue 1, January 2012 One Winter’s Day.
We would like to thank each one of you for your patience waiting for the first newsletter to finally begin! I present to you, the first issue... The Chisana News Wire.
Now, onto the NEW!!, Issue 1 of the Chisana News Wire!
The Alaska..."Northern Mother" (Mother Nature!)
Ok, I wasn’t going to call her that, but it is more politically correct than my first thought!
Who / what am I talking about?! The weather! It seems to be really interesting to folks that aren’t dealing with it, so I wanted Mother Nature of the North to have it’s own little title here!
Our crazy, slightly psycho Northern Mother (Mother Nature) has been really gentle with us this year on our weather. During the beginning weeks of winter, we hit -49* below zero, then the first of two shanooks (warm winds) landed and gave us two days of +45* above with 50 mph winds.
The airplanes were all tied down and there were no casualties from the 4 trees being knocked over by the high winds. Well, except for the fence around the yard to keep the horses out.. it would certainly count as a casualty!
PIONEER OUTFITTERS SURVIVAL & GUIDE TRAINING
First, Hey Ruger! The horses are here! 
Wes and Leo have been with us now for almost 3 months. Observations? Wes is tireless. A hard worker and is easy natured and ready to listen and learn. Opinion? You know I have one! Wes is a little shy, I’m counting on as he expands his knowledge and adds to his experiences, he’ll be more confident. He has the desire to learn and is more than willing to do anything, if you ask. (That confidence issue.)
As for the romance brewing between Leo and Dora, they have both been out-voted, over-ridden and restricted for any lasting relationship!
Trainer Comments -
(Amber-Lee) My interactions and observations thus far are that Wes has a TON of potential. Self - Starting seems to be a difficult concept, as yet and he and I have spoken about this and how it translates to confidence.
WINTER EXCURSIONS
Our weather, here in the Wrangell and the Nutzotin Mountains this winter has been ... ideal! We have an accumulation of 8-10 inches of snow in most areas a little more in others. The temperatures have 
been pretty sweet as well with an average this winter (so far) being -20* to 0* F. That is incredibly mild! For even the most grizzled old-timer trappers, it is a relief. The ice is thick and hard waiting for the first Winter Excursion takers to bust out and have some fun! (read more...)
WINTER PREDATOR HUNTS
The wolves, as do most other predators use rivers and the long icy creeks as a road system. We, here in Chisana are visited by three different wolf packs. (read more...)
2012 SPRING GRIZZLY BEAR & BLACK BEAR HUNTS
There are only 2 openings left for 2012 Spring Bear Hunts.
Here are some important little tid-bits!
- Pioneer Outfitters has one of the only areas in Alaska that a Grizzly (Brown) Bear may be harvested every year instead of, as in most areas, one every four years.
{Translation? We got lots of bears!}
- The Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve is your largest and most untouched National Park. Within its boundaries are enclosed the nations largest glacial system. Glaciers cover over 25 percent, or approximately 5,000 square miles, of the Park.
{Translation? All those glaciers and all that ice makes for lots of wind. The wind is cold. The cold wind keeps the Grizzly Bears hides thick and silky from Spring to hibernation.}
2 Spring Grizzly & Black Bear Hunts ... one of which is yours...
2012 SUMMER HORSEBACK ADVENTURES
The 2012 Summer Pack Trips and Adventures reservations in Alaska with Pioneer Outfitters are filling, don’t be left out!
Alaska horseback wilderness adventures with Pioneer Outfitters have been a one of a kind, incredible horseback adventures since 1924.
Fly into the Interior Alaska Mountains and enjoy the inspiring and endless wilderness the way Alaska was meant to be seen, by horseback.
Individuals, families and groups are all welcome to join us, as we explore and travel across the rivers and tundra, climb the rugged mountains and glaciers, pan for gold in the same spot as the prospectors did during the last historic gold rush, 
stalk and photograph the amazing the Grizzly Bears, Alaska-Yukon Moose, the only true, non-migrating, Mountain Caribou, the magnificent Dall Sheep as well as and in addition to so much other wildlife. Enjoy visiting and watching the incredible migratory birds that might only ever be seen here, and so very much more!
With experienced horseback and wilderness guides at your side, experience The Last Frontier as it was meant to be experienced! Safely and freely.
Let us be part of showing you Alaska as it was meant to be seen.
ALASKA CHICK’S BLOG
(You are here!!)
We began our online journey at the end of January of 2011 and what a ride it has been! I am still learning and taking classes from HubSpot as well gathering as much intel from knowledgeable mentors, successful business owners and new friends, met online in the massive community of our world.
There is still much to learn and apply to Pioneer Outfitters’s website as well as Alaska Chick’s Blog. I want to thank each one of you that visit the website and blog. Did you leave a message or a comment on the blog? Then, YOU get a thank you and a huge jumping - up - and - down - hug, too! (Big thrills for me!)
Here are some of the posts you may enjoy.
A WORD FROM THE MAN IN BLACK,
MASTER GUIDE TERRY OVERLY
Well, we’ve begun. Here we are in 2012, and sometimes I find myself wondering, “Will it be the end of the world?”
My name is Terry Overly and I am known around these parts and beyond as the “Man in Black.”
I own and operate a full spectrum Outdoor Recreation and Big Game Hunting business in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, in Chisana, called Pioneer Outfitters.
2012 is purported to bring many new and possible unexpected evolutionary changes to be pondered and taken very seriously.
What does that mean for Pioneer Outfitters and our guests and clients?
Alaska Chick wanted me to say a few words for the Chisana News Wire, and as things have been throughout the ages, “If Momma aint happy, aint nobody happy,” so here it is.
We have a lot of plans, for us and for our guests and clients in 2012!
We are restructuring our entire Big Game Hunt schedule to accommodate longer, more enjoyable hunts with a bigger focus than in Pioneer Outfitters’s history, on family.
Our Winter Predator Hunts are now underway for Wolf, wolverine, lynx, coyote, fox and martin. Trapping and hunting in the Interior Alaska mountains, with winter survival techniques, using chainsaws in cold weather, ice fishing with set lines and just plain old freezing your butts off, is an Excursion that isn’t for the faint of heart.
Each year, we have college-age young men and women hike and cross country ski through during the winter months. (Kinda makes you wonder what kind of conditioning THAT would take!) It is an Adventure to remember the rest of your life.
PIONEER OUTFITTERS SURVIVAL & GUIDE TRA
INING
The Survival & Guide Training is undergoing some changes as well. The on line course, including an Ethics Class, as requested by the State of Alaska’s Commercial Services Board and the Alaska Board of Game.
There will be more classes and training with chainsaws and centering around the “pioneer lifestyle.”
Building log cabins using axes, chainsaws, hand augers and pegs, using moss for insulation and chinking. You will learn to grow your own food in the harsh environment that Alaska has to offer.
Our trainees will learn skills that can and just may save lives one day. Could be, it could save yours as well. At the least, it will allow one to get in touch with where we all started.
The new Pioneer Outfitters website and Alaska Chick’s Blog is in Amber-Lee’s hands. I can tell you this, she’s working on it. From before I am awake in the mornings until long after everyone else is in bed asleep.
We are aware it is still too confusing to find exactly what you are looking for and I have been assured that it is being worked on, as we speak.
I hope each one of you will leave a comment, if there is a question or puzzle that is left unanswered. It will help us focus on the tricky-hide-and-seek information that seems to be cousin to the sock-eating washing machine.
Until next time, take care.
Master Guide Terry Overly
Nancy’s Say-So ... (CZN GAMMY)
Nancy Williams, Resident Gammy and friend to and of all Alaskan Fairies. Lodge Keeper and GCS (General Crisis Solver). Nancy has been part of the Pioneer Outfitters family for 6 years.
Thoughts on Wood Shopping...
As we enter into winter and the temperature continues to drop, I am sure that EVERYONE is quite tired of my mantra, “WOOD WOOD, WOOD, I need more wood, Amber needs more wood, Terry needs more wood at the Lodge and some really short pieces for the sauna. Oh, by the way, please drop some wood off at the guest cabin, enough to last at least a week.”
Yep, this time of year it's all about the wood, six very hungry wood stoves to feed.”
Take it from the Chisana wood shopper, they eat a lot, and it's just not that simple to get the right wood.
Pithy "Wolverine" wood mixed in with dry split wood to start a morning fire, add some nice round wood to that and you have a fire! Wet or "green" wood loaded onto an established hot fire will keep us roasty - toasty for quite a while.
We all have our special requirements for the proper sized wood. Short rounds and splits for Amber's stove. Longer sized pieces, to Nancy's, Wes' , and two of the three stoves at Terry's.
His other stove is a biggun'. It can take big rounds and wetter wood than the rest of the stoves. We use this big stove for a lot more than just keeping warm. We cook on it, we heat water on it, we thaw things out on it. It is a hard working stove and it eats more than the rest!
I mentioned that I am a wood shopper, well, all the wood that is brought in and stacked in neat piles looks like the aftermath of a Black Firday sale at Walmart when I get done pitching, tossing, flinging, separating and sorting through a couple of sled loads of wood.
No wonder I get the "Hairy Eyeball" when the words "We need wood" come out of my mouth!
Till next time
Nancy
☺ ~ Want to read more of Nancy’s? ... Here is where you can find some...
Alaska Chick's Blog...in the side bar...
Under "About Us" Amber-Lee Dibble ....
Did I forget anything important? I sure hope not! I hope you enjoyed this Chisana News Wire and please feel free to share it with anyone you believe may enjoy it, as well!
'Till next month, folks...Take Care
When you subscribe to our Chisana News Wire, it will automatically be sent to you, via email on the 10th of each month, when new Newsletters are posted. Easy to stay informed! Be the first to hear about New Contestsand keep up with Guides on Adventures, Excursions and Hunting Trips!
The Chisana News Wire will have articles, links, check lists, and best of all, Master Guide Terry Overly ~SPEAKS, Gammy-Nancy Has Her Say and Manager's Memos! I'll do my best to keep you informed and entertained, once a month, on what's going on here in our neck of the woods!
Alaska Chick's Blog, Updates and Voice-Raising News posts you might have missed!
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The Chisana News Wire ~ On-Going Updates from Alaska Chick
Pioneer Outfitters Guide Trainee, "Ruger" Finishes Phase 1 Training
Alaska Hunting and Adventure Updates, Not Quite From the Field...
Horseback Adventures and Hunting Updates for Pioneer Outfitters
Alaska Chick's Updates, No Rapture, No Zombies, Just Updates
3- Alaska Horseback Adventure Updates!
Wilderness Adventures Updates and News
Annual National Park Service & Big Game Hunting Guides Meeting
Shutting the Door on Non-Resident Sheep Hunting in Alaska
New Adventures and Big Game Hunts for 2011
NEW PRICES GO INTO EFFECT, November 1st, 2011. ~For Any Trip Booked With A Deposit Before That Date, Current Prices Will Be Honored.
NEW! Alaska-Yukon Rafting / Horse Pack Trip ~ Bring your passports!
NEW! 5-Day Scheduled Horseback Adventures!
NEW! 20 Day and 30 Day Family Big Game Hunts
Are you ready to get off the beaten path? We have horseback adventures for all experience levels and ideas for you to think about and choose from!
May 1st, 2011 WINNER!
Robert Ashlock from Oklahoma is our WINNER for Pioneer Outfitters 2011 7-Day Guided Horseback Fishing Adventure!