Life Below Zero

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[QUOTETime for me to play the mean ol' moderator and ask everyone to stay focused on the firearms related topics and drop the drama around "Sue" (some of you are beginning to sound like a bunch of old gossips around the bingo table). Remember that this is a TV show and caribou is kind enough to explain what his and his family's experience is like, but that luxury isn't extended to the other participants in the show.
__________________][/QUOTE]

Maybe this thread should go to hunting?
 
Heres a teaser for sunday, and if you keep up with me on the Hunting forum , youll know how this episode ends :D

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/life-below-zero/videos/the-chase/

As to guns; Winter its clean, lube, wipe off lube. In summer, is clean, lube, slather even more for rain, salt water spray and such.
it is very swampy, about 2 feet and its solid ice, so the water go's nowhere.

If you want gun problems and drama, buy an AR.

You want all around utility, a Mini14 is most poular, followed by AK's, then Milsurps and Winchester M70's/Rem 700's

For .22 Winchesters, Rugers, and Marlins rule.
 
He he he
Hey, a AR will work 4 months out of the year....

I'll keep you in mind, if you check the Anchorage PD, and the Fairbanks PD, they get SS mini's pretty often, you can check the 'advertised' property to see some of what's going up on auction for the next round.

You forgot Nylons, except the stocks can't take abuse in the cold.
 
I'm enjoying the show. I hadn't been on this forum as much lately, and only found out about the show by accident(no cable tv at home). I was out of town watching tv in a hotel and recognized Agnes (her tattoo) from what caribou had posted well before the show was around.

I was kind of surprised to see an AR out there.
 
AR is trouble ?

Funny that at least one of the partys followed on this show uses an AR/M-4 platform.

And he seems to be well off and well stocked,have not seen him use a different rifle yet [ Erick ].

I do not for a NY second believe the AR/M-4 is the best for anything,BUT at the same time I own and shoot them often and in 40 years have not had an issue yet.

I do own more than a few other makes and calibers ,and I do not like the AR platform in .308/7.62X51 as its too heavy for me.

I do own and shoot a M-1A,civilian model and even that is heavy.

But I find it amusing that so many have a Love/Hate relationship with AR's and Glocks.

They are a tool and if you don't like um,thats understood.BUT ranting about how terrible they are is silly.

In my not so humble opinion.

Wish we could get Ericks feedback on his AR/M-4.
 
Some of the shows that take place in Alaska show people with AR's as their long gun. As to stocks all I can say is nothing works well @ 30,40 or 60 degrees below zero. Cold is hard on everything though some stuff will break before other stuff. Anyway these days if its over 80 its too hot and if its under 80 its too cold. So its an indoor range for me these days where an AR works just fine as does a Glock. Now if only my 10 mm would show up.
 
Caribou, I saw the show yesterday for the first time and watched 3 re-run episodes. I liked the lack of hyped-up drama I see on other shows like "Mountain Men."
Anyway, I didn't understand why it is necessary (or preferable) to dip the fish in seal oil. I understand if the fish has no fat and provides only protein, like rabbits do, the need for added fat in your diet. On the show it was said that eating frozen fish cools your body temperature. Do you not thaw the fish and cook it before eating it, or is it eaten frozen?
On the show, Erick had a misfire with his AR-15 while hunting caribou, apparently because the firing pin was frozen or lube had frozen. Do you use any cold-weather lubricants in your bolt action rifles, or do you run them dry?
Are .30-30 lever action rifles (Marlin 336 and Winchester 94) popular among Native Alaskans for hunting, or are they "not enough gun" for the large game in Alaska?
Finally, I know revolvers like Ruger .44 Magnums and others are popular in Alaska. How popular/common are Glock pistols in .40, .45, and 10mm? Thanks in advance for your answers. Enjoying the show!
 
Funny that at least one of the partys followed on this show uses an AR/M-4 platform.

And he seems to be well off and well stocked,have not seen him use a different rifle yet [ Erick ].

I do not for a NY second believe the AR/M-4 is the best for anything,BUT at the same time I own and shoot them often and in 40 years have not had an issue yet.

I do own more than a few other makes and calibers ,and I do not like the AR platform in .308/7.62X51 as its too heavy for me.

I do own and shoot a M-1A,civilian model and even that is heavy.

But I find it amusing that so many have a Love/Hate relationship with AR's and Glocks.

They are a tool and if you don't like um,thats understood.BUT ranting about how terrible they are is silly.

In my not so humble opinion.

Wish we could get Ericks feedback on his AR/M-4.
His AR failed in E1. To cold for it.
 
"Anyway, I didn't understand why it is necessary (or preferable) to dip the fish in seal oil. I understand if the fish has no fat and provides only protein, like rabbits do, the need for added fat in your diet. On the show it was said that eating frozen fish cools your body temperature. Do you not thaw the fish and cook it before eating it, or is it eaten frozen?"

Locals who live on the west and north coast
like spears of frozen whitefish, dipped in seal
oil because it tastes great. Calories from fat
are also needed for those who spend much time
out in the cold.
 
Also, if you stay outside al the dooda day, theres little chances of building a fire out on the ice, or in a storm or such.
Dipping the frozen fish/Caribou/meats into the oil is basicly a caloric way of cooking it (in a sense) as its better to ingest the calories eating it with the frozen foods than to burn the oil to cook anything.

Often we are out for days, and often we have no fire at all, just enough to make coffee and tea.

When you walk and carry all you own, a stove isn't light, either, nor is there always fuel around to cook with.

when everything is -20, including the food in your pack, carrying Seal oil is the difference between going home to eat and sleep and actually being out there, as a Hunter/Gather'r/Fisher would.
 
@Caribou

You stated that a stove is heavy,I am under the impression that you go out with either a dog sled or a machine.
That would mean to me that the weight of a small stove would be easy to handle IF your not humping it on your person.
Did I miss something ?,thank for your responses as it gives us all a 'feel' for your life ==== without all the cold and terrible conditions you endure :D.
 
Amazing, I am really impressed at the way you live your lives. It's something all people should see. Only wish I tolerated the cold better.
 
Stoves die while bumping along in a sled behind a Snow machine, as well as they are better suited to stay where the tent is, or shelter cabin, while hunting, so yes, we do have them, but we don't take them everywhere. we do, however take a metal canteen, metal cup, bowl or coffee pot to melt water, as thirst is the bane of the Arctic.I carry a Swedish canteen in my inner jacket parka and when Im 1/2 done, I pack course ice and snow into replace the water I drank and get to meltingthat for the next break. We carry thermos's too, but mostly they stay in camp if were walking and such. Sweet Tea is a favorite.
A guy breaks down and walks, or go's ice fishing, or just hunting on foot or cutting wood, or any situation where a fire isn't feasible, carrying seal oil and having a frozen lunch is doable at -40. Warms you right up.

100 years ago there were no little stove to take along in regular use, besides it takes good :D
 
Do you carry a 44 Magnum also when just walking around your home? Are other calibers other than 22 still useful in the handgun are, or is it strictly large caliber handguns with a longer sight radius, "I would think that a glock 26 , "type handgun", is useless for your needs" and large caliber rifles would be the rule of thumb. Will a 308 or a 30-06 do the job for you, I noticed a mosin and several AK's on the few episodes I watched. I would have thought the AK was a shorter range weapon than desired for most chores. How about a slug gun in 12 gauge, with some birdshot for the occasional Grouse?
How much does it cost you per month to heat your home? Does everyone use dogs, or are some more into tracked vehicles, like snow mobiles? I would think that a few dogs are necessary for guard duty and companionship if not for sled use? Very interesting show, hope they make it worth your while in the second season.
 
Do you carry a 44 Magnum also when just walking around your home? Are other calibers other than 22 still useful in the handgun are, or is it strictly large caliber handguns with a longer sight radius, "I would think that a glock 26 , "type handgun", is useless for your needs" and large caliber rifles would be the rule of thumb. Will a 308 or a 30-06 do the job for you, I noticed a mosin and several AK's on the few episodes I watched. I would have thought the AK was a shorter range weapon than desired for most chores. How about a slug gun in 12 gauge, with some birdshot for the occasional Grouse?
How much does it cost you per month to heat your home? Does everyone use dogs, or are some more into tracked vehicles, like snow mobiles? I would think that a few dogs are necessary for guard duty and companionship if not for sled use? Very interesting show, hope they make it worth your while in the second season.

I'm thinking many of your questions are answered in this thread.
 
No, I , nor any of my family carry a pistol of any kind around the house.
'Have pistol, will travel' is good when you stick to a trail in Winter, going from village to village, but Hunting requires a rifle, the openness of the country makes it so and up this way, with 3 kinds of Bears, and extra weight is just that, most all guys I know use a Rifle as their Bear Pistol.
Women do most pistol packing, as they cut fish , pick berrys, are busy looking and using both hands or such that involves things Bears eat, or frequent, and the pistols I know of having been used were all fired in the air apon seeing that Bear, and all Bears exited stage left.

The Aks I see around are mostly .223, and each guy has his favorite caliber or rifle,Ruger Mini-14s are very popular too, though Ive never owned one, I see em lots....but any accurate rifle could be in 30-06 to .22, but Ive seen absolutely no short magnums or any kinda magnum except .22WMR......ammunition for odd calibers is hard to come by, with .223, .243w, .308, .270, and 30-06 being most common.
 
I one read many years ago that 22 Hornets were favored many hunters since the ammo is light and it had enough punch use on game by a careful hunter. Has its use died out with the coming of easily available 223?
 
AR/M-4 ? Carabou

So it sounds like those here that are nay saying the M-4's are not exactly on board with those actually in the bush with them,IF as you state that the ammunition for them is one of the prime rounds in country ?.

I would NOT choose that as a primary in that AO, but I am curious to see that it seems many do.

Interesting to read from you that the handgun is not very popular among your friends,we are told it is a perfect gun in that AO as its handy.

I do agree that the rifle is THE best to have at hand,but there are times a man has to be in an ----- er --- awkward position and the pistol is the only thing that might be useful.
 
Great show, really done well. Some action junkies may find it boring but I liked the format and I liked the fact that it shows different folk in different situations pursuing man's common needs, food and money ;)
 
I found this site via a thread I started at another site concerning your show.
I spent 4 days in Anchorage on my way to another country many, many years ago and always wanted to go back and never did and probably won't. Watching your show and that of the Alaskan State Troopers has allowed me to see what I never got to see in person. Thanks to you and the others for bringing us into your lives.
 
The .223 is an excellent cartridge, and very highly praised here as an accurate killing round. M4/M16 type platforms are not.
There are those that buy them, have them, and there are those that buy them, use them, then sell them, ..........as its pretty much necessary to carry a gun that works in all climates and weathers. I know of two 'owned to the 6th degree" AR's in this village. Great summer guns, but not Winter guns.
I think the NG 5th Eskimo Scout Battalion in Kotz still issues M14's.

The availability of .223 in bulk is another reason its popular, as alotta Alaskan's bulk buy food, fuel, ammo. "Sporting" rounds are near 40$-60$ for 20 right now, ammo prices are frikkin' scary, so a bunch at once is best.

Thankfully, we can show village life WAY BETTERR than the Nat Geo AST. AK Troopers show a biased view of village life, 99% bad, and that's why a Trooper is there. Were trying to show the best we can, and what is common here, in our lives.
 
Yes, I understand where you are coming from but I was referring to the scenery, not the people that the troopers interact with. I was 19 years old when I was in Anchorage, and the people I met during those 4 days have left an everlasting impression upon me. They were as far from those the AST program deals with as can be. The hospitality and respect shown to me has never been forgotten.
 
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