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American History

15 Brutal Ways People Survived the Alaskan Wilderness in the Early Days

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6. Trapping and Hunting for Survival

eskimo hunter harpooning from ice floe with dead seal at his feet, seward peninsula, alaska, between 1908 and 1915 (al+ca 6427)
Eskimo hunter harpooning from ice floe with dead seal at his feet, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, between 1908 and 1915. Source: Wikipedia

Wild game—such as moose, caribou, and various small mammals—served as the mainstay of early Alaskan diets. Traps and snares were set for hares, beavers, and foxes, while skilled hunters pursued larger prey. Beyond providing meat, these animals supplied furs for clothing and bones for tools, making every part valuable. This reliance on wild resources set Alaskan survival apart from agricultural societies. Learn more about traditional hunting methods at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

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