I should have posted this before.
There are 275+ fishing, hunting and natural history lodges in Alaska. Many of them are very remote locations that have openings for Caretaker type jobs during the winter months.
It's a unique opportunity for people who are self-sufficient and don't mind a solitary experience.
You are basically looking after the often multi-million dollar operations during the 6 month winters and into the early spring before the lakes and rivers break up.
Duties are pretty simple:
Shoveling snow off the roofs of buildings and making trails if they have a winter clientele, cutting firewood, watching for tresspssers and vandals, etc.
You need to be fairly healthy. You need to know how to run a generator, propane utilities, maintain a snowmachine, 4 wheeler and chainsaw. Someone who knows a little about everything will do well.
Many of them are weather stations and you will need a NWS Certification for Weather Reporting (Paid for). This requires constant close proximity to the lodge and is often ideal for couples... if you can tolerate each other. It also pays better.
The oppurtunity to run a trap line, hunting fox, wolf, hares, and upland birds is available at many of them. Can be superb in some areas.
Winter activities include cross country and downhill skiing, snow machine riding and guiding, snoweshoing, trapping, predator hunting, ice fishing, reading, fly-tying, arts and crafts, and photography which can be interesting and even lucrative for those interested in publishing. It can be quite long, lonely and boring if you don't know how to keep yourself busy and entertained. Some places provide Satellite T.V., Internet, etc. Others don't do squat.
Compensation is usually $700-$1500 per month with all food, supplies and transport paid for. Some will pay RT airfare from the lower 48 states. Often other job oppurtunites at the lodge for the summer, which is always an interesting experience.
None of them allow you to stay in the lodge itself. There is always a good little cabin with outhouse, stove, generator, and other stuff. Not usually any running water as the pipes freeze.
I worked at these locations for few weeks and months in the mid-90's. I worked as a guide for them during the summer and could fill in if they had problems. They were both situated on the Iditarod Trail and frequent destinations for snowmachiners and winter recreation. I had to care for a dog team at one, which was an adventure in itself.
I was able to go heli-skiing for a full 2 weeks one winter when they hosted a big group here. Whipped up 3000 flies that I sold to local shops and the lodge for their customers. I also read about 60 books in two months. I had to do the weather every two hours, which really sucked but it was interesting. http://www.withinthewild.com/about/
I guided here all summer in the mid to late 90's. About 3 hours from my house. Other lodges in the area with other caretakers. Lots of snowmachiners. Cook a hamburger for them to make a buck. http://riversonglodge.com/
Those interested can start here: http://www.google.com/search?source...=1T4ADBR_enUS260US269&q=alaska+fishing+lodges
I know many of the owners and operators as I was fully immersed in this lifestyle for 15 years so if you are serious and have questions, send me a PM and I will be happy to answer any questions.
There are 275+ fishing, hunting and natural history lodges in Alaska. Many of them are very remote locations that have openings for Caretaker type jobs during the winter months.
It's a unique opportunity for people who are self-sufficient and don't mind a solitary experience.
You are basically looking after the often multi-million dollar operations during the 6 month winters and into the early spring before the lakes and rivers break up.
Duties are pretty simple:
Shoveling snow off the roofs of buildings and making trails if they have a winter clientele, cutting firewood, watching for tresspssers and vandals, etc.
You need to be fairly healthy. You need to know how to run a generator, propane utilities, maintain a snowmachine, 4 wheeler and chainsaw. Someone who knows a little about everything will do well.
Many of them are weather stations and you will need a NWS Certification for Weather Reporting (Paid for). This requires constant close proximity to the lodge and is often ideal for couples... if you can tolerate each other. It also pays better.
The oppurtunity to run a trap line, hunting fox, wolf, hares, and upland birds is available at many of them. Can be superb in some areas.
Winter activities include cross country and downhill skiing, snow machine riding and guiding, snoweshoing, trapping, predator hunting, ice fishing, reading, fly-tying, arts and crafts, and photography which can be interesting and even lucrative for those interested in publishing. It can be quite long, lonely and boring if you don't know how to keep yourself busy and entertained. Some places provide Satellite T.V., Internet, etc. Others don't do squat.
Compensation is usually $700-$1500 per month with all food, supplies and transport paid for. Some will pay RT airfare from the lower 48 states. Often other job oppurtunites at the lodge for the summer, which is always an interesting experience.
None of them allow you to stay in the lodge itself. There is always a good little cabin with outhouse, stove, generator, and other stuff. Not usually any running water as the pipes freeze.
I worked at these locations for few weeks and months in the mid-90's. I worked as a guide for them during the summer and could fill in if they had problems. They were both situated on the Iditarod Trail and frequent destinations for snowmachiners and winter recreation. I had to care for a dog team at one, which was an adventure in itself.
I was able to go heli-skiing for a full 2 weeks one winter when they hosted a big group here. Whipped up 3000 flies that I sold to local shops and the lodge for their customers. I also read about 60 books in two months. I had to do the weather every two hours, which really sucked but it was interesting. http://www.withinthewild.com/about/
I guided here all summer in the mid to late 90's. About 3 hours from my house. Other lodges in the area with other caretakers. Lots of snowmachiners. Cook a hamburger for them to make a buck. http://riversonglodge.com/
Those interested can start here: http://www.google.com/search?source...=1T4ADBR_enUS260US269&q=alaska+fishing+lodges
I know many of the owners and operators as I was fully immersed in this lifestyle for 15 years so if you are serious and have questions, send me a PM and I will be happy to answer any questions.