Calendar of Events
Camps & Skills Clinics

Anchorage

• May 1
  Introduction to Rifle (Alaskans Afield)
  Register at Alaskans Afield
  
  In this beginner level class, you will learn the 4 rules of firearm safety; parts and safe operation of a bolt-action .22 rifle; ammunition components, selection and safe storage; basic marksmanship skills; range etiquette; and how to shoot from the benchrest position with coached practice.
  Women who are nursing or pregnant should consult with their physician prior to registering due to potential exposure to lead.
• Thursday, May 2, 6-9pm
  Bear Aware
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Wednesday, May 15 & Thursday, May 16 5pm-9pm
  Intro to Shotgun
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Tuesday, June 4, 5-9pm
  Intro to Archery
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Thursday, June 6, 6-9pm
  Bear Aware
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Monday, June 10 & Tuesday, June 11, 5-9pm
  Bear Safety
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Tuesday, July 23, 5-9pm
  Archery 101
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Friday, July 26, 6-9pm
  Rifle Set Up - Optimizing your Optic for Shooting and Hunting Success
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Monday, July 29, 5-9pm
  Bobber Fishing
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Thursday, August 1, 5-8pm
  Small Game Hunting
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Monday, August 12 & Tuesday, August 13, 5-9pm
  Intro to Shotgun
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Saturday, August 24, 9am-1pm
  Intro to Handgun
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Saturday, August 24, 2-6pm
  Intro to Handgun
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Thursday, August 29, 5-9pm
  Duck Hunting
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Saturday, October 26, 12-5pm
  Hunter Education Certification
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Wednesday, November 13, 6-8pm
  Draw Tags & Hunting Regulations 101
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.

Echo Ranch Bible Camp, Juneau

• May 10-12, 2024
  Southeast BOW Spring Workshop
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.

Fairbanks

• Tuesday, July 16, 5-10pm
  Hunter Education Certification
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• Saturday, July 27 & Sunday, July 28
  B.O.W. Blitz
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.

Juneau

• April 21
  Basic Rifle (Alaskans Afield)
  Register at Alaskans Afield
  
  Firearm safety and rules for safe gun handling; ammunition: components, selection and safe storage; shooting fundamentals; basic rifle shooting positions; how to clean, store and maintain your firearm.
  Women who are nursing or pregnant should consult with their physician prior to registering due to potential exposure to lead.
• May 4
  Introduction to Handgun (Alaskans Afield)
  Register at Alaskans Afield
  
  Firearm safety, parts, and operation; introduction to ammunition: components, selection and safe storage; fundamentals of shooting; shooting from the benchrest position; how to clean, store, and maintain your firearm; resources for additional shooting and training opportunities.
  Women who are nursing or pregnant should consult with their physician prior to registering due to potential exposure to lead.

Kenai

• Saturday, October 12, 12-5pm
  Hunter Education Certification
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.

Mat-Su

• May 4
  Duck Hunting 101 (Alaskans Afield)
  Register at Alaskans Afield
  
  This course includes a presentation by ADF&G biologist Mark Burch and paddle through duck habitat on Rabbit Slough. Topics include waterfowl habitat, species identification, essential gear, using decoys and blinds, firearms and ammunition.

Online

• January 11
  How old am I? The answer is in my genes
  Please join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 for a Winter Wildlife Series lecture titled "How old am I? The answer is in my genes." Ehren Epperson will present work from a collaborative project with ADFG staff Jeff Stetz, Sarah Rauchenstein and Trista Sims, and staff from USFWS and AITRIC, using epigenetics analysis to develop a "genetic clock" to estimate ages for polar bears, brown bears, and black bears in Alaska.
  Ehren has worked for USFS as a wilderness ranger at Pack Creek Brown Bear Sanctuary on Admiralty Island, and as a research technician studying black bears for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. He has also worked for NPS at Sequia Natl Park as a bear management ranger and served two years with the Alaska State Troopers A-star Helicopter team. Ehren is currently a Wildlife Tech III in Palmer and is excited to share work from this ground-breaking collaborative project. Registration for the online presentation is required. Register here.
• February 8
  Studying Tree Swallows in Southcentral Alaska
  Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 8 for the Winter Wildlife Series virtual presentation "Studying Tree Swallows in Southcentral Alaska" with Rachel Gingras. North America has experienced a 32% decline in birds that feed on seasonally abundant insect populations. Pinpointing the non-breeding origins and routes of migratory birds is critical for understanding these declines. Using Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor; TRES) as a model organism, stable isotope ecology techniques and geolocator data are being used to study interannual variation in both breeding and non-breeding origins, migratory catchment, and dispersal for Tree Swallows breeding in Southcentral Alaska. While pursuing a BS degree in Natural Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Rachel Gingras worked on a Tree Swallow monitoring project examining stable isotope variability in multiple tissues. She received an MS in Biological Sciences from UAA in 2022 studying Tree Swallow migration. Rachel is a Wildlife Technician 3 at ADF&G's Wildlife Information Center. Registration is required for this online event and is available here.

Palmer

• Tuesday, June 4th, 5pm -10pm
  Hunter Education Certification
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.
• June 15
  Reflections Lake Discovery Day 2024
  When: Saturday, June 15th, 12pm to 4pm. Where: Reflections Lake, Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge - located at Mile 30.6, 'Knik River Access' exit, along the Glenn Highway. Approximately 32 miles northeast of downtown Anchorage and 11 miles south of downtown Palmer and Wasilla. Event: Help celebrate one of Palmer's popular wildlife viewing areas at this free annual event. At this family-friendly event you can engage with birding stations along the boardwalk, assist ADF&G staff with a fish release, learn how to deploy bear spray, participate in hands-on nature activities, go geocaching, watch dog retriever demonstrations, and more! Parking available nearby; restrooms and entire facility are accessible to those in wheelchairs. For more information, contact Burl Dickman at burl.dickman@alaska.gov

Wasilla

• Saturday, October 5, 12-5pm
  Hunter Education Certification
  For additional details visit the BOW Schedule page.