KODIAK

Kodiak is the main city on Kodiak Island, the second largest island in the United States. It is also home to Alaska's largest fishing fleet. Kodiak was originally the Russian capitol of Alaska, and many of the structures and architecture in Kodiak reflect this Russian heritage including the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Baranov Museum. This museum was once a storehouse for furs, and is one of Alaska's oldest wooden structures.

Another noteworthy place to visit in Kodiak is the Alutiiq Museum and Archeological Repository. The museum preserves and shares the cultural traditions of the Alutiiq people through exhibits, educational programs, publications, anthropological research, and the care of traditional objects.

But the real reason to visit Kodiak is to explore the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, a protected habitat area which covers two thirds of the island, and offers a home to one of the largest carnivorous animals in the world, the Kodiak Brown bear. Hunting the Kodiak Brown bear is what draws most people to the island, and there are certain parts of the year where non-residents can get permits to hunt for Kodiak Brown bear; however it is quite difficult, with lottery chances of about 2-3%.