You can get a permit that allows you to take, harass, or kill marine mammals, if you have a good enough reason. If you have a good enough reason -- you can take a walrus. And if you're big enough. But where?
I don't want to take any walrus, I just want to take their picture. This is not like taking a picture of a petroglyph (or the honeycombs behind the petroglyphs) in Carrizo Plain National Moneymint, where you get threatened with ticketing and or arrest if you suggest taking pictures of petroglyph rock (If I even see you here with a camera ..."), this is a walrus we're talking about. This is not some light love making.
This is serious. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is illegal to take, harrass or kill a marine mammal, specifically whales, dolphins, seals, polar bears and walrus. If you take a camera and approach a walrus close enough to get a good picture without a $5000 lens, you probably need a permit. If he feels harassed, you may need to be able to run. I don't think the Marine Mammal Protection Act actually says any thing about that. Quote: "You must be able to run like a ... 'If I even see you here with a camera,' says the walrus"
Go figure, aren't I a marine mammal, in need of protection? Doesn't the walrus need a permit to hassle me. No -- I have to take my chances.
Flight to Dillinger -- $1000
Fly to somewhere -- I am not sure where -- a point on Homer spit or a beach -- $400
Boat to Round Island $400
Hotels meals etc. -- $600
One week Camping, permits, fees, food, film, and ... did I mention food? ... $500
12 day trip to Round Island to photograph walrus -- $2900
Holy shit, Batman
Any one care to join me?
That's one expensive Alaska vacation. You could probably organize a cheaper one, but it's not easy. I recommend reading Jill Fredston's book about long-distance sea kayaking, "Rowing to Latitude." Take a trip like that, and a nice picture of a walrus is almost guarenteed. And in a craft that small, you're not likely to be able to "harass" a marine mammal, no matter how close you come to it. As Jill's book shows, they're more likely to harass you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jill! I suspect I'll never make this trip. I really want to drive to Alaska and spend about 6 months doing it. ... We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI'll second the Fredston book recommendation. If you want to bike up to Marin, I'll lend it to you.
ReplyDeleteAfter you read that I think you'll want to try any northern route you can afford. When it warms up a bit more...
Ok -- Ok. I bought the book -- I hope this doesn't mean I'll need to buy any boats.
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