King of the Wilderness-Chapter 144 - 126: The Hunting Season Begins

In early August, Alaska's intense daylight is gradually receding, the boundaries of night are becoming clear again, and the precious twilight reappears.

The main structure of the house is complete, but the fine interior decoration and plumbing installation still have a long way to go.

However, Lin Yu'an has already moved into the cabin, and the distinct scent of wood emanating from the house is palpable.

He has a clear plan in mind; he must turn this place into a warm, comfortable home before the first heavy snow of late autumn blocks the Dalton Highway, and then bring Aliya over.

He contemplated the upcoming plans, his gaze falling on the calendar hanging on the wall.

August 10th, a day marked with a conspicuous red circle, with "hunting season" boldly written underneath.

He sighed softly; as someone who has not yet lived here for a full year as a "non-resident," hunting is an extremely extravagant activity for him.

He had asked his old neighbor Stan in detail; for the hunting season, an annual hunting license is required, which costs him, as an Alaska resident, only 45 US Dollars.

As a non-resident, Lin Yu'an would have to pay 630 US Dollars for an annual hunting license to hunt large game, a fourteenfold difference.

Game tags, this is where the real cost lies.

A black bear, a resident tag fee is 25 US Dollars, while a non-resident has to pay 450 US Dollars.

As for Alaska's wildlife king, the brown bear, the resident tag is also a symbolic 25 US Dollars, but it's 1000 US Dollars for non-residents.

Moreover, hunting Dall sheep and brown bears requires a lottery, and winning for non-residents is like winning the lottery.

Even if he buys a hunting license, he can only hunt one moose per season.

But with a bear tag, he can hunt either a black bear or a brown bear.

"It seems that until I obtain residency status, I can only hunt some small game without restrictions," Lin Yu'an mumbled to himself.

However, he had already made a pact with Old George, Lin Yu'an promised to be his "legs and eyes" and accompany him to chase after the Dall sheep once more.

He may not hunt Dall sheep, but he can help carry the packs, scout the terrain, and use a shotgun to hunt smaller game like Thunderbirds and grouse, so Lin Yu'an plans to purchase a shotgun.

Lin Yu'an drove his Ford Conqueror back to Fairbanks.

He walked familiarly into the largest outdoor sports store, the air inside filled with the mixed scent of gun oil and leather.

On the long gun rack, various rifles and shotguns were quietly displayed, like beasts waiting to be awakened.

A store clerk with a name tag reading "Dave" came over, his bushy beard dense, his eyes friendly yet professional.

"Good afternoon, sir. Looking for something specific?"

Lin Yu'an got straight to the point: "I need a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun."

"It needs to be very reliable, with versatile use primarily for bird hunting, but in a critical moment, I hope it can help me handle a bear if I'm unlucky enough to encounter one."

Dave's face showed a knowing smile: "Of course, sir, multi-purpose and extreme reliability—it's almost every Alaskan's requirement."

"We have timeless classics like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500; they're like the Ford F-150 in the pickup world, they won't disappoint you."

He showed Lin Yu'an a few basic models; although well-built, Lin Yu'an felt they were missing something.

What he needed was a gun that's all set and ready, capable of handling any extreme situation. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Dave seemed to sense Lin Yu'an's thoughts and smiled mysteriously: "But if you want something that's ready for graduation, follow me."

He led Lin Yu'an to an independent tactical equipment showcase and took out a completely black, extremely aggressive-looking shotgun.

Lin Yu'an's eyes were instantly attracted.

This was the Mossberg 590A1, but it was evidently deeply tactically modified, distinctly different from its simpler counterparts on the rack.

Dave handed the gun to Lin Yu'an, the heavy weight of it immediately conveying a reassuring solidity.

"This is the law enforcement version of the Mossberg 590A1." Dave began to introduce it thoroughly, his fingers tracing each part of the gun.

"Firstly, look at this stock, it's not a traditional fixed stock, but an M4 carbine-style adjustable tactical stock."

"In summer, you wear a T-shirt; in winter, a heavy parka. Just press a button, and you can adjust it to the most suitable length for you."

"On the receiver top is a full-length Picatinny rail, with a tube-style red dot sight pre-installed on it."

"Its function is to allow you to capture targets as quickly as possible during close quarters combat or while moving, with both eyes open for a great field of view."

He pointed to the perforated metal cover on the barrel: "This is a heat shield, ensuring your hand won't get burned on the scorching barrel after rapidly emptying a magazine."

Lin Yu'an's gaze fell on the muzzle, which had a serrated, very aggressive-looking device.

"This is...?"

"A breaching compensator," Dave grinned.

"In tactical use, it can be used to brace against door locks or hinges to prevent muzzle slip."

"But around here, it's more of a style, a 'don't mess with me' warning! Of course, it also effectively reduces muzzle climb."

Lin Yu'an pulled the fore-end pump, that crisp and smooth "ka-chunk" mechanical sound was full of power!