These 1,000-pound members of the deer family are most commonly observed feeding in shallow lakes and ponds in the late evening or early in the morning. Look for the large, dark objects in open marshy areas along the Alaska Highway and Tok Cutoff.

The 20,000+ Fortymile Herd crosses the Taylor Highway from east to west during March and April and west to east in October and November. Scan Mt.Fairplay and high country near mile 145 Taylor Highway and along the Top of the World Highway in summer.

Use binoculars to scan mountain slopes on both sides of the Tok Cutoff from Mile 91 to 101, looking for groups of white “dots”.

Both black and grizzly bears inhabit the Tok area. Look for their tracks in mud along area trails and near rivers. Bear can often be viewed safely with binoculars on the open hillsides between Tok and Northway and on mountain slopes along the Tok Cutoff between Tok and MentastaPass. Late evenings are best for viewing bears.

The entire Upper Tanana Valley offers excellent waterfowl nesting habitat and is a main migration corridor for the birds each spring and fall. Moon Lake, about 22 miles northwest of Tok on the Alaska Highway, and Mineral Lake, About 40 miles south of town along the Tok Cutoff, offer excellent viewing opportunities. Trumpeter swans, the “royalty” of local waterfowl, can be seen nesting in the ponds near the Alaska Highway between Tanacross and Moon Lake. There is a handy highway turnout from which the swans and other waterfowl can be viewed. Mallards, pintails, widgeon, green-winged teal, buffleheads, and scaup are locally common. Look for lesser Canada geese on gravel bars on theTanana River.

The Tok area offers fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, arctic grayling, northern pike, and burbot. Rainbows can be caught at Four-mile, Hidden, Robertson II, and Jan Lakes. Grayling occur in the Tok River Overflow and the Little Tok River, about 20-25 miles south of Tok along the Tok Cutoff. Pike occur in most area lakes connected to the river system. Burbot inhabit the Chisana, Nabesna, and Tanana rivers and are caught by bottom fishing with bait. Check with local sporting goods dealers for local fishing guides. Consider flying out with a local air taxi for a real wilderness fishing experience.