Could You Live in Alaska?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Could You Live in Alaska?
Image: Jacob W. Frank / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Since becoming the 49th state in 1959, Alaska has been a national treasure. With over 100,000 glaciers, stunning mountains and the largest swath of untouched land in the country, many have dreamed of heading north and living off the land. It's a great thought, and many manage to do it successfully. Do you have what it takes, though? 

In order to make a life for yourself in the Alaskan bush, you'll need more outdoor skills than your average human. You'll need to be able to build structures, hunt and trap food and stay warm during the never-ending cold. During this quiz, we're going to put your wilderness survival skills and your resolve to the test! Can you make it through the most basic of tests, or are you better off heading to the Florida coast? 

Alaska might be beautiful, but living there can break even the most experienced outdoors person! Answer our questions honestly, and we'll let you know if you could make the Arctic cut. Are you brave enough to make it? Polish up your machete and put on a pair of thermal socks; then, we'll let you know if Alaska is really for you or if you should scratch it off your list right now. Which one will it be?



1 Fishing What kind of rod would you use to stock up on fish?
Fly rod
Trolling rod
Surf rod
I'll just use a net.

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2 Cabin How would you stop a draft from coming in at the bottom of your cabin door?
I would fit it with a seal.
Some old socks in a pair of pantyhose would work.
I'll fasten a new door.
I need that draft for the smoke from my fire to escape.

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3 Potatoes What vegetable would you grow the most of during Alaska's short summer?
Potatoes
Turnips
Tomatoes
Onions

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4 Moose What would you put in your thermos to help keep you warm on a moose hunt?
Tea
Cider
Hot protein shakes
Whiskey

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5 Smoked Salmon Would you rather have elk roast or smoked salmon for dinner?
Sign me up for grouse.
I would dig into a fresh elk roast!
Smoked salmon can be my dinner any night.
I was hoping we would have squirrel.

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6 Wood If you had to barter for firewood, what would you offer to trade?
I have a bunch of DVDs from the '90s.
My hens are still laying well.
I'll offer up some of those turnips from my garden.
It looks like they're getting a hug!

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7 Canoe Have you ever operated a two-man canoe alone?
I've never operated a canoe.
It's not the 1800s. Boats have motors now.
No, but I'm good with a kayak.
I have! It's super easy.

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8 Life Below Zero Which Alaskan reality TV show makes you want to head north?
"Life Below Zero"
"Alaska: The Last Frontier"
"Alaskan Bush People"
"Yukon Gold"

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9 Crabs How long would you last on an Alaskan crabbing boat?
I might make it one season.
I wouldn't even try it.
I'll be back in less than a week.
I could make it to captain someday.

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10 Sled Dog Do you own at least one sled dog or hunting dog?
I have a couple of dogs, but they're couch dogs.
I will someday!
Does my Pomeranian count?
I have a beagle; he's a great hunter.

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11 Blizzard Oh no! You're trapped outside in a flash blizzard. How are you going to take shelter?
I'll build a quick teepee and stuff it with moss.
I'm not. I checked the weather before I left.
I carry a tarp on my snowmobile.
I'll make a snow cave.

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12 Hiking What's the most important thing to put in your backpack before going hiking?
A compass
Extra water
A firestarter
An extra pair of gloves

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13 Bear What are you going to do when a bear crosses your path?
Pass out
Say, "Hey, Bear!"
Spray it with pepper spray
Offer it a hot dog

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14 Sablefish Which one of these traditional Alaskan foods would you order at a diner?
Reindeer dogs
Black cod
Eskimo ice cream
Chocolate bread

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15 Winter Woman How would you keep your feet warm while you're out doing chores?
I would wear waterproof boots.
I'll wrap my feet in plastic before putting my socks on.
I always wear extra socks and wear fur-lined boots.
I'll put some of those hand warmer things in my boots.

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16 Axe Do you feel more comfortable with an ax or a machete?
I'm better with a hammer.
I'm best with an ax.
You need a machete in the bush.
I'm best with a 9mm!

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17 Caribou What's the best way to attract a caribou?
Rub antlers on some brush
You can't; you have to track it!
Put out some corn
Scent the area with urine

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18 Juneau Which Alaskan city would you visit to purchase supplies?
Anchorage
Juneau
Fairbanks
Homer

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19 Seaplane Would you be afraid to hop aboard a seaplane?
There are bigger things to fear in Alaska.
Landing on water might be a little scary.
It wouldn't bother me.
I wouldn't like that at all.

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20 Sarah Palin Out of these famous Alaskans, who impresses you the most?
Wyatt Earp
Jack London
Jewel
Sarah Palin

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21 Chainsaw Have you ever actually operated a chain saw?
No, but I could learn.
I have! It's not that hard.
I have, and I need some practice.
It can't be that hard. I've seen someone use one.

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22 Duck Farm Would you raise chickens or ducks for their eggs?
Both!
Chickens
Ducks
I'll forage for wild eggs.

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23 Northern Lights Can you handle only getting a couple of hours of daylight?
I wouldn't like that at all.
It's such a peaceful time of year.
I don't keep a normal schedule anyway.
I prefer darkness.

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24 Alaska Berries Do you ever eat the red berries?
You can eat some of them.
You never eat the red berries.
If they are cranberries or raspberries, you do.
Sure! They won't hurt you.

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25 Shooting What are your marksmanship skills like?
Novice
Expert
Good
Sniper level

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26 Drying Fish How do you preserve your catch for the year?
A root cellar
Smoking
Drying
Canning

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27 Wolverine What would you never want to find in one of your snares?
A wolf
A grizzly bear
A wolverine
A beaver

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28 Boiling Water How would you purify water on the fly?
I'll carry one of those purification straws.
I'll use rocks and sand to filter it.
I'll boil it.
It's Alaska! It's already pure.

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29 Building Cabin Do you have enough building skills to erect a cabin?
I'll buy a kit.
I could handle it.
You can do anything when you need to do it.
I'm sure there's one I can claim.

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30 Alone in Woods Could you spend a year alone and not go insane?
That sounds like a dream!
I would need to see someone once in a while.
It would be better to have someone out there with me.
No problem!

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