Moose hunter flown off upper Chistochina River after medical emergency

A moose hunter suffering a medical emergency on the upper Chistochina River was flown out by helicopter and handed to medics waiting at Gulkana Airport, Alaska State Troopers said.

Troopers were notified Monday, Sept. 7. Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded, aided by a medic from the University Fire Department in Fairbanks, flying aboard Helo 2, a Department of Public Safety helicopter. The department posted the account the next afternoon, case AK26088653.

The upper river is far from the road. The Chistochina heads at a glacier on the south side of the Alaska Range and reaches the highway only near the village that shares its name.

Troopers did not release the hunter's name, age or condition.

State hunter safety guidance says possibly the most important first aid skill for hunters is knowing when an injury or illness is serious enough to end the hunt and evacuate.