Many things in Alaska have a uniqueness all their own, and ptarmigan hunting in the winter and spring is no exception. The ever-present challenge with hunting in Alaska is not only finding your quarry, but also getting to it. A ptarmigan hunt in the fall often presents the challenge of finding birds in a vast and endless landscape. When the mountains are covered in snow, however, the challenge is inverted. Almost every mountain valley will hold some amount of ptarmigan, and wherever you see exposed willow tops you'll either find birds or you'll find evidence that they had been there. The bigger challenge this time of year lies in getting to them.