Brooks Range Voices: Billy Molls
The seasoned guide shares his appreciation for the Brooks Range and calls on hunters to unite to protect hunting opportunities in one of America’s last, best wild places
Billy Molls grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin dreaming of hunting and exploring Alaska. At 19, he answered the “call of the wild” and went north to make good on that dream. He’s spent the last two and a half decades guiding hunters across Alaska for everything from brown bears on the Alaska Peninsula to Dall sheep in the Brooks Range. Molls is also a film producer, author, public speaker, and hunting consultant. He has a deep appreciation for wild country and wildlife and has seen firsthand how good they are for the soul.
The Brooks Range is still, today, the wild Alaska that Molls grew up dreaming about. He calls it “The Last Frontier of the Last Frontier.” He believes the Brooks is a national treasure that needs to be kept the way it is. That’s why he’s against the proposed Ambler Road. If built, the project would stretch 211 miles along the southern flanks of the Brooks Range to support the development of an unknown number of foreign-owned mines — to the detriment of hunters, anglers, and every other person who dreams of experiencing wild places.
Here is his story.
Describe the types of activities you’ve enjoyed in the Brooks Range.
I’ve spent at least a month in the Brooks each year for 23 years guiding Dall sheep, grizzly, and caribou hunters.
Share one particular memory that stands out to you.
A new client was just dropped off. The Super Cub wasn’t even yet out of earshot when the hunter—who I’d known all of 4 minutes—blurted out, “It’s been eating me up inside that I’m having an affair on my wife!” Over the course of the hunt, he asked me for advice on how to best dissolve his marriage of more than 20 years. Knowing less about women and relationships than most rocks, I was reluctant to offer advice. What I did tell him was to utilize the time he had in the mountains away from all distractions—more specifically not to use my satellite telephone. He obliged.
Months later that hunter called me. He thanked me for a great adventure and for the advice. He said, “Before I left the Brooks Range, I knew I wanted to restore my marriage. Those 10 days changed my perspective 180 degrees.”
Think of your first trip to the Brooks – what was different than you expected?
My first trip to the Brooks was in 2000. Even by Alaska standards, it was untouched. I felt like I was the only person who’d ever been there.
What is most special about this place?
The wilderness immersion: It is pristine, untouched, with no man-made distraction. The Brooks Range is a national treasure that needs to be preserved and left wild.
Share at least one piece of essential gear you’d recommend packing or advice you’d share with someone going to the Brooks for the first time.
A book. My favorite is the Bible.
Please share a favorite hunting or fishing memory or story from your time in the Brooks Range.
After 17 days of hard hunting in snow, rain, wind, and you-name-it, my client finally connected on a 10-year-old Dall ram. Excited to cook ribs over the fire the following day, we woke up to a grizzly eating the meat. We managed to scare him off, but he came back. Fortunately, pilots were able to come shortly after. As we loaded the planes, the bear came back out to investigate. My client said, “Nothing comes easy in these mountains, does it?” I smiled and said, “Nope, and that’s exactly why we do it!”
How do you think your experience in the Brooks would change if the Ambler Road was built? What do hunters and anglers stand to lose?
The Brooks Range is certainly one of the wildest places left on this planet. Road access would ruin the timelessness and wilderness experience of the Brooks Range. One’s value system, thoughts, experience, worldview, and life itself is changed in the Brooks Range because it is as God made it. Once that is compromised, there is no going back. We live in a consumptive society. Once the dam is broken, the flood will ensue.
I call the Brooks Range, “The Last Frontier of the Last Frontier.” The Brooks Range is arguably the wildest huntable wilderness in the United States. As hunters, if we lose this one, then nothing is safe.
Why is it important that hunters and anglers across the nation speak up against the proposed Ambler Road?
As hunters, we must unite to protect hunting opportunities in wild places. The Brooks Range exemplifies and still is the wild Alaska I grew up dreaming about. Corporate greed will never cease. But the Brooks Range is a place that dreams are made of for outdoorsmen. And, as I always say, a life without a dream is a nightmare.
Header Image: Photo courtesy of Billy Molls. Find him on Instagram @themoderndaymountainman
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Tell Congress NOT to force the Bureau of Land Management to permit the Ambler Road.
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