Heidi Hatcher

Alaska Wildlife Biologist. Gakona, Alaska. Heidi was born and raised in North Carolina, where she grew up hunting and fishing as the daughter of a Game Warden. While studying at Appalachian State University, Heidi developed a professional background as an outdoor experiential educator and guide. She spent several winter seasons as a certified ski and snowboard instructor and as a backpacking instructor and hiking guide in summer. Heidi moved to Alaska in 2010, where she continued her professional career as an outdoor educator and guide while studying at UAF, gaining the education and skills necessary to achieve her ultimate career goal of becoming a wildlife biologist. During this time, she met and married an Alaskan pilot and settled in Alaska for good. Heidi has worked as a wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Glennallen since 2015; the original bunny boots are the only thing that has kept her feet from freezing during annual aerial moose surveys. Heidi has extensive backcountry experience, ranging from 2-week-long ski mountaineering expeditions to 10-day sheep hunts and everything in between. Heidi lives in Gakona with her husband, two small children, and their rescue pup.