Beachcombing Alaska Walrus Tusks, Oosiks, and Balls!
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- Опубліковано 4 лют 2025
- I've wanted to fly my cub to Western Alaska and beachcomb for quite some time. The opportunity exists to find dead walrus on the beach, glass balls that float over from Japan, an oosik (walrus penis), and many other things.
Chris, Will, and I flew 2 cubs out to scavenge. The price of gas ranged anywhere from $10/gal to as high as $13.87/gallon. That was enough to make a pilot cringe, but this was a trip that was well worth taking!
The walrus must be dead, and then the tusks must be registered within 30 days at US Fish and Wildlife for non-native to legally keep.
We ended up finding 146 glass floats, 2 full sets of tusks and half set, volcanic rock, and we 8 caribou sheds. It was a trip to remember!
Non-native walrus harvest laws:
www.fws.gov/be...
Glass Floats on Beach:
en.wikipedia.o...
I was born in Japan in 1960, and raised there, before moving to Hawai'i in the late 1960s. Back then glass balls were rather common on the beaches of both Japan, and Hawai'i. My father used to find some very large one over 24 inches in diameter of early morning beach walks, especially in Japan. Smaller ones were much more common. I have two of these large ones I inherited from Dad. He was a very skilled net-maker, so on the balls needing nets he would make his in the exact style of the original nets. I have a few smaller ones too. They have great sentimental value reminding me of times spent beachcombing with Dad. These glass balls are almost impossible to find nowadays, glass floats being replaced by cheaper plastic ones by the Japanese decades ago. The last glass one I found floating off the pier at Hana, Maui 20+ years ago. This one was over 12 inches in diameter, with a seam running the circumference of it. It is my understanding according to Dad that the ones with a seam are Russian made floats which are blown in a mold for consistency of shape and size. Japanese floats were blown freehand, so no two exactly alike. Many of these Russian balls also have an indentation like a crater where the glass pulled in as it cooled shrinking back in on itself. It keeps them from rolling. The Russians stuck with glass balls longer than the Japanese, so nowadays the "seamed" Russian glass balls are more likely to be found. I think it extremely cool that you guys in Alaska have a treasure trove of glass balls available to you. I enjoyed this video very much. I had a dream when I was young of becoming a bush-pilot in Alaska. Too late for that now, Marriage, and raising a family being a major distraction to that goal. At least I can vicariously live that dream thru watching your video. Best wishes, and aloha a hui hou.
Super interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Not sure if they make enough money like that to buy new kerosene?
from the title I was hoping he was collecting walrus balls
how crazy is this, first comment i read and i have something in common with you, i too was born in 1960 in western Canada, i wonder how different our life's have been. is there a way we can comminate further
よくわからないけど、死体なら
欲しい箇所を獲っても、国内に
運ぶのは問題ないのかな？
Watching ya'll from Pakistan, this whole adventure as a concept is so interesting! Getting dead walrus tusks after spotting them from a plane, so fascinating!
Yes! We were very lucky to find them.
Fantastic video! Really interesting to see all this! I'm also very impressed with you answering all the questions in the comments and replying to folks. Not every UA-camr does that! You got another subscriber today.
Thanks! A lot of people have genuine questions which I can appreciate. Happy to answer them.
I flew in western Alaska for some years. There is nothing in this world that stinks worse than a decomposing walrus. Truly breath taking!!!!!
😂😂
@@isaaclandecker907 seriously, what are you planning on doing with all that walrus d*ck
Yeah...but this guy keeps saying "yummy, yummy"
@@r.p.m.7797 Decomposing whale is truly bad & they start to stink bad in 6 hours
Decomposing human stinks horrible
Im so jealous. The plane is the ultimate off road vehicle.
Yeah! It really is. Gas was $13.87/gallon though so it’s an expensive off road vehicle.
You mean Envious, not jealous. Jealousy involves a intimate relationship.
@@lionsdejudah nothing to do you have, correct others you must
Well it's not really on the road so.... clickbait much? Seek attention much from idiots?
@isaaclandecker907 so it's the same gas price in Illinois Wisconsin and Massachusetts for a car under biden... seems like a win for having a pilot liscence.
Great presentation...I lived in Alaska for about 10 years beginning in the spring of 1983...learned to fly in Soldotna and all of my flying hours (1103.5) were logged there with the exception of 22 that I logged in Montana...I had some great adventures and in the process scared myself a couple of times but was able to survive a couple of dumb mistakes...regarding glass floats--I'm a Navy brat and lived at Atsugi NAS in the early 60's...during one of our jaunts around Japan we visited a small fishing community and watched glass floats being made (blown) in a small shop...as I recall there were lots of small floats but also some around 12"--16" in diameter...I was lucky on one trip "beach combing" on the peninsula and found a couple of large floats with the net attached and I treasure them to this day...at any rate I look forward to your videos...keep up the good work...
Awesome!! That is really cool. Appreciate the insight into the glass floats.
@@isaaclandecker907 Where do these glass balls come from?
@@wjsilva8596 broken Japanese fishing nets
Live in soldotna now! How cool!
Thank you so much for taking us along. That is something I never will be able to see or would have been able to see in my lifetime. Thanks again young man God bless. Stay safe 🇨🇦✌️
Glad you enjoyed it
No music...which makes this video sooooo much better
Those glass balls come from japanese fishing nets,they are all over on the place on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
That has to smell incredible... I'm envious
😂 it’s gross
Thanks so much for this video, i m living in France, in Alps, its 11.10 pm and i got a great pleasure to watch this trip so cool. I dreamed a lot of times to go one day in Alaska. This point of view from yours planes was great ! Thanks for this trip, one day maybe i will come to you :)
Glad you enjoyed it!
I did that once. It stank to high heaven. Before I got back in my airplane, I took a serious bath in the ocean, and yes, it was cold.
Haha! That’s next level!
I don't even want to imagine the smell 😂
I'm surprised bears aren't eating them?
Osiks and Balls… what a great title 😂
😂😂 we had some more colorful titles but that one seemed mostly PG
LOL!
Thanks Isaac. Living the good life. Never quit.
I’ll keep trying!
I saw you guys flying!!! I tender salmon on the north side of the peninsula. I love cape seneivan. A highlight of every trip.
Oh awesome! We saw a few boats out there so I bet one was you!
That looks like a huge good time! Thanks for recording some of it for us.
I was Born in New Zealand and those glass net floats were often found on the beaches,some had Japanese writing painted on them,probably the name of the fishing boat they came from. They are vastly more eco friendly that the plastic floats which eventually break apart leaving bits of plastic in the oceans. What worried us back then was the thought that ghost nets from those floats were still out there.
Very interesting! Certainly glass seems better than plastic. We did find a lot of plastic floats as well but didn’t keep those.
That was a really great adventure. Thanks for bringing us along !
You bet!
As an artist I am jealous of all your treasure. So many art possibilities.
They are definitely treasures.
Yeah, it's called vulture bloody art.
"Vulture bloody art"?? What kinda sick comment is that...seems like something only a warped/depraved mind would say.
Love it you guys!! Neat finds and way cool to see more of Home!! I love going into places that absolutely zero people have been.Short of the trash on the beach......no people.....gotta love bush planes. ;)
It’s fun to be truly off the grid!
This was so much fun and interesting to watch! My grandfather had a large oosik on the wall in his study when I was growing up. When I was little, I can remember asking him about it and he always told me it was a leg bone of a walrus. Obviously later on, that didn't fly with me. The confession was traumatic for both he and I. Fun times. Great video guys!
😂😂
My grandad had a huge one in his trousers.
"Isaac Landecker and the smoothest balls in Alaska". Might reach a whole new audience? 😂
😂😂
With all the scavengers, I am surprised those walrus bodies lay there uneaten for any amount of time.
Same
@@isaaclandecker907 i'll eat them.
That time when Alaska fish and game pays a visit.
Good to see you again Isaac. Great video. Man you land that plane so smooth. The glass balls are so beautiful. Thanks. Great to have your friend with you.
Thanks again!
As a professional custom knife maker that oosik is absolute gold and those walrus tusk. Man you guys are doing some cool stuff. I've seen those glass floats before they're really cool too. I'd love to do what you guys are doing.
What steel/steels do you typically work with?
It’s a fun adventure for sure! A nice oosik sabre would be cool.
would love to do this, thanks for taking us along
nice flying bud, must be awesome to have that freedom. Thanks for sharing!
You bet
@@isaaclandecker907 I have to ask, what type of license is required to fly one of those? And how much? Thanks
Very nice cubs! A dead walrus is a seriously stinky animal. You guys must be able to hold your breath for a long time! Meanwhile, Mr. Bear is disappointed he didn't get a chance to meet you guys.
😂😂 I try to be a mouth breather in these situations
It's like an Easter egg hunt.
Easter eggs for adults!
I couldn't stop watching this.
Definitely a crazy adventure
That would be so great just to fly over all that beautiful land!!!
The ultimate vacation!
It was a blast!
You guys are living the dream , I’m loving the adventure
Thanks!
I had a Maule 235 on Aqua's 2400. .. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing"!
Awesome! Aviation is a fun way of life
So cool. Never knew walruses had glass balls 😂
Me neither. 😂
LOL!
You found enough glass walls to sell and almost pay for a tank of gas. /Sarcasm.
Great video!
Not with how much gas costs! 😂
I am a USAF veteran and LOVE planes but I wasn't expecting this video to be about these little planes.
So you liked the little planes?
مرحبا أيها المحارب الأمريكي القديم، لقد قمتم بإيذاء البشرية على هذا الكوكب، منذ مدة و أنتم ترهبون العالم بجرائمكم.
Great video as always Isaac. The flying skills are most impressive. Alaska strong!
Thanks!
Awesome video. Just came across channel today!
Awesome! Thank you!
Man, what an adventure! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this episode!! From NSW AUSTRALIA!🌹
Glad you enjoyed it!
That’s just the coolest thing to be able to fly out to areas far from civilization, collecting some true treasures that a vast majority never get to enjoy. What a novelty.
It is definitely a lot of fun! There are still wild places out there.
beachcombing equipment unlocked: hazmat suit, gas mask, circular saw
😂
In such an overpopulated World this proves there are still places very few people ever visit.
This world is not overpopulated. All of us in the whole wide world could fit on a very insignificant chunk of land with enough of a plot to feed ourselves. And the rest would be empty.
Most of the World is uninhabitable though Deserts like the Sahara or too cold Antarctica, Greenland, Alaska, Siberia, massive land masses etc people find it too difficult to live there, its too difficult to make a life.
@@TOHETOTEHOTwell said! That overpopulated nonsense comes from people who watch and believe bullshit media keep taking your vaccines 🎉
I have my pilot licence, owned a PA 28-181, but never flew a puddle jumper, dang what fun it must be, and to camp, awesome, make more please.
Will do!
Federal regulations at 50 CFR 216.26 state that any bones, teeth, or ivory of any dead marine mammal may be collected from a beach or from land within ¼ of a mile of the ocean, including bays and estuaries. These marine mammal parts must be registered and identified by the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, and may then be transferred or otherwise possessed.
Ohh really?
Yep
Cubs are the coolest airplane! Luv the video!
Thanks! They definitely perform well
In the 1950's, when my Dad was a junior officer in the Navy, he was in Japan for awhile and went beach combing on a fairly remote beach and found 4-5 glass floats, some still with the hand tied nets around them. These floats were 12-15 inches in diameter though! Whatever happened to them over the years of moving, I have no idea, but they were in our living room(s) for years.
That’s cool!! We didn’t see any of the big glass floats but that would have been even better!
@@isaaclandecker907 The old ones were all hand blown glass as well. How are the new ones made?
@@reggierico some of the ones we found were hand blown and some were cast.
Why do they want warhus tusks please let me know
@@ianlucas7679 it’s just cool to be able to find them and sort of like being on a scavenger hunt. We don’t kill any.
Well you just added something to my bucket list.
It’s worth it!
wow dude, a plane and alaska is just amazing.
This is the dream
It’s a lot of fun!
Very interesting .... never heard of people doing this! Take care.
I’m so glad you don’t have smelllovision.
Me too!
You have to make some more walrus vids, i highly enjoy these for some reason 😂
I really should! It’s so rare to actually find one though it’s difficult to predict it.
Good man Isaac living your best life 👍 great video as always 👌
I try to!
Watching your videos for the second. Waiting to see some new ones. Hoping everything is well with you. God bless.
The glass balls are definitely cool!!! What are the glass balls from or used for??? Oh and what was the rope like stuff that was rapped around some of the glass balls for?? It would definitely be nice to now more about them for sure!! I would definitely call that one amazing trip for sure!!!
They are used in Japanese fishing nets.
Incredible. Who woulda thunk? Reminded me of hunting for glass balls with my father in Hawaii when I was 8ish years old.
Probably very similar!
Your wives/girlfriends/daughters/mothers probably don't want to ride in your aeroplane. They probably insist that you burn your clothes and take a really good shower before you come in the house too. As far as all those "treasures" and both loading down the cabin, then tying stuff on outside... There's a reason why that plane is called a Champ. Not only can you carry a lot with it, but also it's one of the few aircraft which won't melt in mid-air because of the stench. I am surprised though, that they didn't turn green.
If you have the nose to withstand it though, it would be a fun way of beach combing.
Surprisingly some soap and water goes a long ways to removal of the smell 😂
This is badass content. Keep it up mate.
Appreciate it!
I was under the impression only Inuit could take the ivory and oosiac. Apparently not. What an awesome adventure!
Yeah! It was fun
I also was thinking the same thing. In all the Alaskan shows it’s been stated over and over. That they were the only ones to take the ivory and was illegal for anyone else.
@@isaaclandecker907so I did some research and there is specific laws applying to walrus tusks and body parts. As long as it is actually ON the beach and not floating it can be harvested but needs to be taken in to be registered. Did you do that?
@@Steve-rr3gc that is correct. I brought them in to US Fish and Wildlife and an officer registers them in their database.
Классное занятие хрен моржовый собирать
wow. Those airplanes are incredible and so ideal and handy for that terrain. Super Cool.
Definitely!
Beachcombing awesome adventure as always bro God Bless
Thanks!
I had a great time watching this video. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it
I thaught under federal and Alaskan law only native "1st" peoples are allowed to harvest walrus tusks
This is legal 🤷🏼♂️
It is illegal to take or possess walrus tusks...my neighbor is warden for US fish and wildlife..Native Alaskans are only people who can take them...
It's dead I don't see illegal being done here.
@@isaaclandecker907 non-natives need approval from govt.
The balls are fishnetfloats. Unchanged, they've been used for hundreds of years. Not just in Japan as being assumed here.
wow this is really cool. flying around with your buddy and getting some valuable tusks.
And to think, I get excited just finding a piece of sea glass. I have found glass balls with netting in Humboldt County California.This was a treat to watch!
LOL Gotta love landing at like 5 knots, heh you were able to stop in like 7 feet after landing. Love that plane.
Oh yeah!! 20 mph wind in the face helps 😂
What do you do with the glass balls? Sell them, make something from them, or what? It was an awesome video. Thanks for taking us along.
SAME QQUESTION
Mostly decoration
Im honestly amazed that all the comments are positive (at least the first half,i didn't go through them all) I figured you guys were going to get bashed on for doing this LOL.
Anyways great content and thank you for posting, its awesome. I would love to be able to do this, definitely living the life. Stay safe 👍. Definitely subscribing.
Yeah! It’s all legal and not letting it go to waste. So a win all around.
16:07 nobody going to talk about the bear tracks?! holy cow!
😂
What do you do with the glass balls? Thanks for taking us with you. Beautiful adventure
There glass floats for fishing nets
Just decorations
And what about the walrus ‘bits’ 🤦♂️😂
Oh man! Talk about a dream! That would be a blast!
It was! Bucket list for sure!
I've lived in Alaska for almost 60 years I'm pretty sure anyone not Eskimo can sell unscrimshawed tusk or ivory. Meaning an Eskimo artist must sign his work when finished to sell to a non native.
Talking with us fish and wildlife, I cannot sell any part of it, but I plan to keep it anyways!
@@isaaclandecker907 right on
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA - 16 USC 3372) prohibits the take, importation, transport, sale, or the offer to purchase or sell any marine mammal parts and products, including the walrus. The MMPA does contain a limited exemption for marine mammal parts which were taken before December 21, 1972. Thus, if you have evidence establishing the pre-Act status of these walrus tusks, they can be legally possessed and sold. If the walrus tusks are not pre-Act but are authentic native handicrafts - that is, they have been significantly altered from their natural form and have been manufactured into an authentic native handicraft by a Alaska Native - they are also exempt from the prohibitions of the MMPA. These walrus tusks would therefore be lawful to possess and sell if they are either pre-Act or authentic native handicrafts.
brutal yet beautiful. great video. ive learned alot.
Great video. I have to ask, are you collecting the tusks, oosiks, glass balls (how are they made) for money?
Just for fun
Man those drone shorts is sooo dope man ❤
This video is SICK !!!!!!!!
The bite radius on the 2nd walrus appeared to be approximately 16-18 inches across which might equate to a 16+ foot great white shark that was feeding on the carcass postmortem.
I never noticed tbh…mostly I noticed the smell. 😂
@@isaaclandecker907I honestly thought the tusks were just going to pop off like a bad tooth that looked nasty lol
So caribou shed both left and right antlers as a unit?
Loved your video. Keep ‘‘em coming
Thanks! Brainstorming some new adventures now.
@@isaaclandecker907 we were in Alaska three weeks ago. Had a look around to see if I could see your plane, unsuccessful. We rented a truck and drove around to some of the smaller communities north of Anchorage and those would be cool to explore and highlight in videos . Videos like you did last year were also excellent.
@@boredstupid4479 no kidding! I park over at Merrill field on the gravel strip. But the red and white plane is sort of Alaskan camo since there are a lot of them.
I have a friend that used to live in Kodiak, and was told you are not allow to possess walrus tusks. And it's not a new law.
He’s incorrect. See link in description
@@isaaclandecker907 I see now that you can under certain conditions. Thanks
Пиздят козлы😂
Ok this is now on my bucket list👍🏻
You should!
Awesome video! I am curious, what do you do with those 3 things, Walrus Tusks, Oosiks, and Balls? Do you just keep it or do you sell?
I just keep them. Some people sell the floats
Watching from Queensland Australia. Interesting video.
The big surf washes the glass balls over behind the grassy dunes.. thats where we find the big glass floats.
I’ll have to keep an eye out! Would be fun to find some big ones!
Man.... That's the good life. I wish I could move out of Florida and set life in that part of Alaska. Last time I was there I was in the USCG
It’s never too late!
I thought you had to be native to be allowed to collect walrus oosiks. Either way something like this is my one and only real bucket list thing. Is to fly around remote Alaska and just explore find stuff like that. Hopefully some day ill take a trip like this
Do it!
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA - 16 USC 3372) prohibits the take, importation, transport, sale, or the offer to purchase or sell any marine mammal parts and products, including the walrus. The MMPA does contain a limited exemption for marine mammal parts which were taken before December 21, 1972. Thus, if you have evidence establishing the pre-Act status of these walrus tusks, they can be legally possessed and sold. If the walrus tusks are not pre-Act but are authentic native handicrafts - that is, they have been significantly altered from their natural form and have been manufactured into an authentic native handicraft by a Alaska Native - they are also exempt from the prohibitions of the MMPA.
I loved this video normally I just watch hunting but loved this
Thanks!
درود
از ایران برنامه شما رو تماشا میکنم ،
ماجراجویی های فوقالعاده ای دارید ،
با هواپیما بدنبال یکسری اشیاء هستید ، خیلی جالب است.
ایران ثروتمند ،ولی فقط حسرت آزادی دیگران را داریم.
کشورهای خارجی باعث سقوط شاه و عقب ماندگی ایران شدند ،
یکی هم کشور آمریکا ، مخصوصا کارتر احمق.
Great job guys. Thank you 😊
Can you explain more about the glass balls? Like how are they made and now end up floating from Japan?
Hand blown and I think it is just the current of the ocean. So they end up all over alaska.
They look like weights from a fishing net
It is a little "Mortician airfly tour" but I am surprised of the waste quantity on the beach. We humans are the worst animals of this planet!!!
Many thanks for your share....
Ciao Nick from IT🇮🇹
You mean fisherman are the worst animals, those are their floats and trash, our trash doesn't go in the ocean in America.
The waste quantity is crazy, but potentially it has been collected over the past 100 years. No one cleans any of this coastline so it accumulates.
Great video and cool adventure. Is it legal to sell the ivory or are you keeping it for yourself? When I lived on Kodiak in the 70's those glass balls were everywhere. I saw the bear tracks from the air. They put in some miles looking for food.
That’s awesome!! The floats seem to be a bit more rare now but they are still out there!
I’ll just keep the ivory.
@@isaaclandecker907 A lot of them back then still had the netting wrapped around them.
What are the glass balls from?
@@WarwickProud69 I believe they are floats from crab traps
See description of video for link…glass floats used for Japanese fishing nets.
Love the bush planes! I grew up flying Cubs and Aeroncas. I wish we had those big tires back then. Anyway, I was wondering how much those glass balls are worth.
They sell for around $10 each I’ve been told.
Who buys the walrus penises? I make handgun grips and could use the tusks and the caribou sheds @@isaaclandecker907
I got a huge barnacles shell from Padre Island, TX. Nice memories.
It is fun for sure!
need more vids on a regular basis please. show us around town?
My job gets in the way 😂😂
My Respect you guys are very good Pilots. 👍
What ar the glass bolls
I googled it found out that they are used to keep the nets floating. Why is he collecting them? Not sure. You can google the rest😅
Since I haven’t seen anyone comment this yet, I have to point out that even possessing marine mammal parts can land someone in trouble with the law, unless you are familiar with it. If a Fish & Game officer finds unaltered walrus ivory in the possession of a guy as white as this guy is, the first thing they’re gonna ask is for his paperwork. In the US it is illegal for non-Native people to possess unaltered marine mammal parts, meaning they have to be altered sufficiently by a coastal Alaskan Native individual/s. And sold only by Alaskan Native people.
It is legal for non-Natives to harvest only the bones, teeth and ivory of a walrus.
So make sure you know the law before you harvest (Native or not). These are the basics:
1) You must be an Alaskan Native to possess unaltered marine mammal parts unless it is a dead, beached animal. If the animal is found on the beach (dead) you must register the parts you have harvested within 30 days max.
2) Only Alaska Native people from the coasts of Alaska may sell art made from marine mammals.
3) To qualify as an Alaska Native, you must be one full quarter Alaska Native. And yes, Fish & Game officers will require you to prove you are in fact one quarter Alaska Native if they are suspicious of you.
4) There are only three things a non-Native person is allowed to harvest, bones, teeth and ivory.
Be safe out there folks! 😉
This is all true. Including me being very white. 😂
That was a cool adventure,I hope you were packing some heat when you were away from the plane and on Bear land?
What are the glass balls worth ? You got a lot of them.😀👍
Thanks! It was a lot of fun.
I had some heat in the form of the 44 mag! So that did the trick for comfort.
I think most people sell them for around $10/float.
@@isaaclandecker907 Just curious, what do you do with the oosiks?