However, hunting large(-ish) game like boar with large caliber handguns is a thing. I don't know how they'd fare against bear and moose. It might be easier to tote something like a .44 magnum handgun to and from work in Alaska than a rifle or shotgun.

Ultimately I was just speculating as to why Alaska might allow permit-free conceal carry. It may have more to do with the self-reliance and history of the population than anything else.

I've never lived in Alaska, never hunted anything larger than jack rabbit, and never fired anything larger than a .44-mag revolver and rifle (they are pretty powerful, though).