ADFG Revises Fortymile Caribou Winter Hunt Quota

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Revised Fortymile Caribou Winter Hunt Quota

(Tok, Alaska) –Preliminary counts from a photocensus survey of Fortymile caribou herd conducted on June 28, 2024 resulted in an estimated 29,000 caribou. This is within the range of the modeled estimate of 28,000 – 34,000 used to set the pre-season 2024 – 2025 Fortymile herd annual harvest quota of 565 bulls only (no cow harvest). Based on the updated estimate, no change in the pre-season hunt quota is warranted.

The total harvest during the fall Fortymile hunt, in all zones, was 330 bulls out of a fall quota of 425. The remaining 90 bulls from the fall quota will be added to the pre-season winter quota of 140 bulls for a revised winter quota of 235 bulls.

Zone allocations for the winter hunt will be:

1 & 4 combined (Steese Hwy area) 95 Zone 3 (Taylor Highway area) 140

The quotas for this season have been reduced compared to previous years, which could result in shorter hunting seasons. If quotas are met early, or if caribou become abundant near the Steese of Taylor Highways and there is a risk of over harvest, the RC867 hunt may be closed by emergency order on short notice. In the event of an early closure of the RC867 hunt before quotas are met, the Department may issue a limited number of permits for the winter targeted hunt AC999 prior to the normal closing date of either hunt (March 31, 2025). Hunters can obtain a RC867 registration permit as well as apply for AC999 to participate in that hunt if implemented in the future. AC999 Applications are accepted online only, from October 1 – October 31, 2024. Hunters can apply for this hunt at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.targeted.

The winter season is only open to resident hunters, with a bag limit of 1 bull. The registration hunt (RC867) will open as scheduled in all zones (1–4) on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., as specified in the 2024- 2025 Alaska Hunting Regulations. Permits are currently available online at http://hunt.alaska.gov and in person in Tok, Delta Junction, Eagle, Fairbanks, Central, Glennallen, Douglas, Anchorage, and Palmer.

Hunters are reminded to call the Fortymile Caribou Herd Hotline (907) 267-2310 for updates about delayed hunt openings and zone closures before departing for the field. The hotline will be updated regularly, with current zone harvest and other new information as it becomes available.

  These seasons and bag limits only apply to state caribou hunts in these areas. Hunters with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456.

Successful hunters must report within three days of the kill online at (http://hunt.alaska.gov), by phone (907- 883-2971), or in person at the ADF&G office in Tok. Hunters who report by phone must also mail their permit reports or drop them off to the Tok ADF&G office. Unsuccessful hunters must return their reports to the Tok office or report online at http://hunt.alaska.gov by April 15.

Hunters are urged to obtain a receipt when they turn in their hunt reports or to mail them by delivery confirmation receipt. Permit holders who fail to report will not be eligible to receive any permits (Draw, Targeted, Tier II, or Registration, including Tier I Nelchina caribou) during the next regulatory year, and may be cited.