ADFG Announce Fortymile Caribou Hunt Closure

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

(Tok, Alaska) – The State of Alaska fall registration hunt (RC860) for Fortymile caribou in Zone 1, accessible from the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road, and in Zone 4 (White Mountains) will close on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Zones 1 and 4 will reopen on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 12:01am. State hunting seasons for Fortymile caribou opened on August 10 in all zones.

Zones 1 and 4 encompass areas with a low-density moose population. The moose population could be negatively impacted if the opportunity to hunt caribou attracted a high number of hunters during the 1–15 September moose season. Therefore, zones 1 and 4 will be closed during this period and will reopen on 16 September. Typically, the RC860 harvest quota has been met for zones 1 and 4 by the end of August, but this year the quota has not been met so this temporary closure is necessary. The state caribou hunting season (RC860) is scheduled to remain open in Zones 2 and 3.

Caribou are abundant in Zone 2 (located in roadless portions of Game Management Units 20B, 20D north of the Tanana River, and western Unit 20E) and widely scattered throughout zones 1 and 3. ADF&G staff will be monitoring the hunt carefully to minimize chances that the quota is exceeded.

Caribou movements during fall are largely unpredictable, and seasons may be closed in other zones to keep the harvest within the harvest quota. Hunters are advised to call the Fortymile Caribou Hotline at 907-267- 2310 before departing for the field to obtain the most current information on status of the hunt. Hunters must obtain the RC860 registration permit before hunting caribou in these areas.

These changes only apply to state caribou hunts in these areas. The federal caribou hunt on federal lands is not affected by these changes. 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 (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 October 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 allowed to obtain registration, drawing, or tier I and II permits next year, and may be cited for a violation of the Alaska hunting regulations.