ADFG Announces Early Goat Hunt Season Closure In Takshanuk Mountain Range

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

PARTIAL CLOSURE OF TAKSHANUK MOUNTAINS TO GOAT HUNTING (RG023)

(Douglas) Biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are announcing an early closure to the mountain goat hunting season in the Takshanuk Mountain Range, east of the Haines Highway and Chilkat River, west of Chilkoot Lake and River, and north to Goat Hollow.

Based on the aerial survey information, a guideline harvest objective of 7-8 points (male goat=1 point & female goat=2 points) was established for the middle portion of the Takshanuk Mountain Range. As of Monday, October 23, 2023, a total of 6 goats have been harvested in this area, including 3 male goats (3 points), 2 female goats (4 points), and 1 unrecovered goat (2 pts) for a total of 9 points. Because the guideline harvest level has been exceeded and due to the vulnerability of goats in this area to additional harvest, an emergency order (R1-15-23) is being issued to close the goat hunting season in the middle portion of the Takshanuk Mountains at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

Those portions of Unit 1D not affected by this emergency order, and not previously closed, will remain open until the harvest guidelines are reached or the seasons come to their scheduled conclusions.

Biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game encourage hunters to target male goats to allow for a higher sustainable harvest. Hunters with questions about goat hunting can contact Carl Koch, in the Douglas Area Office at 907- 465-4329.