ADFG Announces Fortymile Caribou Herd Hunt Dates. Season Quota

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

Season Dates and Hunt Quota for Fall Fortymile Caribou Hunt

(Tok, Alaska) –Using the results from the 2024 summer photocensus, along with composition, reproductive, and survival data collected over the past two years, the Department developed a modeled estimate of the current size of the Fortymile caribou herd to set this year’s hunt quota. Models indicate the herd has slightly declined since last fall, however, the bull to cow ratio has remained stable. The 2026 estimated mid-summer herd size is estimated to be 27,000 caribou.

To maintain hunting opportunities while minimizing the risk of further population decline, the annual harvest quota for the herd will remain similar to last year. The annual quota for the 2026-2027 hunting seasons is 550 caribou, and the bag limit is bulls only (no cow harvest), with a pre-season allocation of 415 bulls for the fall hunt (for all zones) and 135 bulls for the winter hunt. Zone allocations for the fall hunt are:

Zone Quota

1 & 4 combined (Steese Hwy area) 190

Zone 2 (Roadless area) 100

Zone 3 (Taylor Highway area) 125

These reduced quotas may result in delayed season openings and shorter seasons than in previous years. If quotas are met early, season closures could be announced by emergency order on short notice. The bag limit for resident and non-resident hunters hunting in the State of Alaska fall registration hunt (RC860) for Fortymile caribou will remain 1 bull in all Zones (1–4). The fall season in the road accessible Zones (1, 3 and 4) will open later than in previous years, on August 20, 2026, as specified in the 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations.

However, the opening date for Zone 2 (Remote area) will be August 10, 2026. Hunters should anticipate that the fall season may be delayed in one or more road accessible zones, to avoid overharvest, if large numbers of caribou are accessible near roads prior to the scheduled season opening. Delays will be announced at least 5-7 days prior to the scheduled opening date. Permits will be available starting July 16th 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.ADF&G Advisory Announcement, July 14, 2026: Season Dates and Hunt Quota for fall Fortymile Hunt Page 2

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 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 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.

The final winter quota, season and bag limit will be determined once the fall hunting season is complete.