ADFG Announces Fortymile Caribou Hunt Season Plans

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

Winter Fortymile Caribou Season to Open

(Tok, Alaska) – Using the results from the 2024 summer photocensus, along with thecomposition, 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. Based on this, the pre-hunt annual herd quota was set at 550 in early August, based on a 2% herd harvest rate. The total harvest during the fall Fortymile hunt, in all zones, was 577 bulls, which slightly exceeded the annual harvest quota.

However, results from this fall’s herd composition survey, conducted on October 8th, indicate that a limited bulls only winter hunt is sustainable, without presenting a biological concern for herd conservation. Therefore, the winter hunt allocation will be set at 100 bulls, which represents a total harvest rate of 2.5% of the mid-summer population estimate.

Based on current herd distribution, managers plan to open the winter hunt on the scheduled opening date of October 27th. However, hunters should keep in mind that due to the small winter quota, zones could be closed by emergency order on short notice, and it is the hunter’s responsibility to check the Fortymile herd hotline (907-267- 2310) each day prior to departing for the field, to check for closure announcements.

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 ineligible to participate in RC867.

In the event of an early closure of the RC867 hunt before quotas are met, the with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456. 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, 2027). Hunters that obtain a RC867 registration permit area also eligible to apply for AC999. AC999 Applications are accepted online only, from October 1 – October 31, 2026. Hunters can apply for this hunt at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.targeted. Hunters that were successful in harvesting a caribou anywhere in Alaska since July 1, 2026 are ineligible to receive AC999, if the hunt is held.

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 repZone allocations for the winter hunt will be:

Zone Quota

1 & 4 combined (Steese Hwy area) 40

Zone 3 (Taylor Highway area) 60

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 that have harvested a caribou anywhere in Alaska since July 1, 2026 are ineligible to participate in RC867.

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.

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, 2027). Hunters that obtain a

RC867 registration permit area also eligible to apply for AC999. AC999 Applications are accepted online only, from October 1 – October 31, 2026. Hunters can apply for this hunt at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.targeted. Hunters that were successful in harvesting a caribou anywhere in Alaska since July 1, 2026 are ineligible to receive AC999, if the hunt is held.

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.