ADFG Offering 50 Unit 18 Muskox Hunt Permits Around Bethel, Tununak Areas

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

Nelson Island muskox permits to be available in Bethel, Tununak, and online

Fifty (50) permits will be available on a first-come first-serve basis for Unit 18 muskox hunts. There will be 25 permits for RX070(bull), and 25permits for RX071(cow). Only one permit per household is allowed. All hunters who are successful in getting a permit will also need to buy a muskox metal locking tag, and a 2025 hunting license before hunting. The fees for a registration permit are free but the muskox metal locking tag are $25 for residents and $2,200 for nonresidents.

Two (2) registration permits (1 bull and 1 cow) will be available in-person at the Bethel Fish and Game office beginning January 16, 2025 at 8am. (Available to Alaska Residents and Nonresidents)

Four (4) registration permits (2 bulls and 2 cows) will be available online http://hunt.alaska.gov beginning January 14, 2025 at 9am. (Available only to Alaska Residents)

Forty-four (44) registration permits (22 bulls and 22 cows) will be available in-person in Tununak on January 22, 2025 at 6:30 a.m. (Available to Alaska Residents and Nonresidents)

During the 2024 Nelson Island minimum count survey we observed 79 groups of muskoxen totaling 541 animals. The mature bull to mature cow ratio was 66MB: 100MC and the calf to mature cow ratio was 54c:100MC. The composition of animals counted were: 114 bulls (3-years and older), 171 cows (3-years and older), 83 2-year-olds, 80 yearlings, and 93 calves of the year. The muskox population on Nelson Island is now at the upper end of our management goal.

Contact Patrick Jones, Unit 18 Area Biologist, at 907-543-2839 or patrick.jones@alaska.gov with questions