ADFG Opens One Moose Hunt, Closes Two Anterless Hunts In Interior Units

Alaska Department of Fish and Game is adjusting some Interior moose hunts for upcoming seasons. Here’s more from ADFG about the hunt that’s opening in Game Management Unit 21D:

March Moose Hunt Opens in a Portion of Unit 21D

February 16, 2022 (Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces an any-moose registration hunt (RM831) that will open on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

The hunt will occur in the part of Unit 21D south of the south bank of the Yukon River, downstream of the up-river entrance of Kala Slough and west of Kala Creek. This area includes the Kaiyuh Flats, where the moose population was estimated to be 1,900–2,500 in 2011 but increased to 4,000–4,500 moose by 2018. Trend count surveys conducted in November of 2021, indicate the population was stable since the 2018 population estimate.

“Moose abundance increased in this area for several years, and the population can support a winter harvest opportunity,” said Galena Area Biologist Glenn Stout.

The season for the RM831 hunt is scheduled to run from March 1 through March 15; however, the Department has established a quota of 20 moose with no more than 15 cows. If either quota is met before March 15, then the season will be closed by Emergency Order. Hunters are prohibited from shooting a cow accompanied by a calf.

“Because the harvest quota is relatively few moose, hunters are required to report harvested moose within 2 days,” said Stout.

Permits are available online beginning February 23, 2022, or at license vendors in Nulato and Kaltag. Only Alaska residents who have not harvested a moose since July 1, 2021 may participate in this hunt.

Successful hunters must report, either on the internet at http://hunt.alaska.gov, or in person or by phone to the Fairbanks office (459-7206). Hunters who report by phone must also mail their permit reports within 15 days of the close of the season. Unsuccessful hunters must report within 15 days of the close of the season on the internet at http://hunt.alaska.gov, or by mailing their report.

Hunters are urged to obtain a receipt when they turn in their hunt reports or to mail them by delivery confirmation receipt. Hunters who fail to return reports, even if they do not harvest a moose, face losing the opportunity to receive any registration, drawing, or tier I and II permits next year and may be cited for a violation of the Alaska hunting regulations.

And here are the releases on the hunts being closed:

20A Antlerless Moose Drawing Applicants Refunded

(Fairbanks) – Hunters who applied for drawing permits (Hunt numbers DM628-DM679) to hunt antlerless moose in Game Management Unit 20A will have their application money refunded. Due to the difficult winter conditions in and around the Fairbanks area the Department of Fish and Game has decided to take a conservative approach to moose management by cancelling the 2022 antlerless moose hunts in Unit 20A. Area Wildlife Biologist Tony Hollis said, “There is a potential for higher than normal winter mortality of moose this year. As a result, we want to take the step of evaluating the consequences of this winter on our moose populations before we allow the harvest of antlerless moose.”

Hunters annually apply for special drawing permits during the application period of November 1 – December 15. The winners are normally announced in mid to late February. Hunters that applied for Unit 20A antlerless moose permits during the 2021 application period will be refunded.

Questions regarding application fee refunds can be directed to the Licensing Section at (907) 465-2376. Questions related to 20A moose and steps the department is taking to evaluate the severity of this winter can be directed to Tony Hollis (907) 459-7256.

20D Antlerless Moose Drawing Applicants Refunded

(Delta Junction) – Hunters who applied for drawing permits to hunt antlerless moose in Game Management Unit 20D will have their application money refunded. Due to the difficult winter conditions in and around the Delta area the Department of Fish and Game has decided to take a conservative approach to moose management and cancel the DM791 antlerless moose hunt, which is the primary antlerless hunt in 20D. Area Wildlife Biologist Bob Schmidt said, “Uncertainty associated with the severity of our current winter has led us to want to better understand the effects of this winter on moose populations before allowing extensive antlerless hunts in the Delta Junction area.”

Hunters annually apply for special drawing permits during the application period of November 1 – December 15. The winners are normally announced in mid to late February. Those hunters that applied for DM791 during the 2021 application period will have their application fees refunded.

Questions regarding refunds can be addressed to the Licensing Section at (907) 465-2376. Questions related to 20D moose and steps the department is taking to evaluate the severity of this winter can be directed to Bob Schmidt (907) 895-4484.