ADFG Revised Fortymile Caribou Hunt Delayed In Zones 1 And 4, With Revised Quota Numbers

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

Winter Fortymile Caribou Season in Zones 1 and 4 Delayed and Quota Revised

(Tok, Alaska) – Using the results from last summer’s photocensus, along with composition, reproductive and survival data collected over the past year, 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 continued to decline since last summer. The estimated mid-summer herd size is 24,000 – 28,000. Based on this, the annual herd quota was set at 525, with a pre-season allocation of 395 bulls for the fall hunt (for all zones) and 130 bulls for the winter hunt.

The total harvest during the fall Fortymile hunt, in all zones, was 206 bulls out of a fall quota of 395. The remaining 189 bulls from the fall quota will be added to the pre-season winter quota of 130 bulls for a revised winter quota of 320 bulls.

Zone allocations for the winter hunt will be:

Zones 1 & 4 combined (Steese Hwy area) 190

Zone 3 (Taylor Highway area) 130

The quotas for this season have been reduced compared to previous years, which could result in shorter hunting seasons. If quotas are met early, or if caribou become abundant near the Steese of Taylor Highways and there is a risk of over harvest, the RC867 hunt may be closed by emergency order on short notice. 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, 2026). Hunters can obtain a RC867 registration permit as well as apply for AC999 to participate in that hunt if implemented in the future. AC999 Applications are accepted online only, from October 1 – October 31, 2025. Hunters can apply for this hunt at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntlicense.targeted.

The winter season is only open to resident hunters, with a bag limit of 1 bull. The registration hunt (RC867) will open as scheduled in zones 2 and 3, on Monday, October 27th, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., as specified in the 2025- 2026 Alaska Hunting Regulations. However, caribou are abundant near the Steese highway in Zones 1 and 4, and we expect the harvest quota to be exceeded in less than a day if opened as scheduled on October 27, 2025. As a conservation measure, the RC867 hunt in Zones 1 and 4 will only open if caribou numbers near the Steese highway decrease enough to avoid overharvest of the herd. If zones 1 and 4 of the RC867 hunt have not opened by the end of November, a limited number of AC999 permits will be issued for these zones. Permits for RC867 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 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.

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.