Moose Hunt Opening On March 1 In Yukon River Area Of GMU 21D

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

March Moose Hunt Opens in a Portion of Unit 21D

(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces an any-moose registration hunt (RM831) that will open on Friday, March 1, 2024.

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, from 2019 through 2023, indicate the population continued to grow 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 25 moose with no more than 20 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, 2024, or at license vendors in Nulato and Kaltag. Only Alaska residents who have not harvested a moose since July 1, 2023 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.