Prince William Sound Goat Hunters To Have New Specimen Requirement This Fall

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

New Specimen Requirement for Mountain Goat Hunters in Unit 6D

(Cordova)- Beginning this fall, a new specimen requirement will be in place for mountain goat hunters in Prince William Sound. All registration goat hunts within Unit 6D (RG242-RG266) will include a permit condition requiring successful hunters to bring the horns of any harvested mountain goat to an Alaska Department of Fish & Game office in Cordova, Glenallen, Palmer, Anchorage, Soldotna, or Homer for examination within 30 days.

Hunters are also reminded that the reporting requirement for registration mountain goat hunts in Unit 6D is short and reports must be submitted “within 3 days of kill.” Effective July 1, hunters must also pass the Mountain Goat Identification Quiz prior to hunting goats in Alaska. All goat hunters must carry proof of passing the quiz while in the field.

“Many of our hunt areas are geographically small and have limited quotas.” said Area Biologist Charlotte Westing, “Receiving accurate reports as quickly as possible allows us to provide maximum opportunity during the season, while also managing for sustainable harvest and stable populations. Overharvest or inaccurate reporting can limit the opportunities for hunters in future years. Collecting additional information from hunters when we examine goat horns will be extremely valuable to the department and help us manage these populations more effectively.”

Successful hunters have several ways to report their harvest: either online, in person at any ADF&G office, or by phone to the Cordova office at 907-424-3215. Preliminary reports must include the hunter’s name, hunt area, date of kill, and the sex of the goat. This information can also be provided by satellite communication such as an inReach device to Samantha.renner@alaska.gov. You will be sent confirmation that your report was received. Complete details of your hunt report card must be provided as with all permit hunts by the time of sealing.