Resident Moose Hunt Extended In Units 17B, 17C

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

Moose Hunt Extension for RM583 in Units 17B and 17C

Dillingham. In an effort to meet moose harvest objectives the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is issuing an emergency order (EO# R4-4-25) extending the resident hunt, RM583. Those who already possess a registration moose permit RM583 will have an additional 6 days of hunting in Game Management Units 17B & 17C this September from September 15 through September 21 at 11:59 pm. This will not change general season (HT) dates of September 1–September 15. The bag limit remains one bull for all RM583 permit holders.

Last year RM583 was extended 5 days to September 20 by Emergency Order due to lack of harvest. This was primarily driven by warm weather and storms early in the season, and similar conditions are occurring again this year.

Hunters are reminded that if you have already harvested a moose anywhere in Alaska this season that no additional state opportunity remains.

The most recent aerial survey conducted in Unit 17C under good snow conditions was in February 2023, and resulted in an estimate of 3,629 moose, above the population objective of 2,800–3,500. Weather continually hampers efforts to survey the moose population in Unit 17B. Previous composition surveys estimated 51 bulls and 23 calves per 100 cows across both units. Harvest objectives have not been met prior to Fall hunt extensions, and this is additional opportunity for resident hunters to harvest moose from a population that is at or above management objective.

Successful hunters can provide wildlife managers with the information they need to closely track in-season harvest by promptly submitting harvest reports online at hunt.alaska.gov or calling the Dillingham office (907-843-2334). Additionally, successful hunters are reminded to report within 5 days of a kill. Hunters are also reminded that hunts may still be closed by emergency order should harvest be excessive. It is important that any hunt permittees return their fall hunt reports as soon as possible to provide wildlife managers the information they need to understand harvest by mailing in their paper reports, completing them online at https://secure.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=interperm.enter_report_hunterid, or in person at any Alaska Department of Fish and Game office.