State Cancels Unit 20A Anterless Draw Moose Hunts

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

ADF&G Cancels Fall 2026 Unit 20A Antlerless Draw Moose Hunts

(Fairbanks) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is cancelling all fall 2026 Unit 20A antlerless moose drawing hunts (hunt numbers DM628-654, DM657- 679) due to concerns about the impacts of deep snow and prolonged cold temperatures during the 2025–2026 winter on the moose population.

ADF&G had planned to issue antlerless drawing permits in Unit 20A for fall 2026 to provide additional sustainable hunting opportunity and to help maintain the population within objectives. Draw permit winners were notified in mid-February. Since that time, however, Unit 20A experienced record snowfall along with persistent extreme cold. Combined with heavy snowfall and persistent snow earlier in the winter, these conditions appear to be negatively affecting calf survival.

“The good news is that adult cow survival appears to be within the normal range, but calf survival through mid-March was poor,” said Fairbanks Area Biologist Jeff Wells. “March through April is typically the most difficult period of the winter for calves, so we expect survival to continue to decline through that time.” These findings are based on monitoring radiocollared cows and their calves within the unit.

Low calf survival may lead to lower-than-expected population growth in Unit 20A. As a result, ADF&G has made the conservative management decision to cancel all fall 2026 antlerless hunts.

Drawing permit application fees will be refunded to everyone who applied for fall 2026 Unit 20A antlerless drawing hunts (hunt numbers DM628-654, DM657-679). Refunds

will be issued to the person who paid for the application. Questions regarding these refunds can be directed to the License Accounting Section at dfg.licenseaccounting@alaska.gov. Questions related to Unit 20A moose and steps the department is taking to evaluate the severity of this winter on the moose population can be directed to Jeff Wells (907) 328-1950.