Subsistence Muskox Hunt Opening On North Slope

From the Anchorage Daily News, here’s some info on the newly established muskox hunt:

Subsistence hunters living in several North Slope communities — Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Utqiagvik, Nuiqsut, Point Hope, Point Lay and Wainwright — have until Friday to apply for one of the six permits to hunt musk ox this year. Hunters who draw the permit will be able to harvest one animal each in the western portion of Game Management Unit 26A, specifically west of Admiralty Bay where the Alaktak River enters, following the Alaktak River south to the unit border. The season will run from August of this year to March 15, 2023.

“It is our understanding that there hasn’t been a musk ox hunt in this area since Alaska’s statehood and wildlife laws were established,” said Melinda Bolton, public affairs specialist at the Bureau of Land Management.

Point Hope hunter Steve Oomittuk said that hunting musk ox will bring residents an additional subsistence food source.