Unit 17A (Bristol Bay) Moose Hunt Registration Period Extended Through March 15

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

Registration Moose Hunts RM575 and RM576 to be extended to March 15, 2024.

The winter registration moose hunts RM575 and RM576 in Game Management Unit 17A will be extended from March 1, 2024 to March 15, 2024. This extension is warranted given the population estimate being over objective (obj. 1,200 moose) of the cooperative management plan between Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. The most recent population survey resulted in 1,976 ± 217 moose. The Alaska Board of Game has not recognized an amount necessary for subsistence, but current harvest rates are below recent averages.

Due to poor winter conditions from rains decreasing snowpack, and the lack of creeks and rivers freezing permitting safe travel to and from the hunt area current harvest rates are far below recent years. Moose harvest over the last 5 years has averaged 114 moose annually across both the fall and winter seasons. The last 5 years average winter harvest has been 63 moose. Current harvest totals for 17A from the fall and winter hunt are at 46, and this year’s current winter harvest totals 24 moose. Resident hunters are allowed a two moose bag limit, but those who have harvested a bull moose anywhere in the State may not possess RM575. Hunters must report online or call and file a hunt report by phone (907-842-2334) to the Dillingham ADF&G office.

The extension of the 17A winter moose hunts is designed to supplement fall moose hunting opportunity and liberalizing antlerless harvest to slow population growth of this growing population. Moose are an important subsistence species across Unit 17 and are currently the only big game species available as a subsistence resource, due to the conservation concerns and current closure of the Mulchatna Caribou Herd.

Registration permits will continue to be available in person at the Dillingham ADF&G office and the Togiak Traditional Council office. Successful hunters have 5 days to report their harvests. All permit reports must be returned to ADF&G, regardless of success, within 15 days of the close of the season.

As a reminder, those who were successful in harvesting one antlered bull moose anywhere in the state are unable to participate in this hunt to acquire RM575. It is important that any hunt permittees return their winter hunt reports to provide wildlife managers the information needed 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.

For questions or more information about moose hunting opportunities in Unit 17, contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Dillingham at (907) 843-2334.