Winter Registration For Unit 17A Moose Hunt Extended To March 1-31

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

Registration Moose Hunts RM575 and RM576 to be extended to March 31, 2025.

The winter registration moose hunts RM575 and RM576 in Game Management Unit 17A will be extended from March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. This extension is warranted given the population estimate is over objective (obj. 1,750 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 is 1,976 ± 217 moose. Current moose harvest rates for 17A are below recent averages with low harvest in both the fall and winter seasons

Due to poor winter conditions from rains and lack of adequate snowpack, and the lack of frozen creeks and rivers 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 124 moose annually across both the fall and winter seasons. The last 5 years average winter harvest has been 70 moose. Current reported harvest totals for 17A from the fall hunts total 47 harvested moose, and the winter hunt under permits RM575 and RM576 currently totals 4 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 will slow population growth of this population which is currently over the management objective.

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 the RM575 hunt. 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 athttps://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.