The State of Alaska winter hunting season for Fortymile caribou under Registration Hunt RC867 will close in the remainder of the hunt area on lands accessible from the Taylor Highway in Unit 20E (all of Zone 3) and in the remote Zones 2 and 4 (in Units 20B, 20D, 20F and 25C), at 11:59 p.m. today. Zone 1 closed by Emergency Order on Jan. 2.
“The Fortymile caribou harvest has been slow but steady since opening on December 1, 2015, and we expect to meet the winter quota for all zones by this Friday,” said Tok Area Biologist Jeff Gross.
The overall winter quota was 298 caribou, of which 198 was allocated to the Zone 1 quota, and 100 was allocated to the Zone 3 quota. Harvest in the remote Zones 2 and 4 is subtracted from the overall winter quota, but these zones are left open until the quota in both road accessible zones has been met.
Successful hunters must report within three days of the kill on the internet at http://hunt.alaska.gov, or in person or by phone to the ADF&G office in Tok (883-2971). Hunters who report by phone must also mail their permit reports or drop them off to the Tok ADF&G office. Unsuccessful hunters must return their reports to the Tok office or report online at http://hunt.alaska.gov within 15 days of the close of the season.
Hunters are urged to obtain a receipt when they turn in their hunt reports or to mail them by delivery confirmation receipt. Permit holders who fail to report will not be allowed to obtain registration, drawing, or Tier I and II permits next year, and may be cited for a violation of the Alaska hunting regulations.
This closure only applies to state caribou hunts in these areas. The federal caribou hunt on federal lands is not affected by these changes. Hunters with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456.
At about 50,000 animals, the Fortymile Herd is the largest caribou herd in Interior Alaska.
