Title 5 . Fish and Game

Chapter 85 . Statewide Provisions

Section 25. Hunting seasons and bag limits for caribou

5 AAC 85.025. Hunting seasons and bag limits for caribou

(a) In this section, the phrase "General hunt only" means that there is a general hunt for residents, but no subsistence hunt, during the relevant open season. For those units or portions of units within non-subsistence areas established by the Joint Boards of Fisheries and Game (5 AAC 99.015) , there is a general hunt only. Hunting seasons and bag limits for caribou are as follows:

Resident Open Season (Subsistence and Nonresident Units and Bag Limits General Hunts) Open Season (1) Unit 7 north of the Sterling Highway and west of the Seward Highway 1 caribou by drawing permit Aug. 10 - Dec. 31 Aug. 10 - Dec. 31 only; up to 500 permits may (General hunt only) be issued Remainder of Unit 7 No open season. No open season. (2) Unit 8 No closed season. No closed season. No limit (3) Units 9(A) and that portion of Unit 9(C) within the Alagnak River drainage RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 Unit 9(B) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, no more July 1 - Apr. 15 than 1 bull may be taken from July 1 through Nov. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 Unit 9(C), that portion north of the Naknek River and south of the Alagnak River drainage RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou by Tier II permit Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 only; provided that the (Subsistence hunt only) harvestable surplus, in Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 combination with the (Subsistence hunt only) Remainder of Unit 9(C) and Unit 9(E), is 1,200 caribou or less, up to 1,500 permits may be issued; or if the department determines (Winter season to that Mulchatna Herd caribou be announced) have largely replaced Northern Peninsula Herd caribou, 3 caribou may be taken by registration permit only during a winter season between Jan. 20 and Mar. 31 to be announced by emergency order NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. Remainder of Unit 9(C) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou by Tier II permit Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 only; provided that the (Subsistence hunt only) harvestable surplus, in Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 combination with (Subsistence hunt only) Unit 9(E), is 1,200 caribou or less, up to 1,500 permits may be issued 1 bull by registration Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 permit only; provided (Subsistence hunt only) that the harvestable Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 surplus, in combination with (Subsistence hunt only) Unit 9(E), is greater than 1,200 caribou, but less than 1,901 caribou ALL HUNTERS: 1 bull; provided that Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 the harvestable surplus, in Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 Nov. 15 - Feb. 28 combination with Unit 9(E), is greater than 1,900 caribou Unit 9(E) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou by Tier II permit Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 only; provided that the (Subsistence hunt only) harvestable surplus, in Nov. 1 - Apr. 30 combination with Unit 9(C) Subsistence hunt only) is 1,200 caribou or less, up to 1,500 permits may be issued. 1 bull by registration permit Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 only; provided that the (Subsistence hunt only) harvestable surplus, in Nov. 1 - Apr. 30 combination with Unit 9(C), (Subsistence hunt only) is greater than 1,200 caribou, but less than 1901 caribou ALL HUNTERS: 1 bull; provided that the Aug. 10 - Sept. 10 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 harvestable surplus, in Nov. 1 - Apr. 30 Nov. 1 - Apr. 30 combination with Unit 9(C), is greater than 1,900 caribou (4) Unit 9(D) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull; or Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 antlerless caribou Nov. 15 - Mar. 31 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull Sept. 1 - Sept. 30 (Odd years only) Sept. 1 - Oct. 10 (Even years only) (5) Unit 10, Unimak Island only Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Sept. 1 - Sept. 30 Nov. 15 - Mar. 31 1 caribou Unit 10, Adak Island only No closed season. No closed season. (General hunt only) No limit Unit 10, Umnak Island only No open season. No open season. Remainder of Unit 10 No closed season. No closed season. (General hunt only) No limit (6) Unit 11 and that portion No open season. No open season. of 12 west of the Nabesna River within the drainages of Jack Creek, Platinum Creek, and Totschunda Creek (7) Unit 12, that portion Sept. 1 - Sept. 20 Sept. 1 - Sept. 20 east of the Nabesna River (General hunt only) and south of the winter trail from the Nabesna River to Pickerel Lake to the Canadian border 1 bull by registration permit only; the season will be closed when 20 bulls have been taken Unit 12, that portion Sept. 1 - Sept. 20 No open season. west of the Glenn Highway (Tok Cutoff) and south of the Alaska Highway within the Tok River drainage 1 bull Unit 12, that portion west of the Glenn Highway (Tok cutoff) and south of the Alaska Highway, excluding the Tok River drainage 1 bull by registration Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 No open season. permit only; up to 50 bulls may be taken in combination with Unit 20(D), in that portion south of the Tanana River Remainder of Unit 12 1 caribou may be (Winter season to be No open season. taken by registration announced) permit only during a winter season to be announced by emergency order (8) Unit 13 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 No open season. (Subsistence hunt only) Oct. 21 - Mar. 31 (Subsistence hunt only) 1 caribou per regulatory year by Tier II permit only; up to 10,000 permits may be issued; the commissioner shall close the season by emergency order when up to 5,000 caribou have been taken by Tier II hunters Unit 14(B) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 (General hunt only) 1 caribou by drawing permit only; up to 100 permits may be issued (9) Unit 15(A), that portion Sept. 1 - Sept. 20 Sept. 1 - Sept. 20 within the Kenai National (General hunt only) Wildlife Refuge 1 bull by drawing permit only; up to 5 permits may be issued Unit 15(B), that portion south and west of Killey River, within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge 3 caribou by drawing permit Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 only; however, only one bull (General hunt only) may be taken; up to 150 permits may be issued; or 3 cow caribou by registration Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 permit only; (General hunt only) Unit 15(C), that Aug. 10 - Sept 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 portion north of (General hunt only) Fox River and east of Windy Lake 1 caribou by drawing permit only; up to 30 permits may be issued (10) Units 14(A) and 14(C), and No open season. No open season. remainder of 15 (11) Unit 16(A) 1 bull Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Unit 16(B) 1 bull Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 (12) Unit 17(A), all drainages east of Right Hand Point RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, the commissioner may close and immediately reopen, by emergency order, a season during which the bag limit is less than 5 caribou (Season to be announced) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. Remainder of Unit 17(A) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, no more Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season.

Unit 17(B), that portion in the Unit 17(B) nonresident closed area RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, no more than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30 Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. Remainder of Unit 17(B), and that portion of Unit 17(C) east of the Wood River and Wood River Lakes RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, no more than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30 Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 Remainder of Unit 17(C) RESIDENT HUNTERS: (Season to be announced) 5 caribou; however, the commissioner may close and immediately reopen, by emergency order, a season during which the bag limit is less than 5 caribou NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. (13) Unit 18 RESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 (Subsistence hunt only) 5 caribou; however, no more than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30; the commissioner may close and immediately reopen, by emergency order, a season during which the bag limit is less than 5 caribou NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull Sept. 1 - Sept. 30 (14) Unit 19(A), that portion within the Lime Village Management Area RESIDENT HUNTERS: 4 caribou; however, cows July 1 - June 30 and calves may not be taken from Apr. 1 through Aug. 9 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 10 - Mar. 31 Units 19(A) and 19(B) within the Nonresident Closed Area RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 no more than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. Remainder of Units 19(A) and 19(B) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 no more than 1 bull may be taken from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 1 - Apr. 15 Unit 19(C) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull

Unit 19(D), except the drainages of the Nixon Fork River 1 bull; or Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 caribou; or Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 5 caribou may be taken during (Season to No open season. the winter season to be be announced) announced; however, the com- (Subsistence hunt only) missioner may close the season and immediately reopen, by emergency order, a season during which the bag limit is less than 5 caribou Remainder of Unit 19(D) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull (15) Unit 20(A) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull by drawing permit only; up to 200 permits may be issued Unit 20(B), that portion south and east of the Steese Highway RESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 caribou by registration Dec. 1 - Feb. 28 permit only; up to 1,800 (General hunt only) caribou may be taken under combined resident and non- resident bag limits in combination with Unit 20(D), that portion north of the south bank of the Tanana River, Unit 20(E), and the remainder of Unit 25(C) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull by registration Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 permit only Unit 20(D), that portion north of the south bank of the Tanana River

RESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 caribou by registration Dec. 1 - Feb. 28 permit only; up to 1,800 caribou may be taken under combined resident and non- resident bag limits in combina- tion with Unit 20(B), that portion south and east of the Steese Highway, Unit 20(E), and the remainder of Unit 25(C) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull by registration permit only Units 20(B) and 20(F), those portions north and west of the Steese Highway, north and east of the Elliot Highway to its intersection with the Dalton Highway, then east of the Dalton Highway and south of the Yukon River 1 caribou per regulatory year, only as follows: 1 bull; or Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 (General hunt only) 1 caribou by Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 registration permit only; (General hunt only) up to 100 caribou may be taken Remainder of Unit 20(B) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 (General hunt only) 1 bull Unit 20(C) No open season. No open season. Unit 20(D) south of the Tanana River RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 bull by registration Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 permit only; up to 50 bulls may be taken in combination with Unit 12 in that portion west of the Glenn Highway (Tok Cutoff) and south of the Alaska Highway, excluding the Tok River drainage NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: No open season. Unit 20(E) RESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 caribou by registration Dec. 1 - Feb. 28 permit only; up to 1800 caribou may be taken under combined resident and non- resident bag limits in combination with Unit 20(B), that portion south and east of the Steese Highway, Unit 20(D), that portion north of the south bank of the Tanana River, and the remainder of Unit 25(C) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull by registration permit only

Unit 20(F) south of the Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Yukon River and west of the (General hunt only) Dalton Highway 1 bull Unit 20(F), north of the Yukon River RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 10 - Mar. 31 (General hunt only) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 (16) Unit 21(A) Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull Unit 21(B), that portion north No open season. No open season. of the Yukon River and downstream form Ukawutni Creek Remainder of Unit 21(B) Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 caribou Unit 21(C), that portion within the Dulbi River drainage and that portion within the Melozitna River drainage downstream from Big Creek No open season. No open season. Remainder of Unit 21(C) Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 1 caribou Unit 21(D), that portion (Winter season to No open season. north of the Yukon River and be announced) east of the Koyukuk River 2 caribou; Remainder of Unit 21(D) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; July 1 - June 30 however, cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 Unit 21(E) Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 (Winter season to 1 caribou; however, 2 addi- be announced) tional caribou may be taken during a winter season to be announced (17) Units 22(A) and 22(B) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; however, July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, cow July 1 - June 30 caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 Unit 22(D), that portion in the Kuzitrin and Agiapuk River drainages, including tributaries RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; however July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, cow July 1 - June 30 caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 Unit 22(E), that portion east of and including the Sanaguich River drainage RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; however July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, cow July 1 - June 30 caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 Remainder of Unit 22 RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; however Season to be cow caribou may not be announced by taken May 16 - June 30 emergency order NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however Season to be cow caribou may not be taken announced by emergency order May 16 - June 30

(18) Unit 23 RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; July 1 - June 30 however, cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 (19) Unit 24, that portion south of the south bank of the Kanuti River, upstream from and including that portion of the Kanuti-Kilolitna River drainage, bounded by the southeast bank of the Kodosin-Nolitna Creek, then downstream along the east bank of the Kanuti-Kilolitna River to its confluence with the Kanuti River, and that portion of Unit 25(D) drained by the west fork of the Dall River west of 150ΓΈ W. long. 1 caribou Aug. 10 - Mar. 31 Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 Remainder of Unit 24 RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; however, July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; cow caribou may July 1 - June 30 not be taken May 16 - June 30 (20) Unit 25(A), 25(B), and the remainder of 25(D) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 10 caribou July 1 - Apr. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou July 1 - Apr. 30 Unit 25(C), those portions west of the east bank of the mainstem of Preacher Creek to its confluence with American Creek, then west of the east bank of American Creek 1 caribou per regulatory year, only as follows: 1 bull; or Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 (General hunt only) 1 caribou by registration Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 Dec. 1 - Mar. 31 permit only; up to (General hunt 100 caribou may be taken only) Remainder of Unit 25(C) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 1 caribou by registra- Aug. 10 - Sept. 30 tion permit only; up to Dec. 1 - Feb. 28 1,800 caribou may be taken under combined resident and nonresident bag limits in combination with Unit (20)(B), that portion south and east of the Steese Highway, Unit 20(D), that portion north of the south bank of the Tanana River, and Unit 20(E) NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: Aug. 10 - Sept. 20 1 bull by registration permit only (21) Unit 26(A) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou per day; July 1 - June 30 however, cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou; however, July 1 - June 30 cow caribou may not be taken May 16 - June 30 Unit 26(B) north of 69ΓΈ 30' and west of the east bank of the Kuparuk River to a point at 70ΓΈ 10' N. lat., 149ΓΈ 04' W. long., then west approximately 22 miles to 70ΓΈ 10' N. lat. and 149ΓΈ 56' W. long., then following the east bank of the Kalubik River to the Arctic Ocean RESIDENT HUNTERS: 10 caribou July 1 - Apr. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou July 1 - Apr. 30 Unit 26(B) within the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area RESIDENT HUNTERS: 2 caribou; however, July 1 - Apr. 30 only 1 caribou may be taken from July 1 through Sept. 30, and cow caribou may be taken only from Oct. 1 - Apr. 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 2 bulls; however only July 1 - Apr. 30 1 bull may be taken July 1 - Sept. 30 Remainder of Unit 26(B) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 2 caribou; however, cow July 1 - Apr. 30 caribou may be taken only from Oct. 1 through April 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 2 bulls July 1 - Apr. 30 (22) Unit 26(C) RESIDENT HUNTERS: 10 caribou; however, only July 1 - Apr. 30 bull caribou may be taken June 23 - June 30 June 23 - June 30 NONRESIDENT HUNTERS: 5 caribou July 1 - Apr. 30

(b) Repealed 6/16/91.

History: Eff. 8/20/89, Register 111; am 8/9/90, Register 115; am 8/10/90, Register 115; am 12/27/90, Register 116; em am 12/17/90 - 4/15/91, Register 117; am 6/16/91, Register 118; am 8/10/91, Register 119; am 2/29/92, Register 121; em am 4/14/92 - 8/11/92, Register 122; am 7/1/92, Register 122; am 4/1/93, Register 125; em am 3/15/93 - 7/22/93, Register 126; am/readopt 5/13/93, Register 126; am 7/1/93, Register 126; am 8/25/94, Register 131; em am 10/28/94 - 2/24/95, Register 132; em am 11/8/94 - 3/7/95, Register 132; em am 12/14/94 - 4/12/95, Register 133; am 7/16/95, Register 135; am 8/4/95, Register 135; am 10/27/95, Register 136; am 6/28/96, Register 138; am 10/30/96, Register 140; em am 11/12/96 - 3/11/97, Register 140; em am 11/22/96 - 3/21/97, Register 140; am 7/26/97, Register 143; am 7/1/98, Register 146; am 8/20/98, Register 147; am 7/1/99, Register 150; em am 9/24/99 - 1/21/2000, Register 152; am 7/1/2000, Register 154; add'l am 7/1/2000, Register 154; am 1/1/2001, Register 156; am 3/17/2001, Register 157; am 7/1/2001, Register 158; em am 3/19/2002 - 3/29/2002, Register 162; add'l am 7/1/2002, Register 162; add'l am 7/1/2002, Register 162; em am 7/24/2002 - 8/2/2002, Register 163; am 7/1/2003, Register 166; am 7/1/2004, Register 170; add'l am 7/1/2004, Register 170; am 7/1/2005, Register 174

Authority: AS 16.05.060

AS 16.05.255

AS 16.05.258

AS 16.05.330

Editor's note: At its November 9 - 11, 1992, January 19 - 28, 1993 meeting, the Board of Game readopted 5 AAC 85.025(a) (4), (a)(6), (a)(13), (a)(14), and (a)(16) - (a)(22) in their entirety, without change, under ch. 1, SSSLA 1992 (the 1992 subsistence law), which repealed and reenacted AS 16.05.258 .

As of Register 126, July 1993, the Regulations Attorney deleted from 5 AAC 85.025(a) (22) invalid language regarding transportation of caribou.