Title 5 . Fish and Game

Chapter 92 . Statewide Provisions

Section 510. Areas closed to hunting

5 AAC 92.510. Areas closed to hunting

(a) The following areas are closed to hunting as specified:

(1) Unit 1(A):

(A) in the Ketchikan area, a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of the Tongass Highway system, including the Ward, Connel, and Harriet Hunt Lake Roads, is closed to the taking of big game;

(B) in the Hyder area, the Salmon River drainage downstream from the Riverside Mine, including the drainages of Fish Creek and Skookum Creek, but excluding the Thumb Creek drainage, is closed to the taking of bears;

(2) Unit 1(B):

(A) the Anan Creek drainage within one mile of Anan Creek downstream from the mouth of Anan Lake, including the area within a one mile radius from the mouth of Anan Creek Lagoon is closed to the taking of black bears and brown bears;

(3) Unit 1(C):

(A) repealed 7/1/2005;

(B) in the Juneau area, that area between the coast and a line one-fourth mile inland of the following road systems is closed to the taking of big game:

(i) Glacier Highway from Mile 0 to Mile 23.3 at Peterson Creek;

(ii) Douglas Highway from the Douglas city limits to Milepost 7 on the North Douglas Highway;

(iii) Mendenhall Loop Road; and

(iv) Thane Road;

(C) the area within one-fourth mile of Mendenhall Lake, the U.S. Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Visitor's Center, and the Center's parking area, is closed to hunting;

(D) the area of Mt. Bullard bounded by the Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Creek from its mouth to its confluence with Goat Creek, and a line from the mouth of Goat Creek north to the Mendenhall Glacier, is closed to the taking of mountain goat;

(E) Auke Lake is closed to the taking of waterfowl;

(F) Mt. Juneau drainage, bounded by the Glacier Highway, Salmon Creek and its reservoir, a line from the head of the Salmon Creek drainage to the head of Granite Creek, and down Granite Creek and Gold Creek to the Glacier Highway, is closed to the taking of mountain goat;

(4) Unit 1(D):

(A) a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of the Lutak Road between Mile 7 and Chilkoot Lake, and from the Chilkoot River bridge to the end of the Lutak Road spur at the head of Lutak Inlet, is closed to the taking of big game;

(5) Unit 3:

(A) a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of the Stikine (Zimovia) Highway from the Wrangell city limits to the Tongass National Forest Boundary is closed to the taking of big game;

(B) in the Petersburg vicinity, a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of the Mitkof Highway from the Petersburg city limits to the Crystal Lake campground is closed to the taking of big game, except wolves;

(C) the Petersburg Creek drainage on Kupreanof Island is closed to the taking of black bears;

(D) Blind Slough, draining into Wrangell Narrows, and a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of Blind Slough, from the hunting closure markers at approximately mile 15.4 to the hunting closure markers at approximately mile 18.4 of the Mitkof Highway, are closed to all hunting;

(6) Unit 4:

(A) in the Sitka area, a strip one-fourth mile wide on each side of all state highways is closed to the taking of big game;

(B) the Seymour Canal Closed Area (Admiralty Island), including all drainages into northwestern Seymour Canal between Staunch Point and the southernmost tip of the unnamed peninsula separating Swan Cove and King Salmon Bay, and including Swan and Windfall Islands, is closed to the taking of bears;

(C) the Salt Lake Closed Area (Admiralty Island), including all lands within one-fourth mile of Salt Lake above Klutchman Rock at the head of Mitchell Bay, is closed to the taking of bears;

(D) Port Althorp (Chichagof Island), that area within the Port Althorp watershed south of a line from Point Lucan to Salt Chuck Point (Trap Rock), is closed to the taking of brown bears;

(E) Mitchell Bay (Admiralty Island), that area including Mitchell Bay, Kootznahoo Inlet, Kanalkoo Bay, and Favorite Bay, and all adjacent land within 660 feet of mean high tide, is closed to the taking of brown bears;

(F) the Bear Cove Closed Area (Baranof Island), which consists of all of Bear Cove in Silver Bay, from the mouth of the unnamed creek exiting Bear Lake, located approximately one-half mile southeast of BM "Virgo", along the coast to the point of land at BM "Ranus," including the entire shoreline of Bear Cove within one-fourth mile of the mean high tide line, is closed to the taking of brown bears;

(7) Unit 6:

(A) repealed 7/1/2005;

(B) repealed 7/1/2005;

(8) Unit 7:

(A) the Portage Glacier Closed Area in Unit 7, which consists of Portage Creek drainages between the Anchorage-Seward Railroad and Placer Creek in Bear Valley, Portage Lake, the mouth of Byron Creek, Glacier Creek and Byron Glacier, is closed to hunting; however, migratory birds and small game may be hunted with shotguns from September 1 through April 30;

(B) the Seward Closed Area in Unit 7, which consists of the south side drainage of the Resurrection River downstream from the Kenai Fjords National Park's eastern boundary, and Resurrection Bay drainages between the mouth of the Resurrection River and the mouth of Lowell Creek, are closed to the taking of big game, except black bear;

(C) the Cooper Landing Closed Area, which consists of that portion of Unit 7 bounded by Juneau Creek, beginning at its confluence with the Kenai River, then upstream to the confluence of Juneau Creek and Falls Creek, then easterly along Falls Creek and the north fork of Falls Creek and over the connecting saddle to Devils Creek, then southeasterly along Devils Creek to its confluence with Quartz Creek, then southwesterly along Quartz Creek to the Sterling Highway, then westerly along the Sterling Highway to the Kenai River, and then westerly along the Kenai River to the point of beginning at the mouth of Juneau Creek, is closed to the taking of Dall sheep and mountain goat;

(D) the Resurrection Creek Closed Area, which consists of the drainage of Resurrection Creek downstream from Rimrock and Highland Creeks, including Palmer Creek, is closed to the taking of moose;

(E) the Russian River Closed Area, which consists of the area within 150 yards from each side of, and including, the Russian River, from the outlet of Lower Russian Lake downstream to the confluence of the Russian River and Kenai River are closed to hunting during June and July;

(9) Unit 9:

(A) in Unit 9, the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and contiguous tidelands are closed to hunting;

(B) repealed 7/1/2003;

(C) through June 30, 2007, that portion of Unit 9 extending south and east of McNeil River State Game Sanctuary to the boundary of Katmai National Park and Preserve, and including any state land within the boundaries of Katmai National Park and Preserve, is closed to brown bear hunting;

(10) Unit 10:

(A) repealed 7/1/2005;

(B) repealed 7/1/2005;

(11) Unit 13:

(A) the Paxson Closed Area in Unit 13(B), which consists of the eastern drainage of the Gulkana River lying west of the Richardson Highway and the western drainage of the Gulkana River between the Denali Highway and the north end of Paxson Lake where the Gulkana River enters Paxson Lake, is closed to the taking of big game;

(B) the Sheep Mountain Closed Area which lies along the Glenn Highway in Unit 13(A) and is bounded by a line from Caribou Creek, Milepost 107 Glenn Highway, then easterly along the Glenn Highway to Milepost 123, then north to Squaw Creek, then downstream to Caribou Creek, then down Caribou Creek to the point of beginning, is closed to the taking of mountain goat and Dall sheep;

(12) Unit 15:

(A) the Moose River Closed Area near Sterling in Unit 15(A), which consists of the area on and within one-quarter mile of the Moose River between the Kenai National Moose Range boundary and the Sterling Highway, is closed to the taking of waterfowl;

(B) the Kenai Moose Research Center Closed Area in Unit 15(A), which consists of that area within the outer boundary fences of the Kenai Moose Research Center, located west and south of Coyote and Vixen Lakes is closed to hunting;

(C) the Russian River Closed Area, which consists of the area within 150 yards from each side of, and including, the Russian River from the outlet of Lower Russian Lake downstream to the confluence of the Russian River and Kenai River are closed to hunting during June and July;

(13) Unit 17:

(A) all islands and adjacent waters within one-half mile of each island in the Walrus Islands State Game Sanctuary, as described in AS 16.20.092 , except for those islands known as the Twins and their adjacent waters are closed to hunting; however, hunting may occur on Round Island and its adjacent waters from September 10 - October 20;

(B) Unit 17(B), Nonresident Closed Area: the following areas are closed to the taking of caribou by nonresidents in the portions extending two miles on either side of, and including, the following rivers:

(i) Nushagak River beginning at the southern boundary of Unit 17(B) and extending north to the Chichitnok River, and including Harris Creek, Klutuspak Creek, King Salmon River, and the Chichitnok River;

(ii) Mulchatna River upstream to the mouth of the Chilchitna;

(iii) Nuyakuk River extending west up to the falls;

(iv) Koktuli River up to the mouth of the Swan River; and

(v) Stuyahok River to the confluence of the North/South Forks;

(14) Units 19(A) and 19(B), Nonresident Closed Area: the following areas are closed to the taking of caribou and moose by nonresidents in the portions extending two miles on either side of, and including, the following rivers:

(A) the Holitna River, from the mouth of the Chukowan River to the Kuskokwim River;

(B) the Titnuk River, from Fuller Mountain to the Holitna River;

(C) the Hoholitna River, from Old Woman Rock to the Holitna River;

(D) the Aniak, Salmon, and Kipchuk Rivers, from the mouth of Bell Creek of the Salmon River to the Kuskokwim River, including the main channel of the Aniak River downstream from Atsaksovlak Creek, and the Kipchuk River from its confluence with the Aniak River to a point 25 river miles upstream;

(E) the entire length of the Owhat River;

(F) the Kolmakof River, from its confluence with the Kuskokwim River to a point five river miles upstream;

(G) the Holokuk River, from its confluence with the Kuskokwim River upstream to its confluence with Chineekluk Creek;

(H) the entire length of Veahna Creek;

(I) the Oskawalik River, from its confluence with the Kuskokwim River upstream to a point two miles north of Henderson Mountain;

(J) Crooked Creek, from its confluence with the Kuskokwim River upstream to Crevice Creek;

(K) the George River, from its confluence with the Kuskokwim River upstream to the South Fork;

(L) the Buckstock River, from its confluence with the Aniak River to a point five river miles upstream;

(M) the Doestock River, from its confluence with the Aniak River to a point five river miles upstream;

(N) the entire length of Aniak Slough; and

(O) the Kuskokwim River, from the mouth of the Holitna River downstream to the boundary of GMU 18;

(15) Unit 20:

(A) Birch Lake and the area within one-half mile of Birch Lake (Mile 56 Richardson Highway) is closed to the taking of big game;

(B) Harding Lake and the area within one-half mile of Harding Lake (Mile 44 Richardson Highway) is closed to the taking of big game;

(C) Lost Lake and the area within one-half mile of Lost Lake (Mile 56 Richardson Highway) is closed to the taking of big game with firearms and crossbows;

(D) repealed 8/10/90;

(E) repealed 6/28/96;

(16) Unit 26:

(A) the Prudhoe Bay Closed Area is closed to the taking of big game; this closed area consists of the area bounded by a line beginning at 70ΓΈ 22' N. lat., 148ΓΈ W. long., then running south approximately 14 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 10' N. lat., 148ΓΈ W. long., then west approximately 15 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 10' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 40' W. long., then north approximately two miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 12' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 40' W. long., then west approximately eight miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 12' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 56' W. long., then north approximately two miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 15' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 56' W. long., then west approximately 12 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 15' N. lat., 149ΓΈ 28' W. long., then north approximately 12 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 26' N. lat., 149ΓΈ 28' W. long., then east approximately 14 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 26' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 52' W. long., then south approximately two miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 24' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 52' W. long., then east approximately 16 miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 24' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 11' W. long., then south approximately two miles to a point at 70ΓΈ 24' N. lat., 148ΓΈ 11' W. long., then east approximately six miles to the point of beginning;

(B) repealed 7/1/2004;

(17) Unit 20(C): all lands west of the Savage River bounded by Denali National Park are closed to the taking of wolves;

(18) Units 20(A) and 20(C): those portions bounded by a line beginning at the intersection of the Unit 20(A) and Unit 13(E) boundary and a point exactly one mile east of the Parks Highway, then southwest along the Unit 20(A) and Unit 13(E) boundary to the boundary of Denali National Park and Preserve, then north along the boundary of Denali Nation Park and Preserve to its intersection with the west bank of the Nenana River at Moody Bridge (MP 242.9), then across the Moody Bridge to the Unit 20(A) boundary, then north along the boundary of Unit 20(A) to a point exactly one mile east of the Parks Highway, then due south on a line paralleling the east side of the Parks Highway at a distance of one mile to the point of beginning, are closed to the taking of wolves;

(19) Unit 18: the Lower Kuskokwim Closed Area, which consists of that portion of Unit 18 easterly of a line from the mouth of the Ishkowik River to the closest point of Dall Lake, then to the easternmost point of Takslesluk Lake, then along the Kuskokwim River drainage boundary to the Unit 18 border and north of and including the Eek River drainage, is closed to moose hunting.

(b) Proposed regulatory changes to or affecting this section, either to add or eliminate an area closed to hunting, or to expand or reduce the size of an area closed to hunting, will not be accepted for consideration outside the board's published schedule for "Areas Closed to Hunting," unless the board first approves an agenda change.

History: Eff. 8/20/89, Register 111; am 8/10/90, Register 115; am 7/1/92, Register 122; am 7/16/95, Register 135; am 6/28/96, Register 138; am 7/1/96, Register 138; am 7/1/97, Register 142; am 7/26/97, Register 143; am 7/1/99, Register 150; add'l am 7/1/99, Register 150; am 1/3/2001, Register 156; am 8/22/2001, Register 159; am 7/1/2002, Register 162; am 12/5/2002, Register 164; am 7/1/2003, Register 166; add'l 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; add'l am 7/1/2005, Register 174

Authority: AS 16.05.255

AS 16.20.041

AS 16.20.075

AS 16.20.160

AS 16.20.162