Fortymile Caribou Regulations Changes for 2010

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Hunters are reminded to check the regulation books for changes to the 2010 Fortymile Caribou hunting season.

Season dates, bag limits, and weapons restrictions designed to maintain harvest levels but allow for longer hunting seasons were changed in both state and federal hunts for the Fortymile herd in 2010.

Fortymile Caribou hunting under state regulations opens August 29 on land accessible from the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road (Zone 1) and land accessible from the Taylor Highway (Zone 3). Hunting in the roadless area in between (Zone 2) will open August 10. A map of zones is included on page 95 of the 2010 Alaska Hunting Regulations book.

The bag limit for the fall hunt in all three zones has been changed to bulls only. The bag limit for the winter hunt remains one caribou. Hunters are encouraged to check out a description of how to tell bulls from cows on page 30 of the regulations, or online at http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/regulations/pdfs/caribouid.pdf

Registration permits (RC860) to hunt Fortymile caribou are available online at http://hunt.alaska.gov or in person from Tok, Delta Junction, Eagle, Fairbanks, Central, Douglas, Anchorage and Palmer Fish and Game offices starting August 4, 2010. The quota for the 2010 season is 795 caribou shared between the fall and winter seasons. Hunting will be closed if season quotas are met.

If caribou gather in large numbers along roads during the season, hunting may be restricted to archery only or temporarily closed in certain drainages to avoid heavy roadside harvest. If so, the restrictions will be announced in the news and on the Fortymile caribou hotline (267-2310). Signs will be placed in restricted areas and hunters may be contacted in the field by Fish and Game personnel.

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