Fortymile Caribou Season Reopened on Steese Highways

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The State of Alaska fall hunting season for Fortymile caribou in areas accessible from the Steese Highway will reopen at 12:01 am Saturday morning, September 4, 2010.
“Harvest reports show that we haven’t met the quota of 180 bulls yet, and the caribou have dispersed enough to allow the season to be reopened with less chance of an overharvest,” said Tok Area Biologist Jeff Gross.
The hunting season for Fortymile caribou in areas accessible from the Steese Highway was closed after one day of hunting on August 29 when large numbers of caribou and hundreds of hunters were gathered near the highway and the adjacent trail systems.
In an effort to extend the hunting season this year, the Board of Game limited Fortymile hunting to bulls only and gave ADF&G the option to temporarily close the hunt to slow down the harvest. ADF&G staff has the option of reopening the season if the quota is not yet met.
“In spite of very dense fog on August 29, hunters took 72 bulls, nearly half of the 180 quota,” said Gross. “If we hadn’t closed the season, we could have exceeded the quota within a couple days.”
Hunting for Fortymile caribou is regulated by joint state-federal registration permit hunt RC860. The season for federally-qualified subsistence hunters has remained open on federal land in the area.
The State of Alaska hunt for Fortymile caribou will reopen in Zone 1 as shown on the map. Zone 1 includes lands accessible from the Steese Highway in Units 20B and 25C.
State and federal hunting seasons for Fortymile caribou remain open in Zone 2 (located in parts of Unit 20B, 20D north of the Tanana River, and western 20E) and in Zone 3 (on lands accessible from the Taylor Highway).
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 by October 15.
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 II permits next year, and may be cited for a violation of the Alaska hunting regulations.
Management is designed to allow the Fortymile herd to continue to grow and expand into its former range in Alaska and Yukon. At about 45,000 animals, the Fortymile herd is the largest caribou herd in Interior Alaska.
Hunters with questions about the state season should call the Fortymile Hotline at (907) 267-2310.
Hunters with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456.
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