(Glennallen) – Nelchina caribou hunt RC562 will close by emergency order for the remainder of the September
hunting season on Tuesday, September 13, at 11:59 p.m. The harvest quota of 140 bull caribou for RC562 has
been reached.
In recent years the size of the Nelchina caribou herd has been above objectives, affording extra harvest
opportunity to reduce the herd to within population objectives. This year, severe winter conditions and late
spring thaw resulted in higher-than-normal adult mortality and low recruitment of calves into the population.
Spring migration and calving occurred late, and a small portion of the herd did not return from the wintering
grounds. Furthermore, production and survival of this spring’s calf crop is low. These factors combine to
reduce the Nelchina caribou herd to an estimated 21,000 caribou. As a result, available harvest is lower than in
recent years, as the goal is now focused on growing the herd. The fall quotas and expected harvest below
reflect the Board of Game direction to distribute hunter opportunity and harvest for this important caribou herd.
All Nelchina caribou hunts will be subject to early closure once quotas are reached. A reassessment of quotas
will take place after the fall hunts close and composition surveys are completed in early October. It is likely that
no winter seasons will open.
Hunt updates and additional information will be available on the Nelchina hotline at (907) 267-2304.