(Tok, Alaska) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be using a targeted hunt to administer a winter hunt opportunity for Fortymile caribou. This targeted hunt (AC999) is a provision of the Fortymile Caribou Herd Harvest Plan (harvest plan) that is intended to provide harvest opportunity to Alaska resident hunters to help meet the winter harvest quota. As a conservation measure, the RC867 hunt in Zones 1 and 4 has been closed this winter and will remain closed, due to the risk of overharvest of large numbers of caribou close to the Steese Highway.
The AC999 targeted hunt will allow a limited number of hunters to take up to 100 caribou in Zones 1 and 4 (see map below) during the winter season that ends March 31st, 2024. To be considered for a permit, hunters will be required to apply online at http://hunt.alaska.gov by January 19 at 5 P.M. Hunters that harvested a caribou after July 1st, 2023, are not eligible for this hunt. A 2024 hunting license is required to participate in this hunt.
Following this application period, 125 applicants will be randomly selected to receive a permit and will be notified by email by February 2, 2024. The hunt will occur from February 2, 2024, until March 31, 2024, unless closed early by Emergency Order. Winners will be able to print their permit at home or pick it up at the Fairbanks, Tok, Delta, Glennallen, Anchorage or Palmer ADF&G offices.
The hunt will only be open in Zones 1 and 4 (see map below) with a bag limit of 1 caribou.
For more information on the Fortymile targeted hunt, call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Fortymile Caribou Herd Hunt Hotline at (907) 267-2310. You may also call the Tok office at (907) 883-2971 or the Fairbanks office at (907) 459-7200.
Hunters are reminded to call the Fortymile Caribou Herd Hotline (907) 267-2310 for updates about the hunt quota and bag limit before departing for the field to learn of zone closures.
Successful hunters must report within three days of the kill online at (http://hunt.alaska.gov), by phone (907-883-2971), or in person at the ADF&G office in Tok. 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, within 15 days after the hunt period ends.