Bull Moose Harvest Quota Established for Unit 5A, except Nunatak Bench

The Yakutat District Ranger, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has established the moose harvest quota for Unit 5A, except the Nunatak Bench, at 60 bulls. No more than 30 of those bulls are to be taken from the area west of the Dangerous River. This quota is effective for the 2017 Federal Subsistence moose season, which is October 8 to November 15, 2017, or until the quota is met. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has established the same quota in Unit 5A for the State season, effective October 15, extending through the end of the State season on November 15. The State and Federal quotas are not cumulative.

09/21/2017

Last edited 01/25/2022

Contact Information

Paul Robbins Jr.
Public Affairs Officer
Tongass National Forest
907-617-2063
paulrobbins@fs.fed.us

The Yakutat area received heavy snowfall during the 2011-2012 winter, which may have impacted the overall population. The mild winters of 2014 and 2015 are thought to have resulted in improved over-winter survival for ungulate populations region wide, and recent minimum calf:cow ratios (24 calves:100 cows and 28 calves:100 cows west and east of the Dangerous River, respectively, in both 2015 and 2016), indicate healthy recruitment. The 2015 aerial survey conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game found the minimum bull:cow ratio (16 bulls:100 cows and 21 bulls:100 cows west and east of the Dangerous River, respectively) had improved from 2013 (12 bulls:100 cows west of the Dangerous River), and even greater improvement was observed in 2016 (38 bulls:100 cows and 35 bulls:100 cows west and east of the Dangerous River, respectively). Reports from hunters observing high numbers of bulls further indicate a recovering population.

Hunters are also reminded that they are required to report harvest within three days of taking a moose or risk a citation, and are encouraged to report their harvest to the U.S. Forest Service office as soon as possible. Prompt reporting helps ensure that we do not exceed the quota and continue to rebuild this population and increase the bull:cow ratio.

State and Federal managers will hold a post-harvest meeting in order to discuss recommendations for the 2018 season. For example, a shorter reporting requirement west of the Dangerous River may be considered to ensure the harvest quota is not exceeded.

For additional information, contact U.S. Forest Service Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson or Wildlife Biologist Susan Oehlers at 907-784-3359.

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