The Western Arctic Caribou Herd, now numbering approximately 500,000 animals, is reoccupying its historical range in portions of Unit 18. The Board has determined that opening federal public lands in Unit 1 8 north of the Yukon River to subsistence caribou harvest will provide additional harvest opportunities to local residents without affecting the health of the herd. The Board also indicated that it would consider increasing the harvest limit if large numbers of caribou become available.
Federal subsistence hunting regulations are now identical to State regulations for the area. Communities affected by the opening are: Alakanuk, Andreafsky, Emmonak, Kotlik, Marshall, Mountain Village, Pilot Station, Pitkas Point, Russian Mission, St. Marys, St. Michael, Sheldon Point, Stebbins and Kwethluk.
Local residents may contact the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge at (907) 543-3151. Or for more information or a regulations booklet, contact the Office of Subsistence Management, c/o U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 101 1 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK, 99503, or call 1-800-478-1456. Hearing impaired may inquire by calling collect (907) 786-3309.
FWS
