Subsistence Caribou Hunt: Tetlin-Northway Area

A federal subsistence caribou season opened in a portion of Unit 12 on December 6, 1993, for residents of Tetlin and Northway to hunt the Nelchina herd. The Federal Subsistence Board voted on December 3, 1993, to open the season on federal lands in the Unit, except the area west of the Nabesna River within the drainages of Jack, Platinum and Totschunda creeks. The season is limited to taking of bulls and will remain open until January 4, 1994. Residents of Tetlin and Northway may take one bull caribou by federal registration permit during this season. Permits are available at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge and other locations as determined by refuge staff.

An important consideration in establishing season dates for this hunt was protection of the declining Mentasta caribou herd. In announcing the hunt opening, the Federal Subsistence Board included a provision that would close this season if the ratio of Nelchina caribou to Mentasta caribou decreases to twenty to one in the hunt area. The Nelchina herd is healthy and can sustain a winter hunt. During winter, Nelchina and Mentasta caribou herds sometimes mix in this portion of Unit 12. Recent monitoring of radio-tagged animals from each herd indicate the current ratio between Nelchina and Mentasta caribou in the area is 33:1. These safeguards will provide the opportunity for a subsistence use of Nelchina caribou, while assuring the continued viability of the Mentasta herd.

For more information, contact the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge, telephone 883-5312, or by calling the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Subsistence Management at 1-800-478- 1456.

-FWS-