The 2022 hunting seasons for deer, bear, mountain goat and other game species in Southeast Alaska Game Management Unit 1A are on the horizon, while the federal subsistence season for deer in GMU 2 is already underway.
The state and federal regulations in place for the 2022 hunting season remain largely unchanged, with the exception of a statewide rule allowing hunters to harvest deer with qualifying high-powered air rifles.
State hunting seasons and bag limits are governed by the State of Alaska and managed by the Board of Game, and federal subsistence regulations — which apply on federal public lands — are set and managed by the Federal Subsistence Board.
In the southernmost region of Southeast Alaska that encompasses GMUs 1A and 2, the main species of interest of hunters is Sitka black-tailed deer. Hunters should be aware of the differing rules and regulations that apply on state lands and federal public lands related to deer hunting.
The federal subsistence hunt for deer in GMU 2 is open only to residents of rural areas of GMUs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
To qualify as a rural resident, one must have their primary, permanent place of residence in a rural area and must have lived in Alaska for the past 12 months, according to the federal subsistence regulations.
A large portion of the Ketchikan area is designated as nonrural for federal subsistence purposes. Alaska residents in Unit 1A who are unsure whether they live in a rural area can refer to the map from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s 2022-2024 Federal Wildlife Subsistence Regulations. A map outlining Ketchikan’s rural and nonrural areas can be found on page 11 of the regulations book.
The regular state deer season open to all hunters will take place from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31 in Units 1A and 2. However, federal public lands on Prince of Wales Island — excluding land south of the West Arm of Cholmondeley Sound draining into Cholmondeley Sound or Clarence Strait — are closed to non-federally qualified deer hunters from Aug. 1 through Aug. 14.
The bag limit for non-federally qualified hunters in Unit 2 is two bucks beginning Aug 15.
In addition to an extra 39 days of hunting in Unit 2, federally qualified subsistence hunters are also able to use harvest ticket number five to harvest a doe from Oct. 15 though Jan. 31. Hunters must use ticket number five if they take a doe. A total of 34 female deer were harvested in Unit 2 during 2021, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s 2021 deer hunting statistics.
Those who hunt in multiple units are responsible for knowing the different regulations within each unit. For example, hunters in the Cleveland Peninsula portion of Unit 1A south of the divide between Yes Bay and Santa Anna Inlet are allowed two bucks, while the bag limit for the remainder of Unit 1 is four bucks. Federally eligible hunters that harvest four bucks in Unit 1 would be allowed one additional deer from Unit 2.
Black Bear
The black bear hunting season in GMU 1A and 2 for residents and nonresidents starts on Sept. 1 and runs through June 30. Bears cannot be harvested in July or Aug., to allow them time to feed on spawning salmon without the pressure of hunters. The resident bag limit is two bears, one of which can be a glacier bear. The nonresident bag limit is one black bear. The federal subsistence season for black bears follows the same season dates and bag limits as those for resident state hunters.
Brown Bear
There are two separate state registration hunts for brown bear in Unit 1A. The first is open from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31, the second is from March 15 to May 31. There is no brown bear hunt in Unit 2. Brown bears are most often found on the mainland, but there have been rare instances of brown bears being harvested on Revillagigedo Island. Nonresidents should be aware that the company of a registered guide is required in order for them to hunt brown bears. The bag limit for both state registration hunts is one brown bear, excluding cubs or females accompanied by cubs.
There is a federal subsistence hunt for brown bear available to residents of Unit 1A that follows the same time frame as both state hunts. The bag limit is one brown bear every four regulatory years by state registration permit only.
Mountain Goat
There are four different hunt opportunities for mountain goat in Unit 1A, three of which can only be participated in through a draw system in which prospective hunters may put in for a chance to be awarded a mountain goat permit. These three areas cover Revillagigedo Island south, east, and Cleveland Peninsula south of the divide between Yes Bay and Santa Anna Inlet. The season for south and east areas of Revillagigedo Island stretches from Aug. 15 to Dec. 31, and the Cleveland Peninsula season lasts from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. The remaining area — Unit 1A and 1B south of Bradfield Canal — is open to registration hunters from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31.
The bag limit for Revillagigedo Island south, east and the remaining areas is one goat of either sex, granted that the killing of nannies with kids is prohibited. The Cleveland Peninsula area bag limit is one billy.
There is a federal subsistence hunt for mountain goat in the remaining area of Unit 1 from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. The harvest limit is two goats, the first taken under a state registration permit and the second under a federal registration permit.
Moose
There are state and federal subsistence hunts for moose available in Unit 1A, with harvests occurring on the mainland. The state hunt season is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and the bag limit is one bull by state registration permit. The federal subsistence season lasts from Sept. 5 through Oct. 15, with a bag limit of one antlered bull by federal registration permit.
Others
There are state and federal subsistence seasons for both wolves and wolverines for residents and nonresidents of Unit 1 and 2. The state wolf season is open to residents and nonresidents and lasts from Aug. 1 through May 31 with a bag limit of five wolves; the federal subsistence season follows the same timeline and bag limit. The state and federal subsistence wolverine season in Unit 1 lasts from Sept. 1 to Feb. 15 with a bag limit of one wolverine. Residents and nonresidents can participate in the state season.
There are additional federal subsistence hunt opportunities for qualified residents on Unit 1 and 2 targeting coyote, fox, hare, and lynx, with state and federal subsistence hunts for grouse and ptarmigan.
Coyotes are open to federally qualified hunters in Unit 1 and 2 from Sept. 1 through April 30 with a bag limit of two. Foxes are open from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15 with a bag limit of two. Hare are open from Sept. 1 to April 30 with a limit of five per day. Lynx are open from Dec. 1 to Feb. 15 with a bag limit of two. Grouse and ptarmigan are open from Aug. 1 to May 15 with limits of five grouse per day with 10 in possession, and 20 ptarmigan per day with 40 in possession.
*This article was originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News*
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