The federal government wants to close 60 million acres in Alaska
Tomorrow in Alaska, a telemeeting will be held to discuss closing 60 million acres of federal public land in Northwest Alaska to caribou and moose hunters.
The federal government is making new guidelines that will decide the difference between sport and subsistence hunting by location of residence, not by motivations. Therefore, if you are a hunter outside of this area who wants to hunt moose or caribou to feed your family, you would still be prohibited from hunting.
In the hearing, the Department of the Interior will consider the Temporary Wildlife Special Action Request WSA21-01. This will close all Federal public lands in Units 23 and 26A to moose and caribou hunters who aren’t “federally qualified subsistence users” during the normally scheduled time for non-residents - Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, 2021.
We encourage you to call in and ask the Department to keep this land open to all hunters. Shutting off access to the outdoors cannot be allowed to take hold, so please call in and make your voice heard
Public Hearing Information:
Friday, April 23, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. AKDT (or until the end of public participation)
Teleconference: Toll Free: (877) 918-3011
Passcode: 8147177
Alaska Game Management Units Impacted
GMU 23 - Kotzebue Sound-Chukchi Sea-Arctic Ocean
Game Management Unit 23 consists of Kotzebue Sound, Chukchi Sea, and Arctic Ocean drainages from and including the Goodhope River drainage to Cape Lisburne, and all seaward waters and lands within three miles of these coastlines
GMU 26A - Arctic Slope
Game Management Unit 26(A) consists of that portion of Unit 26 lying west of the Itkillik River drainage, and west of the east bank of the Colville River between the mouth of the Itkillik River and the Arctic Ocean