Seward Peninsula Muskox Hunt Changed to Tier II
- ADF&G Press Release
Cora Campbell, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, Alaska 99811
Phone: (907) 465-6166 - Fax: (907) 465-2332
Press Release: April 25, 2012
Contact: Tony Gorn, (907) 443-2271
Seward Peninsula Muskox Hunt Changed to Tier II
Seward Peninsula Muskox hunts in Units 22B, 22C, 22D and 23 Southwest will only be available by Tier II subsistence permits for the 2012-13 regulatory year.
Tier II hunts are different than the Tier I hunts used during 2008-2011, when an unlimited number of permits were issued to Alaska residents. The Tier II permit system will limit the total number of permits issued. The number of permits will be determined in May.
Hunters must apply in advance during May 1-May 31 to receive a Tier II permit for muskox in these units. The Tier I registration hunt for muskox in Unit 22E will continue unchanged.
The decision to limit muskox hunting to Tier II permits in these units this fall was made after population surveys conducted in March found a decline in muskox groups compared to the 2010 survey. In addition, composition surveys revealed the proportion of mature bulls and yearlings in the population to be low.
Regulations require that if muskox numbers fall below the amounts determined necessary for subsistence users, hunting must be restricted to Tier II permit holders. The conservative harvests are designed to help reverse the declining trend.
All Tier I and Tier II muskox hunts are limited to bulls only, prohibit the use of aircraft, and trophies must be destroyed.
Tier II applications may be submitted online at http://hunt.alaska.gov beginning May 1 through 5:00 pm on May 31, or by mail with a paper application postmarked between May 1 and May 31. The 2012-2013 Alaska Tier II Muskox Permit Hunt Supplement, available online or at department offices, shows hunt areas and seasons.
Hunters with questions should contact ADF&G offices in Nome at (800) 560-2271 and in Kotzebue at (800)478-3420.
###