Registration permits are now available for the Kenai Peninsula brown bear hunt (RB300), with the fall season opening on August 10.
Brown bear hunting on the Kenai Peninsula (Units 7 & 15) is managed under a registration permit with a maximum of 50–60 total human-caused brown bear mortalities per calendar year, of which 8–12 may be adult females on a consecutive 3-year average, including the current calendar year. This management strategy is consistent with the Board of Game recommendations (BOG 2015-211) adopted on March 18, 2015. The 3-year average surpassed 12 adult female brown bears during a calendar year in 2022 prompting an Emergency Order (No. 02-05-22) which closed the fall portion of the season on September 30, 2022.
The season reopened for the remaining spring season on January 1, 2023. This was the first time that the RB300 season has closed by Emergency Order since the current management strategy has been in place.
Presently, in calendar year 2023, there have been 4 adult female and 21 total human-caused mortalities of brown bears in Units 7 & 15 with current 3-year averages of 8 and 39 human-caused mortalities, respectively.
Successful hunters must report by phone to 907-260-2950, or in person within 5 days of kill to the Soldotna ADF&G office. Bears must be sealed within 7 days of kill only at ADF&G in Soldotna, Homer, Palmer or Anchorage. Hunters are required to return the completed harvest report in person, online, or by mail to any ADF&G office within 10 days of kill.
The period for sealing brown bears harvested on the RB300 permit was reduced from 10 to 7 days beginning with the fall 2023 season. Reducing the sealing period improves the Department of Fish and Game’s ability to collect data in a timely manner for in-season management consistent with established mortality caps.
The brown bear season is open August 10–June 30 of the following calendar year unless closed by a subsequent Emergency Order. Emergency orders may be released on short notice and hunters should verify that the season remains open before going into the field.
As always, please review all permit conditions and regulations, including land ownership prior to hunting.
