“To allow for hunting opportunities but minimize the risk of reducing the population more than desired, the annual harvest quota for the herd will remain at a reduced level this year,” ADF&G said in a press release.
According to the release, the annual quota for the 2024-25 hunting seasons will be set at 565 bulls only (no cow harvest), with a pre-season allocation of 425 bulls for the fall hunt (for all zones) and 140 bulls for the winter hunt.
Zone allocations for the fall hunt will be:
| Zone | Quota |
| 1 & 4 combined (Steese Hwy area) | 195 |
| Zone 2 (Roadless area) | 100 |
| Zone 3 (Taylor Highway area) | 130 |
The department used results from last summer’s photo census, along with composition, reproductive, and survival data collected over the past year, to develop a modeled estimate of the current size of the Fortymile caribou herd to set this year’s hunt quota. Models indicate the herd has continued to decline since last summer. The estimated mid-summer herd size is 28,000 – 34,000.
“These are reduced quotas from previous years and could result in delayed season openings and shorter seasons than in previous years,” the release stated. If quotas are met early, season closures could be announced by emergency order on short notice.
The bag limit for resident and non-resident hunters hunting in the State of Alaska fall registration hunt for Fortymile caribou will remain 1 bull in all Zones (1–4). The hunt is scheduled to open in all Zones (1–4) on Sunday, August 11, at 12:01 a.m.
According to the release, “Hunters should anticipate that the fall season will likely be delayed in one or more road-accessible zones to avoid overharvesting if large numbers of caribou are accessible near roads prior to the scheduled season opening.”
Delays will be announced at least 5-7 days prior to the scheduled opening date. Permits will be available July 16th online at hunt.alaska.gov and in person in Tok, Delta Junction, Eagle, Fairbanks, Central, Glennallen, Douglas, Anchorage, and Palmer.
Hunters are reminded to call the Fortymile Caribou Herd Hotline (907) 267-2310 before departing for the field for updates about delayed hunt openings and zone closures. The hotline will be updated regularly with current zone harvest and other new information as it becomes available.
These seasons and bag limits only apply to state caribou hunts in these areas.
Hunters with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456.
ADF&G said that a successful photo census conducted on June 28 will be finalized prior to the winter hunt opening. “Once the results of this summer’s photo census are finalized and the harvest analysis of the fall hunting season is complete, both the winter season and bag limit will be re-evaluated.”