The muskox population in Unit 26B has remained above the population threshold of 300 animals since 2018 and there is currently sufficient harvestable surplus to allow a limited registration hunt east of the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area. Four permits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis; two permits will be issued in Kaktovik at 1:00pm on 2 October and two permits will be issued in Nuiqsut at 3:00pm on 3 October.
Muskox were reintroduced to the North Slope in 1969 and 1970, with the population peaking at 500-650 muskox. However, by 2004, the population fell below 300 muskox and the hunts were suspended. Since 2004, the population has stabilized and began to slowly grow and by 2018 was just above 300 muskox.
Since 2018, the population has continued to grow slowly and is now around 380 muskox. Starting in 2023, the hunt was reinstated for the first time since 2004 using the same hunt structure established in regulation. This includes 4 Tier II permits (TX108), 4 registration subsistence permits (RX110), and 4 drawing permits (DX112).
RX110 is a subsistence only hunt which further restricts hunters by limiting transportation, requires trophy destruction, and limits permits to one per household.
Hunters are prohibited from the use of aircraft for transporting muskox hunters, muskox, or muskox hunting gear. Trophy destruction is required if the horns are transported out of Unit 26. Trophy destruction involves cutting through both horns within 2 inches of the eye at the kill site and hunters must submit the distal (end portion) of the horn to ADF&G in Fairbanks within 3 days of leaving Unit 26.
The bag limit is one muskox and season dates are December 15, 2023 – March 31, 2024.