This map of District 3 lays out the different game management areas in the Petersburg and Wrangell area. At center, Kupreanof Island has in recent years become the most productive area to hunt moose, the season for which begins next Friday.
The 2017 moose season is set to begin next week, with the monthlong harvest opening on September 15.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has already seen an increase in permits being issued as the season approaches. Last year's harvest for District 3 – encompassing Wrangell, Petersburg, and surrounding islands – had seen 110 moose taken, according to ADFG harvest records. It was the district's best on record, surpassing 109 harvested in 2009.
"Everything's pretty much the same," Petersburg-area wildlife biologist Rich Lowell said of this year.
Putting an estimate on the moose population has been hampered, as the department was unable to conduct aerial observation this winter. A lack of snow cover and pilot unavailability were contributing factors. "Things didn't really line up," said Lowell.
However, given the relatively mild winter this past year, he expected the population to be doing well or at least average.
One noticeable trend in the region has been a population shift from the mainland to outlying islands. Over the past several decades, moose have been spreading westward, to the point where all the major islands in District 3 have populations.
"Kupreanof has started to lead all of the District 3 islands," Lowell explained. Fifty had been harvested on the 1,082 square-mile island in 2016, outpacing by far totals taken around the Stikine River or other islands.
Hunters obtaining permits are reminded to submit their completed moose season reports to their nearest ADFG office, either in person or by mail. Those who do not hunt or are unsuccessful can report their activity online as well, on the ADFG site at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=moosehunting.reporting.
The deer season for most of District 3 opened on August 1, lasting through the end of November. On Mitkof, Woewodski and Butterworth islands, and a portion of Kupreanof, a two-week season begins on October 15.
"I'm hearing good things relative to deer abundance," Lowell commented. As with moose, the comparatively mild winter weather has benefitted the deer population, as has increased predator control. "We've had our trappers really step up their efforts to harvest wolves over the years."
Elk hunting also opened for most of District 3 on August 1, running through December 31. More recently, the 10-month season for black bear began last Friday, though local participation in that tends to be slim.
Reader Comments(0)