Moose numbers above five-year average

This year's moose harvest looks to be above the five- year average with the moose count at 64 just 17 days into the season.

Between 2014 and 2018, the average moose count for this time of the season was 58. There was a dip in the moose harvest this time last year, with only 42 being taken. Fish and Game Area Biologist Frank Robbins said the warm weather last fall may have been a factor in the low number of moose being taken. In 2017 and 2016, the moose harvest was 64 about 17 days into the season. That same number in 2015 and 2014 was a little lower at 60 and 58 respectively.

Moose season began on Sept. 15 and will run through Oct. 15. Last year's moose season closed with a moose count of 105. In 2017, a unit record of 117 moose were harvested, beating out the 2016 total of 111.

So far, six moose have been shot on Mitkof Island, 20 on Kupreanof Island, excluding the Kake area, six in the Kake area, two on the mainland, 14 from the Stikine River area, nine on Kuiu Island, two in Thomas Bay, four on Wrangell Island, one in Farragut Bay and zero on Woewodski and Zarembo islands.

Of the 64 moose collected, four have been determined to be illegal. Two were from Kuiu Island, one from Farragut Bay and one from the Stikine River area.

In unit three, which encompasses Mitkof and Wrangell islands, residents and nonresidents alike can take one bull moose. For the moose to be deemed legal, it must have spike-fork antlers or 50-inch antlers or antlers with three or more brow tines on at least one side or two brow tines on both sides, according to the 2019 - 2020 Alaska hunting regulations.