Board of Game to weigh Mulchatna wolf control, four other out-of-cycle requests Dec. 2

The Alaska Board of Game will decide Wednesday, Dec. 2, whether to take up five requests to change hunting rules outside its regular schedule, including a state request to restore wolf removal to the Mulchatna caribou predator control program.

The state Department of Fish and Game filed three of the requests. The Alaska Superior Court struck down the wolf portion of the Mulchatna herd's intensive management plan in March after finding deficiencies in the board's 2022 record.

Another would end the Hodzana Hills caribou season in parts of Units 24A and 25D on Oct. 31 instead of March 31. The department cites a state Department of Natural Resources finding that allows winter snowmachine use on trails through the Dalton Highway Corridor Management Area. It says the herd numbers 400 to 600 animals, below its objective of 700 to 800. The third would reopen emperor goose hunting in 2027-28 under a 250-bird state quota by registration permit, after the season was closed in 2025-26 and 2026-27.

Robert Cyr, who identifies himself as vice chair of the Copper Basin Advisory Committee, asks for an intensive management program for the Nelchina caribou herd in Unit 13 to bring it to its minimum objective of 35,000 animals. Joel Randrup asks the board to again close the Mitkof Highway corridor near Petersburg, from mile 8.75 to 17.22, to big game hunting except for wolves. An earlier board proposal opened it to archery big game hunting.

Under board policy, the board accepts out-of-cycle requests for conservation concerns, a regulatory error or an unforeseen effect on a hunt.

The meeting starts at 11 am online. The board will not take oral testimony. Written comments are due Monday, Nov. 23, through the board's website.

Disability Accommodations

Accommodation requests go to the Boards Support Section at 907-465-6098 by 5 pm Friday, Nov. 20.