Fortymile caribou hunt in Zones 1 and 4 runs just two days, closing Aug. 21

Hunters headed out for Fortymile caribou this fall will have a **two-day window** to hunt two of the herd's four zones. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will close the RC860 registration hunt in Zone 1 and Zone 4 at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 21, roughly 48 hours after the Aug. 20 opening.

Emergency Order R3-9-26 states the department expects the combined 190-bull quota for the two zones to be met within that 48-hour window. The department describes the closure as a conservation measure based on the herd's current distribution near the Steese Highway. Zone 1 is reached from the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road. Zone 4 is the White Mountains.

Zone 2 opened Aug. 10 with a quota of 100 bulls. Zone 3 opens Aug. 20 as scheduled with 125. These seasons and bag limits apply only to state caribou hunts. Hunters with questions about federal subsistence regulations should call (800) 478-1456.

The department's July announcement set the 2026-27 quota at 550 bulls, no cows, against a midsummer herd estimate of 27,000 animals. Of that total, 415 bulls are allocated to the fall hunt and 135 to the winter hunt.

Successful hunters must report within three days of a kill, online at hunt.alaska.gov, by phone at 907-883-2971 or in person at the Tok ADF&G office. Those who report by phone must also mail or drop off their permit reports there. Unsuccessful hunters must report by Oct. 15. Missing either deadline makes a permit holder **ineligible for any permit the following regulatory year**, including Tier I Nelchina caribou, and can bring a citation. Hunters are urged to obtain a receipt or use delivery confirmation.

The department advises calling the Fortymile hotline at (907) 267-2310 before leaving for the field.