The Fortymile caribou herd is shrinking, and this year's hunt reflects it

Hunters heading out for Fortymile caribou this year will find a tighter hunt than usual, and one that could shut down with little warning.

The reason is the herd itself. Fish and Game now estimates it at about 27,000 animals, down slightly from last fall, and has cut the harvest to match: a quota of 550 bulls for the season, a limit of one bull per hunter, and no cows. The goal, the department says, is to ease pressure on a herd that's no longer growing while still leaving some opportunity to hunt.

The bigger change is how fast a zone can close. Any of the four hunting zones can be shut by emergency order before the season ends, and Fish and Game is warning hunters that road-accessible zones — which open Aug. 20 — may have their openings pushed back if too many caribou drift near the roads beforehand. Any delay will be announced five to seven days ahead.

State permits become available July 16 at hunt.alaska.gov and at Fish and Game offices around the Interior.