This emergency order closes the winter moose hunt RM660 in Game Management Unit 19D.
Moose in Unit 19D experienced a significant decline over the winter of 2022/2023. The McGrath area experienced record snow levels for much of the winter followed by an extremely late spring and green up. On April 30 there were still 34 inches of snow on the ground. Of 15 calves collared in March 2023 none survived the remainder of the winter. Surveys were conducted in November 2023 in an 1,118 mi2 area around McGrath where numbers declined from 2,471 moose in 2022 to 1,613 moose in 2023. This represents an approximately 35% decline. The current intensive management objective in a portion of Unit 19D is 5,578 moose. Our current estimate of 3,825 moose is below the objective. With very poor recruitment and high overwinter mortality, a winter antlerless hunt is not sustainable at this time, and RM660 will be closed in all areas.
This Emergency Order No. R3-1-24 was issued on January 1, 2024 at McGrath, Alaska.
