ADF&G Wildlife Conservation - Northwest Alaska - Region V

08/07/2026

The rutting season for muskoxen is here, and with it comes increased muskox movements as bulls form harems. Muskoxen may be seen in areas they are not commonly seen, including residential areas. Here are some best practices to avoid encounters with muskoxen:

GIVE THEM SPACE - Muskoxen are best viewed from a safe distance through binoculars or a spotting scope. Whenever possible, keep a space of 150 feet between you and a muskox.

DO NOT SURPRISE THEM - Look and listen for signs of muskoxen and avoid areas in which you do not have a clear line of sight. Muskoxen may move into new areas overnight, including residential areas where they are not normally seen.

DO NOT DISTURB THEM - Muskoxen may react defensively. Do not approach them. If you notice any change in muskox behavior (It stops feeding, or walking, it starts butting heads with another muskox, etc.) this is a sign to give them more space. Bull muskoxen are more aggressive during the fall breeding season which takes place from August through October. Precautions should be taken to avoid disturbing males when in rut.

USE CAUTION WITH DOGS - Remember that muskoxen are much less patient with dogs. Walking your dog on a leash is best. Otherwise keep your dog in sight and under voice control. If there are muskoxen near your home, bring dogs inside or keep them in a secure enclosure and check outside before letting your dog out.

KNOW HOW TO REACT - If you are walking, or hiking, and come upon a muskox, turn around and change your route. If you are charged, move away as fast as you can. Get behind a building, vehicle, or other substantial object and keep the object between you and the muskox while continuing to leave the area.

REPORT ENCOUNTERS - To report a wildlife situation that poses a threat to public safety, contact the Nome Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) office at (907) 443-2429, use the Report Wildlife Encounter Tool (link located in comments), or for after-hours emergencies, contact your local police department.

MORE INFORMATION: Find more information on living with muskoxen on our website. (link in comments)

07/25/2026

07/15/2026

CARIBOU HUNTERS
RC800/RC907 PERMITS
GMU22 – GMU23 – GMU26A

Thank you for reporting by July 15th – even if you did not harvest.

You can file your RC800 or RC907 harvest report and get a permit for the regulatory year beginning July 1, 2026, online, or at your local Alaska Department of Fish and Game office.

Nome: 907-443-8190
Kotzebue: 907-442-3420
Utqiaġvik: 907-852-3464

07/02/2026

Alaska Board of Game Special Meeting

Open to the public.

DATES:
• Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 8:30 AM
• Thursday, July 23, 2026

LOCATION:
Westmark Hotel Conference Room
813 Noble Street, Fairbanks

LIVESTREAM:
Link located in comments

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS:
• Proposal 1 – Predator Control for Muskox (Unit 26B)
• Proposal 2 – Electronic Devices for Archery
• Proposal 3 – Electronic Devices for Archery
• Proposal 4 – 2 mile Hunting/Trapping Closure around Ambler Road
• Mulchatna Caribou Herd Intensive Management Update (ADF&G)
• Nelchina Caribou Herd Feasibility Assessment (ADF&G)

WRITTEN COMMENT DEADLINE:
Thursday, July 16 at 8:00 AM
Link located in comments

ORAL TESTIMONY (sign up at the meeting):
• Individuals: 3–5 minutes
• Advisory committees/regional councils: 5–10 minutes

CONTACT:
Leila Williams, ADF&G Boards Support
907-267-2354

07/02/2026

New Dall Sheep Hunter Orientation and Quiz is now online!

Beginning in the 2026 hunting season, a new requirement from the Alaska Board of Game requires sheep hunters to successfully complete a sheep hunter orientation course and quiz prior to hunting in any general season harvest ticket hunt between August 10-September 20, where the bag limit is full-curl horn or larger.

This requirement applies to all sheep hunters (guided and unguided, youth and adult, residents and nonresidents). Hunters only need to pass the quiz once in their lifetime, and receive their proof of completion. Proof of completion must be carried in the field while sheep hunting.

The new orientation requirement is intended to help hunters avoid common mistakes, specifically the challenges of judging full-curl sheep in the field. Hunters should familiarize themselves with the education materials prior to taking the associated quiz. https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/quizfwk/extra/15/Dall%20Sheep%20Identification%20Pages%20for%20Quiz%20Website%20Final%206_29_2026%20ADA.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=
The quiz consists of 20 questions, and hunters must get all 20 questions correct to complete the orientation.

Find the orientation on the Wildlife Conservation Quizzes page:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/WildlifeConservationQuizzes/

For questions about sheep hunting opportunities or completing the orientation, please contact the ADFG office closest to your planned hunt area https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=contacts.main&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Special thanks to the photographers who contributed images used in the materials: Kent Freeman, Todd List, Spenser Ullman, Austin Atkinson, and Michael Metcalf.

06/26/2026

Alaska Department of Fish & Game biologists plan to conduct muskox research from an R44 (teal) helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft Cessna 206 or Piper Cub.

When: June 25 – July 2, 2026

Where: Throughout Game Management Units 23 and 26A

This is the start of a new study to monitor adult female muskox movement patterns, survival, health, and causes of mortality. Biologists will capture adult female muskox to collect biological samples and equip the muskox with a GPS radio collar.

For more information, contact the Kotzebue ADF&G Office at 1-800-478-3420 or 1-907-442-3420.

06/19/2026

The Kotzebue Sound Fish & Game Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting.
Date: Monday, June 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Zoom only
(The meeting link will be posted in the comments.)
Meeting Details:
• Meeting ID: 886 8696 3117
• Password: Kotzebue
• By phone: +1‑408‑638‑0968
Agenda Items Include:
• Discussion of Ambler Road Closure Proposal 4 for the Board of Game Special Session (07/22–07/23)
• Other fish and wildlife topics
About the Committee:
The Kotzebue Sound Fish and Game Advisory Committee is made up of community members representing all user groups. The committee meets to discuss fish and game issues, recommend changes to current regulations, and represent the community before the Board of Fisheries and Board of Game.
This meeting is open to the public.
For More Information:
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Leila Williams – ADF&G Boards Support Section
907‑267‑2354

06/15/2026

Due to continued decline of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd (WAH), the state issued an emergency order closing cow caribou harvest, effective July 1, 2026 in Units 22, 23, and that portion of 26A within in Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea south and west of and including the K*k and Kugrua River drainages, also known as 26A Southwest. These hunt areas are managed under registration permits RC800 and RC907.
The harvestable surplus for the WAH has decreased concurrently with the population decline and is estimated at zero cows based on the 2025 census of 121,000 individuals. Elimination of cow harvest has been identified as a necessary step towards slowing the population decline as there is no harvestable surplus of cows at this time.
The state resident bag limit under the RC800 and RC907 permits in the Units 22, 23, and 26A Southwest will be 15 bulls total with a season of July 1 – June 30 for RY26. See the 2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations for seasons, bag limits, and when and where to obtain permits.
For link to emergency order and full press release see comments.

06/10/2026

Moose hunters remember to get your RM880, available now through July 15. Kotzebue residents can stop by the office between 8 and 5. If you live outside of Kotzebue, call us at 907-442-3420, for your local vendor's information.

05/29/2026

ADF&G is hosting a hunter education field day qualifier on August 4 and 6, in Nome!

Hunter education is required for hunters wishing to participate in certain hunts and other Game Management Units within Alaska. Successful completion of this course results in a certification that is recognized throughout North America! Use the link below to access the online course. After completing the course, you can sign up for our field day this August.

If you have any questions, please call or email Brynn Parr at (907) 443-8190 or [email protected]

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=huntered.basichunter&fbclid=IwY2xjawSG9bZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEcE51Ulh3UWIwdHdmQ2c4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEeDegqyAq3ucFxS3TCe_Jz_d6SbWfPyayJZD-HAl7C0H7IJh8M7jptLwS4gKQ_aem_akPxYDeg1NMLhsZCi6rg3g