The Federal Subsistence Board will consider proposed changes to federal subsistence regulations relevant to the Copper Basin in April 2026.
On September 25 and 26, the Wrangell St Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) discussed these proposals and considered which it would support. The Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission (AITRC) submitted written recommendations regarding these proposals, and Executive Director Karen Linnell participated in the meeting. The federal Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) provided written analysis of the proposals. WRST Cultural Anthropologist Amber Cohen facilitated the meeting.
Several proposals sought to either extend or shift the moose seasons in Units 11 and 13. The rationale for these proposals was the current shift towards warmer temperatures during moose season. These warm temperatures discourage moose from being active in areas where hunters can access them, provide unhealthy conditions for hanging or butchering meat, and lead to greater damage of hunting trails due to mud.
The Southcentral Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council (RAC), submitted proposals WP26-28a and WP26-28b, which request extending the moose season in Units 11 and 13 by ten days to close September 30.
WP26-29, submitted by Nick Jackson, requests to shift the moose season in Unit 13 five days later to Aug. 6-Sep. 25. WP26-30, submitted by Shirley “Tursy” Smelcer, requests to shift the moose season in Unit 13 ten days later to Aug. 11-Sep. 30.
All of the moose proposals were supported by AITRC. OSM supported proposal WP26-28b, which requests to extend the moose season in Unit 13 by 10 days, to close on September 30. OSM opposed extending the season in Unit 11, citing conservation concerns for the moose population. A 2023 survey performed by WRST staff indicated an estimated 40% decline in moose numbers between 2013 and 2023 in Unit 11.
The SRC voted to approve the most conservative of the moose proposals, which would shift the beginning and end of the season five days later in Unit 13. In their discussion, commission members stated they would like to emphasize the importance of having the ability to hunt later in the season rather than extend the total number of days hunting is available. They also expressed concern that a proposal to extend the season would not pass. Additionally, there was some concern that extending the season too long could end up getting too far into the rut. The SRC took no action on the additional proposals.
Four proposals request to increase brown bear subsistence harvest limits: WP26-24 (Unit 11), WP26-25 and WP26-26 (Unit 13), and WP26-71 Unit 12). The Eastern Interior Alaska Subsistence RAC requested to increase the subsistence harvest limit for brown bears in Units 11, 12 and 13 from one to two bears. The Southcentral RAC submitted a similar proposal for Unit 13.
These proposals received preliminary support from the Office of Subsistence Management (OSM) and unanimous support from the SRC. The SRC also recommended an amendment proposed by AITRC to incorporate increased monitoring with this proposed harvest change. AITRC supports the proposals overall, with the amendment.
Proposal WP26-77, submitted by the Eastern Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council, requests recognition of the customary and traditional (C&T) use of wood bison in Units 12, 20, and 25 by the residents of Units 12, 20 and 25. Several residents of the Tok and Northway area called in to oppose this proposal, including Northway Village Council President Chaaiy Albert.
Albert and others stated their opposition to creating a C&T recognition stemmed from their strong opposition to introducing wood bison to the area. They cited the cultural importance of moose and fears that bison introduction could negatively impact moose. AITRC initially supported this designation, but withdrew their support after hearing impassioned testimony. The OSM supported the designation, with the justification that hunters would adapt to hunt whichever large mammals were available.
The SRC did not support this proposal.
The Bureau of Land Management submitted proposal WP26-27 to “change the caribou harvest limit in Units 13C, 13D, and 13E from ‘2 bulls’ to ‘up to 2 caribou,’ and that authority to determine harvest limit and sex be delegated to the in-season manager.” SRC members initially balked at any measure to alter the caribou harvest when herd numbers have been so low that even subsistence harvest has been closed.
The OSM supports the proposal with some administrative changes. AITRC submitted a comment in support of the proposal, provided that multiagency consultation and population controls remain in place. Ultimately, the SRC decided to support this proposal, with a comment that this is intended a future time if and when the caribou numbers can support a hunt.
Two additional proposals were not supported by the SRC. Proposal WP26-74, submitted by Bruce Gordon of Chitina, would extend a C&T determination for sheep in Unit 12 to residents of Chitina and Kenny Lake. This proposal was also opposed by AITRC and OSM.
Proposal WP26-31, submitted by Kirk Wilson, would close federal lands to non-federally qualified users for moose in Unit 13. Support for this proposal was tied among SRC members, so a motion to support the proposal failed. Discussion centered around federal hunters being “displaced” by state hunters. This proposal was opposed by OSM and supported by AITRC.
Proposal WP26-01, submitted by the Office of Subsistence Management, sought to change some administrative procedures for in-season wildlife management. It was supported by the SRC.
Voting members of the SRC are currently Bruce Ervin of Tok, Daniel Stevens of Chitina, Kaleb Rowland of McCarthy, Suzanne McCarthy of Gakona, Mercedes Starr Knighten of Glennallen, and Sue Entsminger of Mentasta Pass. The Yakutat seat is currently vacant. Nathan Brown, of Slana, participated in the meeting in an advisory capacity but it was discovered partway through the meeting that his term had expired.
The Federal Subsistence Board will determine which proposals will go into law in spring of 2026. If you have questions or feedback, contact the Office of Subsistence Management at (800) 478-1456 or email subsistence@ios.doi.gov.
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