Hunters pursuing caribou in the small Macomb herd that roams eastern Alaska between Delta River and Yerrick Creek south of the Alaska Highway will have to put down their guns by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Biologists estimate the herd size at 1,200 animals, with a harvest quota of 60 bulls. The early closure, by one day, leaves hunters with a single day in which it's legal to hunt with motorized vehicles.
Over the last two years, the Macomb herd has declined by 700-800 animals, Bob Schmidt, the area biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said in a press release.
Last year, the harvest quota was 40 bulls.
As of Thursday, 34 bulls had been taken. Typically, Schmidt said, half the harvest comes during the normal two-day motorized hunt.
"We know many people look forward to two days of motorized hunting for the Macomb herd in the Delta Controlled Use Area," Schmidt said. "But unfortunately the higher nonmotorized harvest rate isn't going to allow that this year. However, we feel there are enough caribou to allow one day of motorized hunting to at least give people some motorized opportunity."
Silver limits boosted
Anglers seeking silver salmon can now use more-effective bait on the Little Susitna River, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Unlike other Mat-Su waterways, the run to the Little Su has been sluggish this summer. As of Wednesday, more than 9,400 silvers have passed the Little Su weir, ensuring that biologists would reach the Little Su's minimum escapement goal of 10,100 silvers.
"In general, the coho salmon run to Cook Inlet is late and low-water conditions through much of the season have likely exacerbated the late run timing to area streams," said a Fish and Game press release.
At the same time, Fish and Game doubled the bag limit for silver to four fish on Cottonwood and Wasilla Creeks, following similar moves on the Deshka River and Fish Creek earlier this week
Talking snowmachine trails
If you're sick of summer, stoke dreams of winter at the Snowmobile Trails Advisory Council (SnowTRAC) meeting 8:30-11 a.m. on Sept. 6 in room 1270 of the Atwood Building in downtown Anchorage.
Trail grooming requests and other issues will be discussed. To participate by teleconference, call 866-918-8374 and enter conference code 5569714090.
The six-member council advises the head of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation on funding for grant projects under the Snowmobile Trail Grant Program. Funds come from snowmobile registration fees for trail grooming and maintenance as well as safety and education projects.
Contact State Trails Program Coordinator Darcy Harris at 269-8699 or darcy.harris@alaska.gov for details.