We were all hoping for a successful hunting season to fill our freezers this winter, but it did not materialize.  We have seen a major increase in competition in the region for a limited number of moose which had a detrimental effect on the season. Something must change. The Ahtna Tene Nene’ C&T Committee distributed 48 any-bull, moose-locking tags to one in three households. Some 146 households were listed for the moose hunt and another 139 for caribou.

This is the final year of a two-year commitment for the program and the regulations could change when the Alaska Board of Game meets in Anchorage on Nov. 10-17 at the Lakefront Hotel. Shareholder-owners planning to hunt the Copper Basin Community Subsistence Hunt in November should be aware that regulations for that hunt could also be changed at the same Board of Game meeting.

Only Ahtna shareholder-owners are permitted to hunt on Ahtna land. Shareholder-affiliated individuals, meaning a child or spouse of a shareholder, may apply for a permit.

Permits are reviewed and issued on a case-by-case basis.

Finally, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is asking hunters to fill out a survey for moose and caribou. Participation is entirely voluntary. Forms can be mailed to Ahtna, Inc., P.O. Box 649, Glennallen, Alaska 99588 or emailed to cshmoose@ahtna.net or cshcaribou@ahtna.net

November 1 through December 15 is the deadline to sign up for the 2018-2019 Community Subsistence Hunt for moose or caribou or both moose and caribou for the next two years.

For more detailed information about the program, please call Gloria Stickwan, Ahtna Community Subsistence Coordinator at (907) 822-3476, or the ADF&G Glennallen Office at (907) 822-3461.