BLM Delays Opening for Fall Fortymile Caribou Federal Subsistence Hunt in State Zone 1
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Bureau of Land Management Eastern Interior Field Office is issuing an emergency special action to delay the scheduled Fortymile caribou federal subsistence fall hunt date on federal public lands in Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) State Fortymile Caribou Zone1 within Unit 25C. The BLM previously announced that this zone opening would be Sunday, August 16, 2026, in combination with Zone 4. BLM may announce a delayed opening date for Zone 1 in the future.
The BLM is delaying the opening of Zone 1 to prevent caribou overharvest along the Steese Highway. BLM’s decision to delay the hunt in this area was made under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board in consultation with Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Office of Subsistence Management, the Eastern Interior Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Chair and representative serving on the Fortymile Harvest Management Coalition, and the Tanana Chiefs Conference Tribal Resources Stewardship Department.
Fortymile caribou federal subsistence hunt dates in Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4 are not affected by this emergency special action. The harvest limit in all open zones is one bull caribou.
Zone | Federal Opening Date* |
Zone 1 (Steese Highway area) | Closed until further notice |
Zone 2 (Roadless area) | Wednesday, August 5 |
Zone 3 (Taylor Highway) | Sunday, August 16 |
Zone 4 (Steese-White Mountains area) | Sunday, August 16 |
*An announcement notifying the public of any zone opening delays or closures will be posted at least three days before.
All other information previously announced by the BLM regarding the Fortymile federal subsistence hunt remains current. Federally qualified subsistence hunters must obtain a RC860 joint State/federal permit issued by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The federal subsistence hunt will open at 12:01 a.m. on each date listed and close at 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2026, unless modified by emergency special actions. The BLM may issue emergency special actions to delay opening dates or close zones with short notice to prevent overharvest.
For more information on seasons, harvest limits, methods, and customary and traditional use determinations for the subsistence taking of wildlife, please reference the 2024-2026 Federal Subsistence Management Regulations for the Harvest of Wildlife on Federal Public Lands in Alaska. These regulations are in effect until a final rule is published regarding revised regulations.
The public can call the Fortymile Hotline at (907) 267-2310 for information and updates on the RC860 caribou hunt. For additional information about the federal subsistence hunt, contact the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office at (907) 474-2200 or [email protected].
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.