----Refuge Officers Michael Hinkes, Allen Miller, and Heather Knudsen during a hunter patrol near Fort Yukon, Alaska. Photo by Jimmy Fox, USFWS

Refuge staff wish to better understand moose harvest on the Yukon Flats and how it affects the population. Reports from Fort Yukon (a village located within the Refuge) residents indicated many sport and subsistence hunters come through the village during the fall moose hunting season. In an effort to assess moose harvest effort and success, Refuge Officers, Mike Hinkes, Heather Knudsen, and Allen Miller monitored the boat ramps and airport in Fort Yukon as well as several traditional hunting areas by Refuge aircraft, including the following creeks and rivers: Beaver, Birch, Little Black, Black, Chandalar, Colleen, Dall, Porcupine, Sheenjek and the Yukon. Following this effort, Refuge Officers concluded that less than twelve local residents were moose hunting from September 18^th – 21^st in Game Management Unit 25(D) East and West, and no moose harvests were reported during that time. Two non-local hunters claimed to have moose hunted along the Sheenjek River and had a valid hunting license. One party of three rural residents with firearms appeared to be preparing to depart on a moose hunt, although two of the three individuals refuted this claim – none had State of Alaska hunting licenses. Aerial patrols were done each day and covered hundreds of miles of rivers. Less than ten boats were observed and less than twelve people were encountered at the boat ramps. In summary, Refuge Officers concluded that very few local residents were moose hunting within the Refuge from September 18^th – 21^st.  No one contacted by Refuge Officers claimed to have harvested a moose. Refuge Officers plan to again monitor moose hunting efforts from Fort Yukon during the fall 2007 hunting season in order to better manage this important resource.  For more information on moose hunting season dates and how to obtain a valid hunting license contact the Refuge at (800) 561-0676.