KALGIN ISLAND REGISTRATION MOOSE HUNT RM572 FALL 2000

HOW MANY MOOSE ARE ON KALGIN ISLAND? The population is currently estimated at 60-80 moose (July 2000). This includes an estimated 12-15 calves, 40-50 cows and 8-15 bulls.

WHY DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE MOOSE POPULATION? Biologists believe this island (23 mi2) can support no more than 23-46 moose (1-2 moose/mi2), and we have seen evidence of serious habitat damage. This could ultimately lead to starvation of many moose. There are no predators larger than red fox on the island.

HOW MANY MOOSE WERE KILLED LAST YEAR? We issued 438 permits during 1999, and 265 hunters reported hunting. These hunters took 80 moose, including 51 cows and 29 bulls. Prior to that hunt, we had estimated the population at 140-170 moose.

ARE MOOSE NATIVE ON THIS ISLAND? No. Moose were introduced to Kalgin Island in the late 1950s to provide additional hunting opportunities to area hunters. By 1981 over 140 moose occupied the island, threatening serious habitat damage and starvation of many moose. The hunting seasons were liberalized and the moose population was greatly reduced. The management objective is now to keep the population between 1 and 2 moose per square mile (23-46 moose). Recent liberalized hunting regulations have failed to keep this population in check, and it has once again increased to an unhealthy level.

HOW DO I GET TO KALGIN ISLAND? Kalgin Island, in Game Management Unit 16B, is in Cook Inlet approximately 15 miles west-southwest of Kenai, and 6 miles southeast of the mouth of Drift River. Access to the island is primarily by boat and floatplane. Boat access can be dangerous, depending on weather and ocean conditions. Maps (available from USGS) that cover the island are the Kenai B6 and C6 quads.

HOW DO I GET AROUND ON THE ISLAND? The island is primarily covered with thick spruce and birch stands interspersed with open wet meadows. Travel around the island is very difficult (foot or boat only), due to the many beetle-killed and wind-thrown trees, and thick patches of devil's club and alder. Good map-readers can successfully travel on the edges of open meadow habitats, crossing through timber stands when necessary to reach other meadows. Remember to take a tide book, as tides can also affect your travel.

HOW MANY PERMITS WILL WE ISSUE? We estimate 200-500 people will request permits. There is no way to know how many will actually participate. As with all registration permit hunts, the number of permits is essentially unlimited. When we had similar hunting regulations in the early 1980s, 300-450 people got permits.

WHEN CAN I GET A PERMIT? Permits will be available beginning August 1 at the Anchorage, Soldotna, Homer and Palmer ADF&G offices. You may also receive a permit by mail by calling 907-267-2409 (Anchorage). Please have your hunting license number available and allow 2 weeks for processing.

WILL HUNTER CROWDING BE AN ISSUE? Probably. We strongly urge hunters to wear hunter orange clothing. Tragically, one hunter was killed on Kalgin Island in the early 1980s. BE CERTAIN OF YOUR TARGET!

IS THERE PRIVATE PROPERTY ON THE ISLAND? There are many cabins, belonging primarily to commercial set netters. In the past, some hunters have vandalized cabins on the island. This type of activity threatens to eliminate the opportunity to pursue moose on Kalgin Island. Please respect private property!

LEGAL ANIMAL? Any moose. However, if you have killed a moose anywhere in Alaska since July 1, your permit is NOT VALID.

ANY TROPHY MOOSE ON KALGIN? Seldom are any bulls taken that exceed 45 inches. Consider this hunt a "meat hunt".

HUNT DATES? August 20 - September 30.

MORE QUESTIONS? This hunt is managed from the Palmer ADF&G office. Please call Nick Cassara or Herman Griese at 746-6300.