National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Western Arctic National Parklands Big Game Hunters and Transporter Activity An Integrated Study of Hunting and Caribou in Noatak 2009-2013

Western Arctic Caribou Herd Unit 23 Working Group Meeting May 15, 2014 Andrew Ackerman, M.S. Social Scientist Western Arctic National Parklands Study Context & Background

 Very little non-local hunting pressure pre-1980  Non-local hunting activity increases moderately 1985-1995 ; more significantly Food Trophy 1995-present (+10-15% per year)  Social Values Conflict: Two User Groups Recent findings in Squirrel (Fix, et. al, 2009): Subsistence Non-Local 1. Low levels of direct field competition for shared Hunters Hunters resource, but high levels of perceived problems/indirect competition 2. Hunt conflict is asymmetric; locals describe as problem, but not vice-versa. 3. Issues with non-locals: Western  Hunting for trophy and meat rotting Arctic  Alteration of migratory patterns & aircraft use Caribou  Mode of Access to Resource—Air (non-locals) vs. Boat (locals): How much overlap??? Shared Resource;  Migration period temporally bounded (Aug- Divergent Objectives & Oct) = urgency to hunt while in proximity of Noatak and crossing Noatak & Kobuk Rivers Values E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Management Strategies To Date

 The BOG implemented a Noatak R. corridor Big Game Controlled Use Area starting in ‘88 (8/20-9/20)  expanded area east to Sapun Cr; reduced dates in ‘95 (8/25-9/15)  expanded dates (8/15-9/30) in ‘10 based on WG recommendations  AK BOG initiated Unit 23 Pilot and Hunter Orientation (2010)  Improved communication and recommended new BGCSB authority re: Licensed Transporter (and air taxi) activities in Unit 23

 In 2012, NPS WEAR implemented CUA permit limitations and a transporter delayed entry strategy for the western part of Noatak NP  20-mile wide area of the preserve targets non-local caribou hunts arriving via commercial air 1/1-9/15 each year. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak NP Study Objectives

1. Gather, summarize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data on non-local hunters, hunt activity, experiences and associated activity (i.e., commercial air transport, guiding activity, etc) [2013-14]. 2. Use soundscape monitors to document motorized sounds (air and ground sources) and characterize existing conditions in a variety of areas in NOAT [Fall 2013-14]. Spatial model of sounds along NOAT river corridor will be done 2014-15 3. Conduct spatial analyses: trends or patterns in data gathered in 1. and 2. integrated with WACH gps collar data 4. Integrate results with TEK study being done in Noatak in 2013-14. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Significance of Western Arctic NPS Units, Specifically Noatak NP to WACH & Unit 23  Area of WACH migratory range: 34,329 sq/mi.  % of migratory range area inside NOAT, CAKR, & KOVA: 36%  % of migratory range area in GMU 23: 74%  % of GMU 23 migratory range area managed by WEAR: 49%  Explicit Policy Significance of WACH (NOAT Significance Statement #3 of 4)  NOAT “protects natural resources and habitats that provide opportunity for local rural Ak residents to engage in customary and traditional subsistence uses.”  “…unimpeded movement of WACH, an essential regional subsistence resource.”  Preservation of WACH herd also part of Statement #1: Nationally Significant Ecosystems

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 12,362 sq./mi or 36% of WACH migratory range is within , KOVA, & BELA. Western Arctic National Parklands is the single largest landholder within the migratory area. If you add GAAR to the mix, >70% of the migratory area is NPS managed lands

Noatak NP

Cape Krusenstern NM

Entire WACH Kobuk Valley NP range combined: 145,761 sq/mi

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 25,252 sq./mi. or 74% of the WACH migratory range is represented by GMU 23, 49% (12,362 sq/mi.) or approx. half of which is NPS managed lands

GMU 23 area(74%) that intersects migratory area of WACH

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Study Methods  Compile existing data (2009-13) on commercial hunting and transporter activity in Noatak NP into database & GIS [2013-]  Mail-survey to Noatak NP non-local hunters over the four year period 2010-13 [2014]  Structured interviews: non-local hunters, guides, and pilots [2014]  Monitor acoustic conditions in Noatak NP during peak hunt season and differing management areas [2013-14]

 TEK research in Noatak Village using semi-structured interviews and small group participatory mapping (Kofinas & Halas, UAF) [2013]

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Sapun Creek 100 yards

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Analyzing Existing Commercial Use Noatak National Preserve

2013 Licensed Transporters  Air Juneau (formerly RAM)  Aviation  Coyote Air  Outfitters  Arctic Backcountry Flying  Northwestern Aviation  Transmountain Aviation Incidental Hunt Transport (Air Taxi)  Bettles Air*  Arctic Backcountry Flying Other Air Taxis  Shadow Aviation  Wright Air Service

 70 North E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A *Bettles Lodge transferred ownership in 2014

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Number of CUA Aircraft Per NPS Unit 60

50

40

30 Total

20

10

0 CAKR KOVA NOAT

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Number of WEAR CUA Aircraft Per Operator 40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5 Total

0

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Top 10 Most Common Cities of Residence

Noatak Big Game Hunters: 2012 Noatak Big Game Hunters: 2011

35 50

45 30 40

25 35

30 20 Total Total 25 Hunters 15 Hunters 20

10 15

10 5 5

0 0

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13 600 Based on the Rule of 70, the data supports exponential growth trend at an annual rate of approximately 12% for Hunters and 11% for Groups/Trips. A conservative estimate of growth would be 9-10% 500

400

300

200 Hunters/Hunting Groups Hunters/Hunting

100

0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 NOAT Hunters 202 297 337 480 401 Hunting Groups 75 94 111 160 131 Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13 Hunting Groups Hunters 160 450

140 400 350 120 300

100 250 80 200 Hunters 60 150 Hunting Hunting Groups 100 40 50 20 0 0 -50 Aug Sep Aug Sep Jul Aug Sep Oct Aug Sep Aug Sep 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 NOAT Flights and Noatak Big Game Hunts 2009-2013

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A WEAR BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13

Percent of Hunts on NPS Percent of Hunts in Noatak Units in GMU 23 Transporting NP Transporting Big Game Big Game (i.e., success rate) (i.e., success rate)

Without Without 13.2% 8%

With Game 86.8% With Game 92%

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Noatak BG Hunters/Groups: 2009-13

Proportion of All Noatak NP Big Proportion of All Noatak NP Game Hunts (Groups) that Big Game Animals Harvested Harvested 1 or more Caribou that were Caribou

Other Big Game No (145), Caribou 11% 33%

1+ Caribou Caribou (1230), 67% 89%

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Monthly (Aug/Sept) Caribou Harvest Levels & Group Harvest Rates 350 14.0 Caribou Harvest AvgHarvestPerGroup Max of HarvestPerGroup 12 300 12.0

10

250 10.0

8 200 8.0 7

6 150 5.5 6.0

Harvest Caribou Harvest 5 5 Max and Avg Harvest Group Avg and Max 100 4.0 3.4 3 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.3 50 2.0 1 1.7 1.3

0 0.2 0.0 Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep Aug Sep 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Acoustic Monitoring 2013-2014

Near Kugururok R. confluence Near Sapun Cr. confluence

Upper Cutler R.

Upper Agashashok R.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A NOAT Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 30% Kugurorok River 2013 Aircraft Sound, Average %Time Audible

08/03 - 08/19 An example of ‘Very High Quality’ Natural Sound Condition Standards in Alaska parks; 20% • Max. % time audible: 5% (or less of any hour) • Max. # events/day: 1 event (or less)* • Max. dBA (loudest event): 40 dBA *this standard has proven to be next to impossible to achieve. Max of 3 events/day is more realistic standard that can be achieved Percentage of Time Audible Time of Percentage 10% (e.g. 5% of an hour = 3 mins.) Avg 5.2% 4.4 4.3 3.7 3.8 3.5 2.5 2.3 2.7 2.4 2.3 2.5 1.5 1.4 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0%

Hour of Day E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A NOAT Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 Agashashok River 2013 30% Aircraft Sound, Average % Time Audible 08/02 - 09/16

20%

10am to 3pm block--aircraft audible >5% of each hr; max% time = 7.5% or 4mins 30 secs of the 10am hr

10%

Percentage of Time Audible Time of Percentage 7.5%

5.4% 5.5% 5.3% 5.6%

Avg 4.9% 4.4% 3.5% 3.6% 2.8% 1.7% 2.0% 1.7% 1.1% 0.9% 0.6% 0.9% 0.6% 0.4% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 0%

Hour of Day E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Soundscape Monitoring: 2013 Kugurorok River 2013 Agashashok River 2013 Number of Aircraft Events Per Day Over Number of Aircraft Events Per Day Over 10 Natural Ambient Natural Ambient 13 08/03 - 08/19 08/02 - 09/16 9 12 If standard set at max 3 events/day, 14 days 11 exceed standard at 8 Aggie site 10 7 If standard set at max 3 events/day, 9

only 5 days in the

6 sample period 8 exceed standard at Kug site 7 5 6 4 Aircraft Events Aircraft 5 Aircraft Events Aircraft 3 4 3 2 2 1 1 0 0

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Month of September 2010-12: Collared Caribou Perc Volume Contours Caribou Collar Data Provided by Kyle Joly (PVC is the smallest shape that encloses a set percentage of the total # of gps collar records) Yellow 50%; Light Orange 65%; Dark Orange 90%; Red 95%

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Month of September 2010-12 Caribou PVC and Transporter Landing Concentrations (PVC is the smallest shape that encloses a set percentage of the collar records) Caribou: Yellow 50% (high conc.); Light Orange 65%; Dark Orange 90%; Red 95%(low conc.) Flights: Red = High; Yellow = Low

Blk = High flights/High caribou White = Low flights/High caribou Green = High flights/Mod caribou Blue = Mod flights/Very Low caribou

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A 2010-12 Transporter Landings within 10 miles of the Noatak River 46, 2010; 41, 2011; 48, 2012

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Transported Hunter Survey Data  Population =1,280+ or all hunters with an transported via licensed transporter into Noatak Preserve b/t 2010-2013 and includes:  ? about the movements of hunters, where and how they harvested game  ? about encounters with other parties and motorized sounds  ? about levels of knowledge of existing hunt policies and local hunting traditions  ? about the adequacy of hunt related services in and around Kotzebue  Hypothetical management scenarios intended to get at choices hunters would make when faced with tradeoffs

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Survey Response Data

 Frame = 1150 or all hunters with valid address; current return n=390+ [In progress] for about a 35% Response Rate to date (n=400 very high stat confidence;95%±4)  Data will be analyzed in tabular fashion and spatially to ID patterns or trends in how hunters use NOAT  Draft Report expected by October 2014  Should be able to use hunter self-reported maps to verify and supplement Transporter activity data

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Questions?

Contact Info: Andrew Ackerman NPS Fairbanks Administrative Center [email protected] Ph. 907-455-0643

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A