U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Brown Bear Hunting by Local Residents in Unit 23 What You Should Know

In Northwest Alaska (Game Management Unit 23), the options for brown bear hunting by local residents vary by what paperwork you need before hunting, what you’re This is only a brief summary required to bring home from your hunt, and where you can of some of the key regulations hunt. The three hunts to choose from are the state general for brown bear hunting in the hunt, state subsistence hunt, and federal subsistence hunt. Northwest Arctic region. The general hunt is geared toward those who are primarily interested in a bear hide/skull. The subsistence hunts are Please consult the full regulations if you have questions designed for those seeking bear meat for human food. These or if you hunt in another area. differences are outlined below.

When can I hunt (season dates)? On most federal lands (USFWS, What do I need to bring home BLM and some NPS), all three (salvage) from a bear? State general and subsistence hunts apply. hunts: Aug. 1 - May 31 State general hunt - you must However, on Cape Krusenstern salvage the entire hide (claws Federal subsistence hunt: open National Monument, Kobuk attached) and skull. year-round Valley National Park, and Gates of the Arctic National Park You may also bring home the What permits do I need to get before ONLY the federal subsistence meat if you choose to. hunting? regulations apply, and hunting is only open to local residents. No Brown bear meat taken under All hunters ages 18 and up need a aircraft can be used for brown this hunt can legally be fed to hunting license. bear hunting in the federal hunt. pets/animals.

A state subsistence registration What bears can be harvested? State or Federal subsistence permit (RB700) is also required hunt - you must salvage all meat for either the state or federal Up to two brown bears may be for human consumption. subsistence hunt. You can get one harvested per year. There are no at the Alaska Department of Fish size requirements; however no You may also bring home the hide & Game office in Kotzebue. cubs or sows with cubs may be and/or skull if you choose to. taken. What lands can I hunt on? Brown bear meat taken under a Brown bears are considered subsistence hunt may not be fed On state and privately-owned “cubs” in their first and second to pets/animals. lands you have permission to use years of life. (including Native Corporation lands), the two state hunts apply. What Do I Need To Do After Harvest? In case of emergency: Defense of Using and selling bear parts Life and Property State general hunt - bear hide You may sell the tanned or and skull must be sealed by a You may kill any bear (or other untanned hides and/or skulls of designated sealing officer within wild animal) at any time to brown bears harvested under the 30 days. protect human life or essential general hunt after they have been belongings you need to survive. sealed. At time of sealing, the hide must In regulations, this is referred to be skinned from the skull and as “defense of life and property” You may sell handicrafts made both must be unfrozen. or DLP. After the scene is from the skin, hide, pelt, fur or safe, you need to report what claws of a brown bear which has The sealing officer will record happened. Notify the Alaska been legally harvested in Unit when, where and how the bear Department of Fish & Game or 23. Prior to selling a handicraft was taken, measure the skull, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers as which includes a brown bear collect a tooth and other samples, soon possible. claw or claws, the hide (or claws and then lock a metal or plastic not attached to the hide) must seal on the hide and skull. Animals taken in defense of life be sealed as described above. and property must be turned over Old claws may be sealed. A copy Contact the Alaska Department to the state. In the case of a bear, of the ADFG sealing certificate of Fish & Game (800-478-3420) you must salvage the hide (with must accompany the handicraft or the Alaska Wildlife Troopers all claws attached) and skull and when it is sold. (442-3241) to get a bear hide give them to state officials. sealed. It’s illegal to sell or trade the In these situations, those gallbladders of bears. State or Federal subsistence responding to the call will want hunt - you must report the results to know: did you provoke the of your hunt, whether successful attack? Did you leave out food, or unsuccessful. garbage or other attractants For more information: that brought the bear into your Sealing is not required unless area? What other steps were Alaska Department of the hide or skull will be sent in for taken to try to protect your life or Fish & Game commercial tanning or otherwise property from the bear? Kotzebue removed from Unit 23. phone: (907) 442-3420 toll-free: 800-478-3420

National Park Service Western Arctic Parklands Kotzebue phone: (907) 442-3890 toll-free: 800-478-7252

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Selawik National Wildlife Refuge Kotzebue phone: (907) 442-3799 toll-free: 800-492-8848

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/refuge/selawik

November 2019