Resident Hunters of Alaska - RHAK

10/20/2026

RHAK will be at the Fairbanks Go-Winter Expo & Interior Alaska Gun Show at the Carlson Center this weekend, Oct. 24-25! Stop by our booth to chat, join or renew your membership. We've got a great gun raffle going on too!

Saturday Oct 24th 10am - 6pm
Sunday Oct. 25th 11am - 5pm

10/14/2026

Hot off the press, get the latest updates and news in the RHAK October 2026 Newsletter!

Read it online at https://www.residenthuntersofalaska.org/issue21

Download a pdf copy here:https://www.residenthuntersofalaska.org/_files/ugd/038ca3_9d580f9f5efb4a95ad07e271070b9052.pdf

10/13/2026

COMMISSIONER CALLS ANOTHER SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
ALASKA BOARD OF GAME -- AMBLER ROAD NO-HUNTING CORRIDOR

HERE WE GO AGAIN! AND THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING PUBLIC COMMENTS AT A REGULATORY MEETING!

Notice is given that the Alaska Board of Game (Board) will hold a regulatory meeting via web-conference at 8:30am. on Friday, November 20, 2026. The main purpose of the Board meeting is to consider closures to hunting and trapping in Game Management Units 23 and 24.

The meeting is open to the public via live video for which will be posted online at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.main the day of the meeting. Live audio will also be accessible by calling +1 253 215 8782 and entering the meeting ID: 828 6058 9035. The board will not be taking oral or written testimony during the meeting.

The board is accepting written public comments for the meeting, due no later than 8:00am on Monday, November 16, 2026. Comments may be submitted through the Board’s website at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.main; or faxed to (907) 465-6094.

The meeting agenda, ACRs, notice, and other meeting materials will be available online at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.meetinginfo&date=11-20-2026&meeting=webconference.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

10/13/2026

Becoming an Outdoors Woman upcoming Fairbanks classes:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=outdooreducation.bowschedule&community=fairbanks&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Concealed Carry Couse - Saturday, October 24th from 10:00am - 6:00pm AND Sunday, October 25th from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Fairbanks Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range. Cost: $215.00
Join this like-minded group of ladies as we unpack together the boundaries and support offered to responsible defenders in Alaska. Earn your Alaska concealed carry permit, invest in your mindset, and solidify your commitment to living a protected lifestyle. Fi****ms will be provided or you are encouraged to bring your own.
Pre-requisite: Hunter Education Certification
Registration open now

Handgun Fit and Foundations - Monday, October 26th from 5:30pm - 9:30pm at the Fairbanks Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range. Cost: $165.00
Join us as we break down a simple 5-point handgun fit template that removes the mystery from choosing the right fi***rm. Participants will have the opportunity to handle and evaluate a variety of handguns across different sizes, calibers, and applications.
Pre-requisite: Hunter Education Certification
Registration open now

Hunters Education – Saturday, November 21st from 8:00am – 1:00pm at the Fairbanks Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range, Cost: $29.00
This course provides training in fi***rm safety, wildlife conservation, and respect for our natural resources, landowners, and other hunters.
Registration open now

Wilderness First Aid – Thursday, November 5th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm AND Friday, November 6th 5:00pm – 9:00pm. ADF&G Fairbanks Main Building. Cost: $125.00
This 8-hour wilderness first aid course is geared towards prolonged care, delayed evacuations, and utilizes training scenarios targeted for events in wilderness environments.
Registration open now

Fur Sewing Beaver Mittens - Wednesday, December 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 5:30pm - 8:30pm. ADF&G Fairbanks Main Building. Cost: $300.00
Come learn the time honored craft of fur sewing as you make a pair of warm beaver mittens for winter
Registration opens Monday, October 26th @ 9:00am

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

09/29/2026

The Board of Game Proposal book for the upcoming 2027 cycle meetings is now available online:https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/regprocess/gameboard/pdfs/2026-2027/proposals/book-full.pdf

The 2027 meeting cycle will include:

Western Arctic and Western Region
(GMUs 18, 22, 23 & 26A)
January 23-26, 2027
National Guard Armory, Kotzebue, Alaska
Comment Deadline: January 9, 2027

Interior and Eastern Arctic Region
(GMUs 12, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26B and 26C)
March 19-26, 2027
Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks, Alaska
Comment Deadline: March 5, 2027

09/12/2026

Update on Nelchina Caribou Herd status from ADF&G Palmer office.

"This summer’s Nelchina herd population survey has revealed continued encouraging numbers, with over 17,800 caribou counted—more than 13,400 of which are adults. This represents a notable increase in herd size compared to the 2025 summer count, and the 2026 Rivest model projects the population may surpass 19,000 caribou.

Analyzing recruitment data from 2025 and early calf survival in 2026, we anticipate robust ratios exceeding 40 calves per 100 cows and 40 bulls per 100 cows. The cessation of hunting since RY23, coupled with relatively mild winters, has contributed to an improved bull-to-cow ratio, stronger recruitment, and high survival rates among recent cohorts. As you may recall a series of severe winters had previously led to a steep decline in the herd, so this positive shift is both welcome and significant.

To ensure sustainable management and prevent overharvest, we are employing a conservative approach on the state side and recommending the federal system do the same for RY2027. This approach would permit the harvest of 335 bulls, representing 2.5% of the minimum adult count from 2026, based on observed ratios of 32.3 calves per 100 adults in recent photographic surveys. Under the current ANILCA 804 restriction, federal harvest is expected to remain below 185 animals, leaving 150 bulls available for Tier II state hunters during RY27.

Tier II hunt permit stipulations differ from Tier I/CSH hunts, so please refer to the subsistence supplement for specific details. Should this hunt be offered, the following conditions would apply:
Up to 150 Tier II (TC566) permits may be issued.
Bull-only harvest during the fall season dates, no winter hunt will be held.
A maximum of two TC566 permits can be issued per household.
A five-day reporting requirement.
A TC566 permit may be transferred to a resident relative within the second-degree of kindred.
Proxy hunting is allowed; however, the proxy hunter must also be a TC566 permit holder and may only participate once per season per species in Unit 13.

There is no requirement to hunt moose exclusively in Unit 13."

08/28/2026

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman of Alaska program is excited to offer the following classes in Kenai:

Wilderness First Aid
Saturday, September 12th, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Snowshoe Gun Club
40450 Sh***un Dr, Kenai
Cost: $100
This 8-hour class is geared towards prolonged care, delayed evacuations, and utilizes training scenarios targeted for events in wilderness environments.
Register Here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=outdooreducation.bowschedule&community=other&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Hunter Education
Saturday, October 24th, 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Snowshoe Gun Club
40450 Sh***un Dr, Kenai
Cost: $29
This course provides training in fi***rms safety, wildlife conservation, and respect
for our natural resources, landowners, and other hunters.
Registration not yet open.

08/19/2026

Fortymile Caribou hunt in Zones 1 & 4 to only open for 2 days! Season opens on Aug. 20 in Zones 1 & 4 (as well as zone 3) but due to the herd being close to the Steese Hwy, ADFG believes the quota (190 in zones 1 & 4) will be met very quickly Zones 1 & 4 season will close at midnight on Aug 21st.

08/19/2026

Upcoming Alaskan's Afield classes in Juneau:

Basics of Wilderness Survival in Southeast AK
Saturday, August 29th
9:00am - 4:00pm
Juneau Hunter Education Shooting Complex Indoor Range
Cost: $25
This class will cover what to do when you unexpectedly end up outside overnight. You will learn what to bring, what to do, and how to do it! Registration is open!
Minimum age: 12 years old

Basic Handgun
Sunday, September 13th
9:00am - 5:00pm
Juneau Hunter Education Shooting Complex Indoor Range
Cost: $58
This class will cover fi***rm safety & rules for safe gun handling, am******on - components, selection & safe storage, shooting fundamentals, range rules, shooting from various positions, and more! Minimum age: 12 years old

Register Today: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=outdooreducation.alaskansafieldcommunities&community=juneau&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=