Public Meeting and Hearing Announced Regarding 2023 Unit 7 Federal Subsistence Sheep Harvest

For Immediate Release:
June 16, 2023

Under the authority of:
36 CFR §242.10 and .19
50 CFR §100.10 and .19

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will hold a public meeting and hearing to share information and solicit comments on the fall 2023 federal subsistence Dall sheep draw hunt in Unit 7. Following analysis, the USFS intends to close, under delegation of authority, the federal subsistence draw hunt for Dall sheep during fall 2023 in Unit 7.

06/16/2023
Last edited 06/16/2023
Contact Information
Brandon Raile
Public Affairs Officer Chugach National Forest

Federal biologists have determined that to assure the continued viability of the Dall sheep population, it is necessary to close the Unit 7 federal subsistence draw Dall sheep hunt for the 2023 season. US Forest Service lands in the remainder of Unit 7 are open to Dall sheep hunting under state regulations with a state harvest ticket until the season closes. Alaska Department of Fish and Game has not allocated any state draw permits for the 2021, 2022, or 2023 seasons.

Sheep populations across the Kenai Peninsula have steadily declined since the mid-1990s. Factors driving this decline are unclear and are being evaluated by state and federal biologists. Aerial surveys are planned for the summer of 2023, and those data will be used to inform future management decisions.

For additional information, contact U.S. Forest Service Subsistence Program Manager Andrew Sanders at 907-424-4759 for more information.

Maps of Federal lands within GMU 7 are available at Forest Service offices.

Maps and additional information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

SRD 2023 WSA 01 Unit 7 Dall Sheep Public Hearing NR [pdf] (56.03 KB)

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