At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Plan your transportation and lodging options around the season and species you will be hunting
- Bear fences can be a good idea for camps
- Rain gear is a necessity
Terrain
Access
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
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Low
This smaller unit is found in west central Alaska and lies along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. While hunting opportunities do exist here many hunters are not willing to deal with the logistics of needing to travel so far when just as good, or better, hunting can be found in easier to reach locations. A few small towns can be found along the coast but much of this area is native-owned lands and most hunting will be conducted inland. A few floats can be done here or hunters will need to be flown into likely areas.
Good hunting opportunities can be found here but reaching the unit can be expensive and require a good deal of planning. Many hunters will opt for easier to access unit with better hunting opportunities.
This unit sees a great distribution of rolling hills and mountainous areas. This area is generally open and great for glassing although draws and river bottom areas can see dense growth of timber. Traversing ridgelines can be a great way to cover country and will provide the best glassing opportunities. Throughout the unit, large tundra flats are also common occurrences where vegetation is much lower and less dense but small feeder streams are widely scattered. These tundra and marsh flats can make for great glassing opportunities.
Some access options can be found along the coast but with a large collection of native lands making up most of that area the hunting options for the general public will be slim. Most hunters will generally opt to boat up and float the Koyuk River or be flown into more remote locations.
Most of the lower-lying elevation in the foothills areas surround mountains ranges will see heavy stands of timber and ground cover. Small bumps in elevation will lead to a fast dissipation of most ground cover as tundra and small berry bushes become much more prominent. Glassing opportunities will also greatly increase in these areas. The marshy and tundra portions of the unit will see much more open terrain with a great probability of glassing opportunities, particularly if some elevation can be gained.
Some lodging options can be found in the small towns and communities along the coast but very few hunting opportunities will exist in close proximity to these locations. Instead, most hunters in the unit will generally need to use primitive camping techniques while in the bush.
Roughly 7,825 square miles
70% Public land
Elevations range from 0-3,100 feet