Bulletin: Public Hearing Announced for Wildlife Special Action Request WSA26-05 (Cape Pierce Caribou)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) is announcing a public hearing to consider a Temporary Wildlife Special Action request WSA26-05, submitted by a member of the public, requesting to open a caribou hunt in the Cape Pierce area of Units 17A and 18. The request is for aharvest limit of one caribou and a season of April 1-30 for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle 
(Map 1). 

The request also asks to limit the hunt to federally qualified residents of Togiak, Twin Hills, Goodnews Bay, and Platinum. The submitted request can be viewed at www.doi.gov/subsistence/wildlife-special-actions.

The in-person and virtual public hearing to receive testimony on this request is scheduled on:

October 27, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* (Or until conclusion of public comments)

Toll-free teleconference: (833) 436-1163 Conference ID: 645 751 424#

The hearing can also be joined via Microsoft Teams: CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE HEARING.

The public may comment in person in Bethel at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, or in Dillingham at the UAF Bristol Bay Campus Room 128.

*Public hearings may end early or run late depending on the level of public participation

If you would like to comment on WSA26-05, but are unable to attend this public hearing, written comments may be submitted to subsistence@ios.doi.gov until the conclusion of the public hearing.

In addition to this public hearing, if your Tribe or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation is interested in a Government-to-Government consultation on this issue, please contact the Office of Subsistence Management Native Liaison at (800) 478-1456 or (907) 786-3888, or subsistence@ios.doi.gov.

Comments received during the hearing will be forwarded to the Board for consideration when it meets to act on the request during its regulatory meeting February 2-5, 2027, in Anchorage, AK. Additional information on the upcoming Board meeting will be provided through news releases, the Program’s webpage (www.doi.gov/subsistence/upcoming-federal-subsistence-board-meetings), and social media.

Reasonable Accommodations: The Board is committed to providing access for all participants. Please make requests for sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or other reasonable accommodations at least seven business days before the meeting. Contact the Office of Subsistence Management at (907) 478-1456 or email subsistence@ios.doi.gov. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

Missing out on the latest federal subsistence issues? To receive emails updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov.

Map 1:

Image

Federal public lands that would open to caribou hunting by residents of eligible communities if WSA26-05 is adopted and the customary and traditional use determinations for caribou in the Cape Pierce area.

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