Wildlife Special Actions

A Special Action Request is an out-of-cycle change in a season, harvest limit, or method of harvest. Special Actions are taken when unusual situations arise, such as a significant change in resource abundance that could not reasonably have been anticipated. The Federal Subsistence Board may take a Special Action to restrict, close, open, or reopen the taking of fish and wildlife on Federal public lands and waters. Such actions are taken to ensure the continued viability of a particular fish or wildlife population, to ensure continued subsistence use, or for reasons of public safety. These guidelines and requirements can be found in 36 CFR 242.19 and 43 CFR 51.

View informational flyer on submitting a Special Action Request.

Upcoming Public Hearings:
None at this time.
 

The sections below contain information on both pending wildlife special actions and those currently in effect. (View older wildlife special actions here).

Southeast Alaska Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA 12-MO-03-26Effective Date: October 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m. through the remainder of the season.Moose - portion of Unit 5AClosure of 2026 Federal subsistence moose season in that portion of Unit 5A west of the Dangerous River, except the Nunatak Bench.
WSA 04-MG-06-26

Effective Date: 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026

 

Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026, unless superseded by subsequent special action

Mountain Goat - Unit 4, Indigo Lake Zone on Baranof IslandIndigo Lake Zone on Baranof Island Zone in Unit 4 Closed to Mountain Goat Harvest
WSA 04-MG-05-26

Effective Date: 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2026

 

Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026, unless superseded by subsequent special action

Mountain Goat - Unit 4, Bear Mountain Zone on Baranof IslandBear Mountain Zone on Baranof Island Zone in Unit 4 Closed to Mountain Goat Harvest
WSA 04-MG-04-26

Effective Date: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2026

 

Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026, unless superseded by subsequent special action

Mountain Goat - Unit 4, Lisa Creek Zone on Baranof IslandLisa Creek Zone on Baranof Island Zone in Unit 4 Closed to Mountain Goat Harvest
WSA 04-MG-03-26

Effective Date: Wednesday September 9, 2026


Expiration Date: 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026, unless superseded by subsequent special action

Mountain Goat - Unit 4, Necker Bay ZoneNecker Bay Zone in Unit 4 Open to Mountain Goat Harvest
 During Federal subsistence moose season (Oct. 8 - Nov. 15 west of the Dangerous River, and Sept. 16 - Nov. 15 east of the Dangerous River).Moose - Unit 5A, except Nunatak BenchBull moose harvest quota established for Unit 5A, except Nunatak Bench
WSA 13-SA-01-26

Effective Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Expires: Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., unless superseded by subsequent special action

Goat - Unit 4South Baranof Zone in Unit 4 Closed to Mountain Goat Harvest
  Goat - Unit 4July 30 Public Hearing for Unit 4 Federal Subsistence Mountain Goat Management
12-SA-01-26

Effective Date: Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Expires: Sunday, January 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m., unless superseded by subsequent special action

Goat - in a portion of Unit 5AFederal subsistence season for mountain goat closed in a portion of Unit 5A
Southcentral Alaska Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
07-C-02-26August 10 at 12:01 a.m. to December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded by subsequent federal special action.Caribou - Unit 7Extension of the restriction on the Unit 7 Federal subsistence FC0702 caribou registration hunt to the harvest of bulls only.
Kodiak/Aleutians Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
 Effective: October 29, 2026Elk - Unit 8Federal elk hunt closed on Afognak Island
Bristol Bay Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA26-11PENDINGCaribou - Unit 9Requests an increase of the caribou harvest limit from one to 2 caribou by State registration permit for the winter 2026/27 hunt.
WSA26-05PENDINGCaribou - Units 17A and 18Requests the opening of federal public lands in a portion of Units 17A and 18 for caribou, in the Cape Pierce Area; opportunity limited to residents of Togiak, Twin Hills, Goodnews, and Platinum.
9E-Caribou-01-26

Effective Date: August 10, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.

 

Expires:  April 30, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.

Caribou - Unit 9E2026 Federal caribou hunt for Unit 9E
17-C-01-26

Effective Date: August 1, 2026 at 12:00 am 

 

Expiration Date: March 31, 2027 at 11:59 pm

  • Caribou - Unit 17A and a portion of Unit 17C
2026 Nushagak Peninsula Caribou Season Management 
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA26-05PENDINGCaribou - Units 17A and 18Requests the opening of federal public lands in a portion of Units 17A and 18 for caribou, in the Cape Pierce Area; opportunity limited to residents of Togiak, Twin Hills, Goodnews, and Platinum.
Western Interior Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA26-04Effective December 15 - April 15Moose - Unit 24ARequests the opening of a winter moose season in Unit 24A for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.
WSA26-01

July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028 (elimination of cow hunt through 2027/28)

 

*Action on reducing bull harvest limit is PENDING

Caribou - Units 22, 23, and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) 

Eliminates cow caribou hunt for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.

 

*At its June 3 public meeting, the Federal Subsistence Board adopted WSA26-01 with a modification to eliminate the cow caribou hunt through the 2027/28 regulatory year but deferred action on reducing the bull caribou harvest limit until the Board’s fisheries regulatory meeting in February 2027.

Seward Peninsula Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA26-01

July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028 (elimination of cow hunt through 2027/28)

 

*Action on reducing bull harvest limit is PENDING

Caribou - Units 22, 23, and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) 

Eliminates cow caribou hunt for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.

 

*At its June 3 public meeting, the Federal Subsistence Board adopted WSA26-01 with a modification to eliminate the cow caribou hunt through the 2027/28 regulatory year but deferred action on reducing the bull caribou harvest limit until the Board’s fisheries regulatory meeting in February 2027.

WSA26-02 and WSA26-03July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028		Caribou - Units 22 and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) Closes federal public lands in these units to caribou hunting by non-federally qualified users for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.
Northwest Arctic Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
WSA26-01

July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028 (elimination of cow hunt through 2027/28)

 

*Action on reducing bull harvest limit is PENDING

Caribou - Units 22, 23, and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) 

Eliminates cow caribou hunt for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.

 

*At its June 3 public meeting, the Federal Subsistence Board adopted WSA26-01 with a modification to eliminate the cow caribou hunt through the 2027/28 regulatory year but deferred action on reducing the bull caribou harvest limit until the Board’s fisheries regulatory meeting in February 2027.

Eastern Interior Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
 Effective August 10; Expires September 30 or when quota is reachedCaribou - Unit 12, located east of the Nabesna River and Glacier and South of the Winter Trail running southeast from Pickerel Lake to the Canadian border.2026 Federal Subsistence Hunt of Chisana Caribou Herd

 

North Slope Region
Wildlife Special Action #Effective DateUnit/SpeciesDocumentsDescription
2026-ARC-01

Effective Date: 12:01 A.M., Saturday, 31 October 2026

 

Expiration Date: 11:59 P.M., Monday, 28 December 2026 unless superseded by subsequent special action

Moose - Unit 26B Remainder and Unit 26CFederal Subsistence Moose Season and Quota Established in Unit 26B Remainder and Unit 26C
WSA26-01

July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028 (elimination of cow hunt through 2027/28)

 

*Action on reducing bull harvest limit is PENDING

Caribou - Units 22, 23, and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) 

Eliminates cow caribou hunt for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.

 

*At its June 3 public meeting, the Federal Subsistence Board adopted WSA26-01 with a modification to eliminate the cow caribou hunt through the 2027/28 regulatory year but deferred action on reducing the bull caribou harvest limit until the Board’s fisheries regulatory meeting in February 2027.

WSA26-02 and WSA26-03July 1, 2026; 
Expires June 30, 2028		Caribou - Units 22 and 26A, west of the Colville River drainage upstream from the Nuka River and drainages of the Chukchi Sea, south and west of and including the Kuk and Kugrua River drainages (Unit 26A SW) Closes federal public lands in these units to caribou hunting by non-federally qualified users for the 2026-2028 regulatory cycle.

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