Bulletin: Federal Elk Hunt Closed on Afognak Island

KODIAK, Alaska – The Federal subsistence elk hunt within Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (Kodiak NWR) lands on Afognak Island in Unit 8 is closed for the remainder of the 2026 season. Federal regulations specify the season closes when the combined Federal/State harvest reaches 15% of the herd. Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and Federal managers confirmed this threshold was met for the Waterfall Lake elk herd in this area. Consequently, elk hunting within Kodiak NWR on Afognak Island is closed to federal subsistence hunting for elk, effective October 29, 2026. ADF&G similarly closed State elk hunts through Emergency Order.

This closure is necessary to prevent harvest beyond codified harvest thresholds, which may impede herd productivity and growth. Kodiak NWR lands on Kodiak, Ban, and Uganik Islands remain open to elk hunting through November 30, subject to closure based on the 15% harvest threshold. 

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 email updates on Federal Subsistence Management Program activities, send a request to subsistence@ios.doi.gov.

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