The spring brown bear hunting season opens today in Game Management Unit 4 (GMU4), which includes Sitka as well as Chichigof, Baranof and Admiralty islands. Hunting in inside drainages close May 20, while outside drainages close May 31.
Boundary descriptions can be found in the latest Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations booklet and online at adfg.alaska.gov.
Register at an ADF&G office, or online at www.adfg.alaska.gov.
Prior to registering to hunt brown bear, hunters must watch the brown bear identification video “Take a Closer Look.” That can be viewed online at https://vimeo.com/30511231 and is also available for loan at Fish and Game offices.
Hunters must have a registration permit, valid hunting license and big game locking-tag prior to hunting.
All nonresidents hunting brown bear in GMU4 with a relative resident instead of an Alaska-licensed guide must have a drawing permit. All other nonresident hunters must use an Alaska-licensed guide.
Successful hunters must report to the Fish and Game office in Sitka or Douglas within 10 days of a kill. The entire hide (with claws and evidence of sex attached) and skull must be salvaged. The skull must be skinned from the hide and both must be unfrozen. Sealing is required within 30 days of kill.
Hunters who are unsuccessful or unable to hunt must report by close of business June 15, 2018. Those who failed to report on a permit during the prior regulatory year may not be eligible to register for this hunt.
For more information please call the Sitka ADF&G office at 747-5449.
