Unit 01B, Alaska

Coastal temperate rainforest from tidal flats to alpine tundra. Stikine River estuary and tidal flats at sea level; dense Sitka spruce/hemlock rainforest from 0-1,800 ft; subalpine meadows and muskeg above 1,800 ft; glaciated alpine ridgelines to 10,002 ft (Kate's Needle). The Stikine Icefields are the largest ice field on the Tongass National Forest. LeConte Glacier — North America's southernmost tidewater glacier — lies within the unit. Cross-country travel is extremely difficult due to heavy timber, muskegs, and pocket lakes in the lower elevations.

No road access to the unit interior. Primary access is by small boat or skiff up the Stikine River from the community of Wrangell (~35 miles SE). Floatplane and helicopter are used for deeper access to alpine drainages. Snowmachine access in winter. The town of Wrangell is the nearest road-connected community and primary staging area; Petersburg is also nearby. Approximately 88% public land. The Stikine-LeConte Wilderness (449,951 acres) encompasses the core of the unit and is managed as part of Tongass National Forest. Hunters must plan logistics carefully — obtaining access is typically a greater challenge than finding huntable terrain.

Temperate coastal rainforest dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red alder. Tidal flats and estuarine meadows along Stikine River estuary. Muskeg bogs and small lakes are common at low to mid elevations. Subalpine meadows with blueberry, alder, and willow above 1,200 ft. Rocky alpine terrain above 1,800 ft. Heavy annual precipitation (80-100+ inches) sustains dense vegetation and creates challenging hunting conditions — waterproof gear is essential.

Sitka black-tailed deer exhibit seasonal elevation migration: summer range in alpine and subalpine zones (above 1,800 ft), winter range in old-growth lowland forest near sea level. Deep snow years push deer to beach fringe and heavily timbered lower slopes and can cause significant population crashes. Mainland Unit 1B supports lower deer densities than adjacent islands due to severe winters. Brown bears are present year-round, concentrating at salmon streams (Stikine River and tributaries) in summer-fall. Mountain goats occupy steep cliff bands and rocky ridgelines typically above 3,500 ft; Unit 1B habitat capability model estimates ~1,219 goats based on available habitat. Wolves travel drainages and valley corridors following deer and occasionally moose.

Non-residents hunting brown bear or mountain goat must be accompanied by a licensed Alaska guide or a qualified resident relative (parent, sibling, spouse, child). Brown bear: 1 bear per 4 regulatory years, by permit (hunt code HDB01B), available online at hunt.alaska.gov or in person at Douglas, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, and Sitka ADF&G offices. Mountain goat: 1 goat by registration permit available July 15; hunters must complete the online Mountain Goat Identification Quiz before hunting. Deer: buck-only harvest (antlered deer), bag limit 2 bucks. Subsistence priority applies on federal public lands (Tongass NF) for rural residents under ANILCA; non-rural residents must hunt under state regulations. Wrangell is the nearest community with services, guides, and boat rentals.