Unit 07Z, Alaska

Eastern Kenai Peninsula — mountainous terrain defined by the Kenai Mountains, with steep glaciated drainages, large alpine icefields (Harding and Sargent Ice Fields), river corridors (Resurrection, Kenai, Russian rivers), a few large lakes (Kenai Lake, Resurrection Bay), and deeply incised fjords along the Gulf of Alaska coast. Elevation ranges from sea level to over 6,000 ft. Riparian zones and lower hillsides support dense Sitka spruce and hemlock forest; upper slopes transition to subalpine shrub and alpine tundra. Unit area: approx. 3,520 sq mi.

Road-accessible hub is Seward (130 miles south of Anchorage via Seward Highway). Sterling Highway borders the unit on the southwest. Backcountry areas require hiking trail access (Resurrection Trail, Lost Lake, Harding Icefield Trail), boat or water taxi (Resurrection Bay, coastal fjords), or floatplane. No ATV road network in most of the unit. Public lands: ~50% USFS Chugach National Forest, ~22% NPS Kenai Fjords National Park, ~5% USFWS Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, ~1% other federal — total approximately 78% federal public land with additional state land. Kenai Fjords NP interior is closed to hunting; Seward Closed Area restricts big game (except black bear) in Resurrection River drainages downstream of park boundary. Cooper Landing Closed Area prohibits Dall sheep and mountain goat hunting. Russian River Closed Area closed to hunting June–July within 150 yds of river.

Lower elevations: dense Sitka spruce-hemlock rainforest with alder and devil's club understory along drainages. Mid-elevations: subalpine meadows, willow-alder shrub, blueberry, and dwarf birch. Upper elevations: alpine tundra, fell-fields, and rock. Glaciers and permanent snowfields cover significant portions. Riparian zones support cottonwood and willow corridors used by moose and bear. The absence of large-scale wildfire (unlike western Kenai) means mature climax forest dominates, limiting moose carrying capacity. Spruce bark beetle kill from the 1990s created some snag habitat but limited forage improvement.

Kenai Mountains Caribou Herd (KMCH): reintroduced 1965; currently ~200 animals (last minimum count 2015, declining from 400+ in mid-1980s); ranges over ~870 sq mi centered on Big Indian Creek, Chickaloon River, and Resurrection Creek drainages; hunted since 1972 under limited drawing permit (DC001, 5 permits/year as of 2026). Moose: low-density population, historically higher after early-1900s disturbance but now in mature forest with limited forage and no recent large-scale fires; relatively stable but below western Kenai densities; unit contributes ~10% of Kenai Peninsula moose harvest. Dall sheep: Kenai Mountains are southern limit of range; peninsula-wide population declining since late 1990s (from ~2,000 in late 1960s); Unit 7 subpopulations in Resurrection Trail, Grant Lake, Crescent Lake, and Cooper Mountain survey units; general season harvest avg. ~5 animals/yr (RY2016–2020), down from long-term avg. of 24. Mountain goat: peninsula-wide estimate 3,300–4,750 animals; Unit 7 goat permit hunts (DG331–DG352) offer 4 permits/area; September rut concentrates animals in steep cliff habitat. Brown bear: Kenai Peninsula population isolated, estimated <600 peninsula-wide; permit required (RB300, Aug 10–Jun 15). Black bear: stable Kenai Peninsula population ~3,000; no closed season in most of unit, 3-bear limit for residents.

Subsistence: The Kenai Peninsula is a state-designated NONSUBSISTENCE area — neither state nor federal subsistence hunting applies; all harvest is under sport regulations. Closures: (1) Portage Glacier Closed Area — most hunting closed except migratory birds/small game with specified methods Sept 1–Apr 30; firearms prohibited within 150 yds of developed USFS facilities south of Portage Creek. (2) Seward Closed Area — south side Resurrection River drainages downstream of Kenai Fjords NP boundary and Resurrection Bay drainages between mouths of Resurrection River and Lowell Creek are closed to big game EXCEPT black bear. (3) Cooper Landing Closed Area — bounded by Juneau Creek/Falls Creek/Devils Creek/Quartz Creek/Sterling Hwy/Kenai River; closed to Dall sheep and mountain goat. (4) Russian River Closed Area — within 150 yds of river from Lower Russian Lake outlet to Kenai River confluence; closed to hunting June and July. Nonresident rules: moose and sheep hunters must complete mandatory orientation; goat hunters must complete Mountain Goat ID quiz; nonresident moose and goat hunters must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Moose antler restriction: general season requires spike or 50-inch antlers or 3+ brow tines on at least one side. Caribou hunt north of Sterling Hwy and west of Seward Hwy only (DC001 drawing, 5 permits, bull only Aug 10–Sep 20); remainder of unit has no open caribou season. Sheep nonresident bag limit: 1 ram per 4 regulatory years statewide. Goat: taking nannies with kids prohibited; harvesting a nanny bars hunter from Units 7 and 15 goat hunting for 5 regulatory years.