Unit 09C, Alaska

Flat to gently rolling muskeg and wetland lowlands dominate the huntable areas, with scattered pocket ponds, sedge meadows, and river corridors along the Alagnak and Naknek Rivers. Elevation ranges from sea level to approximately 7,600 ft in the volcanic Aleutian Range within Katmai. The Preserve and surrounding state lands include tundra benches, alder thickets, and coastal estuaries. The unit spans roughly 9,008 square miles. Most huntable terrain sits below 500 ft elevation, with the higher volcanic terrain falling inside Katmai National Park where hunting is prohibited.

Access is exclusively via floatplane or charter aircraft from King Salmon (served by Alaska Airlines). Most hunters fly into King Salmon and hire local air taxis or float-plane charters to reach base camps on the Alagnak River, Naknek Lake drainages, or Preserve areas. The Alagnak River (a federally designated Wild and Scenic River) can also be accessed by floatplane directly. There are no road systems into the hunting areas; jet boat travel on the larger rivers provides limited in-unit mobility once on the ground. Roughly 80% of the unit is public land — a mix of Katmai National Preserve, Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Peninsula NWR, and Alaska state lands. Hunting is entirely prohibited within Katmai National Park (the vast majority of Katmai land); only the Preserve portion (northern end) is open to hunting.

Dominant habitats include sedge-cottongrass lowland tundra, muskeg bogs with scattered black spruce, and extensive willow-alder riparian corridors along river systems. The Alagnak and Naknek drainages feature productive salmon runs that anchor the coastal brown bear population. Higher elevations support shrub tundra transitioning to alpine fell-field and volcanic rock. The unit is north of the Aleutian Range rain shadow and receives high precipitation, keeping vegetation lush through the hunting season.

Moose are year-round residents of the lowland muskeg and riparian corridors; estimated population ~800 outside Katmai National Park based on 2023 surveys (0.49 moose/mi² in refuge portions of GMU 9). Bull:cow ratio approximately 64:100 with a 27:100 calf ratio as of 2023 surveys, indicating moderate productivity. Brown bears are year-round residents and reach very high densities along salmon rivers in late summer; bears disperse into upland tundra in spring and fall. The Northern Alaska Peninsula caribou herd has declined significantly in recent years; as of 2026 regulations, caribou hunting in 9C is restricted — portions north of the Naknek River and south of the Alagnak drainage are limited to residents by Registration permit (RC503), while the area south of the Naknek River north bank is Residents-only by drawing permit (TC505 Aug 10–Oct 10 and Nov 1–Feb 28). The remainder of 9C is closed to caribou hunting for both residents and nonresidents. Dall sheep inhabit the volcanic ridges and alpine zones; Unit 9 sheep are managed under a statewide harvest ticket system.

CRITICAL RESTRICTIONS: (1) Hunting is PROHIBITED in Katmai National Park proper — only the National Preserve portion is open. (2) Brown bear requires a Registration permit (RB368 fall / RB370 spring) valid once every four regulatory years; nonresidents must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Brown bear seasons are biennial — fall seasons open in odd-numbered years (Oct 1–Oct 21), spring seasons open in even-numbered years (May 10–May 31). McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and adjacent state refuge lands are closed to brown bear hunting. (3) Caribou hunting is severely restricted due to low Northern Alaska Peninsula herd numbers — most of 9C is closed or residents-only by permit; nonresidents have no open caribou season in the bulk of 9C. (4) Moose: Residents may hunt by Registration permit (RM272) — Sept 1–Sept 25 (1 bull any legal size) or Dec 1–Jan 15 (1 antlered bull); Nonresidents by Registration permit (RM282) — Sept 5–Sept 20 (1 bull with 50-inch antlers or 3+ brow tines on at least one side). Nonresidents must complete the ADF&G Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course before hunting; proof required in field. (5) Black bear open to residents and nonresidents, no closed season, 3 bears. (6) Wolf: open Aug 10–June 30, 10 per day, residents and nonresidents. (7) Wolverine: Sept 1–Feb 28, 1 animal. (8) Sheep: Unit 9 harvest ticket, full-curl ram; nonresidents must be guided; nonresidents limited to once every four regulatory years. Federal subsistence regulations may apply on federal lands within the unit.