Unit 13B, Alaska

Mixed boreal taiga, spruce-birch lowlands, subalpine shrub tundra, and high alpine ridgelines. The unit spans from the broad Copper River valley floor (~1,500 ft) up through the eastern Alaska Range and northern Wrangell Mountains, reaching glaciated peaks exceeding 10,000 ft. Major drainages include the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River, the Gakona River, and the Tyone River. Terrain grades from road-accessible river flats to remote alpine basins requiring floatplane access.

Partially road-accessible via the Richardson Highway (Paxson to Glennallen corridor, ~Milepost 130–187) and the Tok Cutoff/Glenn Highway. Floatplane essential for backcountry drainages. BLM Glennallen Field Office manages approximately 4.3 million acres of public land in the broader region; the Gulkana Wild and Scenic River corridor is BLM-administered. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve borders the unit to the east and south — sport hunting is prohibited inside the Park but allowed in the Preserve. No road into the unit interior; remote areas accessed by floatplane into alpine lakes or by raft/packraft down drainages. Public land comprises approximately 90–95% of unit area (BLM, Alaska State, Wrangell-St. Elias Preserve).

Lower elevations dominated by white and black spruce, paper birch, and balsam poplar in river bottoms; willow and alder shrub along drainages provide critical moose browse. Mid-elevation transition to subalpine shrub tundra (dwarf birch, Labrador tea, crowberry). Alpine tundra and bare rock/glacial terrain above ~5,000 ft. Wetlands and muskeg common in valley floors. Historically productive moose habitat with high browse density, though deep snow events (notably 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2021–23) stressed winter carrying capacity.

The Nelchina Caribou Herd (NCH) uses Unit 13 as its primary summer and fall range. As of summer 2023 the herd collapsed to a minimum count of 7,384 with an abundance estimate of ~8,823 — far below the 35,000–40,000 population objective set in 1996. All state caribou hunts closed by Emergency Order 30 June 2023; federal subsistence hunts also closed. Severe winters in 2021-22 and 2022-23, late migrations, high overwinter mortality, and density-dependent nutritional limitations drove the decline. Recovery is projected to take up to 15 years; future reopening will likely begin with bulls-only Tier II permits. Moose are year-round residents in spruce lowlands and riparian corridors; the Unit 13B moose population was estimated at 5,000–6,300 under intensive management objectives but showed twinning-rate stress indicators (<20%) by 2014. A 2024 estimate placed Unit 13B moose at approximately 3,074 — well below the revised 4,000–5,000 objective — following post-stress decline. Bull:cow ratio recorded at 31:100, calf:cow ratio 10:100. Dall sheep make seasonal elevational movements between summer alpine range and winter ridgelines. Bison occupy the Copper and Chitina River valleys in Unit 13D (adjacent).

CRITICAL — Federal subsistence restriction: Non-federally-qualified hunters (including most nonresidents and non-rural residents) may NOT hunt moose or caribou on federal public lands (BLM) along the Richardson Highway, Paxson Lake, and Gulkana River corridors in Units 13A and 13B. This closure was enacted in 2020 (initially 2020–2022, extended) and covers over 460,000 acres. Only federally qualified subsistence users with customary and traditional use documentation may hunt in these closure areas. State-land and private-land areas remain open under state regulations. Caribou: ALL state hunts in Unit 13 closed by Emergency Order since 30 June 2023 due to Nelchina Caribou Herd population collapse (~8,823 animals vs. 35,000–40,000 objective). No anticipated reopening in near term; monitor ADF&G Glennallen Office for updates (907-822-3461). Nonresident moose hunters must complete the ADF&G Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course and carry proof in the field. Nonresident Dall sheep hunters must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Sheep Controlled Use Area exists within Unit 13B requiring drawing permits (DS203/DS204/DS205) for a portion of the unit; remainder open under harvest ticket. Moose: 2026-27 regulations show no general open season listed for Unit 13 moose other than the resident harvest ticket (spike-fork or 50-inch or 4+ brow tines), drawing permits for residents (DM348) and nonresidents (DM335-DM339). Community Subsistence Hunt permit CM300 open for qualified users. Wolf intensive management has been conducted intermittently to benefit moose recovery. Bison are present in Unit 13D (Edgerton Highway east); not present in 13B proper.