Unit 13D, Alaska

Central Chugach Mountains — heavily glaciated alpine terrain rising to peaks above 10,000 ft, deeply incised river drainages (Tonsina, Chitina, Tiekel, Copper River corridor), extensive permanent snowfields and glaciers. Vegetation transitions from subalpine willow/alder brush in valley bottoms through high-alpine fell-fields and scree slopes favored by Dall sheep and mountain goat. Much of the interior is roadless and approached only by aircraft.

Approximately 95% public land — primarily Chugach National Forest (USFS) with BLM parcels near the Richardson Highway corridor. Road access is limited to the Richardson Highway (Highway 4) on the western edge and the Edgerton Highway/McCarthy Road on the southern fringe. Interior access is by floatplane or helicopter to glacial gravel bars or remote strips; backpack approaches from road-accessible trailheads require multiple river crossings. The Tonsina Controlled Use Area (bounded by Richardson Hwy, Tonsina River, Edgerton Hwy, Copper River, and Tiekel River) is closed to motorized vehicles and pack animals for hunting from July 26 through September 30.

Valley floors dominated by white and black spruce boreal forest transitioning to alder and willow shrub fields; subalpine zones feature dwarf birch, crowberry, and blueberry heath. Above treeline (approx 3,000 ft): sedge-grass tundra, Dryas mats, and bare scree/cliff faces. Permanent ice and glaciers cover significant portions of the high terrain.

Dall sheep occupy steep rocky ridges year-round, moving to lower windswept slopes in heavy snow years. The Chugach sheep population has experienced severe decline — pregnancy rates fell from a normal 85-110% to 18% in 2014 and 26% in 2020, prompting intense ADF&G research. Mountain goats range the steepest cliff terrain. Bison (east of Edgerton Highway) are a transplanted herd descended from Delta Junction stock. Moose concentrate in valley-bottom willow/alder habitats; the subunit''s moose population is relatively modest. Brown bears follow salmon streams in fall and occupy alpine berry slopes in late summer. Caribou (Nelchina Herd) may move through the northern margins of the subunit seasonally, though the Nelchina herd has declined to approximately 7,000-8,000 animals (2023 estimate) from a peak of 46,500+ in 2012 — caribou hunting is effectively closed or severely restricted.

Dall sheep hunting requires completion of a state-approved hunter orientation course (effective July 2026 for any Aug 10 – Sep 10 general harvest ticket hunt). Nonresidents hunting Dall sheep must be accompanied by an Alaska-licensed guide OR an Alaska resident 19+ within second degree of kindred. Bag limit is 1 full-curl ram. Season: August 10 – September 20. Mountain goat hunters must complete the online Mountain Goat Identification quiz before hunting. Bison hunts are by drawing permit (east of Edgerton Highway only); application fee $10 individual / $20 party. Moose in 13D is a drawing-permit-only hunt in most of the roadless interior. Caribou hunting is essentially closed due to Nelchina Herd collapse (population ~7,000-8,000 as of 2023, down from 46,500+ peak). Federal subsistence closures for moose and caribou on BLM federal public lands in adjacent Units 13A/13B (non-federally qualified users excluded) — verify current federal subsistence orders for 13D BLM parcels. Brown bear season: Aug 10 – Mar 31 (1 per 4 regulatory years). Wolf: Aug 10 – Apr 30, no bag limit. Wolverine: Sep 1 – Mar 31, bag limit 1. No road system penetrates the interior of 13D — all remote hunts require aircraft or extended wilderness foot travel.