Unit 13E, Alaska

Mountainous south-central Alaska interior: Alaska Range to the north and west, Talkeetna Mountains to the south, with the Susitna and upper Nenana River drainages spanning the unit. Elevations range from ~1,500 ft in valley bottoms to over 12,000 ft on alpine ridgelines. Terrain includes high alpine tundra above treeline, steep climbing ridgelines, large open basins, spruce-birch boreal forest in river drainages, boggy muskegs, and ponds at lower elevations. The Denali Highway (AK-8) bisects the northern portion of the unit.

Access is best via the Denali Highway (AK-8) along the northern section and the Parks Highway (AK-3) at the northwest corner. Both are paved or improved gravel and open seasonally. Remote alpine areas and the Denali National Preserve overlap require charter bush aircraft (floatplane or tundra-tire aircraft); horse and motorized vehicle use is prohibited inside the Preserve. ATV trails provide limited access into interior drainages near the highway corridors. No commercial meat processing facilities are in the unit — hunters must pack out or arrange air transport. Public land makes up approximately 90% of the unit; a portion of the northern half contains tribal lands closed to hunting. Denali National Preserve occupies a significant concession area (~600 sq mi) accessible only by aircraft or non-motorized means.

Lower drainages and river bottoms: white and black spruce forest interspersed with birch, alder, sedge meadows, willows, and muskegs. Mid-elevation transitional zones: dwarf birch, alder thickets, berry shrubs (blueberry, crowberry), tundra grasses. Alpine (above ~4,000 ft): rocky tundra, fellfield, sedge-grass meadows, lichen mats. Bogs and small lakes are abundant across the lowland flats. The Denali Highway corridor provides access to open tundra benches ideal for glassing sheep and caribou.

Caribou: The Nelchina caribou herd historically ranged through Units 13, 11, 12, and 14. The herd peaked at ~49,950 animals in 2017 but collapsed under severe winters and poor calf recruitment, falling to an estimated 21,000 by September 2022. The ADF&G sustainable management objective is 35,000–40,000 animals. Most caribou hunts (RC561, RC562, and others) have been closed by Emergency Order each season since 2022–23 due to no harvestable surplus. Caribou migrate between wintering areas in the lowlands and summer range on alpine ridges. Moose: A resident population occupies spruce and riparian habitats; moose harvest objectives for 13E (south of Cantwell) were reduced by the 2025 Board of Game because previous objectives were deemed unrealistic given available habitat — moose numbers have been modest. Dall Sheep: Resident populations occupy high alpine ridges; populations in eastern Alaska Range and Talkeetna Mountains have experienced disease pressure (Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae detected) and were impacted by harsh winters. Grizzly Bear: A resident population occupies the unit year-round; the 2025-2026 bag limit was increased to 2 bears per regulatory year for Unit 13.

CRITICAL — Caribou: All or most Nelchina caribou hunts have been closed by Emergency Order in recent years (2022-23 onward); check current ADF&G Emergency Orders before planning a caribou hunt. Even when open, caribou hunts in Unit 13 are managed under registration and permit systems with limited quotas. SUBSISTENCE: Federal public lands in Units 13A and 13B (BLM lands along the Richardson Highway, Delta, and Gulkana river corridors) are closed to moose and caribou hunting by non-Federally qualified users; approximately 770,000 acres of BLM land require a federal subsistence permit (rural residency and customary/traditional use determination required). Unit 13E itself (northern/western remainder) is less directly affected by the 13A/13B BLM closure but hunters should confirm federal land status parcel by parcel. DENALI PRESERVE: Hunting is permitted only in the Preserve (not the Park); a sole-use guide concession has operated since 1988. Permanent camps prohibited; Leave No Trace required. Nonresidents must be accompanied by a licensed guide or qualified resident relative for brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goat. Nonresident moose hunters must complete the ADF&G Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course. Moose harvest objectives for 13E were reduced at the January 2025 Board of Game meeting. Bear bag limit increased to 2 per regulatory year for Unit 13 in 2025-2026.