Unit 14A, Alaska

Low-elevation river valleys and wetland flats of the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Valley floor, dominated by boreal spruce-hardwood forest, birch, aspen, willow, and cottonwood. Elevation ranges from sea level at Cook Inlet and Knik Arm to foothills of the Talkeetna Mountains on the north and east boundary. Suitable moose habitat is defined as below 3,500 feet elevation (~2,131 mi² of the unit's 2,685 mi² total). The Alaska Railroad bisects the unit for 41 miles. Rapid urban and agricultural development in the Mat-Su Valley has converted early seral moose browse habitat to roads, homes, and industry, though land clearing also creates brushy edge habitat.

Exceptional road access by Alaska standards — Glenn Highway and Parks Highway provide year-round paved access throughout the unit, with an extensive network of secondary roads. ATVs and 4-wheel-drive highway vehicles account for the majority of successful hunter transport methods. The Alaska Railroad (41 miles within unit) provides limited additional access. Public lands include the 132,500-acre Matanuska Valley Moose Range (co-managed by ADF&G and DNR), Goose Bay State Game Refuge, Willow Mountain Critical Habitat Area, Nancy Lake State Recreation Area, Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, and Willow Creek State Recreation Area. The Palmer Wasilla Management Area (southwestern portion of unit) has additional weapon and motorized-vehicle restrictions. No floatplane or remote access typically required.

Boreal mixed forest of white spruce, paper birch, trembling aspen, and balsam poplar dominates uplands. Lowlands feature dense willow, alder, and cottonwood riparian corridors that provide prime moose browse. Wetlands, shallow lakes, and ponds are common on the valley floor (e.g., Big Lake, Nancy Lake area). The 1996 Miller's Reach Fire (37,000 acres near Big Lake) and ongoing ADF&G/Ruffed Grouse Society mechanical habitat projects (564 acres of aspen clearcut 2001–2012 in the Matanuska Valley Moose Range) maintain early successional browse. Agricultural clearing on Point MacKenzie and in the Palmer-Wasilla corridor creates additional edge habitat.

Moose are largely resident year-round, with some seasonal movement between the Mat-Su Valley floor (wintering) and adjacent uplands (summering). The Point MacKenzie agricultural area supports winter moose densities exceeding 10 moose/mi². Some moose summering in adjacent units (13A, 14B) winter in 14A. Moose-vehicle collisions (MVCs) on highways and moose-train collisions on the Alaska Railroad are significant non-hunting mortality sources, especially in high-snowfall winters. The small resident caribou population (DC590 permit hunt) occupies upland areas; herd affiliation is minor. Brown bears move between the Mat-Su Valley and adjacent mountain units seasonally. Population estimate (moose): 7,070 ± 656 (2011 GSPE survey) to 9,303 ± 2,233 (2013 GSPE with SCF); management population objective is 6,000–6,500 post-hunt.

Unit 14A is under INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT for moose (Alaska Board of Game positive finding, 2001). Population objective: 6,000–6,500 moose; harvest objective: 360–750 moose/year. Antlerless draw permits (DM400–DM413, up to 900 permits) are used to manage population near objective. Targeted nuisance-moose permit hunt (AM415) operates in road corridors to reduce MVCs. Nonresident moose hunters must complete the Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course before hunting. Bull moose are restricted to spike-fork antlers (spike or fork on at least one side) OR antlers at least 50 inches wide OR 3+ brow tines on at least one side (SF-50-3bt rule, in effect since RY93). Caribou by draw permit only (DC590). Mountain goat limited to south and east of the Matanuska River by draw permit (DG890/891, RG890/891); remainder of 14A has no open goat season. Dall sheep south/east of Matanuska River by draw permit; remainder of 14A by harvest ticket (full-curl only). Bowhunters hunting bears over bait must complete IBEP course. Hatcher Pass portion of unit has additional firearms restrictions (contact AK State Parks Mat-Su, 907-745-3975). Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge has motorized vehicle and aircraft restrictions. No federal subsistence preference areas within Unit 14A (Southcentral, not rural-qualifying). 96–98% of moose harvest taken by local Unit 14 residents historically.