Unit 15A, Alaska

Boreal spruce-birch forest, wetland lowlands, willow-alder river bottoms, and glacially carved lake basins. Elevation ranges from sea level along Cook Inlet to roughly 4,000 ft in the Kenai Mountains foothills. The Swan Lake Fire (2019, ~167,000 acres) created a large regenerating burn mosaic that is improving moose forage in the northern subunit. Terrain is generally low-relief in the west and north, transitioning to more rugged glaciated terrain toward the east and the Chugach National Forest boundary.

Highly accessible by Alaska standards. The Sterling Highway (AK-1) bisects the unit east-west, and the Seward Highway provides northern access. Extensive road and ATV trail networks exist in the western half. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) dominates the unit — approximately 2 million acres straddling Unit 15. Chugach National Forest borders the northeast. Float trips on the Kenai River and tributaries provide additional backcountry access. Air taxi and floatplane services operate out of Soldotna, Kenai, and Anchorage (~150 miles north). No dedicated road-access closures in 15A, but a Kenai Controlled Use Area prohibits aircraft for moose hunting September 1–10.

Dominant overstory: white spruce, black spruce, paper birch, quaking aspen. Understory: willow, alder, highbush cranberry, blueberry. Extensive sedge-grass wetlands and bogs (muskegs) throughout the lowlands. Riparian corridors along Kenai River, Moose River, and Swanson River support dense willow stands — prime moose habitat. The Swan Lake burn is transitioning through early successional shrub and forb stage, producing high-quality moose forage. Mature spruce stands dominate much of the non-burned landscape, limiting browse availability and contributing to population challenges.

Moose concentrate in lowland willow-alder flats and wetlands during the rut (late September–October) and shift to windswept ridges and south-facing slopes in winter. The post-Swan Lake Fire burn is drawing moose into regenerating areas of 15A. The Kenai Lowlands caribou herd historically occupied 15A and 15B but hunting has been closed since the late 1990s due to population decline (estimated at ~150 animals at closure). Brown bears follow salmon runs on Kenai River tributaries in late summer. Black bears are resident year-round at high densities — research indicates black bears account for ~70% of all moose mortality in Kenai Peninsula study areas. Wolf packs maintain year-round territories; density estimated at 11–20 wolves per 1,000 km².

Non-residents must complete the Moose Hunter Orientation (online at hunt.alaska.gov) before hunting moose in Unit 15; proof of completion must be carried in the field. Moose hunting is by draw permit only — applications accepted October 1–31 online. The Kenai Moose Research Center (Coyote/Vixen Lakes area) is entirely closed to hunting. The Moose River Closed Area near Sterling is closed to waterfowl hunting within 0.25 miles of the river. The Skilak Loop Wildlife Management Area allows only permit moose hunting plus limited small game. Brown bear hunting is by registration permit with emergency closure provisions based on harvest cap. Bear baiting is prohibited within 0.25 miles of the Kenai River, Kasilof River, and Swanson River, and fish/fish parts may not be used as bait in GMU 15. Federal subsistence hunts apply on KNWR lands for rural Alaska residents. Aircraft use for moose hunting is prohibited September 1–10 (Kenai Controlled Use Area). Hunter success for general moose is approximately 6%, well below the statewide average. No caribou hunting — season closed since late 1990s.