Unit 15B, Alaska

Central Kenai Peninsula unit spanning 1,754 square miles and elevations from sea level to 6,000 feet. Western lowlands consist of mature spruce-hemlock taiga, black spruce muskeg, and expansive wetlands around Skilak Lake (15 mi long, 632 ft deep) and Tustumena Lake (Alaska''s 8th largest lake). Eastern highlands rise into alpine tundra and rugged mountains supporting Dall sheep and mountain goat. The 2014 Funny River Fire transformed ~200,000 acres (roughly 32% of vegetated Unit 15B), almost entirely within the Kenai NWR Wilderness, creating a productive mosaic of regenerating birch, aspen, willow, and fireweed browse that has since attracted moose and caribou. A second smaller burn from 2009 overlaps portions of the fire footprint.

Road access is available along the Sterling Highway and Skilak Lake Loop Road through the western half of the unit; these corridors see heavy hunting pressure. The Swanson River Road and Swan Lake Road provide additional entry into the refuge interior. Remote eastern portions of the unit — particularly the Killey River drainage and alpine country — require horses, boat travel on Skilak or Tustumena Lake, or floatplane; aircraft access is permitted in some areas but heavily restricted within wilderness. The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (1.92 million acres headquartered in Soldotna) covers the majority of the unit; additional lands include State of Alaska parcels. The Skilak Loop Wildlife Management Area (straddling 15A/15B) is closed to most hunting except moose by permit only, with specific firearm restrictions within 0.25 miles of designated campgrounds. Approximately 52% of the unit is classified as public land open to hunting access.

Western lowlands: old-growth black spruce, white spruce, and birch taiga interspersed with muskeg bogs, sedge meadows, and riparian willow/alder along river corridors. Skilak and Tustumena lake shores offer open travel corridors. Post-fire regeneration (Funny River Fire 2014) is producing dense fireweed, willow, birch, and aspen regrowth in a mosaic with unburned spruce — high-quality moose and caribou browse. Eastern highlands: subalpine shrub fields of dwarf birch and alder transition to alpine tundra, rocky ridges, and permanent glaciers (Tustumena Glacier). Mixed spruce-hemlock forest occurs on wetter slopes. Wetlands and lakeshores throughout provide critical waterfowl and shorebird habitat.

Moose: The unit''s resident moose population was estimated at approximately 958 animals (2001 survey) with annual harvest around 40 animals. Composition counts in the western (15B West) area showed a significant decline from 1994 to 2009, with 2009 counts less than half of 1994 levels for comparable survey areas; late-season draw permits were reduced from 50 to 10 in 2008 and suspended after 2009 due to low numbers. Post-fire habitat in the Funny River burn is expected to support eventual population recovery. Caribou: Two herds use the unit. The Killey River Herd inhabits the upper Funny and Killey River drainages and north to the Skilak River in the eastern Kenai NWR Wilderness; herd grew steadily to 700+ animals until 2001 avalanches killed over 25% of the population, with minimum counts around 374 animals in recent years (375-400 estimated). The Kenai Lowland Herd uses portions of 15A and 15B; it declined sharply in the late 1990s and caribou hunting was closed for years as a result. Brown Bear: Kenai Peninsula brown bears are genetically distinct from mainland populations; hunting pressure is managed to limit adult female mortality to a maximum of 17 bears per year across Units 7 and 15 combined. Dall Sheep: The Killey and Funny River upper drainages and alpine ridges support sheep; seasons are Aug 10 - Sept 20 and Dec 1 - Mar 15. Mountain Goat: Alpine areas in the eastern highlands hold goats; nanny identification rules apply (taking a nanny bars the hunter from Units 7 and 15 goat hunting for 5 regulatory years).

No federally designated subsistence preference area within Unit 15B for most species; hunting is open to both residents and nonresidents under standard state regulations. The Killey River caribou draw hunt (DC608) is open to both residents and nonresidents (up to 60 permits each, Aug 10 - Sep 20), restricted to the eastern portion of 15B within the Kenai NWR Wilderness; horses are the recommended access method due to aircraft and OHV restrictions in the Wilderness. The Skilak Loop Wildlife Management Area within 15B is closed to all hunting except moose by permit only and small game by archery/falconry. Brown bear hunters require a valid RB300 registration permit; bear-over-bait is permitted on lands outside the Kenai NWR through May 31. All moose hunters (resident and nonresident) must complete the online Moose Hunter Orientation at hunt.alaska.gov before hunting. The Kalgin Island moose hunt (RM572) is a permit-restricted opportunity with an extended season. Mountain goat hunters must complete an online goat identification quiz. Wolf and coyote seasons apply on non-restricted lands; check current Emergency Orders as wolf seasons have been subject to amendment.