Unit 16A, Alaska

Lowland to mid-elevation boreal terrain. Flat to gently rolling floodplains of the Susitna River system, dominated by extensive wetlands, muskegs, beaver ponds, and oxbow lakes. Uplands transition to mixed spruce-birch-hardwood forest with dense willow and alder corridors along drainages. The northeastern edge approaches the foothills of the Alaska Range (Tokosha Mountains), though that zone lies largely within Denali National Park and is closed to hunting. Elevation ranges from near sea level at the Susitna flats to 4,000+ ft in the northeast. Cross-country travel is challenging — muskeg, creek crossings, and dense riparian brush dominate; game trails and creek channels are the primary foot routes.

Better road access than most Alaska units. Highway access exists along the eastern edge of the unit; Petersville Road provides the primary jumping-off point for interior access. Floating the Deshka River from Petersville Road to its confluence with the Susitna River is the classic self-guided route — roughly 40 miles of productive moose country. ATV trails are scattered through accessible areas. Floatplane and helicopter drop-offs serve the more remote western and interior drainages. Public lands cover an estimated 80–90% of the unit — a mix of Alaska State lands, Susitna Valley State Forest parcels, Susitna Flats State Game Refuge (with ORV restrictions), Trading Bay State Game Refuge, and Redoubt Bay Critical Habitat Area. Note: ORV use on state refuges is restricted to Nov 9–Mar 31 with 12-inch snow cover and frozen ground required. National Park Service lands exist in the northeast corner; federal regulations apply there.

Lowland spruce (black and white)-hardwood forest intermixed with meadows, marshes, and muskegs. Dense willow, alder, and dwarf birch dominate riparian areas and upland transitions. Open tundra-like areas occur on higher benches. Vegetation density is greatest in river-bottom areas and around lakes, limiting glassing but providing outstanding moose forage. Beaver activity creates abundant aquatic edge habitat critical to moose.

Moose are the primary game animal and are largely resident year-round in the lowland and mid-elevation spruce-willow habitat. Bulls disperse widely during the Aug–Sept rut. The population in Unit 16 (of which 16A is the eastern sub-unit) has fluctuated significantly: a 2018 survey estimated ~10,000 moose (±1,665) in the broader Unit 16 assessment area, well above the intensive management objective of 6,500–7,500. A series of severe winters (especially RY2020) and elevated predation drove the 2022 estimate down to 6,789 (±1,178) — within but at the low end of the IM objective. The 2022 estimate carried a bull:cow ratio of 25:100 and a calf:cow ratio of only 10:100, indicating poor recent recruitment. Predation control (wolves and bears) has been active in the western portion of 16A and mainland 16B on non-federal lands since 2004 (reauthorized 2022 for 9 years); same-day airborne wolf hunting was reopened in Jan 2024 across the full predation control area. Wolf minimum count: 118 animals in spring 2023, likely recovering toward the pre-control 2004 estimate of 175–180. Harvest peaked at 531 moose in RY2019, declined with poor winters to 143 in RY2024 — below the IM harvest objective of 310–600. Sheep (Dall) exist along high ridges near the Alaska Range in the northeast. Caribou presence is incidental — no major herd uses this unit regularly.

Intensive management program for moose (with wolf and bear predation control) has been active since RY2004 on all non-federal lands in 16B and the western half of 16A; program reauthorized by Board of Game in 2022 for 9 years. Same-day airborne hunting of wolves reopened Jan 2024 across the full Unit 16 Predation Control Area. Same-day airborne hunting of black bear is allowed Oct 1–Aug 9 in Unit 16. Nonresident moose hunters must complete the Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course before hunting; proof required in the field. Nonresident brown/grizzly bear hunters must be accompanied by a registered guide. Susitna Flats State Game Refuge and Trading Bay State Game Refuge within the unit carry specific ORV restrictions (no ORVs except <1,000 lb GVW machines Nov 9–Mar 31 with 12-inch snow cover and frozen ground). Unit contains National Park Service lands in the northeast — federal regulations apply. Moose antler restriction applies: legal bull must have spike-fork antlers, antlers 50 inches or wider, or 3+ brow tines on at least one side. The general moose season in 16A is Aug 20–Sep 25 (harvest ticket); archery-only from Aug 10–Aug 19. Drawing permit hunts (TM565, TM567, TM569) available Dec 15–Feb 28 for residents. Wolf bag limit 10 per hunter (no more than 5/day), Aug 10–Apr 30. Wolverine limit 1, Sept 1–Jan 31. Dall sheep: full-curl ram, residents hunt Aug 10–Sep 20 (harvest ticket); nonresidents Aug 10–Sep 20 every four regulatory years with guide required.