Unit 18Z, Alaska

Volcanic island terrain dominated by treeless arctic-maritime tundra on a gently rolling upland plateau 500–800 ft above sea level, dotted with approximately 60 cinder cones and four maars. Mount Roberts (1,675 ft) is the high point. Rocky coastal cliffs, saltwater lagoons, sand dunes, and more than 40 rivers draining to the Bering Sea form the island perimeter. No forests — the largest woody plants are dwarf willows under 4 ft tall. More than 200 lakes and extensive wetlands dominate the interior. Permafrost underlies most of the island. Annual precipitation ~18.6 inches; July highs 49–63°F, January lows 1–13°F.

Access exclusively by commercial air from Bethel (~135 miles east) to Mekoryuk Airport; Grant Aviation is primary carrier. No roads connect to mainland Alaska. Mekoryuk is the sole community (~191 residents). Once on island, transportation is by ATV or boat (fall hunt) or snowmobile (winter hunt) arranged through licensed local transporters. Approximately 95% of island is Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR); the southern 600,000 acres is Nunivak Wilderness. No wheeled vehicles, motorboats, or aircraft permitted within the designated Wilderness. Most hunting access is through transporter agreements that include lodging, meals, and field transport ($3,500–$5,000 per hunter). A Native land-access permit from the Mekoryuk Native Corporation may be required for travel over village-corporation lands.

Treeless arctic-maritime tundra with sedge-grass wet meadows, cottongrass tussock fields, dwarf heath shrub (crowberry, Labrador tea, lingonberry), and moss-lichen communities. Dwarf willows (under 4 ft) are the dominant tall shrubs. Coastal zones include beach rye grass, sand dune plant communities, and eelgrass-filled lagoons. Lichen coverage is critical muskox winter forage and is carefully managed to prevent overgrazing. Interior wetlands support rich waterfowl and shorebird habitat.

Muskox: Non-migratory, year-round island residents. Population introduced from Greenland in 1935–1936 (34 animals); grew to a peak of 750+ animals with no natural predators. Current managed population 500–750 animals. The fall (Aug–Sep) hunt accesses coastal areas by boat landing; winter (Jan–Mar) hunt ranges island-wide by snowmobile. ADF&G relies on annual hunting to control the population and prevent overgrazing of the limited lichen and tundra habitat. Wolves: Small resident population; may be taken year-round in Unit 18 under general regulations (10-wolf bag limit, Aug 10–Apr 30). No caribou on island — wild caribou were extirpated after introduction of firearms in the late 19th/early 20th century; a large reindeer herd (historically 4,000+) is managed by the Mekoryuk Native Corporation but is not open to sport hunting. Seabirds and waterfowl: 89+ migratory species; dense summer breeding colonies on all coastal cliffs and inland tundra lakes.

Unit 18Z (Nunivak Island) is governed by dual regulatory authority: ADF&G state regulations AND federal Yukon Delta NWR regulations. Key nonresident restrictions: (1) Muskox: Nonresidents may apply for draw permits (DX001 fall bull hunt Aug 1–Sep 30; DX003 winter bull hunt Jan 15–Mar 31). Locking-tag fee $2,200 for nonresidents, $500 for residents. Application deadline December 15 annually; up to 6 permit choices at $10 each. Hunters are NOT required to hire a guide but hiring a licensed local transporter is functionally mandatory. Total costs typically $8,000–$12,000 for nonresidents including tag, transporter, flights, and native land-access permits. Nearly 100% hunter success once drawn. (2) Moose, caribou, brown bear: No moose or caribou on island; no brown bear population established on Nunivak. (3) Wolf: General season applies unit-wide (10 wolves, Aug 10–Apr 30), residents and nonresidents. (4) Wolverine: Unit 18 general season applies (2 wolverine, Sep 1–Mar 31). (5) Subsistence: Substantial federal subsistence-priority hunting by Cup''ig (Siberian Yupik) residents of Mekoryuk. Federal subsistence regulations may further restrict nonresident harvest on YDNWR lands. (6) Reindeer on island are privately owned by the Mekoryuk Native Corporation and are not open to sport hunting. (7) Nontoxic shot (size T or smaller) required for all shotgun hunting in Unit 18. (8) Registration permit hunts for muskox: RX060 and RX061 are ice-floe emergency hunts for residents only.