Unit 19C, Alaska

Upper Kuskokwim River headwaters drainages (Big River, Swift River, North Fork Kuskokwim) flanked by the Alaska Range foothills to the north and east. Terrain transitions from boreal forest and wetland river bottomland at lower elevations to subalpine scrub and open tundra benches, grading into alpine tundra and rocky ridgelines above timberline. Lone Mountain and the Sparrevohn area define the northern boundary. Total unit area approximately 6,123 square miles. Portions of the unit lie within the predator control area established under intensive management.

Fly-in only—no road system reaches Unit 19C. The Farewell Lake area (approximately 62.5°N, 153.6°W) is the primary hub with a gravel airstrip and an extensive ATV/snowmachine trail network for ground access once hunters are in camp. McGrath (~100 air miles northwest) and Anchorage (~200 air miles southeast) are the main staging airports. The entirety of the unit is state or federal public land (~99% public). No national parks or refuges lie within 19C proper, though the northwest corner of Denali National Park and Preserve abuts the northeastern boundary. Aircraft are prohibited for moose hunting (Jan 1–Feb 28, and for specific permit hunts); the Nonresident Closed Area for moose is not present in 19C but adjacent units should be confirmed.

River-bottom white spruce and cottonwood forest with dense willow and alder shrub in floodplains; upland black spruce muskeg and tussock tundra on slopes and plateaus; subalpine shrub-tundra transitioning to alpine fellfield and talus above ~3,000 ft elevation. Permafrost underlies much of the lowland terrain. Extensive wetland complexes and lakes support waterfowl and beaver.

Moose are year-round residents concentrated in river-bottom spruce forest and willow-alder shrub corridors. The bull-to-cow ratio declined from 40:100 in 2018 to 21:100 in 2025 (2-year average 23:100), prompting quota reductions. Brown bears are resident throughout; estimated population 260 bears based on habitat extrapolation; no formal survey completed. The Big River–Farewell caribou herd (a small, scattered herd of the upper Kuskokwim) is present but has declined severely since ~2000 due to predator pressure; groups of >10–12 animals are uncommon and harvest is extremely limited. The Mulchatna Caribou Herd (MCH) overlaps southern portions of the broader Unit 19 region; estimated at 16,276 animals in July 2025, up 30% from 2023 but still below the 30,000–80,000 management objective; all MCH harvest has been closed since fall 2021. Dall sheep occupy higher alpine terrain along Alaska Range ridgelines in the eastern portion of the unit; permit-only, small quota, aircraft prohibited. Wolf density elevated throughout; predator control measures active in portions of adjacent units and may affect 19C. Wolverine present.

Moose (Farewell hunt): Resident registration permit RM653 (up to 100 permits, first-come first-served beginning Aug 4 at 9am online at hunt.alaska.gov or in person in McGrath/Anchorage/Fairbanks/Palmer); season Sept 1–Sept 20; one antlered bull with spike-fork antlers OR 50-inch antlers OR antlers with 4+ brow tines on at least one side. Nonresident drawing permit DM681 (unguided, 7 permits) or DM682 (guided, 3 permits); same season Sept 1–Sept 20; same antler restriction; nonresidents may apply for DM681 OR DM682 but not both; guided nonresidents must be with a licensed guide. Winter moose permit RM655 (residents): one bull, aircraft prohibited Jan 1–Feb 28. Nonresident moose hunters must complete Nonresident Moose Hunter Orientation course. Aircraft prohibition: moose hunters, gear, and moose parts may not be transported by aircraft Sept 1–Sept 25 in portions of Unit 19 (confirm exact boundaries at hunt.alaska.gov). 19C remainder has no open general season moose for nonresidents. Brown bear: no closed season for residents or nonresidents statewide in Unit 19 (2 bears per regulatory year); nonresident bear hunters must be accompanied by a licensed guide. Caribou (Big River–Farewell herd): residents one bull by harvest ticket Aug 10–Sept 20; effectively no nonresident season for this subherd; Mulchatna Caribou Herd harvest closed statewide since fall 2021. Dall sheep (19C): resident registration permit RS380, one ram with 3/4-curl horn or less (excluding rams with both tips broken); Oct 1–Apr 30; permit available online or in person in McGrath/Nikolai beginning Sept 29; check-in/check-out required; small quota; aircraft prohibited; no nonresident locking-tag required; hides must be sealed within 30 days. Nonresidents have no open Dall sheep season in 19C (general unit sheep regulations cover other 19 subunits). Bison: drawing permit, one per lifetime (nonresidents) or one per 10 regulatory years (residents). Wolf: 10 wolves, Aug 1–Apr 30 (Unit 19). Wolverine: 1 wolverine, Sept 1–Mar 31 (Unit 19). Black bear: no closed season. Federal subsistence priority areas may apply on federal public lands within the unit; subsistence users receive priority for moose and caribou on federal lands. Intensive management predator control area overlaps portions of the unit.