Unit 20B, Alaska

Approximately 9,100 sq mi of Interior Alaska boreal ecosystem. The eastern half is dominated by the Yukon-Tanana Uplands — heavily timbered low mountains of black and white spruce interspersed with birch and aspen, elevation ranging from ~300 ft in river valleys to ~5,600 ft on higher ridges. The western portion flattens into the Minto Flats lowlands and Kanuti River plain: extensive muskeg, peatlands, oxbow lakes, wetland pockets, and black spruce bogs. Cross-country travel is difficult throughout. Major drainages include the Tolovana River, Chatanika River, portions of the Tanana north bank, and western tributaries feeding toward the Koyukuk. The Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge (1.6 million acres) occupies the northwestern portion of the unit along the Kanuti and John River drainages.

Western portions (Minto Flats area) are road-accessible via the Elliott Highway and George Parks Highway, with additional ATV and snowmachine access in winter. The eastern portions along the Steese Highway and Chena Hot Springs Road corridor provide road access for caribou hunters in the Fortymile/White Mountains zones. Remote central and northwestern areas within and adjacent to Kanuti NWR require floatplane or jetboat access — the refuge is serviced from Bettles/Evansville (~55 miles north) and Fairbanks (~200 miles southeast). The Koyukuk River corridor has a Controlled Use Area (CUA): aircraft may NOT be used to hunt moose, transport moose hunters, gear, or moose parts within the CUA (exception for transport between public airports or processed meat). All hunters passing a department check station on the Koyukuk River must stop and report. Public land percentage is approximately 88%, including Kanuti NWR (USFWS), BLM Interior, and state public lands. The Minto Flats State Game Refuge restricts motorized vehicle use May 1-Oct 14.

Boreal taiga throughout. Dominant vegetation: black spruce muskegs on poorly-drained flats; white spruce-birch forests on well-drained slopes; riparian willows and alder along river corridors providing critical moose browse; open tundra and alpine meadows on higher ridges of the Yukon-Tanana Uplands. Wetlands and lakes in the Minto Flats/Kanuti lowlands support waterfowl and provide critical moose calving habitat. No permafrost-free tundra or arctic tundra — entirely within the boreal/taiga zone.

MOOSE: Year-round residents throughout the boreal drainages; bulls move to higher ground in summer and descend to river bottoms and willow flats for the September rut. Population estimate for Unit 20B was approximately 16,000 moose as of 2004 surveys (down from a peak; Intensive Management objective is 12,000-15,000). Hunting pressure is highest near Fairbanks, lower in remote western reaches. Predator management (wolf control) is actively employed under the IM designation. CARIBOU: Two herds are relevant. (1) Fortymile Caribou Herd — historically massive, currently estimated at ~24,000-28,000 animals (mid-summer 2025, declining from historical highs); ranges across Units 20B Zones 1, 2, and 4, primarily in the eastern Chatanika/Steese corridor and White Mountains areas; fall migration from summer ranges in Yukon Territory and eastern Alaska sweeps through the unit Aug-Oct. (2) White Mountains Herd (Units 25C/20B/20F) — smaller resident herd wintering in the White Mountains north of Fairbanks. Both herds are subject to real-time quota management with hotline closures on short notice.

SUBSISTENCE: Federal subsistence priority applies on federal public lands (Kanuti NWR, BLM). There is NO federal subsistence season for caribou in Units 20B or 20D. Subsistence moose hunting occurs under state and federal frameworks for rural Alaska residents. NON-RESIDENT RESTRICTIONS: The lower Koyukuk River moose hunt was converted from a general registration hunt to a drawing hunt with SEPARATE resident and nonresident drawing pools — nonresident opportunity is significantly reduced from historical levels. All nonresident moose hunters must be accompanied by a licensed guide (standard AK requirement for non-resident big game). MOOSE ANTLER RESTRICTIONS: Legal bull = spike-fork or 50-inch antler spread, OR bull with brow palms on both antlers (varies by specific hunt zone — verify current regs). CARIBOU: All Fortymile and White Mountains zones subject to openings and closings on short notice; hunters MUST call hotline (907) 267-2310 before departing. 2025 fall quota was 525 bulls (pre-season allocation 395 fall + 130 winter), bulls only. MINTO FLATS: Aircraft and airboats prohibited for moose hunting within the Minto Flats Management Area. AIRCRAFT: Float-plane access to remote areas is standard; Bettles is the primary gateway for Kanuti NWR interior.