Alaska Administrative Code
Title 5 - Fish and Game
Part 3 - Game
Chapter 92 - Statewide Provisions
Article 5 - Intensive Management and Predator Control
5 AAC 92.126 - Non-Intensive Management Predator Control Plans

(i) the musk oxen population size was estimated at 190 musk oxen in April 2011; musk oxen numbers in Unit 26(B) increased during 1990 - 1995 from 122 to 330 musk oxen; some of this increase in population was the result of immigration from Unit 26(C); during the mid-to-late 1990s, numbers stabilized at around 265 - 300 musk oxen through 2003; subsequently, the population declined to 216 musk oxen by 2006, and during 2007 - 2011, the population in Unit 26(B) slightly declined and stabilized at its current, reduced population size;

(ii) the hunting season for musk oxen in Unit 26(B) has been closed since regulatory year 2006 - 2007; the first hunting season in Unit 26(B) was in 1990; during 1990 - 1997, all hunting was by Tier II permit; in regulatory year 1998 - 1999, the board determined that the amount necessary for subsistence was 20 musk oxen in Unit 26(A) and Unit 26(B), west of the Dalton Highway Management Corridor and established a Tier II hunt; the board also determined that the amount necessary for subsistence was four musk oxen in Unit 26(B), east of the Dalton Highway Management Corridor and established a Tier I registration hunt for residents only; a drawing permit hunt was also established for residents only; three permits were issued annually for bull musk oxen in Unit 26(B), east of the Dalton Highway, and the harvest of up to five musk oxen were authorized by the board; beginning in regulatory year 2005 - 2006, permits were not issued for the drawing and Tier I registration hunts, east of the Dalton Highway in Unit 26(B); this was in response to the sharp decline in musk oxen numbers following 2003; however, the Tier II subsistence hunt west of the Dalton Highway remained open until regulatory year 2006 - 2007, when no permits to hunt musk oxen were issued for any of the hunts;

(i) during 2007 - 2011, brown bear predation was identified as the primary source of mortality; 62 percent of the documented total adult musk oxen mortality (n =73) was attributed to brown bear predation, which accounted for an average of nine adult musk oxen deaths annually; during the same time period, 58 percent of documented calf mortality (n =45) was caused by brown bear predation; this resulted in an annual average of five calves known to be preyed on by brown bears; over the five years, a total of 74 calves were classified as "missing"; their fates were unknown and not included in the above calculations;

(ii) during 2007 - 2011, the habitat appeared capable of supporting a larger musk oxen population; captured musk oxen were generally in good condition, and birth rates were sufficient to provide for population growth, but growth was not realized because of poor survival; concentrations of some trace nutrients in musk oxen body tissues were believed to be suboptimal for survival; an imbalance of trace minerals, particularly low copper and selenium with elevated concentrations of zinc and iron, can negatively affect immune systems and make musk oxen more susceptible to diseases and potentially more vulnerable to predation; thus, it is possible that habitat limitations may have been obscured by high mortality due to predation; controlling predation will help answer this question;

(i) during 2004 - 2011, the population remained relatively stable at around 200 musk oxen; evidence indicates that the number of yearlings being recruited annually approximately equaled the number of adult musk oxen dying annually; if survival rates of either adult musk oxen or calves increase, then the musk oxen population would be expected to increase; reducing predation on adults and calves should change survival rates of one or both; during 1987 - 1995, the annual rate of increase for the entire population was seven percent; this time period should be representative of what population growth rate Unit 26(B) musk oxen could experience if bear predation is reduced and habitat is not limiting; therefore, in a best case scenario, it would take approximately seven years for the musk oxen population to reach 300 musk oxen;

(ii) when the musk oxen population increases to 300 musk oxen one year old or older during April surveys, a hunt will be established if a harvestable surplus is available;

(i) most of Unit 26(B) is state land; the land ownership pattern is 69 percent state land, 29 percent federal land, and 2 percent private land; of the 29 percent federal lands, 12 percent is Bureau of Land Management, and these lands are available for bear control; total land available for bear control is 72 - 74 percent of the unit;

(ii) only two of the 8 - 15 total musk oxen groups in Unit 26(B) occasionally occur on federal lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;