Timing of the 30-day in-season closure for spring/summer subsistence migratory bird harvest in the Northern and Eastern Units of the North Slope region has been changed from the fixed annual closure dates based on current environmental and biological conditions. This follows reports by hunters that birds were nesting later than normal this spring. The harvest of birds and their eggs, other than eiders, will be closed in the Northern Unit from June 27 through July 26, 2022. The fixed annual 30-day closure dates for eiders and their eggs in the Northern Unit from June 7 through July 6, 2022 remain unchanged. The harvest of all birds and their eggs will be closed in the Eastern Unit from June 27 through July 26, 2022. Changes on closure dates in the Northern and Eastern Units come after consultation with the North Slope Borough (NSB) Department of Wildlife Management, the NSB Fish and Game Management Committee, and field biologists from the Service. The fixed annual 30-day closure dates for the Southern Unit remain unchanged and are posted here.
The purpose and authority for the 30-day in-season closure are established in 50 CFR 92.30 and the details on fixed annual closure dates within the North Slope region are established in 50 CFR 92.32(g).
For more information, please contact Eric Taylor.
