Customary and Traditional Muskoxen Hunt

Muskoxen group

NPS Photo

Federal Muskox (Umiŋmak) Hunt (Aŋunialguług)

The National Park Service issues federal permits for two muskox subsistence hunts.

Muskoxen are an important subsistence species. Beyond providing a large amount of quality meat, the qiviut (undercoat) is used to make warm hats, scarves, and other clothing. Qiviut is considered the warmest fiber, softer than cashmere and warmer than wool. Qiviut can be obtained through the harvesting of a muskox or by gathering it in the tundra after shedding.

This year there is two bull permits in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. The season runs from Aug 1-March 15. There are a total of three federal permits issued at this time.The other permit is for a bull in Noatak. For state permits please contact the Kotzebue ADFG office.

Each year residents of specific communities with customary and traditional use of muskox in the parklands can apply for a permit. To do so:

• Deadline for 2024 is July 10th at 5pm.
• Provide: name, phone number, permanent address
• Call 907-3890\
• e-mail us

Permits are awarded through a random drawing. Drawing in 2024 will be July 17. Permits will be issued to the selectee once proof of being a federally qualified subsistence user (State hunting license and proof of residence) are presented to NPS staff.

 

Communities eligible for the FX2303 (Cape Krusenstern) Subsistence Hunt

 

NPS Image

 

Full time residents of the following communities have customary and traditional use determinations

• Kivalina
• Noatak
• Kotzebue
• Noorvik
• Selawik
• Kiana
• Ambler
• Kobuk
• Shungnak

 

Qiviut (wool) in the tundra.

NPS Photo

Please note: Residents of Buckland and Deering have Customary and Traditional Use determinations for the Seward Pen/Bering Land Bridge Muskoxen hunt. Please contact the Bering Land Bridge office at: 907-443-2522.


More information on the federal muskoxen hunt can be found in the Federal Subsistence: Management Regulations for the Harvest of Wildlife on Federal Public Lands in Alaska books which can be picked up at the Heritage Center in Kotzebue.