| War and caribou Caribou and reindeer were
introduced to several of the Alaska Maritime Refuge islands during World War II
and the Cold War to provide emergency food for military serving at isolated outposts. Example
of uncontrolled growth On the wilderness island of St. Matthew, far
out in the Bering Sea, the last WWII servicemen left within two years after the
reindeer arrived. Without human or animal predators, the herd grew so quickly
and so large that it ate itself out of food (slow-growing lichens). The majority
of the herd died during the winter of 1963-64. The last reindeer died by 1983. Hunting
Possibilities Cape Thompson and Adak and Unimak islands have caribou
herds. Adak's caribou are introduced while Unimak's herd is native to the island.
Caribou on Cape Thompson are part of the western arctic caribou herd which roams
over a broad area including the refuge land. Introduced reindeer on the Pribilof
Islands are owned by the Native Corporations. Hunting can be arranged by acquiring
permits through the Tribal Ecosystem Offices on St. Paul and St. George. Further
information FAQs
- Hunting caribou on Adak Island, Alaska (central Aleutians). Hunting
caribou on Unimak Island, Alaska (tip of Alaska Peninsula). Visitor
services |