Study Area: Southern Alaska Peninsula Caribou Herd

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The range of the Southern Alaska Peninsula Caribou Herd (SAPCH) includes unimak Island and extends northward to Port Moller Bay. Historically, the size of caribou populations on the Peninsula have fluctuated widely. The SAPCH's population highs occurred prior to the turn of the century and again in the late 1920's. The most recent population lows occurred in the late 1940's or early 1950's, with an estimated 500 animals on the mainland and 500 animals on Unimak Island. In 1976 there were an estimated 4,000 animals on the mainland portion and 5,000 animals on Unimak Island. Since then the relative distribution of herd changed; i.e., in 1983 an estimated population of 10,200 animals on the mainland and 300 animals on Unimak Island. A census in October 1987 resulted in a population estimate of 6,400 caribou on the mainland (Table 1). The SAPCH had a harvest high of approximately 900-1,100 animals in 1983. With more restrictive hunting regulations a harvest low of 130-180 caribou occurred in 1987 (Table 2). Range conditions are believed to be stressed for the mainland portion of the herd.