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Unit 17A - Bristol Bay

Last Updated: Oct 30, 2019
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Quick Tips

  • Plan your transportation and lodging options around the season and species you will be hunting
  • Bear fences can be a good idea for camps
  • Rain gear is a necessity
  • Waders or hip boots are highly recommended when hunting marshy areas

On The Ground

This large unit is found in southwestern Alaska, along the famed Bristol Bay. Great hunting opportunities, especially for bear, are found here but most of the unit is remote and hunters will need to plan specialized transportation around their hunt. This area is mostly open tundra and is excellent for glassing opportunities. A small set of mountain ranges be found on the northern end of the hunting area. Moose populations are down in this general area and densities are very low; many hunters after large bulls will generally opt for hunting adjoining units. The tundra areas away from rivers tend to be pretty rough in comparison and can make long-distance travel, particularly with meat, very difficult. A good portion of the lands surrounding the town of Togiak is native-owned and otherwise off limits to most hunters.

This area offers good hunting opportunities, but access can be tough. Hunters will need to utilize planes get into most of the areas and a few float hunt options are available.

Terrain

Most of this unit is expansive tundra and muskeg. Large river channels and creek bottoms braid their way throughout the unit and create a diverse terrain type. Small island mountain ranges exist throughout the area and provide great opportunities for long-distance glassing. The areas around creeks, streams, and rivers can see a heavy density of vegetation which can impede travel to some extent, however, these areas can be fairly easy to circumvent. The northern end of the unit sees a higher distribution of mountainous areas. The highest elevations in these areas are commonly comprised largely of grass and rock with mountain lakes dotting the landscape.

  • Roughly 4,698 square miles

  • 66% Public land

  • Elevations range from 0-4,300 feet

The large majority of this unit is comprised of expansive tundra that is heavily laden in berry bushes and small scatterings of timber. Areas around stream and river beds can be heavily vegetated in willow and alder which can be very difficult to navigate through. Higher elevation areas will see a very similar distribution of plants along with patches of native grasses. Most of the highest elevation areas and peaks will see large rock fields and cliff faces.

Due to the location of this unit, access options are primarily limited to a plane, both into the unit and into hunting areas. A few float hunt options can be found throughout the unit but gear will need to be shipped into Togiak and then flown into the hunting area.

Very few options are available for modern lodging here, and with the remoteness of the unit many hunters will be forced into primitive camping options. This area sees a heavy brown bear presence so the use of bear fences around camping locations is highly recommended.

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