Customary and Traditional Muskoxen Hunt

Muskox at Anigaaq Ranger Station

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 are five permits for one bull muskox in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. The season runs from Aug 1, 2026-March 15, 2027. There are a total of eight federal permits issued at this time.The other permits are for a bull in Noatak. For state Tier II 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 2026 is July 15th at 5pm AK time.
• Provide: name, phone number, permanent address
• Call 907-3890
• e-mail us

Permits are awarded through a random drawing. Drawing in 2026 will be the the following week. Permits will be issued to the selectee once proof of being a federally qualified subsistence user (State of Alaska hunting license and proof of residence in the communities with customary & traditional use) are presented to NPS staff.

 

Communities eligible for the FX2303 (Cape Krusenstern) Subsistence Hunt

 

FX2303 hunt area and eligible communities

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 hunts 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.

FX2303
Unit 23, Cape Krusenstern National Monument: 1 bull by Federal drawing permit. Only federally qualified subsistence users are eligible for this hunt.