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).

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