Quick Tips
- Plan your transportation and lodging options around the season and species you will be hunting
- Rain gear is a necessity
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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This unit is located in southern Alaska and is largely made up of the Copper River Delta. This unit is mostly remote with no established villages or communities. Hunters in this area will generally opt to be flown into the unit or will utilize rented boats and skiffs. Additionally, hunters can rent vehicles from outside the unit boundaries and drive into portions of the hunting area. Like most of the units along the Gulf of Alaska this area has experienced heavy glacial scarring historically which has produced large marshy flats that are heavily vegetated, widespread river bottoms, and small isolated mountain ranges. As you move inward, the terrain will quickly changes as steep and rugged ridgelines rise off the valley floor and climb into impressive peaks. Great hunting opportunities can be found here but the vast remoteness and lack of transportation options may send hunters into adjoining units.
Good hunting opportunities can be found here but careful planning will need to be in the logistics of securing access to the unit.
isolated mountain ranges. The eastern end of the unit sees a far greater exaggeration in terrain as incredibly steep ridge lines rise thousands of feet of valley floors and top out in rocky peaks. Most of the extreme elevation areas are comprised largely of glacial areas and will mostly be void of wildlife. Treeline is this area is fairly typical for the greater region at about 1,000-1,200 feet. Drainages are marked by large avalanche chutes in the more steep ranges and these can be great areas to locate game.
Along the coastline large tidal flats will extend out from the tree cover and will be abundant in nutrient-rich grasses and sedges. In the lower elevations just off the coastline, hunters will commonly find ancient stands of cedar, hemlock, and Sitka Spruce growing among patches of alder, devils club, and other thick ground cover. The majority of the low and mid elevation area is comprised of a large and flat expanse of marshes, streams, river channels, and muskegs. This area can provide some relief from the dense vegetation but can be a chore to navigate. In some of the higher elevations, the tree and ground cover will greatly reduce as smaller tree species such as Mountain Hemlock grows in abundance. In these areas, native grasses and wildflowers will also grow in high quantities. The highest elevation areas will be largely comprised of rock faces, cliffs, and scree patches.
Accessing most of the unit will be done via bush plane but hunters can find good hunting at times along the shorelines where boats can be used. Physically traversing country below treeline can be extremely difficult at times as hunters battle thick vegetation and marshy areas. When traveling longer distances river channels can be used at times but this will be wholly dependant on the target destination. The Copper River Highway out of Cordova does travel to the edge of the unit where the Copper River Delta has consumed any remaining portions of driveable road.
Because there are no villages or establishments available within the unit there are no modern lodging options with the exception of one USFS cabin that can be rented for a modest price and is located just outside of the unit along the Copper River Highway. Depending on the species and season hunted, some hunters may opt to primitive camp in the bush but this area does receive extremely heavy rainfall.
Roughly 1,039 square miles
72% Public land
Elevations range from 0-10,800 feet