2026 Sitkalidak Island Tier 2 Bison Hunt Applications Now Open

Aug 18
2 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

The Old Harbor Alliance (OHA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Sitkalidak Island Bison Herd Tier 2 Hunt. This draw hunt provides eligible Old Harbor Alliance members with an opportunity to participate in the responsible harvest and stewardship of the Sitkalidak Island Bison Herd.

Who Is Eligible?

The Tier 2 Hunt is open to Old Harbor Alliance members, including:

Members of the Alutiiq Tribe of Old Harbor
Old Harbor Native Corporation (OHNC) shareholders and descendants
Residents of the City of Old Harbor, defined as individuals who have resided in the community for the past 12 consecutive months

All designated hunters must be at least 13 years old. No exceptions.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Completed applications and a non-refundable $50 drawing entry fee must be received by the Old Harbor Alliance no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026 to be entered into the Tier 2 Bison Hunt drawing.

Each application will consist of two households, with one bison permitted per application.

Funds received through the draw hunt will help offset expenses associated with management of the Sitkalidak Island Bison Herd, including education and outreach efforts and Tier 1 Cultural Hunts.

Hunt Plan and Harvest Requirements

A hunt plan must be completed as part of the process to help ensure hunter safety, coordination in the field, and minimum waste.

Successful applicants will be required to attend a mandatory Hunter Education Course on September 15 and September 21, 2026, and must meet all harvest requirements established under the Old Harbor Alliance Inc. Sitkalidak Island Bison Management Plans.

Bison selected for harvest will be 2–5 years old and may be either sex, based on in-season herd management needs.

The number of Tier 2 hunts available each year will be determined by the Old Harbor Alliance Board based on current herd size and the cow-to-bull ratio.

Hunt Dates

Successful applicants will be assigned staggered hunt dates between:

October 8, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Alternates will have an opportunity to hunt between:

January 1, 2027 – February 28, 2027

Hunt dates will be coordinated and staggered to reduce the potential for human-to-human and human-to-bison conflicts in the field.

Land Access and Hunt Coordination

All hunts must be coordinated with Old Harbor Alliance Inc.

All hunters and packers must follow Old Harbor Settlement Trust (OHST) land use policies and obtain the required land use permit before hunting.

Non-OHNC shareholders and descendants must have an approved OHST land use permit and an OHA escort present at the time of harvest. No exceptions. For land-use permitting, please contact Allison Pestrikoff at apestrikoff@oldharbor.org