Permits

All commercial users or operations conducted on Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge are required by Federal law to obtain a special use permit from the refuge. Commercial operations include the following activities: big game guiding, sport fish guiding, commercial fishing, wildlife photography, sightseeing, and air transporter. To obtain a permit for commercial activity on the refuge, a business must annually submit an application and operational plan to the refuge, and agree to comply with special conditions stipulated on a permit. Some special conditions differ among permit types. Early permit application is encouraged to facilitate timely processing. There is a $100 administrative fee for issuance of the permit and a daily client use fee based on the type of activity in which the commercial user is engaged.

Big Game Guiding - Kodiak Refuge has “sole use” big game hunt guide areas. The refuge is divided into 25 areas and only one guide--selected through a prospectus process--is allowed to provide guided hunt services in each area. A guide may hold up to three areas. The prospectus application is offered once every ten years and the latest offering was 2003. Non resident brown bear and mountian goat hunters must be accompanied in the field by a refuge licensed big game guide permitted to operate in the area.

Sport Fish Guiding - Kodiak Refuge is a fisherman’s paradise. All six species of salmon occur within the refuge. As with other commercial operations, sport fishing guides must have a special use permit. Most areas are open to all fishing guides. However, a prospectus process is used to select guides and manage guided use on portions of four river drainages (Ayakulik, Dog Salmon, Little River, and Uganik).

Wildlife Viewing Guides and Air Transporters – In 2003, the refuge granted special use permits to 20 wildlife viewing guides in addition a number of air transporters. The number of these permits are not currently restricted via limited entry or prospectus processes. Viewing guides are required to obtain a special use permit, submit an operations plan, and comply with special conditions stipulated on the permit. Guided viewing is currently restricted seasonally in some refuge areas.

OTHER PERMITS

Trapping permits are required for all trapping on the refuge and may be obtained at the refuge headquarters.

Easement Land Access Permits - the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Settlement fund provided funding to acquire several conservation easements. Easement lands are owned by the Native Corporations but jointly managed by Kodiak Refuge. For Koniag Easement Land (pdf), a free refuge permit is required for all recreational activities within one-half mile of the Karluk River and Karluk Lake shoreline. Unguided visitors are required to obtain a permit from the refuge by contacting the headquarters office at our toll-free number (888)-408-3514. If you have your 2007 permit in hand, be assured that your place is reserved even though you cannot view it at this website.

To access Akhiok-Kaguyak Easement Land, a permit must be purchased from Akhiok-Kaguyak Native Corporation (907) 258-0604. In 2007, it is likely that permits will only be available for purchase in Akhiok. For further information, contact the Kaguyak Tribal Council at (907) 836-2231.

Last updated: September 29, 2008