Living Off the Land: Subsistence Traditions

In this wild country, the practice of drawing food from the land stretches back centuries and continues today.

Subsistence uses are open to qualified local rural residents. One requirement for subsistence fishing is living in Alaska for at least twelve consecutive months with intent to remain indefinitely. Another is having a primary permanent home in a resident zone community or living within the park, and other eligibility routes may also apply. Communities on the resident zone list include Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Glennallen, Kenny Lake, McCarthy, Slana, and Tok. For trip planning in the Copper River Valley, check local chamber of commerce sites.

Qualifying residents can fish for subsistence in park areas where that use is allowed. Permitted methods include nets, seines, traps, and spears, and where federal rules allow, native species can serve as bait. The Copper River has its headwaters inside the park, at Copper Glacier, and flows along the park's western edge.

Residents who meet the requirements may hunt for food in both the park and the preserve, while sport hunting is limited to the preserve. In 1980, Congress created the park and preserve and spelled out which kinds of hunting and trapping each type of land would permit. Keeping subsistence use available was one of the reasons it gave for setting the area aside. The wildlife here includes Dall sheep, caribou, mountain goats, wolves, and black and brown bears, and moose often turn up near willow bogs and lakes.

Off-road vehicles are limited to designated areas. Subsistence harvesters working under federal regulations may face a separate set of off-road vehicle rules. Permits are strongly recommended for subsistence trips by off-road vehicle, and they can be requested in person at the Slana Ranger Station on Nabesna Road or online.