The most likely area of trouble could be with the quota for some species, especially snow sheep. While hunters going after Yakutia snow sheep should have no problems getting a permit, it was uncertain at press time how many permits would be issued for Kamchatka and Koriak sheep and how those permits would be divided among outfitters. The general feeling when we spoke with FORT, the newly formed hunting association, was that major outfitters would do OK. On the other hand, moose permits for Kamchatka and Koriak were still a mystery, as the results of recent surveys remained unavailable.
As for the fall bear season, at press time, operators were not concerned at all about getting permits. Seems the demand for fall bear hunts is far below that for the spring hunt, and while the allocations to outfitters were still in question, most expected to have no problem getting enough permits to cover their clients this fall.
That leaves the possible problem of air service. At press time, it seems, rumors were swirling about Magadan Air declaring bankruptcy and discontinuing all service. We checked with Magadan's office in Anchorage, however, and were told that the airline is not in bankruptcy and is proceeding with plans to fly from Anchorage to Petropavlosk this summer from June 30 to September 15. After that, the service will be stopped due to lack of customer demand.
That cheerful word may not be accurate, we........(continued)
