New Report Outlines Plan to Restore Sitka Blacktail Deer Habitat in Southeast Alaska

Blacktail Deer Foundation partners with agencies to identify priority areas for habitat restoration and sustainable timber harvest

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Blacktail Deer Foundation has released a comprehensive new report that provides a framework for restoring critical habitat for Sitka black-tailed deer in Southeast Alaska. The report, developed in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other conservation groups, identifies roughly 80,000 acres across 42 watersheds on federal, private, tribal, and state lands where active forest management can improve deer habitat, support sustainable timber harvesting, and strengthen subsistence and sport hunting traditions.

Why it matters

Sitka black-tailed deer are deeply woven into the social and ecological fabric of Southeast Alaska, providing critical subsistence resources for remote communities. However, historical timber harvesting has degraded much of the deer's old-growth forest habitat, leading to declines in local deer populations and hunting opportunities. This report offers a strategic, collaborative approach to restoring deer habitat while also supporting the region's forestry industry and hunting traditions.

The details

The report used GIS mapping and LiDAR remote sensing technology to identify priority areas for habitat restoration, focusing on young-growth forest stands where previous timber harvests have left existing road infrastructure. By strategically thinning these stands, the plan aims to increase understory forage and improve conditions for Sitka blacktails, while also facilitating sustainable timber harvesting. The analysis highlighted 43,000 priority acres on Prince of Wales Island, where deer populations have seen serious declines.

  • The Blacktail Deer Foundation released the report on February 20, 2026.

The players

Blacktail Deer Foundation

A nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and management of blacktail deer populations in the western United States and Canada.

U.S. Forest Service

The federal agency that manages the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, where much of the habitat restoration work will take place.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

The state agency responsible for managing Alaska's wildlife, including Sitka black-tailed deer populations.

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What they’re saying

“Black-tailed deer hunting is ingrained into the social fabric of Southeast Alaska for local Native communities and sport hunters alike. Forestry drives the economic well-being of local residents and provides forest products to markets worldwide.”

— Steve Belinda, Chief Conservation Officer, Blacktail Deer Foundation (aksportingjournal.com)

What’s next

The Blacktail Deer Foundation is now planning its first habitat restoration projects on Prince of Wales Island, where the report identified the largest area of priority acres for treatment.

The takeaway

This report provides a comprehensive, collaborative framework for restoring critical Sitka blacktail deer habitat in Southeast Alaska, balancing the needs of wildlife, local communities, and the forestry industry. By strategically managing young-growth forests, it aims to boost deer populations, support sustainable timber harvesting, and strengthen subsistence and sport hunting traditions in the region.