Unit 22E

Cape Prince of Wales marks the western extreme and serves as a natural orientation point. Cape Espenberg and Cape Lowenstern define other coastal features. The York Mountains provide inland reference points; Kougarok Mountain, Big Potato Mountain, and Devil Mountain are recognizable landmarks for navigation and glassing.

Devil Mountain Lakes and Killeak Lakes offer freshwater orientation. Major lagoons—Arctic, Lopp, Shishmaref, Ikpek, and Cowpack Inlet—are critical for travel and navigation. Named creeks including Philadelphia, Prince of Wales, Nuluk River, and Sanaguich River drain the interior.

Tin City Air Force Station ruins and various settlements anchor known positions across the tundra.

The unit is overwhelmingly low and open—mostly tundra plains below a few hundred feet elevation, with scattered uplands rising to modest peaks like Potato Mountain and Devil Mountain. The York Mountains form the highest terrain inland, reaching just under 2,900 feet but still barren and tundra-covered. Vegetation is exclusively treeless: sedge meadows, dwarf shrub tundra, and coastal marsh.

The marine influence shapes everything—cold water, fog, and wind drive the environment. Habitat transitions from coastal salt marsh and lagoon systems to interior tundra as you move inland; no forests offer shelter anywhere in the unit.

Road access is virtually nonexistent; only 25 miles of rough track exist in the entire unit, mostly around settlements. This is air-access and water-access country. Hunters typically stage from Kotzebue, fly to a landing strip or coastal settlement, then travel by foot, boat, or ATV on established tundra routes.

The lack of roads means low overall pressure but also means only prepared, self-sufficient hunters can effectively hunt here. Summer access can be difficult due to water and swampy terrain; fall and winter offer firmer ground but colder conditions. The remoteness and logistics barrier keep most hunters out entirely.

Unit 22E occupies the western extremity of Alaska's Seward Peninsula, extending from Kotzebue Sound southeastward across open tundra and coastal lowlands. The unit encompasses vast expanses of treeless plains punctuated by scattered low mountains, capped by the York Mountains inland. Small settlements—Shishmaref, Diomede, Wales, and Espenberg—dot the coastline and lagoon systems.

The Arctic Lagoon, Shishmaref Inlet, and Kotzebue Sound define much of the western and southern boundaries. Little Diomede Island sits in the Bering Strait itself. This is remote, roadless country that demands respect and self-sufficient travel methods.

Water is everywhere—this is one of Alaska's most water-rich units. Kotzebue Sound and the Bering Strait dominate the west. Multiple lagoon systems (Arctic, Lopp, Shishmaref, Ikpek, Cowpack) create brackish marine habitat and critical travel corridors.

Interior drainage flows through the Nuluk River system, Philadelphia Creek, Prince of Wales Creek, Sanaguich River, and numerous smaller streams. Devil Mountain Lakes and Killeak Lakes offer freshwater. Seasonal flooding is significant inland; tundra wetlands can be impassable.

The abundance of water is both an asset—wildlife concentrates here—and a challenge for movement, especially during breakup and freeze cycles.

Unit 22E offers moose, caribou, musk oxen, bears, and sheep across different terrain zones. Coastal and lagoon country holds waterfowl and marine mammals but is primarily accessed by boat. Interior tundra supports caribou herds and moose in drainage valleys; the Nuluk River system is productive.

The York Mountains and upland areas hold Dall sheep, mountain goats, and bears. Early season hunting (July-August) can see wet conditions and swamp; fall (September-October) offers firmer ground and animal movements. Spring hunts focus on coastal areas and lower elevations.

Success requires understanding seasonal migrations, patience with weather delays, and expertise in backcountry navigation without trail systems.