First Alaska mule deer harvest follows years of fleeting appearances in the state

By: Yereth Rosen

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: June 2, 2026

Words: 1,043

Last Updated: 1 month, 1 week ago

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When Westin Nelson of Skagway became the first Alaska hunter on record to harvest a mule deer, he may have been doing the state a favor.

Mule deer, better known as inhabitants of the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions, have been expanding their range northward, including into Alaska. As they do so, they are expanding the risks of parasites and some contagious diseases.

The most concerning issue is the winter tick, or Dermacentor …

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