Alaska

Perhaps the most common state, when hunters are describing their dream hunts, is Alaska. The Last Frontier state offers an incredible amount of opportunity for a plethora of species in some of the most remote, rugged, and beautiful country found anywhere in the world. While taking an animal is the end goal of any hunt, hunting Alaska is much more about the adventure and experience of it all. Simply deciding on what species to hunt and which unit to chase them in is the easiest part of the planning stages whereas the logistics of simply reaching the unit or transporting gear can be daunting, to say the least.

Most of Alaska is rural, very rural, and bush planes and floatplanes make up the giant bulk of transportation options. Hunters can be flown into hunting locations, dropped off with pack rafts, hunt road systems, or hunt off horseback- the options are virtually endless. Extreme weather and extreme terrain can be a norm here and hunting here will be much different than nearly everything in the lower 48.

License Costs

Species Costs

Important Dates

Draw Result Dates

Draw System

Alaska uses a very fair system for distributing permits where every applicant, nonresident or resident, has an equal chance. No form of bonus or preference points are used here and the draw system is a true lottery. Unlike most other western states, Alaska does not have nonresident tag quotas and those applicants have the exact same chance of drawing as residents.

Applicants can apply for every species available every year and can submit up to six hunt choices per species. Additionally, all six of a hunter's allowed choices can be put on the same hunt code. A few exclusions do apply to this rule.

Guide-client contracts

Some hunts require that nonresident applicants secure a Guide-client contract prior to applying. In this system, an applicant would contact a guide they would want to hire if successful in the draw, the guide will then apply for the hunter on their behalf. These are specifically called out the application workbooks and hunters need to pay close attention to this.

Nonresident tag allocation

Nonresidents are considered equal to residents in the drawing and there is not a limit on the percentage of tags nonresidents can draw. But, nonresident applicants will want to pay close attention to the regulations of each hunt as some hunts are only available to residents.

Application hunt choices

When applying in Alaska hunters can submit up to 6 applications per species. These 6 applications can be used on 6 different hunts, all on the same hunt, or any combination in between. Putting all 6 choices on one hunt will enter your name 6 times into the random drawing and effectively increase your odds of drawing. Hunters will also need to set a choice order. In the instance that a hunter could potentially draw several hunts from a species category the state will default to your hunt choice order when selecting the permit you will receive.

Party applications

Party sizes are restricted to two hunters. If a party is chosen for a hunt and only one permit is remaining the party will be skipped.

Withdrawing or changing applications

Hunters who wish to change a current application can do so using the online drawing permit hunt application change tool but these changes must be made prior to the application deadline. Hunters may completely withdraw an application but application fees will not be refunded.

Waiting periods

Certain hunts and species will have specific waiting periods and these can vary greatly. It will be very important for hunters to pay attention to the hunting regulations for each unit from year to year to ensure legality.

Leftover licenses

Big game permits left over from the initial drawing will be made available for purchase beginning on the first Friday in March. Hunters are able to obtain undersubscribed permits for the same species of a Drawing permit for the same regulatory year.

Credit cards

Alaska accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards.

Hunting license

In Alaska, all hunters must possess a yearly hunting license before applying for or purchasing permits or locking tags.

Getting a Tag

Residents and nonresidents can procure tags in Alaska through three different avenues- Permit tags, Registration Permits, and General hunts

Permit Hunts- Permit hunts in Alaska are hunts where a limited number of tags will be made available. For these, a hopeful applicant will need to apply for their desired hunt choice

Registration Permits- Registration permits generally do not limit the number of tags that can be sold but seasons are subject to immediate closure by the Department of Fish & Game when quotas have been met or due to other environmental instances. Some Registration permits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

General Hunts- General hunts are available as over-the-counter options for nearly every species and will be the general drawing point for most hunters. These tags can generally be had year after year although some exceptions do exist.

Harvest tickets

Harvest tickets act as your license for most general season hunts in Alaska. Harvest tickets are available for free for licensed vendors and, in many cases, are the only thing required for residents to hunt a multitude of species in many units.

Locking tags

Locking tags are small metal tags that must be attached to animals once killed in Alaska. Nonresidents are required to purchase locking tags for every species they may be hunting but residents only need to purchase locking tags for Brown/Grizzly bears and Muskox.

Locking tags can be used for species of an equal or lesser value but hunters must first possess a harvest ticket for the new species.

Species requiring guides

Nonresidents must use a guide and outfitter service when hunting Dall Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, or Brown/Grizzly Bear. Additionally, some permits available for other species are for guided hunters only. Be sure to check each hunt code you are applying for.

Resident second degree of kindred

One workaround to the necessity of guides for certain species is to be accompanied by an Alaska resident 19 years of age or older who is within the “second degree of kindred”.

By definition, the second degree of kindred would include- a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, brother- or sister-in-law, son- or daughter-in-law, father- or mother-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother, stepson, or stepdaughter (5 AAC 92.990).

Youth hunting

Alaska does offer specific youth hunting opportunities including youth-only seasons and permits. Hunters under age 10 may not have their own big game bag limit, so they may not obtain harvest tickets or permits. They may only take big game on behalf of a licensed hunter at least 18 years of age, and they must be under the direct, immediate supervision of that hunter.

Returning tags

Tags and licenses can be returned on a case-by-case basis. Hunters must submit, in writing, directly to the Juneau Headquarters of Licensing office only requesting the refund along with supporting documentation that the person meets the following requirements.

Hunting Rules

Minimum age to hunt

No minimum age- 10 years and under cannot be issued their own harvest tickets or permits but can hunt on behalf of a licensed hunter 18+ years of age. Nonresidents under the age of 10 must possess a hunting license and locking tag. Residents under the age of 17 do not need a hunting license but will need locking tags for any applicable species.

Hunters orange

Alaska does not require hunters orange for big game hunting

Hunters education

Required for select hunts and youth-only hunts. When required- If born after January 1, 1986, or 18 years or younger.

Bowhunters education

Required of anyone before hunting with archery equipment if born after January 1, 1986. If hunting in an Archery Only season bowhunters education is required regardless of age.

Muzzleloader certification

Required of any hunter wanting to hunt in a “Muzzleloader Only” area or apply for a “Muzzleloader Only” permit.

Weapon restrictions

Bow: Must be 40# or higher when hunting black bear, Dall sheep, caribou, Sitka blacktail deer, wolf, and wolverine. Must be 50# or higher when hunting bison, brown/grizzly bear, elk, moose, mountain goat, and muskox. Arrows must be at least 20" long and at least 300 grains. Broadheads must be fixed, replaceable, and/or mechanical and not barbed. You may not use electronic devices attached to the bow, arrow, or arrowhead with the exception of a non-illuminating camera, lighted nocks, or battery-powered sight lights.

Muzzleloader: Must be a shoulder-mounted long gun of .45 caliber or larger that discharges a single projectile.

Hunting opportunities for military members

Alaska resident National Guard and military Reserves license

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game offers a free annual hunting and fishing license for residents actively serving in:

Nonresident military license

Nonresidents who are members of the U.S. military or U.S. Coast Guard, are on active duty, and are permanently stationed in Alaska are privileged to special licensing prices on annual hunting and fishing licenses.

Alaska resident disabled veteran license

Resident disabled veterans in Alaska are given a complimentary hunting and fishing license. In order to qualify for this, the individual must be certified as 50% disabled or more and must meet the residency requirements of the state. Additionally, applicants must be physically present in the State of Alaska to apply.