Hunting Regulations in Alaska
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before hunting. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Hunting License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Youth
Big game tags are required in addition to the hunting license. Resident tags: Moose $30, Brown/Grizzly Bear $25, Black Bear $25, Caribou $30, Deer $20. Nonresident tags: Moose $800, Brown Bear $1,000, Caribou $650, Deer $150. State Waterfowl Stamp: $10 (resident/nonresident). Federal Duck Stamp required for waterfowl. HIP registration required for migratory birds. Many premium species (Dall sheep, muskox, bison) require drawing permits.
🦌 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitka Black-tailed Deer | August 1, 2025 (archery); September 1, 2025 (general — varies by unit) – December 31, 2025 (varies by unit) | 4 deer per day (varies by Game Management Unit) | Antlered bucks only in some units; either sex in others | Seasons and bag limits vary significantly by Game Management Unit (GMU). GMUs 2, 3, and 4 (Southeast Alaska and Kodiak) have distinct regulations. A deer tag ($20 resident, $150 nonresident) is required. Check unit-specific regulations carefully. |
| Moose | September 5, 2025 (varies by GMU) – September 30, 2025 (varies; some units open into November) | 1 bull per year in most units | Antler restrictions vary by unit — many require 50-inch spread or 3+ brow tines on at least one side | Tag required ($30 resident, $800 nonresident). Many units are draw-only or have registration permit hunts. Check GMU-specific regulations. Mandatory harvest reporting within 5 days. |
| Caribou | August 1, 2025 (varies by herd/GMU) – May 15, 2026 (varies by unit/herd) | 1-5 per year depending on GMU and herd quota | Varies by unit — some require antlered bulls only, others either sex | Tag required ($30 resident, $650 nonresident). Some herds are draw-only due to population management. The Western Arctic Caribou Herd is among the largest in the world. Registration permits required for some units. |
| Brown / Grizzly Bear | October 15, 2025 (fall; varies by GMU) – November 30, 2025 (fall); spring seasons in some units | 1 per regulatory year | None (skull size reporting required for grizzly) | Tag required ($25 resident, $1,000 nonresident). Many units require drawing permit or are guide-required for nonresidents. 4-year waiting period between brown/grizzly bear harvests for most units. |
| Dall Sheep | August 10, 2025 – September 20, 2025 (varies by GMU) | 1 ram per season | Full-curl horns or both horns broken (varies by unit) | Drawing permits required in most units. Nonresidents must use a licensed guide. Tag: $100 resident, $850 nonresident. One of the most sought-after North American big game hunts. Some units are open registration, others require draws. |
| Black Bear | September 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (varies by unit) | 3 per year (varies by unit) | None | Tag: $25 resident, $275 nonresident. Many units allow spring and fall seasons. Baiting permitted in some areas — check GMU regulations. |
| Waterfowl / Duck | September 6, 2025 – January 2026 (federal framework) | 6 ducks per day (species-specific limits) | None | State Waterfowl Stamp ($10) and Federal Duck Stamp required. HIP registration mandatory. Emperor Goose: limited season in coastal western Alaska. |
| Ptarmigan (Upland Game Birds) | August 10, 2025 – March 31, 2026 | 20 per day (willow/rock ptarmigan combined) | None | Ptarmigan hunting is open across most of Alaska. White-tailed ptarmigan: 10/day in some units. Spruce grouse and sharp-tailed grouse also available with varying limits. |
Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game (adfg.alaska.gov). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Hunting in Alaska
Alaska is the ultimate frontier for big game hunters, offering species and landscapes found nowhere else in North America. From the rain-soaked archipelagos of Southeast Alaska where Sitka black-tailed deer roam dense spruce forests, to the vast Interior tundra where massive bull moose inhabit willow flats, the Last Frontier demands physical preparation and careful study of Game Management Unit regulations. Alaska's 26 GMUs each carry unique season dates, bag limits, and permit requirements, making pre-trip research essential.
For many trophy species — Dall sheep, muskox, bison — Alaska uses drawing permit systems that nonresidents often wait years to obtain. Brown and grizzly bear are bucket-list pursuits, and nonresidents must hire a registered guide for many unit-specific hunts. The caribou herds of the Arctic and Interior offer some of the most spectacular hunting spectacles on earth, while ptarmigan and Sitka deer provide accessible opportunities for hunters new to the state. Alaska's hunting license and tag system is straightforward, but the logistics of remote travel make thorough planning non-negotiable.
Best Times to Hunt in Alaska
🌱 Spring
Spring black bear hunting opens in April-May in many GMUs. Brown bear spring seasons offer excellent stalking in coastal areas. Waterfowl return and king salmon fishing pairs perfectly with spring hunts.
☀️ Summer
Early August brings the opening of Dall sheep season — the premier Alaska trophy hunt. Late summer caribou hunting begins in many Interior units. Scouting and backpack hunting peak in this season.
🍂 Fall
September is the signature Alaska hunting month — moose rut peaks, caribou migrate south, deer season opens, and bears are fattening on salmon. The most intense and rewarding hunting window in the state.
❄️ Winter
Late-season ptarmigan hunting offers action through March. Some moose units have late-season hunts in November-December. Ice fishing for pike and sheefish complements late-winter trips.
🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Alaska
- For Sitka deer on Kodiak Island (GMU 8), focus the first week of October when deer move to lower elevations and weather windows allow coastal access.
- The Kenai Peninsula (GMU 15) offers excellent moose hunting in Unit 15A — study aerial survey data published by ADFG each spring to identify high-density areas.
- Caribou hunting along the Dalton Highway corridor in GMU 26 is accessible by road — hunters can drive the haul road and pack out caribou efficiently without aircraft.
- Ptarmigan populations on the Alaska Range foothills peak in late October — combine a caribou or moose hunt with ptarmigan upland hunting to maximize your license investment.
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
🗺️ Nearby States (West)
Also available: Fishing Regulations in Alaska — season dates, bag limits, size limits, and license info.