Hunting Seasons in Alaska 2025: Big and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 Alaska hunt with our Last Frontier guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from moose and black and brown bears to caribou and Dall sheep. What Is There to Hunt in Alaska? Imagine glassing a herd of caribou in the Brooks Range, or picking your way through coastal alder for telltale tracks of Sitka black‑tailed deer. Alaska offers premier hunts for moose, caribou, Dall sheep, mountain goat, black and brown bears, and ptarmigan under the same sky. Waterfowlers will find teal and mallards along delta sloughs, while trappers can pursue wolf, wolverine, fox, and beaver nearly year‑round. Even marine mammals are available to qualified subsistence hunters, adding another layer to Alaska’s vast game roster. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Alaska? While most big‑game seasons follow tight windows to protect breeding cycles, furbearers such as wolves, wolverines, and foxes may be pursued any day of the year in many units. This open season approach helps control predator populations and gives trappers additional months to earn on the fur market—or thin numbers where necessary. Always check unit gear restrictions and reporting requirements before setting traps. Alaska Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Moose: Archery mid‑August to late September; rifle early September to early October; draw‑only units require advance application. Caribou: General seasons Aug 1–Sept 30 (unit dependent), with many units offering Tier II limited‑entry hunts. Dall Sheep & Mountain Goat: Aug 10–Dec 31 in select areas; tags via lottery. Black Bear: Spring (May 15–July 1) and fall (Aug 5–Sept 25) seasons. Brown/Grizzly Bear: Spring (Apr 20–May 25) and fall (Aug 20–Sept 30), with additional hunts on Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula by special draw. Between stalking bulls on windswept ridges and glassing for ewes on steep talus, Alaska’s big‑game calendar demands both patience and planning. Alaska Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Ptarmigan & Grouse: Aug 15–Mar 31, perfect for snowshoe hare and willow ptarmigan. Ducks: Sept 20–Nov 27 (north/south splits), daily bag of 7 with species limits. Geese & Swans: Sept 1–Nov 27, bag limits of 5 geese and 1 swan per season. Furbearers: See year‑round section; trapping seasons overlap upland game dates. Never overlook the quiet thrill of a marsh hunt at first light, or the solitary satisfaction of a well‑placed decoy spread. Bag Limits by Species Moose & Caribou: 1 per permit (bull or cow depending on tag). Dall Sheep & Goat: 1 per lifetime for rams; ewe tags by draw. Bears: Up to 2 black bears per season; 1 brown or grizzly per season. Ptarmigan & Grouse: 5 per day, 10 in possession. Ducks & Geese: 7 and 5 per day respectively; 1 swan per season. Predators & Furbearers: No daily limit, but mandatory harvest reporting applies. With these limits in mind, you can harvest responsibly while avoiding fines and closures. License & Tags Information for Alaska Hunters (2025–26) Securing the right ADF&G permits is as crucial as tuning your rifle. You’ll need: General Hunting License (resident or nonresident). Tier I & Tier II Tags for moose, caribou, sheep, and goat. Registration Tags for black and brown bears. Harvest Reporting within 15 days of your kill. Federal Duck Stamp & HIP for migratory‑bird hunting. Subsistence Permits for rural residents pursuing marine mammals. Plan your draw applications early—some tag lotteries fill within minutes of opening. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Whether you draw the long‑bow for treeline hunts or sling a center‑fire rifle downriver, Alaska accommodates every style: Archery: Traditional and compound bows, plus crossbows in designated units. Firearms: Caliber and gauge minimums vary by species; check your unit booklet. Muzzleloaders: Special seasons for rustic pursuit of moose and sheep. Dogs & Bait: Restricted to certain bear hunts—always confirm before packing a bait bag. Few thrills compare to arrow loose under the midnight sun or a slug’s echo across a near‑frozen creek. Regulations & Resources Success in Alaska hinges on more than marksmanship—it demands respect for regulations that keep the Last Frontier wild: Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset (extended for archery in some units). Unit Boundaries & Maps: Essential—carry printed or download offline to GPS. Harvest Reporting: Via online portals or registration stations within 15 days. Special Zones: Chronic Wasting Disease areas, predator control regions, subsistence sections. Alaska’s hunting tapestry weaves together ancient subsistence traditions and modern wildlife management. From iceberg‑flanked bays to spruce‑lined riverbanks, each tag carries a story—one of careful stewardship, thrilling pursuit, and profound respect for nature’s rhythms. Bookmark this guide, secure your permits, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the wildest reaches of America. Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official state wildlife agency website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G): https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildliferegulations.main