Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
Your Guide to the Alaska Hunting Seasons
Have you ever hunted in Alaska? If not, this could be your year to plan a trip for game you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to hunt in the rest of the U.S.
Alaska is the destination for Sitka deer (to mix things up if you're typically a whitetail hunter), brown (or grizzly) bears, mountain goats, moose, and even wolves and wolverines.
Ready to plan a big trip for a big hunt? We’ve got the information you need! We’ve compiled a guide to the Alaska hunting seasons for 2024-2025. This guide will also help you find and mark the best spots to hunt before you even arrive up north.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Alaska?
There's no need to travel to Alaska for a squirrel hunt. You can probably find plenty of squirrels and rabbits in your backyard. However, if you're up for trapping lynx or arctic fox, Alaska is a great place for it.
Instead, go to Alaska for the big game hunting experience that draws hunters to this state. You'll want to target species like the grizzly bear, goats, and even muskox to bring home a trophy and plenty of stories to tell friends and family.
Hunters also hunt Alaska because of the challenging terrain. If you're looking for one of the most challenging experiences in high altitudes, try elk hunting Alaska style!
Where Should I Hunt?
Alaska is known for many mountain ranges, unbelievable summits, and wild, rugged terrain. Half of the challenge of a hunt in this state is making sure you're conditioned and prepared for tough hikes, high altitudes, and extreme temperatures.
Your hunt can take you from coastal communities to tundra and anything in between. So, be sure to plan your gear wisely and talk to local guides before packing your bags. Your late-season deer hunting clothes and gear could come in handy.
As you plan your trip, HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas so you can think ahead to what you'll need before you arrive. Use our maps, layers, and animal movement predictors to e-scout the terrain and the best times to get geared up and out in the wilderness for your hunt.
When Can I Hunt?
Ready to get your license and tags and plan your hunt? Here's the info you need for Alaska hunting seasons this year.
Season dates and Alaska hunting regulations are set up based on hunting Units. So, pay close attention to what you want to hunt and where it is within the state to determine when you can hunt.
The information below is the latest 2024-2025 Alaska season and hunting regulations. As new information becomes available, we'll update it here accordingly. We also always recommend checking the latest season dates and details with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).
| Mountain GoatsUnit 1 (Residents and Non-Residents)
No mountain goat hunting. Units 4 & 5 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 1 – December 31 Unit 6 (Residents and Non-Residents)
August 10 – October 15 or November 1 – 14 Unit 8 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates starting August 20 through January 31. Unit 11 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – November 30 Unit 13 (Residents and Non-Residents)
Various dates starting August 10 through November 14. |
| Brown Bear (Grizzlies)For all Units, check with the ADFG for specifics about the number of bears you can harvest and other details, including season dates based on permit numbers. The limit is usually one bear every four regulatory years with a permit. Unit 1 (Residents and Non-Residents) Depending on where you hunt within this unit, season dates are March 15 – May 31 or September 15 – December 31. Unit 2 No brown bear season. Unit 3 (Residents Only) March 15 – May 31 or September 15 – December 31 Unit 4 (Residents and Non-Residents) Depending on where you hunt within this unit, season dates are March 15 – May 31 or September 15 – December 31. Unit 5 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – May 31 Unit 6 (Residents and Non-Residents)
August 10 – June 30 Unit 8 (Residents and Non-Residents) October 25 – November 30 or April 1 – May 15 Unit 9 (Residents and Non-Residents) Open only in the fall of odd-numbered years (i.e., 2025) and only in the spring of even-numbered years. Unit 10 (Residents and Non-Residents) October 1 – December 31 or May 10 – 31 Unit 11 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 10 – June 30 Unit 12 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 10 – June 30 Unit 13 (Residents and Non-Residents)
Unit 14 (Residents and Non-Residents)
August 10 – June 30 Unit 16 (Residents and Non-Residents)
August 20 – May 31 Unit 18 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – June 30 Unit 19
September 1 – June 15 or August 10 – June 30 Unit 21 (Residents and Non-Residents)
All seasons open on August 1. However, depending on where you hunt in Unit 22, the season ends May 31, June 15, June 30, or October 31. Unit 23
July 25 – June 30 or August 10 – June 30. Unit 25
Be sure to check the federal restrictions before hunting brown bears in this area.
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MooseUnits 1
No moose hunting. Unit 3 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 15 – October 15 Unit 5 (Residents and Non-Residents) Portions of 5A have no open season. The remaining areas of Unit 5 are open September 1 – December 15, October 1 – November 15, or October 15 – November 15. Unit 6 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – November 30, September 1 – October 31, or September 1 – 30, depending on where you hunt in this Unit. Unit 7 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 20 – September 30, August 20 – October 10, or September 1 – 25, depending on where you hunt in this Unit. Unit 9 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates starting September 1 through January 20. Unit 11 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 20 – September 17 or August 20 – September 20. Unit 12 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 24 – 28, August 20 – September 17, September 8 – 17, or September 1 – 30. Unit 13 (Residents and Non-Residents)
August 10 – 19, August 25 – September 25, November 1 – 30, or December 1 – 25, depending on where you hunt in this Unit. Unit 14C (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from August 20 through January 15, depending on where you hunt. Unit 15 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from August 22 through November 30, depending on where you hunt. Unit 16 (Residents and Non-Residents)
Various dates ranging from August 20 through February 28, depending on where you hunt. Unit 18
Various dates ranging from August 10 through February 28, depending on where you hunt. Unit 20 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from August 15 through February 28, depending on where you hunt. Unit 21 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from August 22 through March 15, depending on where you hunt. Unit 22 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from August 1 through March 15, depending on where you hunt. Unit 23 (Residents Only)
Various dates ranging from September 1 through April 15, depending on where you hunt. Unit 25 (Residents and Non-Residents) Various dates ranging from September 1 through February 28, depending on where you hunt. Unit 26 (Residents Only)
| WolfUnit 1 (Residents and Non-Residents)
September 1 – March 31 Units 3, 22 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 1 – May 31 Units 4, 5, 12, 19, 23-25 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 1 – April 30 Units 6, 7, 11, 13-18, 21 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 10 – April 30 Unit 8 No wolf hunting. Unit 9, 10 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 10 – June 30 Unit 20 (Residents and Non-Residents)
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WolverineUnits 1-5, 13 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – February 15 Units 6, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17-25 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – March 31 Units 8 & 10 No wolverine hunting. Units 11, 14, 14C (Residents and Non-Residents) September 1 – January 31 Unit 16 (Residents and Non-Residents)
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| MuskoxUnit 18 (Residents and Non-Residents) Season dates range from August 1 – September 30, January 15 – March 31, or February 1 – March, depending on where you hunt within the Unit. Unit 21
Season date ranges include August 1 – March 15 or January 1 – March 15, depending on where you hunt. Unit 23 (Residents Only) August 1 – March 15. Unit 24 (Residents Only) February 1 – March 15 (24D only). Unit 26 (Residents and Non-Residents) Open season dates vary starting July 1 through March 31. Several Unit 26 areas do not have an open season within Unit 26. |
BisonUnit 19 (Residents and Non-Residents) August 22 - October 10 or March 1 – March 31 (19 C and 19D only). Unit 20 (Residents and Non-Residents) September 28 – March 31 (20D only). | GrouseSeason dates range from August 1 through May 15. However, there are no open season dates for Units 8 and 10. |
For details about fur animals and other small game (including ptarmigan and hare), check the latest trapping and hunting regulations from the ADFG.
What Do I Need to Know About Hunting Licenses and Regulations?
Everyone who hunts in Alaska needs a current hunting license. If you plan to hunt big game, you'll also need the appropriate locking tag and a harvest ticket. Make sure you understand the terminology and how each of these items work together to prepare you for a legal hunt.
Fees for locking tags range from a few hundred dollars to $3,000 for a muskox tag.
You'll also want to review changes in regulations from prior years. From changes in bag limits to adjustments to hunt areas and the lengths of some seasons, some changes can impact how, when, and where you hunt this year.
Alaska also offers a unique hunting opportunity for elderly or disabled hunters who can't get into the field. If you meet the requirements, you can choose another eligible hunter to hunt on your behalf.
What About Draw Hunts?
Draw results will be announced in late February for hunts in 2025 and 2026 for some species in designated areas. You'll need a license and tag to be eligible for draws.
However, not all hunts require a draw tag, so if you missed the deadline for 2025-2026, there are still plenty of game animals and areas to hunt in Alaska that don't require you to win a draw.
What Are the Bag Limits During Hunting Season Alaska?
How many wolves or caribou can you bring home this season? To comply with hunting regulations in Alaska, make sure you know the bag limits for everything you plan to hunt.
In most cases, bag limits apply to a regulatory year (July 1 – June 30).
| Deer | Limits range from 1-4 bucks in some Units or up to 6 total deer in some areas. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Elk | 1 bull or cow on a permit-by-permit basis. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Coyote | 2 coyotes in Units 1-5, 18, and 22. No limit in Units 6-7, 9-17, 19-21, and 23-26. |
| Black Bear | 3 bears in some Units. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Brown Bear | 1 or 2 bears every regulatory year depending on the Unit. |
| Caribou | 1-2 bulls or caribou, depending on the Unit. |
| Mountain Goat | 1 goat in most Units based on permits. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Sheep | 1 ram or 1 ram every four regulatory years, depending on the Unit. |
| Moose | Bag limits vary. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Wolf | Up to 10 wolves in some Units. Check the specifics for each Unit before your hunt. |
| Wolverine | One wolverine in most Units. |
| Muskox | One bull or cow in most Units. Check the specifics for each Unit. |
| Grouse | 5-15 per day, depending on the Unit. |
| Hare | Ranging from 2-5 per day or no limit, depending on the Unit. |
| Ptarmigan | Ranging between 5-20 per day. |
For more details on bag limits, visit the ADFG website.
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
All hunters in Alaska must pass a Basic Hunter Education course before hunting in some specific areas within the state. If you are under the age of 18, you can hunt without a safety certification if you are accompanied by a licensed hunter who is older than 18 and has completed a course.
You'll also need the right gear! From clothing (including layers) to optics and odor control, HuntWise users can save hundreds on gear from our app partners. Make sure you have everything you need in the field to tag out, including a good pair of binoculars, a hunting knife, and a spotting scope for glassing big game.
Do I Need a Guide?
Alaska requires the use of guides for some hunts. Make sure you follow those rules and book a guide if it is required.
Otherwise, a good guide can be invaluable when hunting in Alaska, even if it's not required — but it's up to you!
HuntWise Helps You Bring Home Big Game During Alaska Hunting Seasons
We hope this information helps you plan a hunt-of-a-lifetime in Alaska! There are a lot of details that go into planning a big hunt like this, so we hope the information in this guide helps you have a successful hunt.
Before you head out, make sure you've downloaded the HuntWise app. It provides up-to-date information on hunting in Alaska, including links to the latest state regulations and season and license information.
You'll also be able to plan your hunt more strategically before heading out to your hunt area to gain an advantage over other hunters this year and increase your chances of tagging out. Using our Hunt Area & Custom Markers feature, you can select (or draw) and label your hunt areas on a map. Place hundreds of unique markers to identify animal activity, landmarks, infrastructures, and more.
HuntWise is the best tool for e-scouting public or private hunting land! It's the ideal hunting app for all hunters, whether you're a casual, beginner, or seasoned hunter.
Download the app and start your free trial now, so you're ready to hunt when the season opens!
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