With its abundance of wildlife, Alaska offers a wide variety of hunting seasons throughout the year; you’ll want to know the best times to go hunting in this beautiful state. This post will discuss Alaska’s many hunting seasons, including the animals you may pursue when you can pursue them and any restrictions you should be aware of. Read on to find out more!
Alaska Hunting Seasons 2023-2024
Content Highlights
Alaska is a hunter’s paradise since it is home to various huge game animals. To guarantee a successful hunt, it is essential to concentrate on one target species while organizing a multi-species excursion. Finding a premier hunting area with outstanding prospects for several species might be difficult. Therefore, it is crucial to extensively study the local flora before starting any hunting endeavors.
Here are the most recent Alaska hunting dates and the season’s schedule for 2023–2024. However, reviewing the Alaska hunting digest for more details and making well-informed preparations while out in the wild is highly recommended.
AK Deer Seasons 2023-2024
The Sitka blacktail deer, found exclusively in Southeast Alaska and the islands of Prince William Sound, is the only native deer species in Alaska. It is also present on the Kodiak and Agognak Islands.
Unit
Deer Species
Open Season
Bag Limit
1C, 1D
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
2
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female. Antlerless deer may be taken only during seasons and under conditions set by the Board
3
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
4
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
5
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
6C, 6D
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
8
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however no more than 1 may be a female
11
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Sept 20, Nov 20 - Dec 15
1 deer per day, 3 per season
13D
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Sept 20, Nov 20 - Dec 15
1 deer per day, 3 per season
14A, 14B
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 10 - Nov 30
4 deer, however only 2 may be antlered. No more than 1 antlered deer may be taken from Aug 10-17
14C
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 10 - Nov 30
4 deer, however only 2 may be antlered. No more than 1 antlered deer may be taken from Aug 10-17
15-17, 20, 22, 23, 25A
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer, however only 1 may be antlered
18, 19, 21, 24, 25B-E
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Aug 1 - Dec 31
4 deer
20E
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Sept 1 - Nov 27
1 antlered bull by bow and arrow only
26A
Mule Deer or White-tailed Deer
Sept 1 - Nov 27
1 antlered bull by bow and arrow only
Bag Limits
Units
Locations
Bag Limits
1A
Cleveland Peninsula south of the divide between Yes Bay and Santa Anna Inlet
4 Buck
1B
2 Buck
1C
Douglas, Lincoln, Shelter, and Sullivan Island
4 Deer
1C
The remainder of Unit 1C
2 Buck
1D
0
2
Prince of Wales Island
4 Buck
3
Mitkof Island, Petersburg Management Area (Bow & arrow only)
2 Buck
3
Remainder of Mitkof Island, Wojewodski, Butterworth Islands
1 Buck
3
Remainder of Unit 3
2 Buck
4
Chichagof Island east of Port Frederick and north of Tenakee Inlet
3 Deer
4
Remainder of Unit 4
4 Deer
5A
Yakutat
1 Buck
5B
0
6
North Gulf Coast and Prince William Sound (Residents only)
5 Deer
6
Separate listing for non-residents
4 Deer
8
Kodiak Island north of a line from the head of Settlers Cove to Crescent Lake
1 Buck
8
Kodiak Island north of a line from the head of Settlers Cove to Crescent Lake (Bow and arrow, crossbow or Muzzleloader only)
1 Deer
8
(Youth hunt)
1 Deer
8
Remainder of Unit 8
3 Deer
Alaska Caribou hunts
Caribou are migratory animals that may be pursued as a game in specific areas of Alaska. Male caribou are distinguishable from females by the presence of a penile sheath and their antlers. Caribou hunting is both difficult and lucrative; therefore, hunters must have a firm grasp of the habits and habitats of their prey. To learn more about caribou hunting, there are several online resources available.
Units 8, 10, 17, 19, 21-22, 24, 25A, 25B, 25D, and 26B within the DHCMA and Prudhoe Bay Closed Area
10-Aug
30-Apr
Twenty per day, forty in possession
Ptarmigan
Unit 9
10-Aug
Feb-29
Ten per day, twenty in possession
Ptarmigan
Units 12, 20, 25C
10-Aug
Feb-29
Twenty per day, forty in possession
Ptarmigan
Units 12, 20, 25C
1-Mar
30-Apr
Five per day, ten in possession
Ptarmigan
Unit 18
10-Aug
15-May
Fifteen per day, thirty in possession
Ptarmigan
Units 23 and 26 (excl. 26B)
10-Aug
15-Jun
Fifty per day, one hundred in possession
Grouse Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Grouse
6-Jan
1-Aug
15-May
Five per day, ten in possession
Grouse
7, 15
10-Aug
31-Mar
Ten per day, twenty in possession; of which not more than one per day and two in possession may be ruffed grouse
Grouse
8, 10
No open season
No open season
No open season
Grouse
9, 17–19, 21–24, 26
10-Aug
30-Apr
Fifteen per day, thirty in possession
Grouse
11-12, remainder of 20, 25
10-Aug
31-Mar
Fifteen per day, thirty in possession
Grouse
13, 14A, 14B, 16
10-Aug
31-Mar
Fifteen per day, thirty in possession of which not more than two per day and four in possession may be ruffed grouse
Grouse
14C
1-Sep
31-Mar
Five per day, ten in possession, of which not more than two per day and four in possession may be ruffed grouse
Grouse
Unit 20D (portion west of Johnson River and south of Tanana River)
25-Aug
31-Mar
Five per day, fifteen in possession, provided that not more than ten in possession may be either ruffed or sharp-tailed grouse
Grouse
Falconry only
10-Aug
24-Aug
Ten per day, ten in possession, provided that not more than two per day and two in possession may be sharp-tailed grouse
Snowy Owl Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Snowy Owl
17, 18, 22, 23, and 26
1-Sep
1-Apr
Residents: No limit; however, a bird may be taken only if used for food or clothing, and no bird or part of a bird may be sold or offered for sale
Snowy Owl
Nonresidents
No open season
No open season
Nonresidents: No open season
Porcupine Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Porcupine
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Shrew and Mouse Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Shrew and Mouse Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Furbearer Season
Beaver Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Beaver
1-8, 10-15, 17, 19-20, 21B, 21C, 21D, 24-26
No open season
No open season
No limit
Beaver
16
10-Aug
31-May
No limit
Beaver
9, 18, 22, 23
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Beaver
21A, 21E
1-Sep
10-Jun
No limit
Coyote Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Coyote
1-5, 18, 22
1-Sep
30-Apr
Two coyotes
Coyote
6-7, 9-17, 19-21, 23-26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Fox Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Arctic Fox
8
1-Sep
15-Feb
Two foxes
Arctic Fox
9, 17-18, 22-23, 26
1-Sep
30-Apr
Two foxes
Arctic Fox
10
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Arctic Fox
24, 25
1-Sep
15-Mar
Two foxes
Red Fox
1–7, 15
No open season
No open season
No limit
Red Fox
8–10, 14, 16-17
1-Sep
15-Feb
Two foxes
Red Fox
11-13, 18–26
1-Sep
15-Mar
Ten foxes, but no more than 2 foxes may be taken before Oct 1
Squirrel Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Squirrel
1–26
No limit
No closed season
No limit
Lynx Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Lynx
1–5, 10
No open season
No open season
No limit
Lynx
7, 15
1-Jan
15-Feb
Two lynx
Lynx
6, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17
10-Nov
28-Feb
Two lynx
Lynx
20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20F, 25C
1-Dec
31-Jan
Two lynx
Lynx
12, 20E
1-Nov
15-Mar
Two lynx
Lynx
18
10-Nov
31-Mar
Two lynx
Lynx
19, 21, 24, remainder of 25
1-Nov
28-Feb
Two lynx
Lynx
22, 23, 26
1-Nov
15-Apr
Two lynx
Deleterious Exotic Wildlife
Belgian Hare Season
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Belgian Hare
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
English Sparrow Season
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
English Sparrow Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Eurasian Collared Dove Season
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Eurasian Collared Dove Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Muridae Rodent Season (gerbil, rat, true mice and their relatives)
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Muridae Rodent Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Raccoon Season
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Raccoon Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Rockdove Season (pigeon)
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Rockdove Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Starling Season
Species
Unit and bag limit
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Starling Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Feral Non-Native Game Birds
Chukar Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Chukar Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Partridge Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Partridge Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Pheasant Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Pheasant Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Quail Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Quail Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Turkey Season
Species
Units
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Bag Limits
Wild Turkey Season
1–26
No closed season
No closed season
No limit
Alaska Hunting regulations
AK Hunting Regulations
Non-residents need a big game tag and a free harvest ticket to hunt. Any number of hunters may engage in a regular season’s hunt; thus, they must obtain licenses and harvest tickets. Businesses may need more free harvest tickets in rural or high-demand locations. Before leaving your residence in a crowded region, acquire your license, game tags, and harvest tickets.
Managers may issue registration permits in places with a large concentration of hunters or a high risk of overharvesting. Hunters will need permission to hunt in the area. When the management has found as many animals as possible, they will finish the registration search. Before hunting, consult a local biologist about conditions and authorization.
When animal populations are low, or hunter numbers are high, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game may grant drawing permits. Drawing Permit Hunt Supplements are available online, at ADF&G offices, and via local license vendors in October. Between November 1 and December 15, hunters may apply for drawing permits. Results will be released in February. Local and out-of-town hunters may find drawing hunts in the Supplement. Per species, up to three (3) hunt applications may be submitted, with moose permitting up to six (6). Each hunt has a fee.
The animal population has historically been a substantial source of human food. Locals may apply for a Tier I or Tier II subsistence permit where there isn’t enough game for a general season. The Tier I & II Supplement outlines the species, application deadlines, hunt dates, Game Management Unit (GMU), and hunting requirements for these hunts. Cultural and subsistence harvesting permits give specifics.
Due to federal and state rules differences, hunting on some federal public lands is restricted. The present Alaska Hunting Regulations include public and private hunting in the state. Certain federal public lands may have harsher requirements than state resources. Alaska’s Public Lands Information Centers may give hunting regulations.
You may read a list of hunting regulations on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
Alaska Hunting Licenses, Tags & Permits
Obtaining hunting, trapping, fishing, fishing for personal use, commercial fishing, or guiding sporting or hunting expeditions in Alaska requires a valid license. Everybody from locals to visitors to service personnel to disabled veterans to retirees over 60 may apply for a license. The majority of licenses, as well as stamps for king salmon and Alaska duck, are now available online.
Types of Licenses in Alaska
License Type
Availability
Features
Available On
Digital/Printed
ADF&G offices, most license retailers, online
Available in PDF format; can be printed, electronically signed, or digitally stored on a phone
When does the Alaska hunting season for 2023-2024 begin and end?
The Alaska hunting season for 2023-2024 runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. However, each species and game management unit (GMU) has different start and end dates. This chronology includes hunting seasons for black bear, brown bear, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, mountain goat, wolf, wolverine, musk ox, Sitka blacktail deer, and white-tailed deer. Hunters should consult the Alaska Hunting Regulations 2023-2024 pdf page for exact dates to guarantee compliance and a successful and ethical hunt.
How to report a harvest in Alaska?
When hunting in Alaska, hunters must promptly fill out a harvest report so that wildlife management can keep harvest levels low. If you don’t report, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers may give you a penalty, and you won’t be able to apply for a permit the following year.
How long is a hunting license valid in Alaska?
Alaska permits are valid from the date of purchase through December 31. This covers hunting, trapping, fishing, personal usage, commercial fishing, and guiding. Trapping and non-resident temporary fishing licenses are exceptions. Trapping permits are valid from January to December (September 30). Non-residents may buy 1-, 3-, 7-, or 14-day fishing licenses. Certain licenses may be obtained for less than a year.
Can non-residents hunt in Alaska?
Yes, non-residents may hunt in Alaska. They must follow specific rules. Hunting brown/grizzly bear, bison, caribou, Dall sheep, deer, elk, muskox, wolf, and wolverine requires an Alaska-licensed guide. Non-residents must get a license and pay a charge to hunt in Alaska, which varies by species. Non-resident hunters must read the Alaska Hunting Regulations 2023-2024 to comply and have a successful hunt.
Is lead shot banned for bird hunting in certain Alaska hunting areas?
Yes, lead shot is banned for bird shooting in some Alaskan locations during hunting season. Units 18, 26, and 14C have specific area limits and comprise sections of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Chugach National Forest, and Chickaloon State Game Refuge. These hunters must use steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron, tungsten polymer, tungsten matrix, or tin shot instead of lead to protect animals and humans. The non-lead shot protects animals, the environment, and human health, even in locations where lead shot is legal.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
