Alaska Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Alaska hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Alaska Hunting Seasons
Moose
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Sep 20 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 20 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Season dates and antler restrictions vary significantly by Game Management Unit. Some units require drawing permits. Bull-only in most units with 50-inch or 4 brow tine restrictions.
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Nov 15 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Limited to Afognak and Raspberry Islands and select areas. Drawing permit required. Small but huntable population.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Jun 30 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per regulatory year
Both black bears and brown/grizzly bears. Brown bear tags required for non-residents. Season dates vary widely by GMU. Guide required for non-resident brown bear hunts.
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Aug 1 | Dec 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2-5 depending on unit
Sitka blacktail deer predominant in Southeast Alaska and Kodiak. Liberal bag limits. Dates vary by GMU. Excellent public land access.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Sep 1 | Dec 16 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 7, season: No season limit
Federal duck stamp required. Alaska is a major breeding ground for waterfowl. Liberal bag limits. Dates vary by zone.
Caribou
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Aug 1 | Sep 30 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1-5 depending on herd
Multiple herds. Some OTC, some draw.
Mountain Goat
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 15 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime
Once-in-a-lifetime draw. Extremely limited tags.
Dall Sheep
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Aug 10 | Sep 20 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 full-curl ram per year
Full-curl ram requirement. Remote backcountry.
Musk Ox
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter | Aug 1 | Mar 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per draw
Extremely limited tags. Draw required.
Bison
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 1 | Mar 31 |
Typical season windows, not 2026 dates — this table carries no year and has not been verified against the agency for the current season. Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you plan around them.
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per draw
Delta Junction herd. Extremely limited draw.
Planning Tools
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
