Alaska The Hunt of a Lifetime

Alaska is a hunter’s paradise. Its wide-open spaces, varied terrain, and plenty of game make it the perfect place to chase after hares or stalk caribou. Alaska is a land of many hunting opportunities, from the coastal areas on either side of the mainland to its islands and even some parcels in the interior.

You can also find a variety of terrain, from the Alaskan coast with open plains and low hills to the interior that features deep forests, mountains, and expansive tundra. Hunters can even look forward to opportunities to bag trophies from the depths of the coastal waters and mountains, too. In addition, there are many well-established lodges throughout the state that offer complete outfitting packages.

The most popular type of hunting in Alaska is black bear hunting. This is because the black bear densities in Alaska are very high, and hunters can find such big game throughout the state.

The Alaska Peninsula is a run-of-the-mill Sitka blacktail deer habitat that offers some of the best hunting opportunities in the world for this animal. There are thousands of antlerless tags available to hunters each year. The Peninsula also offers one of the last strongholds for Roosevelt Elk in North America. There are many opportunities for mountain goat hunting, both East and West of Anchorage. The West offers the most liberal goat tag quota in Alaska.

Hunters can find many brown bear and moose hunting opportunities east of Anchorage. Climatically, these areas are similar to Washington or British Columbia. Wet and humid with plentiful rainfall that makes for lush vegetation. Because of the distance from Anchorage, both areas offer good chances for caribou hunting.

It is no wonder that the state of Alaska offers some of the best hunting opportunities in North America. The vast terrain and limited human population offer hunters plenty of space to recreate.

Big Game Hunting

Alaska has a hunting culture passed down from generation to generation and is a source of regular income for many people. Big Game animals in Alaska include moose, caribou, Dall sheep, mountain goats, brown/grizzly bears, wolves, etc.

Alaska is also home to a large population of black bears. Both non-residents and residents of Alaska hunt black Bears. However, non-Alaskans can only hunt black bears with the aid of a hunting guide, whereas Alaskan residents may apply for an individual permit to hunt black bears without a guide.

According to the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game, Moose is one of the most popular big game animals in Alaska, and caribou are second in popularity. Despite their population fluctuating from year to year, deer is a significant big game species in Alaska. Brown Bears are known to charge things that they feel threaten them, and therefore hunters must exercise caution when pursuing this animal. Dall sheep are also a famous big game animal in Alaska, and their numbers have declined in recent years due to hunting. Mountain goats are hunted for both their horns and the meat, which is lean and high in protein.

The Alaskan Department of Fish and Game estimates that about 58% of all wolves in Alaska are hunted. Wolves play an important role in regulating prey populations such as caribou and moose, so their numbers need to be kept at a certain level to keep the prey populations from becoming overpopulated, which can cause a decline in caribou and moose numbers. There is also a limited quota of hunting wolves as trophies as there has been a substantial increase in their numbers over recent years.

Big Game Hunting Weapons

For big game hunting, one must have a valid hunting license and tags for the particular animal they hunt. Tags can be purchased from local merchants or the Department of Fish and Game office. A limited number of permits and tags are given out by lottery, and applications must be submitted to get these permits/tags.

There is a separate big game hunting season for each type of animal, and the dates vary from year to year, so hunters must check the current laws before heading out. For certain types of animals, there are also either sex hunts that allow one to take either male or female and antler point restrictions that limit how many points an animal can have.

In Alaska, big game hunting weapons are muzzleloaders, handguns, rifles, shotguns, and archery gear.

Muzzleloading guns can use black powder or modern propellant, while centerfire and rimfire cartridges are permitted for the other types of guns.

Shotguns must be .24 caliber or larger but can have a magazine capacity of no more than six rounds.

Handguns that are not muzzleloaders can either be revolvers or semi-automatic handguns with a barrel length of 4 inches or greater.

Rifles must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches for centerfire cartridges and 18 inches for rimfire cartridges.

Bows used for big game hunting in Alaska must have at least 40 pounds of draw weight, cannot use poison or an explosive tip, and any broadheads must not be less than 7/8 inches wide.

Shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloading guns used for big game hunting in Alaska must use soft-nosed or expanding bullets, and firearms cannot be fully automatic.

Small Game Hunting

After a long winter of grueling cold, most Alaskans look forward to spring as a time for renewal. But only a few know the really good news: Spring is the grouse season!

Many of the nation’s best hunters look forward to Alaska’s blue grouse season as a time to relax with good friends in some of the last great open spaces in North America – places where time stands still for ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, spruce hen, and sooty grouse. That is because the only chance most citizens will get to hunt one of these fantastic game birds is during Alaska’s short season.

Alaska has small game animals like:

Grouse (ruffed, sharp-tailed, spruce, and sooty)

Ptarmigan (willow, rock, and white-tailed)

Hare (snowshoe and Alaska).

Small Game Hunting Weapons

Many hunters use shotguns and rifles for hunting small game in Alaska. Hunting squirrels and similar animals can be done easily with a shotgun or rifle. For an extremely small game such as hares, hunters typically use rimfire rifles such as .22s to ensure no escapees.

Bows and Slingshots: In addition to firearms, many Alaskan hunters opt for bows and slingshots when it comes to hunting smaller animals.

Bows provide added accuracy and allow hunters to remain largely stationary throughout the hunt. Hunters typically take positions in tree stands to present a minimal risk of scarring the game away.

Slingshots are popular due to their ability to be operated almost completely silent, thus not spooking prey before it can be harvested.

Muzzleloader: A muzzleloader is another gun option for hunters using something different from a traditional rifle or shotgun.

Muzzleloaders are similar to rifles but require that the projectile be loaded into the end of the barrel rather than using a cartridge. A muzzleloader works great for small game hunting as well.

Muzzleloaders are guns that use black powder and a separate projectile. Loading a muzzleloader is very much like loading a musket from the 1700s but much easier to do these days with products such as

Quick Load or other types of black powder substitutes.

Rifles are suited for small games, such as shotguns and bolt action and semi automatic rifles.

If you want to use a rifle for a small game in Alaska, the best option would be a .22 caliber short-barrel shotgun or other .22 caliber pellet gun.

Another suitable rifle for small game hunting in Alaska is a .17 caliber high-powered air rifle. These rifles can be powerful enough and accurate enough for hunting small game.

As with any small game, hunting, discretion, and proper knowledge of season regulations are vital to avoid fines, or even criminally liable punishment for bigger offenses.

Native Species

Over three hundred and forty species of native wildlife can be hunted in Alaska. These include:

Black Bear has the broadest range in size of any living bear, with an average weight of 194 kg (427 lbs). Their habitat includes the northern coastal regions, mountain taiga and tundra, boreal forest, rainforest, high desert, and subarctic forest.

The black bear generally does not like to live in open areas. Instead, black bears live in den sites such as caves, under rock outcroppings, and fallen trees. These bears will also use hollow logs, dense brush piles, and small caves.

Brown/grizzly bear is a large, typically brown bear found in the coastal regions of Alaska on Kodiak Island and along the Alaskan Peninsula. This species typically ranges from 120 – 700 kg (265-1,540 lbs).

Caribou is a species of deer found in tundra, boreal forest, and arctic regions across the state, with an average weight of around 110kg (243 lbs).

The Dall sheep with an average weight of about 154kg (339 lbs) can be found on the mountain slopes of Alaska.

Deer Sitka black-tailed deer found southeast of Alaska is a subspecies of mule deer native to the west coast of North America, from central British Columbia through Southeast Alaska.

The moose, is a large deer that can weigh up to 730 kg (1,610 lbs). However, the largest moose on record weighed around 1,190 kg (2,626 lbs). Moose are widespread throughout Alaska.

They prefer large forest openings for feeding and travel corridors between forest stands. Moose are commonly found throughout Southeast Alaska.

The mountain goat typically has a shoulder height of 100 cm (40 in), with the average weight being about 61kg (134 lbs). The mountain goat can be found on coastal mountains and high elevations.

Muskox in Alaska is found in the arctic regions of Alaska. This species has a large head and a thick, muscular neck with an average weight of around 130kg (290 lbs).

Wolves are widespread throughout Alaska; however, densities are higher in the northern coastal regions.

Wolverine is found in the northern coastal regions of Alaska. They are widespread throughout Alaska in the tundra, boreal forest, and mountain taiga habitats.

Grouse is found in south-central Alaska. The ruffed grouse, commonly referred to as the partridge, is a medium-sized bird of the grouse family. Ruffed grouse are widespread throughout Alaska; however, densities are higher in spruce forests across northern coastal regions.

Snowshoe hare is a native species to coastal regions of Alaska. This species may be the only hare adapted to a cold climate with snow cover, though it is found in other northern regions that lack permanent snow.

The weight is between 2 – 3kg (4-6lbs), with an average weight around 3kg (6lbs).

The snowshoe hare can be found in coastal regions of Alaska, such as the coastlines and interior mountains. Their preferred habitats include spruce-fir forests and willow scrublands.

Ptarmigans are widespread throughout Alaska in habitats including tundra, boreal forest, and mountain taiga. A typical adult male weighs around 300g (0.7 lbs) and has a wingspan of about 50cm (20in). The female typically weighs nearly half that amount at 150g (0.3 lbs) with a typical wingspan of 35cm (14in).

Public Lands

Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game manages Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across the state for public hunting.

The primary purpose of these areas is to manage game populations at high levels for human hunters. Currently, 24 WMA locations throughout Alaska represent over 600,000 acres dedicated to this objective.

These WMAs consist of both non-contiguous and contiguous lands.

There are several different designations for WMAs: Private, Limited Entry Public (LEP), Fair Chase, Game Production Areas (GPA), and Controlled Hunt.

There is also the new category called Wilderness Access Program (WAP). Designation as a WMA does not result in any protection for wildlife or habitat on the land. WMAs are managed similar to public lands, emphasizing game harvest – hunting, trapping, and fishing.

This means that hunters can access all WMAs regardless of what types of designations exist. To do this, you must obtain a current guide license that allows access to a specific WMA.

This is one advantage of using a guide service for hunting or fishing – you can enter and hunt in any area, not just those the guide has personal access to.

The Douglas Island Wildlife Management Area is a 5,000-acre island in the Gastineau Channel of Southeast Alaska that protects important habitats for many wildlife species, including bald eagles. Douglas Island Management Area (DOMA) is a 5,000-acre island in the Gastineau Channel of Southeast Alaska. It also supports healthy salmon populations and wetlands, which are food sources for waterfowl and other birds.

The Douglas Island WMA ranges from about sea level to approximately 1,140 feet at its highest point and includes two watersheds: Rocky Bay and Swede Cove.

Target practice is prohibited, and Firearms are allowed only for legal hunting during established seasons with required licenses.

The Anchorage Wildlife Management Area in Alaska is one of the largest WMAs where hunting is still allowed. The AMA is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and has over two million acres (8,000 km²) of public land available for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and hunting. The area also includes Kincaid Park and Flattop Mountain Recreational Area, which offer opportunities for downhill skiing in the winter and mountain biking in the summer.
In addition to Anchorage, the AMA includes Girdwood and Eklutna, Chugach State Park, Kincaid Park, and Flattop Mountain Recreational Area. These areas represent a significant portion of south-central Alaska’s population center.
The Anchorage Wildlife Management area is, as it stands, one of the top hunting destinations in all of Alaska. It has many big game animals, including moose, caribou, black bears, and brown/grizzly bears. In addition, various upland birds can be hunted for sport.

The Petersburg Wildlife Management Area is an Alaskan State Park that the Division of Fish and Wildlife manages as part of the Department of Natural Resources. The WMA covers almost all of Petersburg, Alaska, and over half of Chichagof Island. It features a variety of terrain for hunters to take the game. There are saltwater flats, freshwater marshland, and upland forests and mountains. There are also trails for use by hikers who enjoy the area’s wilderness.

The Petersburg WMA is popular with bird watchers for its population of bald eagles, which are the northernmost in the United States.

The Petersburg WMA is home to many species of Alaska’s boreal forest ecosystem. The most common mammals in the area include red deer, moose, Sitka black-tailed deer, North American beaver, snowshoe hares, muskrats, land otters, red foxes, gray wolves, Canadian lynxes, and wolverines.

The area also has populations of river otters, mink, badgers, grizzly bears, black bears, North American porcupines, mountain goats, Dall sheep.

Birchwood Wildlife Management Area is managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The Birchwood WMA was established in 1959 to provide winter habitat for moose, which are the primary game species. The area is located in the far north-eastern section of the state along the eastern bank of the Tanana River.

Other wildlife species found in the area include black bear, brown or grizzly bear (“grizzly”), Canadian lynx, coyote, Dall sheep, golden eagle, gray wolf, red fox, snowshoe hare, and wolverine. The area has three different seasons where hunting is allowed, depending on the type of animal you are hunting.

The first season for Birchwood WMA is the springtime, when a small game may be taken by air rifle with a rifled barrel, shotgun, falconry, crossbow, and bow and arrow only.

The next is in the summertime when hikers and hikers with dogs are allowed to use rifles with smoothbore barrels for taking small games such as ptarmigan. This time period is June 1 through August 31.

Birchwood WMA’s final open hunting time is October 1 through January 31. This time of year, hunters may use a rifle with rifled barrels, pistols, shotgun crossbows, and falconry to take small game such as rabbit, hares, and ground squirrels; they may also use rifles of .22 caliber with rifled barrels, pistols, shotguns, crossbows, and falconry to take small game such as ptarmigan; they may also use a rifle with a rifled barrel to take caribou. Moose may be hunted by drawing a permit.

The Palmer Wasilla Management Area is a 74,000-acre wildlife management area that includes numerous lakes and rivers spread throughout the Matanuska River Valley.

Visiting this region offers excellent big game hunting opportunities, with mature bull moose, Dall sheep, and caribou being the primary targets.

Wolves are also commonly hunted here, though predator hunting has some special rules associated with it, including some seasons that are only open to hunters with specific types of permits.

The Wasilla management area offers a total of five different big game hunting licenses for its residents who do not have their preference tags. In addition to the general big game license, four different wolf hunting licenses are offered for this area.

One thing that sets the Palmer Wasilla Management Area apart from many other areas in Alaska is it is open to hunters of all ages and experience levels.

Hunters as young as 12 years old can apply for a permit in this region, with no minimum hunting experience required.

Regulatory Body

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is a department of Alaska’s state government charged with maintaining sustainable wildlife populations for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.

The mission statement is “To maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations while providing sustainable opportunities for harvest by Alaskans.” The department is headquartered in Juneau.

The department was created with the merger of two agencies: the Division of Commercial Fisheries and the Division of Game. The agency manages all the state’s fish, game, and marine mammal resources. The agency is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The Division of Commercial Fisheries was created to promote sustainable fisheries. It has five divisions: Marine Resources, Salmon, Groundfish, Freshwater Fish, and Registration.

The division enforces fishing regulations through patrols by state troopers’ aircraft.

The Division of Game has three divisions: Fur, Non-game, and Trust Resources. In addition, the division manages the state’s wildlife management areas and shooting ranges.

The boards protect fish and wildlife. The boards establish seasons, limits, methods and means, and other regulations. They also allocate resources to each user group: commercial, recreational, subsistence, or personal use.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game has developed an online rule-making status tracking system called ADF&G Online Regulation Room. This is a tool to allow the public to track the progress of proposed regulations through all phases of development, from initial proposal to an agency request to permanent.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulates hunting in Alaska. Hunters must adhere to all rules and regulations for the area.

The State of Alaska mandates a specific form be used when harvesting an animal. A hunter or angler should immediately take a photograph of their kill, then complete the corresponding harvest tag that comes with it. This will allow biologists to track population numbers and ensure sustainable hunting practices are being used.

Hunting Benefits

Alaska is one of the most beautiful states in America and has an unspoiled wilderness that attracts people from all over the country. Many people come here to camp, hike, and fish, but some find hunting very popular as well.

If you are looking for an unforgettable hunting adventure, Alaska should be your top destination. Here are just a few things that make Alaska an excellent hunting destination.

First, there is the sheer size of Alaska. At 663,268 square miles, it is larger than any other state in the US. That means there are plenty of places to hunt, from the boreal forests in the north to the vast grasslands in the south.

You will never have to worry about running out of space to roam here. With more than 737,000 residents, Alaska is one of the least densely populated states in the US.

That means you will find plenty of hunting land with little interference or distraction from other humans. You can enjoy your time outside without the stress of other hunters or tourist groups.

Second, there is a wide variety of game species. There are 43 big game animals in Alaska, including moose, black and brown bears, caribou, and Dall sheep.

You will also find mountain goats, elk, ptarmigans, and more than 100 different types of birds on this list. So, whether you are interested in pursuing deer or ducks, Alaska has a wide range of species to choose from.

Third, there is the weather. Alaska is a state with four distinct seasons.

In summer, you will find plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures that allow for lengthy hunting sessions. In winter, you can experience all kinds of precipitation, from rain to sleet to snow.

If you like to stalk animals on foot, there is nothing better than following tracks in the snow. Skilled hunters can do some incredible things with the snowfall!

Fourth, there is the scenery. Alaska has one of the most beautiful backdrops for hunting imaginable.

You will find everything from lush vegetation to majestic mountains and rolling hills. Sometimes you just need to take a break and admire Mother Nature’s beauty.

As you can see, Alaska is a great place to go hunting. If you want to get in touch with nature’s beauty while reaping the health benefits of being outdoors, this should be your top destination. It has everything you could ever want in a hunting location – size, variety, weather, scenery, and big game opportunities.

Bottom Line

Hunting in Alaska provides plenty of opportunities for any hunter’s preference.

Besides the wide variety of prey species, the diverse landscape is another great reason to make Alaska your next hunting trip.

During fall, hunters can enjoy stalking moose along riversides and lakeshores. This time of the year also provides an excellent opportunity to bag a caribou or two in open tundra lands where the animals love to gather.

During winter, hunters can stay nice and toasty in their tents or cabins while they chase after prey on cross-country skis.

Alaska offers varied hunting opportunities, many of them world-class. The options include taking your kids grouse or hare hunting along back roads in the Interior, Stuffing the freezer with muskoxen, Leading a once-in-a-lifetime Grizzly bear or mountain goat hunt in the Southeast rainforest or the South Central coast.

Some species, such as caribou and moose, are extensively distributed across much of the state. However, animals may be scarce even where suitable habitat exists, but abundant elsewhere depending on the month. In addition, many big game species in Alaska make long migrations between their seasonal ranges. Therefore, the fundamentals of hunting successfully are meticulous planning and thorough preparation.

The beauty of Alaska’s wilderness is unmatched, with its many hunting opportunities.

Some great game species can be found throughout the state, while other areas may not have as much wildlife but still make up some good chasing!

The Interior roadways provide an unforgettable experience for hunting along backroads in this wonderful place that never disappoints on your adventure quest no matter what you are looking forward to.

The Alaskan rainforest can also be a great place to visit if you are into hunting for mountain goats and brown bears, but of course, it would depend on the month of the year. Nevertheless, a little knowledge about what season is best will give you great insight into certain species in this area.

Moose and caribou are widely distributed across much of the state, but some species like to migrate, making hunting difficult. Weather can play a significant factor in where animals are located, but it is all part of the experience.

Alaska hunting opportunities are bountiful for hunters of all experience levels, so take the plunge and cross the state off your list of places you have always wanted to explore.

If a big game is what you are looking for, then Alaska has many opportunities! Moose, caribou, brown bear, and mountain goat are just a few great species to look forward to while hunting in this state.

Creating memories is what it is all about, and you will never forget the time spent in Alaska if you go for a hunt. So, sit back and enjoy the wildlife that can be found here while making your next wilderness adventure happen!