Alaska 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Alaska's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026.
Big game season opens Aug 1, 2026 and closes Dec 31, 2026.
Resident - Bucks Only Sitka Black-tailed Deer opens Aug 1, 2026 and closes Sep 14, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Alaska ADF&G.
- firearm deer
- Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
- big game
- Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
- deer
- Aug 1-Sep 14, 2026
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Alaska ADF&G before hunting.
Deer
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Resident - Bucks Only
Aug 1-Sep 14, 2026
Residents only. Harvest ticket (HT). Bucks only Aug 1-Sept 14; any deer Sept 15-Dec 31. Federal restrictions may apply. Same day airborne hunting allowed. Harvest tickets must be validated in sequential order.
Zone: Unit 4 - Chichagof Island east of Port Frederick and north of Tenakee Inlet, excluding drainages running south into Tenakee Inlet
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Nonresident
Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
Nonresidents only. Bucks only Aug 1-Dec 31. Federal restrictions may apply.
Zone: Unit 4 - Chichagof Island east of Port Frederick and north of Tenakee Inlet, excluding drainages running south into Tenakee Inlet
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Resident - Bucks Only
Aug 1-Sep 14, 2026
Residents only. Harvest ticket (HT). Bucks only Aug 1-Sept 14; any deer Sept 15-Dec 31. Federal restrictions may apply.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
Residents and nonresidents. Harvest ticket required. Federal restrictions may apply. Same day airborne hunting allowed. Evidence of sex must remain naturally attached. Harvest tickets must be validated in sequential order.
Zone: Unit 2
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Nonresident
Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
Nonresidents only. Bucks only Aug 1-Dec 31. Federal restrictions may apply.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Resident - Any Deer
Sep 15-Dec 31, 2026
Residents only. Harvest ticket (HT). Any deer Sept 15-Dec 31; bucks only Aug 1-Sept 14. Federal restrictions may apply.
Zone: Unit 4 - Chichagof Island east of Port Frederick and north of Tenakee Inlet, excluding drainages running south into Tenakee Inlet
Sitka Black-tailed Deer
Resident - Any Deer
Sep 15-Dec 31, 2026
Residents only. Harvest ticket (HT). Any deer Sept 15-Dec 31; bucks only Aug 1-Sept 14. Federal restrictions may apply.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Bear
Bear
Baiting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Bear Baiting Seasons and Requirements available as separate PDF (359 kB). No specific dates listed on this index page.
Zone: Alaska
Black Bear
General - Residents
Sep 1, 2026-Jun 30, 2027
Residents only. Evidence of sex must remain naturally attached. If you wound a black bear, it counts toward your bag limit for the regulatory year.
Zone: Unit 2
Black Bear
Drawing - Nonresidents without guide (DL027)
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Nonresident hunters NOT using a registered guide and NOT accompanied by resident second-degree of kindred. Permit hunt DL027.
Zone: Unit 2
Black Bear
General - Nonresidents with guide or kindred
Sep 1, 2026-Jun 30, 2027
Nonresident hunters using a registered guide, or accompanied by resident second-degree of kindred. Harvest ticket (HT).
Zone: Unit 2
Black Bear
Drawing - Nonresidents without guide (DL028)
Jan 1-Jun 30, 2027
Nonresident hunters NOT using a registered guide and NOT accompanied by resident second-degree of kindred. Permit hunt DL028.
Zone: Unit 2
Brown/Grizzly Bear
Resident - Fall
Sep 15-Dec 31, 2026
Residents only. Permit RB077. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or in person in Douglas, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg and Sitka beginning Aug 14. Nonresidents must be accompanied by a guide.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Brown/Grizzly Bear
Nonresident - Fall
Sep 15-Dec 31, 2026
Nonresidents only. Permit RB077 (guided by Alaska-licensed guide) or DB077 (guided by resident relative). Nonresidents must be accompanied by a guide.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Brown/Grizzly Bear
Nonresident - Spring
Mar 15-May 20, 2027
Nonresidents only. Permit RB089 (guided by Alaska-licensed guide) or DB089 (guided by resident relative). Nonresidents must be accompanied by a guide.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Brown/Grizzly Bear
Resident - Spring
Mar 15-May 20, 2027
Residents only. Permit RB089. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or in person in Douglas, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg and Sitka beginning Mar 1.
Zone: Unit 4 remainder
Waterfowl
Waterfowl/Migratory Birds
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Waterfowl/Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations available as separate PDF (961 kB). No specific dates listed on this index page.
Zone: Alaska
Furbearer
Wolverine
General
Sep 1, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Residents and nonresidents. Hides must be sealed within 30 days of kill.
Zone: Unit 4
Wolverine
General
Sep 1, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Residents and nonresidents. Hides must be sealed within 30 days of kill.
Zone: Unit 2
Small Game
Small Game
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Small Game Seasons and Bag Limits available as PDF (578 kB). Unit 14C Small Game Summary available separately. No specific dates listed on this index page.
Zone: Alaska statewide; Unit 14C noted separately
Big Game
Mountain Goat
General
Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026
Residents and nonresidents. Permit RG150. Available online at hunt.alaska.gov or in person in Douglas, Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg and Sitka beginning July 15. Some zones may be closed by emergency order due to overharvest concerns. Taking of nannies with kids prohibited; taking of males encouraged. Nonresident hunters must be accompanied by a guide. All hunters must complete online Mountain Goat Identification quiz prior to hunting.
Zone: Unit 4 - Baranof Island
Various (see individual GMU PDFs)
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
The page references the 2025-2026 Alaska Hunting Regulations booklet (144 pages) covering big game, small game, waterfowl, bear baiting, and falconry. Specific season dates and bag limits are contained within individual Game Management Unit PDFs (GMUs 01-26) and linked PDF documents. No specific open/close dates are provided on this index page. Regulations are for the 2025-2026 season year.
Zone: Game Management Units 01-26
Other
Wolf
General
Aug 1, 2026-Apr 30, 2027
Residents and nonresidents. Hides must be sealed within 30 days of kill.
Zone: Unit 4
Wolf
General
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Residents and nonresidents. All wolves must be sequentially numbered or marked. Hunter must call ADF&G Ketchikan office (907) 225-2475 within 7 days of take. All hides must be sealed within 15 days of take.
Zone: Unit 2
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Alaska Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Alaska?
August 1, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Alaska; it is resident - bucks only sitka black-tailed deer Aug 1-Sep 14, 2026.
When is Alaska's firearm deer season?
Aug 1-Dec 31, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Alaska. Check zone and permit details with Alaska ADF&G before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Alaska?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Alaska yet. Check Alaska ADF&G for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Alaska?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Alaska hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Alaska ADF&G.