Alaska Moose and Hunting Season Information and Regulations

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up-to-date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

Alaska Brown Bear Seasons

Unit 9C, 9D, 9E, RB368Extended Season from Oct 7 – Oct 21 to Oct 1 – Oct 21
Unit 9C, 9D, 9E, RB370Extended Season from May 10 – May 25 to May 10 – May 31
Unit 14C remainderExtended Season from Sept 1 – May 31 to Sept 1 – June 15
Units 7 and 15, RB300Extended Season from Sept 1 – May 31 to Aug 10 – June 30

*Alaska has a large number of different zones throughout the state that each carry different date ranges. For specific information on bear hunting in the zone you plan on visiting, please reference the official Alaska Department of Fish and Game website here.

In general, the bear season is held in both the fall and spring of each fiscal year. It is illegal to kill cubs and females with offspring. Hunting licenses are needed to hunt both black bears and brown/grizzly bears. According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, depending on where across the state you hunt, brown/grizzly bear bag limits are either one bear every four regulatory years, one bear every regulatory year, or two bears every regulatory year. For black bears, it will either be one or multiple depending on the population within the region.

Alaska Bison Seasons

BisonSep. 1 – Mar. 31

*Please see the official Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for specific and zone by zone regulations on hunting bison.

One thing to keep in mind is that nonresidents can generally only harvest 1 bison for their entire lifetime. This magnificent species is well protected, so if planning a bison hunt, keep that in mind!

Alaska Caribou Season

Unit 8Changed from general season hunt to registration hunt and changed bag limit from one caribou to one bull.

* Caribou hunting in Alaska is also dependent on the zone you are planning your hunt in. For specific information on each zone, check out the official Alaska Department of Fish and Game website here.

It is also worth mentioning that in most areas, the bag limit on Caribou is one per season however there are some zones where as many as 3 caribou are permitted to be taken.

Alaska Deer Season

Unit 1A remainderExtended season from Aug 1 – Nov 30 to Aug 1 – Dec 31
Unit 3, Petersburg Management AreaExtended season from Oct 1 – Dec 15 to Aug 1 – Dec 15

*Deer hunting in Alaska is again, very much zone dependent. Please check the official Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for details.

In some zones, bag limits are as high as 4 deer, and in many zones, same day airborne hunting is allowed. There are numerous rules surrounding leaving antlers and viscera attached though, so please make sure to do your research before hunting.

Alaska Elk Season

Unit 3Sep. 1 – 30, Oct. 1 – Oct. 15, Oct. 16 – Oct. 31, Nov. 15 – Nov. 30
Unit 8Oct. 1 – Oct. 12, Sep. 25 – Oct. 9, Oct. 23 – Nov. 30

*There are only two zones that permit Elk hunting in Alaska, Unit 3 and Unit 8. The species has more limitations and tighter restrictions on where hunting can occur than many other species in the state. Please check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website and their wildlife regulations guide for details.

Many of the elk hunting times are shorter than other animals, so make sure you plan accordingly before traveling.

Alaska Goat Season

Unit 1C, RG015Extended Resident season from Sept 1 – Nov 30 to Aug 1 – Nov 30

*Hunting Goats in Alaska, like most other animals, is heavily dependent on which Unit you are planning your hunt. With that being said, there is quite a bit of available time and region with which to conduct your hunt. Please check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website and their wildlife regulations guide for specifics.

Alaska Moose Season

Unit 15C, TM549Extended Season from Aug 25 – Sept 30 to Sept 1 – Sept 30 and Nov 1 – Nov 30

*Alaska Moose Season 2023 is also rife with complex regulations and season dates specific to the Unit you are conducting your hunt. Antlerless Moose hunting specifically is highly region-dependent, even having a variety of different hunting season extend dates within regions. Make sure to check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for specific season dates.

Alaska Sheep Season

Unit 19CClosed the youth hunt and nonresident seasons

* Alaskan Sheep Hunting has specific seasons and regulations per Unit. Please check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for more information.

One thing to remember is that essentially all sheep hunting in Alaska is limited to rams with full-curl horns.

Alaska Wolf Season

Unit 2Extended Season from Dec 1 – Mar 31 to Sept 1 – Mar 31

*Hunting wolves in Alaska carries specific dates and regulations per Unit. Please refer to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for specific information.

Crossbow Regulations

In Alaska, they don’t consider the crossbow a part of the archery group. It cannot be used during archery season or in any of the archery-specific areas, with the exception of the disabled. He or she may be permitted to use the crossbow in the archery-only areas once granted the Method and Means Exemption.  All persons wishing to hunt with a crossbow must first complete the crossbow-related training course. Typically, the game harvested in Alaska is a heavy-weight game. Here are some of the requirements if this is the category of game you’re after.

  • The minimum draw weight is 100 pounds.
  • Arrow length must be at least 16”.
  • You must have a minimum of 14” power stroke.
  • Broad-head tips are required at all times.
  • The arrow must have a minimum weight of 300 grains.

If you want to check out the last state on our list, click here to see Alabama.

Or, you can check out the next state on our list, Arizona.

About Al Parsons

Al Parsons is originally from Alabama, but has had the pleasure of hunting all over the United States. Al is an expert on crossbow hunting, as well as traditional rifle hunting. His favorite time of year is the start of Archery Deer season in Alabama, so usually in October.