Bear Hunting Season in Alaska: Season Dates, Zones, and What You Need to Know

Alaska is the only state in the country where you can legally pursue both black bears and brown/grizzly bears, and the opportunities here are unlike anything else in North America. From the dense rainforests of Southeast Alaska to the sprawling tundra of the Interior, bear hunting in the Last Frontier demands serious preparation, a firm grip on the regulations, and respect for some of the most powerful animals on the planet.

Whether you are a resident planning a DIY hunt or a nonresident booking your first guided brown bear trip, understanding Alaska’s licensing requirements, season dates, and Game Management Unit rules is not optional — it is the foundation of a legal and successful hunt. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before you head into the field.

Key Insight: Alaska’s hunting regulations run on a July 1 through June 30 regulatory year, not a standard calendar year. Always verify your license, tags, and season dates against the current ADF&G regulation booklet before your hunt.

Bear Species You Can Hunt in Alaska

Alaska is home to two huntable bear species: the American black bear (Ursus americanus) and the brown/grizzly bear (Ursus arctos). Alaska is the only state offering brown/grizzly bear hunting, which makes it a bucket-list destination for big game hunters worldwide. Understanding the differences between these two species — biologically and legally — is critical before you ever purchase a tag.

Black Bear (Ursus americanus) — Black bears are the more accessible of the two species and are widely distributed across Alaska. Hunting black bears in Alaska often involves hiding in forested areas, along river valleys, or near higher elevation berry fields. They are generally available over a broader range of Game Management Units and carry lower tag fees, making them a popular target for both residents and nonresidents.

Brown/Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) — Brown bears and grizzly bears are the same species; “brown bear” typically refers to coastal populations while “grizzly” refers to Interior populations. Alaska has about 30,000 brown bears — 98 percent of the U.S. total — and ADF&G manages for sustained yield. Brown or grizzly bear hunts are far more challenging and heavily regulated due to the animal’s size, territorial behavior, and slower reproduction rate.

Important Note: Color alone cannot reliably distinguish black bears from brown/grizzly bears. Both species can be black, brown, cinnamon, or blonde in color — key identification features include the grizzly’s prominent shoulder hump, dished facial profile, and short rounded ears versus the black bear’s straight facial profile, taller ears, and absent shoulder hump.

Bear Hunting Season Dates in Alaska

Season dates and Alaska hunting regulations are set up based on hunting Units, so pay close attention to what you want to hunt and where it is within the state to determine when you can hunt. Dates vary significantly by GMU, resident vs. nonresident status, and species. The information below reflects the 2025–2026 regulatory year (effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026) as published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Always confirm current dates with ADF&G before your hunt, as emergency orders can override the printed regulation booklet.

Black Bear Season Dates

Black bear hunting has no closed season in Units 7, 9–15, 17–26. In these units, you can pursue black bears year-round, subject to bag limits and permit requirements. Other units follow more restricted windows. Black bear seasons can span nearly year-round in some zones (e.g., Sept 1–June 30 in Zone 1C).

Brown/Grizzly Bear Season Dates

Several units offer no closed season for brown bear hunting, including Units 13, 17, 21A, and 26A, providing year-round opportunities. Most other units follow a split fall/spring season pattern from September through June.

Unit / Area	Season Window (2025–2026)	Notes
Units 13, 17, 21A, 26A	No closed season	Year-round opportunity
Unit 8 (Kodiak)	Spring only: April 1 – May 15	Permit required; guide required for NR
Unit 9 (portions)	May 10 – May 31	Brief spring window
Units 9D, 9E, RB368	Extended season (2025–26 change)	Lengthened for both residents and nonresidents
Units 14A, 14B	Extended season (2025–26 change)	Longer fall/spring window
Most remaining units	Fall: Sept–Dec; Spring: Mar–May (varies)	Verify specific sub-unit dates with ADF&G

The hunting season for brown bears in Units 9D, 9E, and RB368 has been lengthened for both residential and nonresidential hunters as part of the major changes Alaska adopted to its hunting and trapping guidelines for 2025-2026. Units 14A, 14B, and 17 also see longer brown bear seasons, making these areas more appealing for those planning multi-day hunts in Alaska’s backcountry.

Pro Tip: Spring seasons often provide excellent hunting as bears emerge hungry from hibernation. If your schedule allows, a spring hunt in a coastal unit can offer exceptional visibility and bear activity along tidal flats and salmon streams.

Bear Hunting Licenses and Tags in Alaska

Alaska requires hunting licenses for everyone 16 and older, with big game hunting needing additional locking tags and harvest tickets. The license system is straightforward, but the cost structure differs substantially between residents and nonresidents. Alaska hunting licenses follow a July 1 through June 30 license year, meaning annual renewals, draw timing, and locking-tag planning should all be lined up with Alaska’s mid-year cycle rather than the calendar year.

License Costs (as of the 2025–2026 license year)

• Resident annual license: Resident hunting licenses cost $45.
• Nonresident annual license: An annual nonresident hunting license costs $160.
• Nonresident alien license: Non-resident aliens (foreign nationals) must pay $630 for a base license.
• Senior residents (60+): $10 reduced license fee.
• Active-duty military: Active-duty military members who are Alaska residents get a free annual hunting license.

Bear Locking Tag Fees

Locking tags are numbered metal tags you must buy before hunting and lock onto harvested animals immediately. These are non-transferable and must be physically attached to the animal at the kill site.

Tag Type	Resident Fee	Nonresident Fee
Brown/Grizzly Bear	$25	$1,000
Black Bear	$25	$450

The only resident big game tag that carries a fee is brown/grizzly bear ($25). These nonresident tag fees are among the highest in North America and apply per animal.

Guide Requirements

Nonresident hunters face strict guide requirements for brown/grizzly bear. Non-residents are required by law to be personally accompanied in the field by a licensed guide or be accompanied in the field by a qualified resident relative who is second degree of kindred and over 19 years of age when hunting brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep, or mountain goat.

Examples of second-degree kindred are a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, brother/sister-in-law, son/daughter-in-law, father/mother-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother, stepson, or stepdaughter.

Non-residents who are not U.S. citizens must be personally accompanied in the field by a licensed guide when hunting any species of big game in Alaska. U.S. citizen non-residents must hire a guide for brown/grizzly bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goat, but can hunt moose, caribou, and deer without a guide.

If you are planning a guided brown bear hunt, budget accordingly. A typical guided brown-bear hunt costs $10,000–$30,000 or more in package fees.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in applying for the draw for brown bear, you must first select the outfitter, sign a guide-client agreement, and then apply for the hunt codes they specify and use the guide’s unique certification code to validate your application. Do this well in advance of the December 15 draw deadline.

Legal Methods and Weapons for Bear Hunting in Alaska

Alaska’s weapon regulations vary significantly by location and species, so understanding these rules is essential for compliance. The following covers the primary legal methods for bear hunting statewide, though unit-specific restrictions always apply.

Firearms

Legal firearms include rifles, shotguns (10 gauge or smaller), and pistols using center-fire cartridges. Muzzleloaders must be .45 caliber or larger, shoulder-mounted, and single-projectile only. For brown bear specifically, most experienced hunters and guides recommend a minimum of a .338 caliber or larger rifle given the animal’s size and potential danger.

Archery

Archery equipment is legal for bear hunting in Alaska. In certain GMUs, archery-only seasons or designated archery areas exist. Bowhunter education is required for archery-only designated hunt areas in certain game management units. Check the specific unit regulations to confirm whether a standard archery setup or crossbow is permitted in your intended hunting area.

Bear Baiting

Bear baiting is a legal and popular method for black bear hunting in Alaska, but it comes with a detailed set of rules. All hunters must register their bait station with the department, and all hunters age 18 and older must complete the ADF&G’s bear baiting clinic.

• An individual hunter may register no more than two bear baiting stations in a regulatory year.
• You may register your bait station 15 days before the start of the season, but bait cannot be placed in the field until the first day of the season.
• A bait station may not be established within one-quarter mile from publicly maintained roads, trails, or the Alaska Railroad. This includes logging roads, if they are publicly maintained.
• You may not set up a bait station within one mile from a house or other permanent dwelling, a developed campground, or other developed recreational area.

You can download the official ADF&G Bear Baiting Seasons and Requirements directly from the department’s website for unit-specific baiting rules.

Airborne Hunting Restrictions

Alaska’s “same day airborne” law prohibits hunting big game until 3:00 AM the day after flying, except on regularly scheduled commercial flights. This is a commonly cited violation — plan your bush plane logistics carefully to avoid an unintentional infraction.

Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting Requirements in Alaska

Bag limits for bears in Alaska are unit-specific and can differ based on your residency status, the permit type you hold, and the regulatory year. Bag limits apply in a particular regulatory year, i.e., July 1 through the following June 30. Harvesting more than your allowed limit — even accidentally — carries serious legal consequences.

Black Bear Bag Limits

Black bear bag limits vary widely by unit. In Unit 18, for example, the bag limit is three bears with no closed season for both residents and nonresidents. In many other units, the standard limit is one bear per regulatory year. If the bag limit in a GMU you intend to hunt is three bears per year, you may harvest a black bear in another part of the state first and still harvest more in the higher-limit GMU. A hunter may only take multiple bears in one regulatory year by hunting in GMUs where the regulations specifically allow it.

Brown Bear Bag Limits

The standard brown bear bag limit across most of Alaska is one bear every four regulatory years. However, recent changes have expanded opportunities in select units. In Unit 13, the bag limit for brown bears has increased to two bears per regulatory year, offering hunters a greater opportunity to harvest. This represents a significant liberalization of harvest opportunities.

The limit is usually one bear every four regulatory years with a permit in most other units statewide. Always confirm the specific bag limit for your target unit before applying for tags.

Harvest Reporting and Salvage Requirements

Alaska has strict salvage and reporting requirements that apply to all bear hunters. The locking tag must be affixed to the animal immediately after harvest and remain until the animal is fully processed or exported.

• Skull and hide sealing: The skull and hide must be sealed by ADF&G within a specified time after harvest. Contact your local ADF&G office immediately after a successful hunt to schedule sealing.
• Evidence of sex: Evidence of sex must remain naturally attached as required.
• Harvest tickets: Harvest tickets must be validated in sequential order, and unused tickets must be carried when you hunt.
• Wounded bear rule: If you wound a black bear, it counts toward your bag limit for the regulatory year.
• Transfer of possession: A transfer of possession form can be captured digitally to streamline the process. These forms are required for gifting, donating, or temporarily having a third party transport unprocessed meat.

Important Note: Emergency orders may contain hunting and trapping season information which may take precedence over information in the Hunting and Trapping Regulation booklets. Check for active emergency orders at hunt.alaska.gov before and during your hunt.

Bear Hunting Zones and Units in Alaska

Alaska is divided into 26 game management units (GMUs) across five regions: Southeast, Southcentral, Interior, Central/Southwestern, and Northwest/Western. Each unit has specific rules and seasons, so always verify the GMU for your area. Below is an overview of the most notable bear hunting units to help you narrow down your planning.

Southeast Alaska (Units 1–5)

Southeast Alaska is prime black bear country, with dense temperate rainforest providing excellent habitat. In Unit 1, residents and nonresidents can hunt from August 1 through various dates depending on the sub-unit, with nonresidents limited to August 1–October 31 or April 15–May 31. Brown bear hunting in this region often requires a permit and is subject to federal restrictions in certain areas — always check for federal land overlaps before hunting.

Kodiak Island (Unit 8)

Unit 8 is legendary among brown bear hunters. Unit 8 (Kodiak) is famous for brown bear hunting with strict permit requirements. Nonresident hunters must be accompanied by a guide in Unit 8. The Kodiak brown bear is among the largest subspecies in the world, and permit numbers are tightly controlled to maintain population health. For additional hunting opportunities in Alaska, also see turkey hunting season in Alaska and deer hunting season in Alaska.

Southcentral and Western Alaska (Units 9–18)

This broad region encompasses some of Alaska’s most productive bear habitat. In Units 9D, 9E, and RB368, the hunting season for brown bears has been extended for both resident and nonresident hunters, giving hunters more time to pursue these animals in some of Alaska’s most remote and rugged regions. Unit 13 stands out as one of the most hunter-friendly units following the 2025–2026 bag limit increase. Unit 13 is among the units offering no closed season for brown bear hunting, providing year-round opportunities.

Interior Alaska (Units 19–27)

Interior Alaska’s vast boreal forests and tundra support healthy grizzly bear populations. Units 20–26 offer a mix of general and drawing permit hunts. Caribou hunting is available year-round in Units 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26A — making these units popular for multi-species trips that combine grizzly and caribou hunting in the same expedition.

Region	Key Units	Primary Bear Species	Notable Features
Southeast	1–5	Black Bear	Dense rainforest; federal land overlaps
Kodiak / Southcentral	8, 9, 14, 15	Brown/Grizzly Bear	World-class brown bear; guide required for NR
Western / Bristol Bay	13, 17, 18	Brown Bear, Black Bear	No closed season in Unit 13; higher bag limits
Interior	20–26	Grizzly Bear, Black Bear	Remote tundra; multi-species opportunities

For hunters who enjoy comparing regulations across states, resources on hunting laws in Montana and hunting laws in Idaho offer useful context for how western states manage bear and big game seasons differently.

Tips for a Successful Bear Hunt in Alaska

Because Alaska allows for bear hunting in extremely remote conditions, preparation and safety are key. Hunters must be incredibly self-sufficient, capable of backcountry travel, and equipped to process a bear safely in rugged terrain. The tips below address the practical realities of hunting in the Last Frontier.

Choose Your Unit and Season Window Strategically

Not all units are equal. September is the signature Alaska hunting month — moose rut peaks, caribou migrate south, deer season opens, and bears are fattening on salmon. For brown bear, a fall hunt in a coastal unit near active salmon streams puts bears in predictable, high-calorie feeding locations. Spring hunts in Interior units catch grizzlies shortly after den emergence when they are actively moving and highly visible against snow-patched terrain.

Master Spot-and-Stalk Techniques

Spot-and-stalk methods along salmon streams, tidal flats, or mountain slopes are the most common approaches for brown bear, often requiring days of patience and knowledge of bear movement patterns. Invest in quality optics — a spotting scope in the 20–60x range and binoculars of at least 10×42 are standard equipment for glassing Alaska’s open terrain.

Plan Your Logistics Early

Much of Alaska’s best hunting is only accessible by bush plane, boat, or ATV. Budget for transportation costs that can exceed license fees. Remote fly-in hunts require advance booking — quality air taxi operators fill their fall calendars quickly. Confirm weight limits for your gear and game meat when booking flights, as field-dressed brown bears can exceed 500 pounds.

Understand the Draw System

Alaska has a single application period each year for all of their draw type hunts. Applications are submitted between November 1 and December 15. Permits are awarded by a lottery where every application is equal, as Alaska does not have a preference or bonus point system. If you miss the draw, on the first Friday in March, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces undersubscribed hunts — leftover tags that are available first-come, first-served.

Apply for Multiple Hunt Choices

Applicants may apply for the same hunt choice on their application up to six times. The Alaska permit drawing system allows each hunt choice an equal chance in the draw, meaning you could have up to six times better odds than what is listed by purchasing six chances for the same hunt choice.

Know the Salvage Rules Before You Pull the Trigger

Alaska requires you to salvage usable meat from black bears. For brown bear, the skull and hide must be sealed by ADF&G. Failure to comply with salvage requirements is one of the most common violations in the state. A transfer of possession form can be captured digitally to streamline the process if you need a third party to help transport your game. Keep blank forms in your pack at all times.

Common Mistake: Many hunters overlook the ADF&G skull and hide sealing requirement after harvesting a brown bear. You must contact your local ADF&G office promptly after harvest to schedule sealing — failing to do so is a violation regardless of whether you properly tagged the animal in the field.

Stay Current on Emergency Orders

Emergency orders may override information in the Hunting and Trapping Regulation booklets, so always check current orders before heading out. The ADF&G website posts active emergency orders by GMU. Bookmark the official ADF&G hunting regulations page and check it within 48 hours of your departure date.

If you hunt in other states as well, reviewing regulations for states like Minnesota, Tennessee, or Virginia can help you stay sharp on how licensing and reporting rules vary across jurisdictions — a useful habit for any serious hunter.

Bear hunting in Alaska rewards hunters who do the homework. Study your target GMU, secure your tags well in advance, hire a qualified guide if required, and build your logistics around the realities of remote wilderness travel. The experience — and the animal — will be worth every bit of the effort.