Alaska's Fish and Game website

[Dand]

Looks like I got a good discussion going on rural Ak hunting and I saw some discussion of regulations etc.  The Alaska Dept of Fish and Game has a HUGE website and its the place to start for regulations etc. You can buy licenses and some tags online and get inseason updates for fishing and hunting.

Here is the address:
http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/adfghome.htm

As some folks point out, Alaska huge and regulations are quite different from one place to the other so it takes careful study and a GOOD map to sort it out. It also helps to call a local biologist. And you can get the phone numbers from the website too.  Best to plan a year ahead and then don't call in the peak of a season - better to call off season when the biolgists aren't so swamped.


Note too that the Department can and often does change regulations or close or open seasons by what is known as an Emergency Order - always a good idea to check that web page shortly before you go to AK or even once you are here.  Some of the sport fishing can change very  suddenly.

Good luck. :-)

[Yukon Jack]

One other thing is that even though there is a tremendous amount of public land that can be hunted without permit, Alaska Native Corporations own about 44 million acres here.  Some allow hunting, some do not.  Make sure you know where there properties are, trespass and taking game without permission can carry some huge fines.  For more info, check out these web sites and contact the appropriate departments:

http://ahtna-inc.com/
http://www.aleutcorp.com/
http://www.asrc.com/
http://www.beringstraits.com/
http://www.bbnc.net/
http://www.calistacorp.com/
http://www.chugach-ak.com/
http://www.ciri.com/
http://www.doyon.com/
http://www.koniag.com/
http://www.nana.com/
http://www.sealaska.com/

[Daveinthebush]

Great information for those comming up here.  My experience with the native corps has for the most part been excellent.  In Elim up on the Bering Coast they never charged me any fees.  In Shaktoolik the fee was $100 but the guys in town took me hunting anyways and told me I did not have to pay.  There is one man in Shaktoolik, Palmer Sagonik (spelling) that is doing spring bear hunts and would be an excellect guide.  I sat down with his family one night and we tried to eat 57 crabs in one sitting.

However, in one village on the Yukon, some residents were not so receptive.  In that case we just hunted government lands.  

The point is ask!  Usually if you are strait forward with people, use the same manners as you would asking a farmer to hunt his land in the lower 48, your reception will be much better.

Keep up the great information guys.

By the way: Still no snow on the main islands so the deer are up high  out on Prince William Sound.

[Yukon Jack]

Dave,
I have to agree with you.  I've had great opportunities and relationships concerning the hunting on Native lands.  Some of the lands are off limits, and that is understandable, and I've never had a problem.

[Dand]

In my original post I forgot to mention hunting on federal lands - the regulations can be slightly different on BLM, Refuges and other federal lands due to the federal subsistence hunting regulations.  So again, its best to have good maps and know where you plan to go.  Then check with all appropriate agencies.  

Some federal lands have special hunting seasons and regulations for local area residents only.  

It can be quite confusing - another reason its best to start planning far ahead of time.

[dabigmoose]

Hey Y-Jack
 Ya got 12 of the 13 regional corps and then there are the village corps
i am a Ciri shareholder and my wife is in Doyon and tozitna which is Tanana village corp.I had to get in to a better moose area somehow oops I better log off before Kim sees this!!
Dabigmoose

Ps Y-JACK stop by Soldotna for that Beer

[Yukon Jack]

Ya, moose,
The 13th Regional corp doesn't have land holdings in Alaska.  I didn't want to list the 220+ Village Corps as if you select the region, most of the time they can point you in the right direction.  Anyhow, it don't get no better than up here.

[dabigmoose]

y-jack
 I was just giggin ya a little what you doin up so early.
I wonder if its gonna snow any this year we dont have any on the ground and the kenai river is way to high for this time of year cant even walk the bank to set any traps.
Dabigmoose

[Yukon Jack]

Moose,
I twernt up early, it was danggone late!!! heh, heh.  Can't believe how warm it is.  We'll probably get us one good cold snap, it'll start snowing and won't quit till April.  Lordy I hope not.  My old back can't take too much of it this year.