Alaska Hunting Laws
Alaska regulates big game (moose, brown/black bear, caribou, deer, and other species) under one statewide methods-and-means rule rather than species-by-species caliber minimums. Under 5 AAC 92.085, a big-game rifle or handgun need only fire a centerfire cartridge — there is no minimum bullet diameter, though individual Game Management Units may post their own local restrictions. Alaska has no wild turkey season, so turkey-specific rules do not apply.
Every rule below cites the official regulation. Last verified August 30, 2026.
At a glance
Check a cartridge in Alaska
Sourced rules
Every row cites the controlling regulation and the date we verified it.
Air Gun
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species |
Airguns are not among the enumerated legal big-game firearms (shotgun, muzzleloader, or centerfire rifle/pistol) and are not a lawful method for taking big game.
"with the use of a firearm other than a shotgun, muzzleloader, or rifle or pistol using a center-firing cartridge" |
5 AAC 92.085(1) | Aug 2026 |
All weapons
2 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species | Suppressors are reported usable for hunting if lawfully NFA-registered; Alaska's weapons statute (AS 11.61.200) lists silencers as a 'prohibited weapon' but allows an affirmative defense for NFA-registered items. We have not yet verified the statute text against a state-hosted source. | AS 11.61.200, prohibited-weapons statute (pending primary verification) | Aug 2026 needs review |
| All species | Alaska is commonly reported as having no statewide requirement to wear blaze orange or fluorescent clothing while hunting, but we have not yet located a primary-source statute or regulation confirming this. | Statewide safety/clothing requirements (pending primary verification — not addressed in 5 AAC 92.085/92.080 methods-and-means provisions we reviewed) | Aug 2026 needs review |
Handgun
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species |
No minimum caliber — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge is legal for big game statewide; shotguns and muzzleloaders meeting their own requirements are also allowed.
"with the use of a firearm other than a shotgun, muzzleloader, or rifle or pistol using a center-firing cartridge" |
5 AAC 92.085(1) | Aug 2026 |
Muzzleloader
4 rules| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species |
Muzzleloaders for big game must be a shoulder-mounted long gun of .45 caliber or larger; muzzleloading pistols are not legal for big game.
"the use of a muzzleloader is prohibited unless the firearm is a shoulder mounted long gun, 45 caliber or larger, with a barrel that is either rifled or smoothbore, and discharges a single projectile" |
5 AAC 92.085(1)(B) | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
Muzzleloaders must discharge a single projectile — sabots with multiple projectiles or shot are not allowed for big game.
"discharges a single projectile" |
5 AAC 92.085(1)(B) | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
During muzzleloader-only seasons, a muzzleloader may not be equipped with a scope.
"the use of a muzzleloader equipped with a scope... during any permitted, registered, or special season hunt for muzzleloaders only, is prohibited" |
5 AAC 92.085(1)(C) | Aug 2026 |
| All species |
During muzzleloader-only seasons, smokeless powder may not be used as the charge — black powder or an approved substitute is required.
"a muzzleloader using smokeless powder as a charge, during any permitted, registered, or special season hunt for muzzleloaders only, is prohibited" |
5 AAC 92.085(1)(C) | Aug 2026 |
Rifle
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| All species |
No minimum caliber — any centerfire rifle or handgun cartridge is legal for big game statewide; shotguns and muzzleloaders meeting their own requirements are also allowed.
"with the use of a firearm other than a shotgun, muzzleloader, or rifle or pistol using a center-firing cartridge" |
5 AAC 92.085(1) | Aug 2026 |
Shotgun
1 rule| Species | Rule | Citation | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl |
Nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and snipe statewide; lead shot may not even be in possession while hunting migratory birds, and shot may be no larger than size T (0.20").
"Nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl, sandhill cranes and snipe in Alaska. It is a violation to have shells loaded with lead shot in personal possession while hunting migratory birds. Shot sizes larger than..." |
ADFG Non-Toxic Shot — Waterfowl Hunting | Aug 2026 |
Federal rules that apply in every state
These federal requirements apply in Alaska on top of state law.
Sources
Sources & methodology
Rules on this page are verified against state statutes, administrative code, official agency regulation digests, and federal regulations — never forums, retailer blogs, or hunter-ed course summaries. Rules we could not yet pin to a primary source are labeled needs review and never produce a green "legal" answer. Cartridge energy figures used by the checker are typical factory-load values; where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, verify your specific load's manufacturer rating.
Legal disclaimer — please read
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Hunting regulations change every season, vary by zone, season, land type, and county ordinance, and are interpreted by the state's enforcement officers — not by this page.
- Confirm every rule in the current official Alaska hunting regulations before your hunt.
- Check season dates, license and tag requirements, zone boundaries, and local ordinances — this page covers equipment rules only.
- When in doubt, contact Alaska Department of Fish and Game directly.
The controlling document is the regulation, not this page. We disclaim all liability for reliance on it.