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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.

Rules checked against Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations, August 30, 2026.

At a Glance

Wildlife Agency
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Regulations Year
2026
Coverage
Verified against primary sources
Verified Rules on File
10
Rules Pending Review
0
Zones With Special Rules
0
Official regulations → Verify with Alaska Department of Fish and Game →

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Sourced Rules

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it.

Rifle and Handgun

1 rule
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) · verified Aug 2026

Shotgun

1 rule
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 · verified Aug 2026

Muzzleloader

4 rules
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) · verified 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) · verified 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) · verified 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) · verified Aug 2026

Air Gun

1 rule
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) · verified Aug 2026

All Weapons

2 rules
All species

Alaska's hunting rules say nothing about suppressors — they are not on either list of unlawful methods for game or big game, and the word does not appear anywhere in the 2026-2027 regulations booklet, so the hunting rules do not restrict them for any species. The suppressor itself still has to be lawfully possessed under federal law and Alaska's weapons statute, which calls a muffling device a prohibited weapon and allows NFA registration only as an affirmative defence (AS 11.61.200(c)).

Suppressor law in 2026: what changed · suppressor prices

"The following methods and means of taking big game are prohibited in addition to the prohibitions in 5 AAC 92.080: (1) with the use of a firearm other than a shotgun, muzzleloader, or rifle or pistol using a center-fi..."

5 AAC 92.080 and 92.085 — no mention of suppressors, silencers or mufflers in either unlawful-methods list (read 2026-10-16) · verified Oct 2026

All species

Alaska has no statewide requirement to wear blaze orange or fluorescent clothing while hunting. Individual hunts and some state or federal land units can still set their own clothing rules.

"From August 10 to August 25, the area is closed to small game hunting except that small game may be taken by youth hunters 17 years old or younger ... Hunter orange outerwear is required (vest or coat)."

2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations — Unit 14A, Hatcher Pass Youth Management Area (only hunter-orange provision in the booklet) · verified Oct 2026

Federal Rules That Apply in Every State

These federal requirements apply in Alaska on top of state law.

Federal law: only USFWS-approved nontoxic shot may be used — or even possessed — while hunting waterfowl, coots, and aggregate-bag species. 50 CFR § 20.21(j)(1)–(3)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds are limited to 3 shells total (magazine + chamber) with a one-piece plug; limited light-goose and September Canada goose season exceptions exist. 50 CFR § 20.21(b)
Federal law: shotguns for migratory birds may be no larger than 10 gauge. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
Federal law prohibits taking migratory birds with a rifle, pistol, or fully automatic firearm. 50 CFR § 20.21(a)
On Waterfowl Production Areas and designated National Wildlife Refuge lands, possessing shot other than approved nontoxic shot is prohibited; individual refuges may impose stricter rules. 50 CFR § 32.2(k)

Sources

2026-2027 Alaska Hunting Regulations (complete booklet) Alaska Department of Fish and Game · retrieved October 16, 2026
ADFG — Non-Toxic Shot, Waterfowl Hunting Alaska Department of Fish and Game · retrieved August 30, 2026
Alaska Admin. Code 5 AAC 92.080 and 5 AAC 92.085 — Unlawful methods of taking game; unlawful methods of taking big game Alaska State Legislature (official Alaska Administrative Code) · retrieved October 16, 2026
Alaska Admin. Code 5 AAC 92.085 — Unlawful methods of taking big game; exceptions Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Alaska Administrative Code) · retrieved August 30, 2026

How to Use This Page

Each rule links to the regulation we read and the month we checked it. Rules marked needs review come from summaries rather than the regulation text, and never produce a green answer in the checker. The checker's energy figures are typical factory loads, so where a rule sets an energy or bullet-weight floor, check your own load's rating. This page covers equipment only, not seasons, tags or local ordinances, and it isn't legal advice. The current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations are the final word.