Alaska Bison Hunting 2026

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Hunts
December 16, 2024 5 p.m. (AKST)

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License	$160.00
Annual Hunting & Fishing License	$260.00
Application Fee (per Choice)	$5.00
Application Fee (per Choice, Bison or Muskox)	$10.00
POST DRAW LOCKING-TAG FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Dall Sheep Tag	$850.00
Bison Tag	$900.00
Black Bear Tag	$450.00
Brown Bear/Grizzly Bear Tag	$1,000.00
Mountain Goat Tag	$600.00
Moose Tag	$800.00
Muskox Bull Tag	$2,200.00
Caribou Tag	$650.00
Deer Tag	$300.00
Elk Tag	$600.00
Wolf Tag	$60.00
Wolverine Tag	$350.00

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Hunting License	$45.00
Annual Hunting & Fishing License	$60.00
Application Fee (per Choice)	$5.00
Application Fee (Per Choice, Bison or Muskox)	$10.00
POST DRAW LOCKING-TAG FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Brown Bear/Grizzly Bear Tag	$25.00
Muskox Bull Tag	$500.00

Disclaimer: Dates vary by GMU/permit and can change via emergency order. Always verify with ADF&G current regulations before planning.

YEAR	RESULTS POSTED
2025	February 21, 8:05 a.m. (AKST)
2024	February 16, 8:00 a.m. (AKST)
2023	February 17, 8:05 a.m. (AKST)
2022	February 18, 7:40 a.m. (AKST)
2021	February 19, 8:15 a.m. (AKST)
2020	February 21, 8:53 a.m. (AKST)
2019	February 15
2018	February 16
2017	February 17

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

PO Box 115526
1255 W. 8th Street
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
ph. 907-465-4190

APPLY CHECK POINTS

Alaska is home to three huntable bison populations with draw permits. The Chitina / Copper River herd is still struggling to come back from a winter die off event and should probably be forgotten about for the time being. All hunts are controlled by draw permits for residents and non-residents. Most resident applicants apply for the Delta Junction area hunts due to the fact that the hunting area is located in close proximity to the Alaska Highway and it does not require remote airplane charters. There are no known outfitters in the Delta Junction area for bison. The herd in the Farewell area will likely require charter airplanes, snowmobiles, or an outfitter to access the remote bison habitat but provides a great chance at a trophy bull.

If a $60 application makes sense, applicants should consider applying for bison in Alaska and submitting six chances on the application. Odds are extremely slim, but it is one of the few remaining free-range bison hunts available in the country.

Unit	Unit Description
11 & a portion of 13D, Copper River	Copper River herd. Either-sex bison. Bison are extremely difficult to locate on public land. The Ahtna, Inc. Native Corporation no longer allows trespass permits for hunting on their lands. Legal public lands to hunt along the Copper River are difficult to access and most are not accessible. Plan on hiring an outfitter that has native corp land access. In 2023, 7 bulls and 10 cows were taken out of the 17 hunters who went on the hunt. However, the season was cut back for 2024 and the permits modified to bull-only after it was discovered that the majority of this herd has not survived. Apply with extreme caution for this hunt.
19C & 19D, Either-sex bison	Farewell herd. Either-sex bison. This remote access area along the Kuskokwim river drainage is about 150 miles northwest of Anchorage. An air charter is necessary to access these remote foothills. Estimated population is about 375 animals.
19C & 19D, Bull bison only	Farewell herd. Bull bison only. This winter hunt is accessed via snowmobile from McGrath, Alaska or by air charter into the remote Farewell Strip area. Expect extreme winter weather conditions on this interior Alaska hunt.
20D, Delta	Delta herd. Bull bison only. This hunt area was previously split into a bull only hunt and an either-sex hunt. The hunts were combined two years ago. In 2023, 20 bulls were harvested. Bison can be hunted on private, public, or military lands accessed from the Alaska highway. At this time, no licensed outfitters are available for this hunt. Successful applicants may start on their assigned date (Sept 27-Nov 1) based on their draw order and can hunt through the end of March. The DI404 cow only hunt was not offered for this year.

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ALASKA BISON (DRAW/REGISTRATION)	COMMON 2025–2026 WINDOWS*
Delta Controlled Hunt Area	Oct – Mar
Farewell Area	Sep – Mar
Chitina Area	Oct – Mar

*Exact dates, quotas, and hunt structures vary by permit and year. Confirm your hunt conditions with ADF&G.

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Dates & Fees | Alaska Bison Hunting