No. 46 Free Distribution Only 2005-2006 Alaska Hunting Regulations Governing general, subsistence, and commercial uses of Alaska’s wildlife Effective July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 • For hunts on federal lands, check federal regulations to see if you are eligible to hunt. • Visit http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov for the most up-to-date regulation information. The regulations in this publication are taken from Title 5, Alaska Administrative Code and Title 16 of Alaska Statutes, both available for inspection at any Alaska Department of Fish and Game offi ce. Other sections of Title 5, Alaska Administrative Code are included in the following publi- cations: Miscellaneous Game Regulations, Trapping Regulations, and Waterfowl Regulations. These publications are also available at all Alaska Department of Fish & Game offi ces. If an Alaska State Trooper, police offi cer, Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement Trooper, or authorized Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) employee asks to see your license, tags, harvest tickets, permits, game, or any equipment used to take game, you must show any or all of these items. Map of Game Management Units On the front cover: Codie Wood, 12, of North Pole (center) took this 55” moose in 2002, during the Delta Bison Range Youth Moose hunt in Unit 20D. Wood was accompanied by her father, Randy, left, and younger brother, Austin, right, and Randy’s hunting partner, Steve Geraghty, who took this photo. Austin took his fi rst moose in 2003, at the age of 10. Photographs seen throughout this publication have been used with permission from the owners, who submitted them by email or by mail to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Conservation, Information Management Division, at 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518 for the departments consideration for use in this and other wildlife conservation publications. Photographs submitted cannot always be used and must be accompanied by an accurate hunt description that can be verifi ed, and permission from the photographer for their use. Photos will not be returned, but may be picked up in Anchorage if arrangements are made in advance. This publication released by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game was produced at a cost of $0.38/copy to provide hunting regulations to the public, and was printed by the Anchorage Daily News. (AS 44.99.210). Comments or questions regarding this publication may be emailed to wchuntregs@fi shgame.state.ak.us or mailed to Suzan Bowen, Alaska Dept of Fish and Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518-1599. 2 Alaska 2005-2006 Hunting Regulations Effective July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 SSTATETATE OOFF ALASKAALASKA Dear Hunter, Dear Hunter, You are holding in your hands one of the most Like many Alaskans, I learned to hunt at an early age. As a result, I have many treasured important tools available to a person wanting to memories and wonderful tales that I enjoy sharing with my children, grandchildren, and hunt in Alaska. As we plan our hunts and venture friends. Hunting continues to be an important tradition in my family and an activity that I into the outdoors we usually focus on hunting look forward to each year. implements, gear, and transportation arrangements, but in truth this regulations summary book is Alaska’s hunting opportunities are unmatched. The prospects of harvesting caribou, muskox, indispensable in preparing for a hunt and something dall sheep, brown bear, and moose offers many hunters a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For no hunter should be without when actually afi eld. others, the seasonal game harvest is an important family activity or cultural tradition, and may be a principal source of food. It is no secret that as demand for our wildlife resources has increased so have the number and Our hunting heritage is deeply embedded in the spirit and history of Alaska and remains complexity of game regulations. Over time, as the central to our economic and social well-being. We can preserve this important heritage by Board of Game has worked to improve wildlife practicing safe, respectful, and responsible hunting techniques and by becoming active in populations and distribute hunting opportunity wildlife management efforts toward habitat access, enhancement, and conservation. among users, the result has been additional hunt requirements, fi ner-grained boundary descriptions, and variations between areas. As a result, this Every hunter is responsible for knowing current regulations and bag limits, which may booklet has grown too, and is no longer the change from year to year. Please do not depend on a friend, guide, or family member to pamphlet that fi t into my hip pocket when I fi rst know the rules. We are all personally responsible for knowing and following the regulations arrived in the state. This publication is our way affecting our hunts. of providing you with the information you need in order to hunt game according to the rules set in state Please also consider a Hunter Education course for yourself, family member, or friend. law. Courses that provide training in fi rearms safety and wildlife conservation, and teach respect for our natural resources, landowners, and other hunters are available regularly throughout Each winter the Division of Wildlife Conservation Alaska and the lower 48 states. We have conclusive evidence that shows Hunter Education convenes a staff committee to re-work this dramatically reduces hunting-related fi rearm accidents. These courses have also brought regulations summary in order to give you hunting about positive change in hunter skills, attitudes, and behavior. information you can rely on. This group consists of selected Wildlife Conservation employees In closing, I want to thank you for your interest in hunting and encourage your continued from around the state who are familiar with hunt support of an important Alaska heritage. By purchasing a hunting license in Alaska, you are management in each of our regions and who have directly contributing to wildlife management in our state. Together we can enhance, protect, experience in helping the public understand our appreciate, and share the many wonderful hunting opportunities available in Alaska today hunting rules. The committee makes sure that new and preserve them for future generations. or changed hunts resulting from Board of Game meetings are included in the new booklet and also Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable hunt. revises the explanation of statewide regulations and various other regulatory requirements. Each year much effort goes into making these as clear and Sincerely yours, understandable as possible. Perhaps the most signifi cant change this year is the inclusion of better maps of the state’s game Frank H. Murkowski management units. Long a goal of ours, we believe Governor that this is a big step in presenting our information in a way that helps hunters. I hope you fi nd the entire regulations summary book informative and helpful in getting organized for the hunting season. The hard work that goes into making this booklet should help you improve your chances for a successful experience. Be safe! Matt Robus Director www.wildlife.alaska.gov Alaska 2005-2006 Hunting Regulations 3 This publication is an interpretive summary of the Alaska Hunting Regula- tions and contains rules which affect most hunters which have been simplifi ed for your convenience. It is not a legal document and it is not quoted verbatim from state law. For further details, consult your local Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation representative: GOVERNOR OF ALASKA Anchorage (907) 267-2137 Ketchikan (907) 225-2475 Frank H. Murkowski Barrow (907) 852-3464 King Salmon (907) 246-3340 Bethel (907) 543-2979 Kodiak (907) 486-1880 Cordova (907) 424-3215 Kotzebue (907) 442-3420 Delta Junction (907) 895-4484 McGrath (907) 524-3323 Dillingham (907) 842-2334 Nome (907) 443-2271 Douglas (907) 465-4265 Palmer (907) 746-6300 COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND GAME Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 Petersburg (907) 772-3801 McKie Campbell Galena (907) 656-1345 Sitka (907) 747-5449 Glennallen (907) 822-3461 Soldotna (907) 262-9368 Homer (907) 235-8191 Tok (907) 883-2971 DIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement Troopers in the Department of Pub- Matt H. Robus lic Safety enforce the hunting regulations outlined in this summary booklet. If you have witnessed a violation and want to report it. Call the offi ce near- est you from the list below: ADF&G Anchorage (907) 269-5952 Homer (907) 235-8573 BOARD OF GAME Aniak (907) 675-4352 Iliamna (907) 571-1534 MEMBERS Bethel (907) 543-5955 Juneau (907) 465-4005 Big Lake (907) 892-3474 Ketchikan (907) 225-5111 Carl Morgan, Jr. Aniak Cantwell (907) 768-4050 King Salmon (907) 246-3307 Mike Fleagle, chair Anchorage Coldfoot (907) 678-5211 Kodiak (907) 486-4762 Cordova (907) 424-3184 McGrath (907) 524-3222 Ben Grussendorf Sitka Craig (Klawock) (907) 755-2291 Nome (907) 443-2429 Delta Junction (907) 895-4681 Palmer (907) 745-4247 Cliff Judkins Wasilla Dillingham (907) 842-5351 Petersburg (907) 772-3983 Dutch Harbor (907) 581-1432 Seward (907) 224-3935 Sharon McLeod-Everette Fairbanks Fairbanks (907) 451-5350 Sitka (907) 747-3254 Galena (907) 656-1634 Soldotna (907) 262-5312 Ron Somerville Juneau Girdwood (907) 783-0970 Talkeetna (907) 733-2256 Glennallen (907) 822-3263 Tok (907) 883-4471 Ted Spraker Soldotna Haines (907) 766-2533 Valdez (907) 835-4307 Hoonah (907) 945-3620 Wrangell (907) 874-3215 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game administers all programs and activities free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or disability. The department administers all programs and ac- tivities in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.