Important information for all bear hunters

Nonresident brown/grizzly bear hunters

must be accompanied in the field by an
Evidence of sex The sealing officer asks questions about
when, where, and how the bear was taken,
If you take a brown/grizzly bear anywhere
Alaska-licensed guide or a resident relative in the state, evidence of sex (penis sheath measures the skull and may pull a small
within second-degree of kindred. (See or vaginal orifice) must remain naturally tooth or take other biological samples. Then
guide info, page 10.) attached to the hide until sealing requirements the officer locks a metal or plastic seal on the
hide and on the skull. The seal must remain
Locking-tag requirements have been met.
on the hide until the tanning process begins
Nonresidents must purchase a locking-tag If you take a black bear in Units 1-7, 14A, and on the skull until it is cleaned for display.
in addition to their license to hunt either 14C, 15-17, or 20B, evidence of sex (penis Part of the sealing requirement is that you
a black or brown/grizzly bear. Harvest sheath or vaginal orifice) must remain sign the sealing certificate. If you can’t get
tickets and permits may also be required. naturally attached to the hide or meat (see your bear to a sealing officer in person, you
Black bear salvage requirements on page 26) must complete and sign a temporary sealing
Resident hunters do not need a locking-tag
until sealing requirements have been met. form available from any ADF&G office. You
to hunt black bears.
Salvage for brown/grizzly bears must also make sure someone takes the bear
Resident hunters must possess a $25 locking- and the temporary certificate to the sealing
You must salvage the entire hide (with claws
tag to hunt brown/grizzly bear in Units
attached) and skull of a brown/grizzly bear officer within the time required.
1-10, 14, and 15 (however, no locking-tag
is required for Registration hunt RB525 in unless it was taken in (and not removed If you are a nonresident and kill a bear while
Units 9 and 10 or subsistence hunt RB502 from) one of the subsistence hunt areas on a guided hunt or while hunting with an
in Unit 9). under a subsistence Registration permit (see Alaska-licensed resident relative within
page 25). second-degree of kindred, both you and
Big game locking-tags are valid from the your guide or resident relative must sign
date of purchase through December 31 of Salvage for black bears the sealing certificate or temporary sealing
that year. Locking-tags must be locked on Meat: In all areas of the state during Jan certificate.
a part of the animal required to be salvaged 1-May 31, edible meat must be salvaged and
prior to leaving the kill site and must remain removed from the field. This meat may not Special sealing requirements apply within
there until the animal is prepared for storage, be used for pet food or bait. the brown bear subsistence Registration
consumed, or exported. permit (see subsistence hunt areas on page
In Units 19A, 19D upstream from the Selatna 25).
Bear locking-tags may not be transferred to and Black River drainages, 19E, 21B, 21C,
another hunter. A nonresident bear locking- 21D, 24, and 25D, the edible meat of black If you kill a brown/grizzly bear in Unit 8,
tag may be used for any other species for bears, taken under customary and traditional you may not take the bear out of that unit
which the locking-tag fee is of equal or use activities at a den site, must be salvaged. until it has been sealed.
lesser value, but you must have a harvest The hide and skull may not be transported Black bear hides and skulls may be sold
ticket or permit (if required) for that species. from the field until the edible meat has been after sealing.
A hunter less than 10 years old is not allowed salvaged.
Brown bear hides (with claws attached)
to kill a bear, except under direct, immediate Skull AND Hide or Skull AND Meat: In and skulls from bears harvested in areas
supervision of a licensed hunter at least 18 Units 1-7, 14A, 14C, 15-17, and 20B, the with a two brown bear bag limit per
years old. The bear is then counted against skull must be salvaged and removed from regulatory year may be sold after sealing;
the licensed hunter’s bag limit. (See youth the field year round for sealing; during a permit is required. Hides and skulls will
hunting information, page 13.) June 1-Dec 31, either the hide with claws be permanently marked by ADF&G.
In Units 1-5, and in Unit 8, bears wounded attached (for sealing) or the meat must also
by a hunter count toward the bag limit be salvaged and removed from the field. If Important information
for the regulatory year, but do not count salvaging the meat, the hide and/or skull regarding the use of
may not be transported from the field until
toward the every four regulatory year bag
the edible meat has been salvaged. motorized vehicles:
limit. “Wounded” means there is a sign You may not drive, harass, herd, or
of blood or other sign that the bear has Hide or Meat: In Units 9-13, 14B, 18-19, 20 molest a bear with any motorized vehicle,
been hit by a hunting projectile. (except 20B), and 21-26 during June 1-Dec such as a snowmachine. While you may
You may not transport or export any 31, either the hide (with claws attached) or use a motorized vehicle to locate a bear,
untanned bear hide or skull from Alaska the meat must be salvaged and removed you may not use a motorized vehicle to
until it has been sealed. from the field. pursue a bear that is fleeing. In addition,
(See definition of edible meat, page 34.) you may not use a motorized vehicle to
All bear hides intended for sale must be drive a bear to another hunter. See page
sealed.
Sealing requirements 18 for exceptions.
All brown/grizzly bears must be sealed.
Black bears taken in Units 1-7, 14A, 14C,
15-17, and 20B must be sealed. Sealing
means taking the skull and hide (with claws
and evidence of sex attached) of the bear you
killed to an officially designated “sealing
officer.” The skull must be skinned from the
hide and both must be unfrozen. Sealing
must be completed within 30 days of kill,
or less as required by permit conditions.
During June 1-Dec 31, if the hide is not
salvaged, only the skull will be sealed.
24 2024-2025 Alaska Hunting Regulations effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
 Brown/grizzly bear bag limits
Depending on where you hunt, brown/grizzly bear bag limits In units with a brown/grizzly bear bag limit of one bear every
are either one bear every four regulatory years, one bear every four regulatory years...
regulatory year, or two bears every regulatory year. A regulatory
last successful hunt was: next opportunity to hunt is:
year is July 1 through June 30. See the unit you intend to hunt for
fall ‘20 - spring ‘21...........................fall ‘24 - spring ‘25
bag limit information.
fall ‘21 - spring ‘22...........................fall ‘25 - spring ‘26
One bear every four regulatory years fall ‘22 - spring ‘23...........................fall ‘26 - spring ‘27
If you kill a bear in any “one bear every four regulatory years” fall ‘23 - spring ‘24...........................fall ‘27 - spring ‘28
area you may kill a bear in any “one bear every regulatory year” or
“two bears every regulatory year” areas during the next regulatory
Other bear regulations
Bears taken under a predator control permit do not count against the
year, but you MAY NOT kill a bear in any “one bear every four
statewide bag limit for bears.
regulatory years” area for four regulatory years.
You MAY NOT take black or brown/grizzly bear cubs or sows
One bear every regulatory year accompanied by cubs; however, black bear cubs and sows
If you kill a bear in any “one bear every regulatory year” area, accompanied by cubs may be taken by resident hunters Oct 15-Apr
you may kill a bear in any legal area of the state during the next 30 under customary and traditional use activities at a den site in Unit
regulatory year. 19A, that portion of Unit 19D in the Kuskokwim River drainage
upstream from the Selatna and Black River drainages, Unit 19E,
Two bears every regulatory year Units 21B, 21C, 21D, 24, and 25D. In addition, black bear cubs and
You may kill two bears in any “two bears every regulatory year” sows accompanied by cubs may be taken by resident hunters year-
area. If you have already killed a bear in any other legal area of the round in Unit 25D.
state, you may kill one more bear in areas where the bag limit is
“two bears every regulatory year” during the same regulatory year. “Cub bear” means a brown/grizzly bear in the 1st or 2nd year of life,
You may kill a bear in any legal area of the state during the next or a black bear (including cinnamon and blue color phases) in the
regulatory year. 1st year of life.

Brown/grizzly bear subsistence hunting

You MAY NOT buy or sell any part of a brown/grizzly bear
EXCEPT:
Resident hunting by subsistence Registration permit for brown/ • an article of handicraft made from the fur of a bear;
grizzly bears used for food is allowed in Units 9B, all drainages • for brown/grizzly bears taken in brown bear control areas with a
in 9E that drain into the Pacific Ocean between Cape Kumlium control permit, ADF&G will issue permits allowing permittees to
and the border of 9E and 9D, 17, 18, that portion of 19A and 19B sell untanned hides (with claws attached) and skulls, after sealing.
downstream of and including the Aniak River drainage, 21D, 22-24, See predator control supplement online;
and 26A. Hunters may hunt under an alternate set of regulations • brown bear hides (with claws attached) and skulls from bears
adopted to better allow subsistence use of brown bears. General harvested in areas with a two brown bear bag limit per regulatory
brown bear hunting seasons remain in effect in these areas. year may be sold after sealing; a permit from ADF&G is required.
Registration subsistence hunts in Units 9B, 9E, 18, 19B, 22C, and Hides and skulls will be permanently marked by ADF&G.
24, have a bag limit of one bear every regulatory year. Registration
subsistence hunts in Units 17, 18, 19A, 19B, 21D, 22A, 22B, 22D, You MAY NOT hunt or kill brown/grizzly bears within one-half
22E, 23, 24B, 24C, 24D, and 26A have a bag limit of two bears mile of garbage dumps or landfills.
every regulatory year. Taking a brown bear in one of these areas You MAY use the carcass of a skinned brown/grizzly or a black bear
under a subsistence permit does not count in the “one bear every four taken June 1–Dec 31, as animal food or bait as long as the black bear
regulatory years” bag limit restriction in other units. hide was salvaged. (See Use of Game, page 17.)
Subsistence regulations versus general regulations within If you take a brown/grizzly bear in a brown bear subsistence area
the brown bear subsistence areas: under a Registration permit for subsistence purposes, you are
required to salvage all meat for human consumption; salvage of the
Subsistence hunting General hunting hide or skull is optional.
• see units for bag limits • see units for bag limits
• meat must be salvaged for • meat need not be salvaged If you wish to hunt black bears with dogs, you must first obtain a
human consumption and may • $25 locking-tag may be permit from the ADF&G office nearest the area you wish to hunt.
not be used as bait required for residents You may not hunt brown/grizzly bears with dogs.
• no locking-tag required but • see units for seasons Bears killed in defense of life or property must be skinned and the
you must register to hunt • hide and skull must be sealed hide (with claws and evidence of sex attached) and skull turned over
• hide and skull need not be by a designated sealing to an ADF&G representative. (See Emergency taking of game, page
sealed unless removed from officer 16.)
subsistence area or presented
See unit pages (39- Brown/grizzly bears MAY NOT be taken over bait or scent lures
for commercial tanning; if
140) for information EXCEPT under conditions of a bear baiting permit in Units 7,
sealing is required, it must be
on where subsistence 11-13, 14A, 14B, 14C remainder, 15-16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24B,
completed by a designated
permits are available. 24C, 24D, 25C, and 25D.
sealing officer; at the time of
For specific
sealing, the skin of the head
information on hunts
and front claws are removed
listed in unit pages,
and kept by ADF&G
please call the ADF&G
• no use of aircraft for
office in or nearest the
subsistence hunting in Units
subsistence area where
21D, 22-24, and 26A
you want to hunt.
• see units for season dates.

[Link] 2024-2025 Alaska Hunting Regulations 25

Bear baiting seasons and requirements
Bear bait stations may be established in certain areas. All bait stations must be registered with ADF&G and all persons who
wish to register a bait site must have successfully completed an ADF&G-approved bear baiting clinic. Clinics are available
in person or online at [Link]
Bait stations may be registered at an ADF&G office 15 days prior to the start of the season. Bait may not be placed at the site
until the season is open.
TO REGISTER A BAIT STATION YOU MUST: ADF&G may prohibit
• Be at least 18 years old. bear baiting in certain areas.
• Have successfully completed an ADF&G-approved bear baiting clinic.
• Provide ADF&G with a specific description of the location where you will place bait.
You will be given a sign to post at your bear bait site. You may use this sign or make your own, but the sign must clearly identify
the site as a “Bear Bait Station” and display:
1. the bear bait site number assigned by ADF&G, and
2. your hunting license number and hunting license numbers of others who hunt over that bait station.

You MAY: You MAY NOT:

• Place bait at only 2 bait stations at the same time. • Set up a bait station within 1 mile of a:
Only biodegradable materials may be used for bait. »house (including your own home),
Scent lures may also be used. The skinned carcasses »school,
of furbearers, fur animals, unclassified game, and small »business,
game (other than birds) may be used as bait. If fish or »developed recreational facility,
big game is used, only the head, bones, guts, and skin »campground, or
may be used; however, in Units 7 and 15, fish or fish »permanent dwelling including a seasonally-occupied
parts may not be used for bait. cabin (including your own). Establishing bait stations
• Other hunters may use, place bait at, or maintain your within 1 mile of a seasonally occupied cabin is
bait station with your written permission. Written allowed in some areas. (See page 27 for the list of
permission must be carried in the field. places this is allowed.)

• In Units 6-7, 9, 11-13, 14A, 14B, 15-17, 19-21, and 24- • Set up a bait station within one-quarter mile of:
25, a registered guide may operate up to 10 bait stations »a publicly maintained road or trail,
at a time in each guide use area they are registered to »the Alaska Railroad,
operate in. A guide contract is required for each hunter. »the Unit 14 shorelines of the Susitna River and Little
Susitna River south of the Parks Highway bridge, or
• In Units 7, 9, 11-13, 14A, 14B, 15-21, 23-25, 26B, and »the Unit 7 or 15 shorelines of the Kenai River
26C, black bears (and brown bears where allowed-see (including Kenai Lake and Skilak Lake),
units listed below, but not including 14C remainder, »the Unit 15 shorelines of the Kasilof and Swanson
20D south of the Tanana River, and 25C) may be taken rivers.
at permitted bait stations the same day you have flown
provided you are at least 300 feet from the airplane. • Take money, bartered goods, or services from someone
This is NOT allowed on National Park Service lands. who uses your bait station. This does not apply to a
registered guide-outfitter, master guide-outfitter or
• In Units 7, 11-13, 14A, 14B, 14C remainder, 15- employee of the contracting guide for providing big
16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24B, 24C, 24D, 25C, and 25D game hunting services.
brown/grizzly bears may be taken at bear bait stations.
Hunters must comply with seasons, bag limits, salvage, • Use another’s bait station without their written
and sealing requirements for brown/grizzly bears permission. You must write your hunting license number
(Registration permits and locking-tags may be required on the permit at each site you intend to hunt over and
in some areas, contact ADF&G for details). written permission must be carried in the field.
• Use game cameras that can send messages through
wireless communication.

Black bear salvage requirements

= Sealing required, skull must be salvaged = Sealing not required
Jan 1 - May 31 June 1 - Dec 31
Units *Evidence of sex must remain naturally *Evidence of sex must remain naturally
attached to the hide. attached to salvaged meat or hide.
1-7, 14A, 14C, 15-17, 20B Meat, Hide*, Skull Skull AND Meat* or Skull AND Hide*
9-13, 14B, 18-19, 20A, 20C, 20D,
Meat Meat or Hide
20E, 20F, 21-26
26 2024-2025 Alaska Hunting Regulations effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
 Bowhunters wishing to hunt bears over bait in Units 7 and 14-16 are required to complete an IBEP or equivalent course, and
proof of certification must be carried in the field.
All bait, litter, and equipment must be removed from the bait site when hunting is completed. This includes all attractants.
In this section, “equipment” means barrels, tree stands, game cameras, and other items associated with a bear bait station. Tree
stands may be left in the field year-round with permission of the landowner or such other person authorized to give permission.

Areas Open for Bear Baiting Dates

Units 1A, 1B, 1C*, 2-3, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C Apr 15-June 15
Unit 6D* Apr 15-June 10
Units 1D*, 7*, 9, 11-13*, 14A*, 14B*, 14C remainder*, 15*, 20**, 23, 24A,
Apr 15-June 30
25A, 25B, and 25C
July 1-Oct 15
Unit 16*
Apr 15-June 30
Unit 17 Apr 15-May 31
Unit 18 Apr 1-June 30
Units 19, 21A, and 21E Aug 1-Oct 31
Apr 15-June 30
Units 21B, 21C, 21D, 24B, 24C, 24D, and 25D Aug 1-Sept 30
Apr 15-June 30
*Bait MAY NOT be used and bait stations MAY NOT be registered in the following areas:
• Unit 1C, those portions within the City and Borough of Juneau.
• Unit 1D, that portion of the Chilkat Peninsula south of the Haines Hwy and within 1 mile of the Haines Hwy, Lutak
Road, the Porcupine Mine road to the confluence of the Porcupine and Klehini rivers, and the Chilkat Lake road from the
Porcupine Bridge to Chilkat Landing on the Tsirku River.
• Unit 6D, Blackstone Bay and Harriman Fiord.
• Unit 7, Resurrection Creek and tributaries and within one-quarter mile of the shoreline of the Kenai River (including Kenai
Lake).
• Unit 13, within one-quarter mile of the Alyeska pipeline and pipeline access road from mile 75 of the Richardson Hwy
(where the pipeline crosses the Tonsina River) north to the unit boundary at mile 227 of the Richardson Hwy (Black
Rapids).
• Units 14A, 14B within one-quarter mile of the shorelines of the Susitna River, and Little Susitna River south of the Parks
Hwy Bridge.
• Unit 14C remainder, the Glacier Creek drainage outside of Chugach State Park.
• Unit 15, within one-quarter mile of the shoreline of the Kenai River (including Skilak Lake), Kasilof River, and Swanson
River.
• Units 13E and 16A in Denali State Park.
**Chena River State Recreation Area: additional hunting, shooting, and off-road vehicle use restrictions apply. Call DNR at
(907) 451-2695 for specific information.
Bait MAY be used within 1 mile of seasonally occupied cabins, provided the cabin is on the opposite side of the river
from the bait site, in the following areas:
• 11 and 13, the Copper River north of Miles Lake.
• 16, the Beluga, Susitna, and McArthur rivers, the Deshka River (Kroto Creek) below its confluence with Trapper Creek,
the Yentna River below its confluence with the Skwentna River, and Alexander Creek.
• 12, 20, 21, and 25, the Tanana and Yukon Rivers
• Unit 19, the Kuskokwim River
• Unit 25, the Porcupine River
It is legal to take a wolf at a bear bait station during an open wolf hunting season, provided the hunter has a hunting
license, and the following are not present at the bait site: chemicals, scent lures, human food, animal food, mineral
supplements, or garbage. In addition, if game parts are used as bait, only those parts not required to be salvaged may
be used. (See page 26 for game that may be used as bear bait.)

[Link] 2024-2025 Alaska Hunting Regulations 27