Alaska Black Bear Hunting -
Regulations 2026
Black bears are North America's most widespread bear, found in forests from Alaska to Florida. Despite their name, coloring ranges from jet black to cinnamon to blonde. They're stocky with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and no shoulder hump — distinguishing them from grizzlies. Adults average 150-500 lbs, with large males occasionally exceeding 800 lbs. They are highly adaptable, omnivorous, and increasingly found near human settlements.
Alaska Black Bear Hunting - 2026 Regulation Quick Reference
Verified August 2026
Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game (www.adfg.alaska.gov) · Last verified: August 2026
What You Need
License & Tag Requirements to Hunt Black Bear in Alaska
| License / Tag | Resident | Non-Resident | Required For |
|---|
Season Overview
Alaska Black Bear Season Calendar 2026
| Season | 2026 Dates | Legal Methods | Extra License Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Bear | Alaska brown bear (grizzly) firearms season runs Sep 10–Oct 27 in open units; brown bear are among the most tightly regulated species in the state, with most units requiring a draw permit or operating under registration systems with strict quotas. A brown bear tag is required for all hunters; nonresidents must be accompanied by a licensed Alaska guide or by a first- or second-degree relative who is an Alaska resident. The bag limit is one brown/grizzly bear per regulatory year statewide, and the skull and hide must be sealed within 30 days. Prime trophy boars are most active in riparian and tundra corridors during early fall pre-hibernation feeding periods. | |||
| Black Bear | Alaska black bear season runs Aug 10–Jun 30 across most of the state; hunters must possess a valid Alaska hunting license and a black bear tag, which is included with a resident license or purchased separately by nonresidents. Bears taken must be sealed by an ADF&G official within 30 days of harvest; hide and skull are required for sealing. Bait and dogs are legal in many units — check unit-specific regulations for restrictions. Nonresidents hunting black bear with a guide-required species must be accompanied by a registered Alaska guide. |
By Management Zone
Season Dates & Rules by Zone
Harvest Rules
Alaska Black Bear Bag Limits & Harvest Regulations
| Animal Type | Season Bag Limit | How to Get the Tag | Key Rules |
|---|
Legal Hunting Methods
Alaska Black Bear Hunting - Seasons by Method
After the Harvest
Black Bear Registration - Alaska's Check-In Requirements
Alaska-Specific Rules
Alaska Black Bear Hunting Rules You Must Know
Where to Hunt
Best Black Bear Hunting Areas in Alaska
Know Your Quarry
Alaska Black Bear - Biology & Population Facts
Hunting Tactics
Alaska Black Bear Hunting Tactics - By Season
Questions & Answers