Alaska Bird Hunting

Seasons Span August – June 15, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Ptarmigan (Willow, Rock, White-tailed):
    • General season: August 10, 2025 – March 31, 2026 (most units).
    • Extended seasons:
      • Units 23 & 26: August 10, 2025 – June 15, 2026.
      • Unit 13B: August 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026 (shortened season).
      • Unit 15C (north of Kachemak Bay): August 10, 2025 – January 31, 2026.
  • Grouse (Spruce, Ruffed, Sharp-tailed, Sooty):
    • General season: August 10, 2025 – March 31, 2026 (some units extend to April 30).
    • Closed in Game Management Units (GMUs) 8 & 10.
  • Feral Non-Native Game Birds (Chukar, Partridge, Pheasant, Quail, Turkey):
    • Year-round (Units 1-26), no closed season.

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Resident Licenses:
    • Hunting License: $45.
    • Hunting & Sportfishing Combo: $60.
    • Youth (under 18): $5.
    • Senior (60+): $5.
    • Waterfowl Stamp: $10 (required for migratory birds).
  • Non-Resident Licenses:
    • Small Game Hunting License (includes grouse, ptarmigan, etc.): $60.
    • Annual Hunting License (all game): $160.
    • Waterfowl Stamp: $10 (required for migratory birds).
  • Purchase Options:
    • Licenses available online, at Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) offices, or select vendors.
    • Digital or printed formats; e-signed licenses can be stored on a phone.
    • Non-residents may need additional permits for specific hunts, but no extra permits are typically required for upland birds like ptarmigan and grouse.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

  • Ptarmigan:
    • Units 1-5: 20/day, 40 in possession.
    • Units 23 & 26: 50/day, 100 in possession.
    • Unit 15C (north of Kachemak Bay): 5/day, 10 in possession.
    • Other units: Typically 10-20/day, 20-40 in possession (varies by unit).
  • Grouse:
    • Most units: 15/day, 30 in possession.
    • Southern units (e.g., Units 1-6): 5-10/day, 10-20 in possession.
    • Units 7, 15, 14C (Sharp-tailed): 5/day, 10 in possession.
  • Feral Non-Native Game Birds (Chukar, Partridge, Pheasant, Quail, Turkey):
    • No bag or possession limits (year-round hunting in all units).
  • Note: Lead shot is banned for bird hunting in specific areas (Units 18, 26, 14C, including parts of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Chugach National Forest, and Chickaloon State Game Refuge). Non-lead shot (steel, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron, etc.) must be used.

Additional Notes

  • Regulations: Always verify with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) for unit-specific rules, as regulations vary by Game Management Unit (GMU). Check the 2025-2026 Alaska Hunting Regulations guide at adfg.alaska.gov for updates or emergency orders.
  • Conservation: Bag and possession limits are set to ensure sustainable wildlife populations. Hunters must report harvests promptly to avoid penalties.
  • Recommended Gear: Shotgun, non-lead ammunition (where required), hunting boots, and a bird dog for locating/flushing birds. Dress in layers for Alaska’s variable weather.
  • Popular Hunting Areas: Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska Valley, Copper River Basin.

For the most accurate and detailed information, consult the ADFG website or contact local ADFG offices, as regulations may change.

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    Way Upland

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    Life Lists

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      I can feel him in the distance looking down on us. The Deacon of this mountain is unimpressed with our pace and route. Yet this goat still watches as one worn little setter leads us up a chute 1,500 feet below the pulpit he’s chosen. Every now and then I glance skyward to see…

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    We all have limits. But that edge is never static. It’s a river that rages perilously close or meanders docile and aimless in the distance. Most people are perfectly comfortable keeping a healthy distance—there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there is something about that torrent that is captivating and revealing. What we see…