Snow has already fallen

[davetclown]

Snow has already fallen over much of Alaska and hunting seasons are closed in much of the state. Coming on the close of the hunting season are the
fall elections.

Of local interest: the bear baiting initiative.

Perhaps even more important is the presidential election. Because several US
Supreme Court justices are expected to retire - and be replaced by the president we elect, whoever works in the Oval Office will make a difference in American culture, potentially including hunting, for decades to come.
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[davetclown]

Alaska Big Game Hunting
License Application Information Hunt Application Summary
What's up with the different kinds of hunts in Alaska?
The general season harvest is the type of hunting most folks are familiar with - the basic hunt where you buy a license, get tags or harvest tickets for big game, and follow the general season dates and bags limits.
When hunter demand is higher than a game population can sustain, harvest is often restricted by permits. In Alaska, there are three kinds of permit hunts: drawing, Tier II, and registration.
Drawing permit hunts
Most drawing hunts are available to residents and nonresidents. Drawing hunts require an application fee and are awarded by lottery. Each year Alaska Fish and Game publishes both a [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/winter_supp.pdf"]Winter Drawing Hunt Supplement[/url] (PDF file 90K) and a [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/spring_supp.pdf"]Spring Drawing Hunt Supplement[/url] (PDF file 500K) with specific information containing the drawing hunt opportunities and area boundaries. Drawing supplements are available in November (Winter Supplement) and May (Spring Supplement) with respective application deadlines of Dec 6 and May 31.
Tier II hunts
Tier II hunts are subsistence hunts and are only available for Alaska residents 12 years of age or older. Check the [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/t2_supp.pdf"]Tier II Hunt Supplement[/url] for more details.
Registration hunts
Most registration hunts are available for both residents and nonresidents. Generally registration hunts do not limit the number of permits and seasons are closed by emergency order if a harvest goal is met. A few registration hunts limit the number of permits on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I apply for a hunt?
For Drawing and Tier II hunts you can either [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/pmthunt.cfm"]apply online[/url] or by mailing in the [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/singleapp.pdf"]individual application[/url] (PDF file) or the [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/license_form/permit/partyapp.pdf"]party application[/url] (PDF file).
Registration permits are issued at [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/division_info/contact.cfm"]ADF&G offices[/url] and, in some instances, they are available at locations in or near the hunt area. In most cases you must apply in person, but some hunts allow applying through the mail.
You must have a current hunting license to apply for a hunt. You may purchase your [url "http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/"]hunting and/or fishing licenses online[/url] or at a local license vendor in your area.
What are the deadlines to apply?
The winter drawing application period ends December 6. This is the deadline to apply for Kodiak spring bear hunts (for nonresidents), Unit 1(D) Spring bear, Unit 23 brown bear hunt, fall sheep, goat, and Koyukuk moose.
The spring drawing application period ends May 31. This is the deadline for the remaining draw hunts. These hunts include some moose, several caribou hunt, most bear hunts on Kodiak and Unimak Island, elk, bison and muskoxen.
Be sure to visit the [url "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/hunt_trap/hunting/hunting_faqs.cfm"]Big Game Hunting FAQs[/url] for more information on guiding, permit requirements, and other information.
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