Frequently Asked Questions
About Licenses and Permits
Resident/Nonresident Definitions
Resident:
Alaska Resident per AS 16.05.415(a): "resident" means a person (including an alien) who is physically present in Alaska with the intent to remain indefinitely and make a home here, has maintained that person's domicile in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license, and is not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country; a member of the military service or U.S. Coast Guard who has been stationed in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license; or a dependent of a resident member of the military service or U.S. Coast Guard who has lived in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application for a license. A person who does not otherwise qualify as a resident may not qualify by virtue of an interest in an Alaska business.
Per AS 16.05.415(b): A person who establishes residency in the state in accordance with the residency provision above remains a resident during an absence from the state unless during the absence the person (1) establishes or claims residency in another state, territory, or country; or (2) performs an act, or is absent under circumstances, that are inconsistent with the intent required under the residency provision above.
For further information, see Residency Info Sheet (PDF file* - 52K).
Nonresident Military:
Active duty members of the military, and their dependents, who have been stationed in Alaska for less than 12 months.
Nonresident:
A person who does not meet residency requirements as outlined above and is a resident of the United States; or an alien who has maintained a permanent place of
abode in the United States.
Nonresident Alien:
A person who is not a citizen of the United States nor has lived in the State of Alaska for the preceding 12 consecutive months.
Age Requirements
Fishing, Hunting, Trapping Licenses: Residents and nonresidents under the age of 16 do not need to purchase a sport fishing license. Residents under the age of 16 do not need to purchase a hunting or trapping license. A sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license is not required of a resident who is 60 years of age and meets the license residency definition. A Permanent Identification Card will be issued without charge to persons who qualify by age and residence and who complete an application.
Crewmember licenses: Child crewmember licenses are available for residents and nonresidents under the age of 11.
Military Transfer
Q: Can Military personnel who have established Alaska residency and are then involuntarily transferred to a military assignment in another state lose their Alaska residency? What if they obtain a "resident" hunting or fishing license in the other state that is specially provided to members of the military?
A: Military personnel who are transferred to Alaska can obtain "resident" hunting and fishing licenses two ways:
Per AS 16.05.940(26)(A), a person can qualify by maintaining their domicile in the state for the preceding 12 consecutive months, and not claiming residency or obtaining benefits of residency in another state, territory or country. This type of residency is indefinite and may be permanent if the qualifications continue to be met.
Per AS 16.05.940(26)(C), a member of the military service or United States Coast Guard and their dependents may purchase a "resident" license after being stationed in Alaska for 12 consecutive months without any intent to make Alaska their domicile, and in spite of their claiming domicile in another state. This type of residency is temporary and expires immediately upon a transfer to another state.
Once residency is established, it can be maintained even if the person is absent from the state, as long as certain conditions are met. Per AS 16.05.415:
(a) In AS 16.05.330 - 16.05.430, a person is a resident if the person
(1) is physically present in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state;
(2) has maintained the person's domicile in the state for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application for a license;
(3) is not claiming residency in another state, territory, or country; and
(4) is not obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country
(b) A person who establishes residency in the state under (a) of this section remains a resident during an absence from the state unless during the absence the person
(1) establishes or claims residency in another state, territory, or country; or
(2) performs an act, or is absent under circumstances, that is inconsistent with the intent required under (a) of this section.
Military personnel who have attained residency while stationed in Alaska and are then subsequently involuntarily transferred to another state, may continue to purchase an Alaskan resident sport license. However while stationed elsewhere, they cannot do anything to negate their residency in Alaska while stationed in another state. For example they need to: retain Alaska as Home of Residence with the military, keep their Alaska driver's license (if legally possible), Alaska voters registration card, Alaska vehicle registration, etc.
Some states allow military personnel to purchase resident sport licenses based solely on their military status without meeting the residency conditions of nonmilitary persons. The purchase of such a license in many states will not negate the Alaskan residency status of military personnel stationed there.
The State of Alaska Attorney General's office has looked at each state’s residency requirements and has determined that the following states ARE NOT approved to purchase that state’s resident license and still qualify for a resident license in Alaska: Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota (for moose and elk), New York, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. For all other states, the military resident must not have done anything else to negate their Alaskan residency (see above information).
Please Note: If a state changes their military resident requirement, the above states may no longer qualify or may now qualify for a State of Alaska resident license. The information on this site for various states may not be current. Please review the military license requirements each year for the state where you are currently stationed to ensure they have not changed.
If a military person living outside Alaska who has met Alaska’s residency definition above plans a fishing/hunting trip to Alaska and wants to purchase a resident Alaska sport license, they must:
- meet the conditions above if they purchased a resident license in their new state based on their military status, and
- be in one of the state's the Attorney General’s office has approved.
If you have any questions, please contact ADF&G Licensing.
How Long is License Good For?
Licenses are good from the date of purchase through December 31 of the license year. The exceptions to this are the resident trapping licenses which are valid through September 30 of the next calendar year and the nonresident fishing licenses which are good for only 1, 3, 7 or 14 days.
Lost/Destroyed License/Tag/Stamp:
If your sport or commercial crewmember license, big game tag or king salmon stamp is lost/destroyed, you may purchase a duplicate for $5.00. Please visit your local license vendor or Department of Fish and Game office (if licenses are sold there), and request a duplicate license/tag/stamp.
Yukon Resident Sport Fishing License and King Stamp
During the 2004 Legislative session, Senate Bill 56 passed and was signed into law by the Governor on March 5, 2004. SB 56 stated that the Commissioner of Fish and Game may adopt regulations authorizing residents of the Yukon to receive an Alaskan sport fishing license and king salmon tag at resident rates. The regulation became effective February 13, 2005. Residents of Yukon, Canada may purchase a Class 11, Yukon annual sport fishing license and a king salmon stamp. In order to do so, Yukon residents will need to provide to a license vendor a copy of their current resident Yukon sport fishing license and a valid Yukon Territory government issued identification card. If they have not met the Yukon's requirements to be considered a resident, then they cannot purchase an Alaskan Yukon sport fishing license/king salmon tag. This special license is available from any license vendor selling sport licenses. If you have any questions, please contact ADF&G Licensing or e-mail dfg.das.licensehelp@alaska.gov.
Do I need a King Salmon Stamp?
King Salmon Stamps are required for anyone who fishes for anadromous king salmon except for residents and nonresidents under the age of 16 and persons who have these license types: resident blind fishing license, resident low income license, resident 60 years of age or older Permanent Identification Card license, and a resident disabled Veteran's license.
Do I Need a Big Game Tag?
Resident Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly bear, or a cow/bull musk ox.
Nonresident Military Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly bear, goat (free), bull musk ox, or sheep (free). See definition above of a nonresident military licensee.
Nonresident / Nonresident Alien Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt brown/grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, bull musk ox, sheep, wolf, or wolverine. See definition above of a nonresident or nonresident alien licensee.
Do I Need a Guide?
Resident Licensee: No, you do not need a guide.
Nonresident Military Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt for brown/grizzly bear, sheep or goat. You must complete an affidavit showing that you will be accompanied by a person who is qualified to guide under Alaska Statute 16.05.407. See definition above of a nonresident military licensee.
Nonresident Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt for brown/grizzly bear, sheep or goat. You must complete an affidavit showing that you will be accompanied by a person who is qualified to guide under Alaska Statute 16.05.407. See definition above of a nonresident licensee.
Nonresident Alien Licensee: Yes, if you plan to hunt for brown/grizzly bear, black bear, bison, caribou, deer, elk, goat, moose, muskox, Sheep, Wolf or Wolverine. You must complete an affidavit showing that you will be accompanied by a person who is qualified to guide under Alaska Statute 16.05.407. See definition above of a nonresident alien licensee.
Federal Requirement for Aliens Bringing Guns into the United States
The U.S. Department of Justice/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) requires nonimmigrant aliens temporarily importing firearms and ammunition into the United States to submit ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3D), in order to obtain an ATF firearm import permit. This permit application must be submitted well in advance of your trip. If you have any questions about this new regulation, please contact ATF.
The form and instruction on how to submit it can be found by calling ATF at 202-927-8320 or downloading the application (form number 5330.3D under the Forms tab) from the ATF website at: http://www.atf.treas.gov .
In order to submit this form, unless meeting other qualifications listed on the form, you must buy a hunting license. Then you must send a copy of the license with the form when you submit it. You will need the importation permit they issue and the hunting license in order to clear US Customs when you arrive in the United States.
You can find more information about importing your firearm into the United States at:http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm
If you plan to just carry the gun while traveling in Alaska for wildlife protection and not to hunt, the least expensive hunting license you can purchase is a non-resident small game license for $20. You can purchase a license on-line at http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/
Please remember that a hunting license is not required to carry the handgun in Alaska, it is required to apply for an importation permit from ATF and then to import it through US Customs. You can find all the regulations about carrying an unconcealed or concealed handgun in Alaska at http://www.dps.alaska.gov/Statewide/PermitsLicensing/
concealedhandguns.aspx . There is no restriction in Alaska as to what type of handgun can be used with a small game license.
If you plan to also carry a gun into Canada, you can find more information about importing a handgun from Alaska to Canada by contacting Canadian Customs at: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/visit-eng.html
Please note: You are considered a nonimmigrant alien under federal law for the ATF importation permit, and a nonresident or nonresident alien for the Alaska hunting license.
Higher Priced Tag as Replacement
If you are unable to purchase the tag you need, you can purchase another tag at the same or higher price and use that tag for the species you plan to hunt.
Do I Need a Duck Stamp?
Required for anyone who hunts waterfowl except for residents under the age of 16, and persons who have these license types: resident low income license, resident 60 years of age or older Permanent Identification Card license, and a resident disabled Veteran's license. Whenever you buy a Duck Stamp, you must answer a couple questions regarding waterfowl you have harvested. This data is required by the U.S. Dept of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service for their Harvest Information Program.
Commercial Crewmember Information
A person engaged in commercial fishing is considered a commercial fisherman and must hold a commercial fishing license. Commercial fisherman means an individual who fishes commercially for, takes, or attempts to take fish, shellfish, or other fishery resources of the state by any means, and includes every individual aboard a boat operated for fishing purposes who participates directly or indirectly in the taking of these raw fishery products, whether participation is on shares or as an employee or otherwise; however, this definition does not apply to anyone aboard a licensed vessel as a visitor or guest who does not directly or indirectly participate in the taking; and the term "commercial fisherman" includes the crews of tenders, processors, catcher processors or other floating craft used in transporting fish. Persons who need to obtain a crew member license include persons handling fishing gear, the cook, the engineer and any crewmembers who assist at all in maintenance, navigation, docking and operation of the vessel (including taking aboard fish from tenders or catcher vessels). Other crewmembers on a processor or catcher processor do not need a crew license if they work only on the processing line.
In compliance with the statutes of the State of Alaska, the purchaser of a Commercial Crewmember License is notified that beginning July 1, 1997: Social Security Number is required information. If you are behind on your child support payments, your license is null and void at the time of purchase, and you will be subject to criminal sanctions for participation in any commercial crewmember activities. The Department of Fish and Game will match each licensee against Child Support Enforcement's outstanding child support list. Notice will be served that the license is void and invalid. A temporary license may be requested by filing a written request to the Department of Fish and Game.
Resident Senior Citizen License
A sport fishing, hunting, or trapping license is not required of a resident who is 60 years of age and meets the license residency definition. A Permanent Identification Card will be issued without charge to persons who qualify by age and residence and who complete an application. The number printed on your Identification Card should be used in lieu of a sport fishing, hunting and trapping license number in all instances which require a license number, e.g. resident big game tags, harvest tickets, fur export permits, sale of furs, trophy export, transfer of legally taken fish and game to others, etc. A Permanent Identification Card Licensee does not have to purchase a state conservation stamp to hunt waterfowl or a king salmon stamp to fish for king salmon.
Resident Disabled Veteran License
Must meet the residency definition. May receive a hunting and sport fishing license without charge if the person has been: 1) discharged from military service under honorable conditions, is eligible for a loan under AS18.56.101, and is certified by the United States Veterans' Administration as having incurred a 50% disability during military service; or 2) served in the Alaska Territorial Guard, is eligible for a loan under AS 18.56.101, and incurred a 50% or greater disability while serving in the Alaska Territorial Guard.
Resident Low Income License
Must meet the residency definition above. The hunting/trapping/fishing license fee is $5.00 for a resident who is receiving or has received assistance during the preceding six months under any state or federal welfare program to aid the indigent, or has an annual family gross income of less than $8,200 for the year preceding application.
Members of the United States Armed Service or their dependents stationed in Alaska on active duty do not qualify for this license.
State or Federal Welfare Programs include any program funded by the state or federal government to assist low income families. This includes Aid to Dependent Children, food stamps, medical assistance, energy assistance, etc. Unemployment benefits or financial aid to college students are NOT considered a welfare program.
Family’s gross annual income must include all sources of income for ALL family members. Applicant must include permanent fund dividends for all family members as well as any other dividends or interest payments received.
The year immediately preceding application means the previous calendar year. A person paying $5.00 for a resident hunting, trapping, and sport fishing license must provide proof of eligibility under this paragraph when requested by the Department of Fish and Game or the Department of Public Safety
Taxidermy License
Definition of Taxidermy AS 16.05.940(34). "Taxidermy" means tanning, mounting, processing, or other treatment or preparation of fish or game, or any part of fish or game, as a trophy, for monetary gain, including the receiving of the fish or game or parts of fish or game for such purposes. A "trophy" includes any fish or game or any part of fish or game that is prepared or mounted for display or as a memento. "Game" includes any bird or mammal found or introduced into the state except "domestic" animals.
Generally speaking, anyone who mounts or prepares big game, small game, furbearers, gamebirds, waterfowl or fish (or a part of these animals, such as horns, antlers, hides, skulls, etc.) as a trophy and receives payment, must have a taxidermy license. Taxidermists are bound by the same laws relating to transfer of possession, use, purchase and sale of fish and game as are all other citizens. For example, state regulations prohibit the purchase or sale of "big game trophies" any part of any bear (whether or not taken in Alaska), and sport caught fish. Nor may a taxidermist possess, transport, or receive any game that s/he should know was taken in violation of any state law. For example, any game animal that should be sealed and is not, or any game animal that a customer cannot demonstrate is legally taken (by virtue of a license, tag, sealing record, or signed statement of "transfer of possession") should not be accepted by a taxidermist for processing.
Fur Dealer License
Definition of Fur Dealing AS 16.05.940(17). "Fur Dealing" means engaging in the business of buying, selling, or trading in animal skins; the term does not include the sale of animal skins by a hunter or trapper who has legally taken the animal, or the purchase of animal skins by a person, other than a fur dealer, for the person's own use.
"Skin" has the same meaning as "hide" or "pelt" and refers to the tanned or untanned external covering of any animal's body. Generally speaking, anyone who purchases a skin or fur for resale, whether as a tanned or untanned skin or to produce some other article (such as a coat, hat, mittens, doll, toy, or other ornament or object of clothing), must have a fur dealing license. Anyone who sells a fur, skin, hide, or pelt that s/he did not personally take, or who acts as an agent for the hunter/trapper, must have a fur dealing license. If a person purchases objects already made from furs or skins for resale (e.g. hats, coats, etc.), no fur dealing license is required.
Game Mammal or Reptile/Bird Farm License
Definition of Game Farming AS 16.05.940(15) "Game Farming" means the business of propagating, breeding, raising, or producing game in captivity for the purpose of marketing the game or its products, and "captivity" means having the game under positive control, as in a pen, pond, or an area of land or water which is completely enclosed by a generally escape-proof barrier.
Southeast Subsistence\Personal Use Salmon Permits
If you have questions about the regulations or limits for the salmon subsistence and personal use permits contact the Area Management Biologists at the following addresses:
Haines Management Area: PO Box 330 Haines, AK 99827 (907) 766-2830
Juneau Management Area: PO Box 240020 Douglas, AK 99824 (907) 465-4250
Ketchikan Management Area: 2030 Sea Level Drive, Suite 205 Ketchikan, AK 99901 (907) 225-5195
Petersburg Management Area: PO Box 667 Petersburg, AK 99833 (907) 772-3801
Sitka Management Area: 304 Lake Street, Room 103 Sitka, AK 99835 (907) 747-6688
Wrangell Management Area: PO Box 200 Wrangell, AK 99929 (907) 874-3822
Summer Permit Conditions:
- The permit is valid from July 1 thru September 30.
- Harvest permits are required for personal use fishing for red and/or blue king crabs in Section 11-A only.
- Permit holders must be Alaskan residents
- A Sport Fishing License is required to take shellfish for personal use, unless a person is younger than 16 or older than 60 years of age.
- In Section 11-A, the king crab daily bag and possession limit is two male crab per permit per day and the seasonal household limit is 10, unless changed by emergency order.
- Only male red king crab 7 inches or larger in width of shell and male blue crab 6.5 inches in width of shell may be taken.
- No more than two pots per vessel may be used to take king crab.
- The permit holder or listed household member or authorized proxy, and the permit must be present at the time and place of harvest.
- Other regulations apply to the personal use king crab fishery. Personal use crabbers are advised to familiarize themselves with the Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for Southeast Alaska.
Winter Permit Conditions for Personal Use Harvest Permit for Juneau Area King Crab
- The permit is valid from October 1 thru March 31.
- Harvest permits are required for personal use fishing for red and/or blue king crabs in Section 11-A only.
- Permit holders must be Alaskan residents.
- A Sport Fishing License is required to take shellfish for personal use, unless a person is younger than 16 or older than 60 years of age.
- In Section 11-A, the king crab daily bag and possession limit is one male crab per permit per day and the seasonal household limit is 10, unless changed by emergency order.
- Only one male crab per permit may be taken.
- Only male red king crab 7 inches or larger in width of shell and male blue crab 6.5 inches in width of shell may be taken.
- No more than two pots per vessel may be used to take king crab.
- The permit holder or listed household member or authorized proxy, and the permit must be present at the time and place of harvest.
- Other regulations apply to the personal use king crab fishery. Personal use crabbers are advised to familiarize themselves with the Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for Southeast Alaska.
