I think there may be some mild confusion about hunting in The Last Frontier. Most sportsmen don’t think of the draw when contemplating a hunt in Alaska. That’s because, for most of the big game hunting taking place in Alaska, tags can be purchased over the counter. But I’m here to tell you that the vast majority of the best hunting in Alaska takes place in its limited-entry draw areas. This is why you need to be applying!
- Deadline to Apply: Mid-December.
- Draw Post Date: Typically by the third Friday in February.
- WTA TAGS Species: Alaska-Yukon Moose, Barren Ground Caribou, Bison, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Dall Sheep, Mountain Goat, Muskox, and Roosevelt Elk.
- Youth: 10 years old by the start date of your permit.
- Hunter’s Safety: Required if born after January 1, 1986.
- Point System: Currently, Alaska does NOT have a point system in place. The draw is completely random.
WTA TAGS offers professional licensing services for 9 species in Alaska. A WTA TAGS consultant will give you a perfect consultation on each of these species, helping you decide which hunts you would like to apply for, but here are some of our favorites.
Kodiak Island Mountain Goat
This is one of the most affordable guided hunts for this species, and for those that can handle a backpack hunt in the alpine, it’s one of the most successful! Drawing odds are often as good as 1 in 4.
Afognak Island Boat-Based Brown Bear
A hunt for the Alaska brown bear is one of the most difficult endeavors in North American big game hunting. Having a comfortable yacht to lay your head each night, combined with quality meals and an excellent crew in charge can surely take the pain out of such an adventure and increase overall enjoyment. Furthermore, success rates boast over 90% on mature boars. Some of the largest brown bears in the world reside in this outfitter’s Native Land concession on Afognak Island. Drawing odds often exceed 50%.
Barren Ground Caribou
The good old days of exceptional Barren Ground Caribou hunting are over, except in the preferred WTA TAGS drawing area. This hunt is simply outstanding and, in our expert opinion, one’s only legitimate shot at a bona fide booner. While the drawing odds often exceed 1 in 20, one really doesn’t have a choice when looking for an exceptional caribou hunt in Alaska. Apply, apply, apply!
In closing, if you’ve always dreamed of hunting The Last Frontier or you’ve been there before and want to give it another go, applying for Alaska’s limited-entry tags is almost always your best course of action. The December application deadline, combined with the early draw result post in mid-February, gives a sportsman adequate time to re-adjust in the event of an unsuccessful draw. If drawn, you are in for the hunt of a lifetime. You can rest assured that WTA TAGS will place you with the very best outfitter possible for the tag you’ve drawn. It starts with a phone call to 1-800-755-8247.
