Alaska Shooting Hours
30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset under Alaska default rule, plus 2 species-specific exceptions.
Alaska Shooting Hours
2 Alaska species (Waterfowl, Brown Bear) carry rules that depart from the statewide default.
Alaska shooting-hours quirks
The AK-specific timing details that the standard half-hour rule doesn't capture
In June and July north of the Brooks Range, the sun barely sets — civil twilight runs all night. The "30 minutes before sunrise" calculation gets weird. Always check ADF&G for season-specific times in interior and northern units.
Alaska Shooting Hours Rules
Codified by Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
- Default Shooting Hours
- 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
- Species with Special Rules
-
- Waterfowl: 30min before to 0min after
- Brown Bear: 30min before to 30min after
- Wildlife Agency
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Confirm with Alaska Department of Fish and Game before each hunt — AK reissues regulations annually.
Last verified: January 2026
Run the Alaska shooting hours calculator
The interactive calculator lives on the main tool page. It will pre-load with Alaska (AK) and apply the 30 minutes/30 minutes default rule plus any species exceptions.
Alaska species exceptions
2 species depart from the default rule
| Species | Legal Start | Legal End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default (Most Game) | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | Standard rule |
| Waterfowl | 30 minutes before sunrise | Sunset | Ends at sunset |
| Brown Bear | 30 minutes before sunrise | 30 minutes after sunset | - |
Alaska Shooting Hours FAQ
Specific questions about legal hunting times in Alaska.
What are the legal shooting hours in Alaska?
In Alaska, legal shooting hours for most game are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. However, specific species may have different rules - always check the species-specific regulations before hunting.
Do shooting hours vary by species in Alaska?
Yes, Alaska has different shooting hours for certain species. For example: Waterfowl (30 min before sunrise to 0 min after sunset); Brown Bear (30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset). Always verify specific rules for your target species.
Where can I find official Alaska hunting regulations?
Official hunting regulations for Alaska can be found at the state wildlife agency website. Visit the official source for the most up-to-date information on shooting hours, seasons, and bag limits.
Do I need to adjust shooting hours for Daylight Saving Time in Alaska?
No, our calculator automatically accounts for Daylight Saving Time based on your selected date. The times shown are in Alaska's local time zone.
Are there special considerations for hunting in Alaska?
In June and July north of the Brooks Range, the sun barely sets — civil twilight runs all night. The "30 minutes before sunrise" calculation gets weird. Always check ADF&G for season-specific times in interior and northern units.
Background reading: how shooting hours are defined · general FAQ.
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