Moose Hunting in Anchorage, Alaska

With proper licensing, you can legally hunt moose near Anchorage, Alaska.

Alaska moose hunting can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of a sportsman's visit to that state, especially near the major city of Anchorage. You can venture off on your own or select an outfitter to guide you on your moose hunting trip. To avoid problems with gaming officials, it's always best to read up on all the regulations as well as apply for the appropriate hunting license before your trip, especially if you plan to go on your own to bag some moose.

Licensing Requirements

Anchorage area moose hunting licenses can be obtained either through a lottery drawing process or through normal means such as via the Internet. Whether you need to apply for a drawing or can outright purchase a license depends upon your preferred hunting date as well as the part of the metropolitan area in which you plan to hunt.

The annual time frame for lottery applications if they are required for your preferred type of moose hunt is from November to December, according to the state's Division of Wildlife Conservation.

Time Frame

In the Anchorage area, you can usually hunt moose only during the fall months, according to the "Anchorage Daily News." In 2010, local government officials approved continuing antlerless moose hunts.

Annual Harvest Statistics and Geographic Identification

Each year, hunters hoping to bag moose within Anchorage's city limits usually must restrict their hunt to military reservations, according to the Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation. In the context of moose hunting, Anchorage usually refers to surrounding communities from Knik River to Portage, including Chugach State Park. Each year, hunters successfully bag about 100 moose.

Harvest Reporting Requirements

Regardless of where you hunt or what type of license you acquire, you must report successful moose hunting on the Internet, in person or through postal mail. Failure to report the game you bag, including moose, can lead to penalties that include fines and hunting bans. Check your hunting license for the postage-paid postcard you must use to report your hunts. Sometimes, your particular type of hunt requires you to report even unsuccessful trips. Also, state gaming officials reserve the right to temporarily suspend moose or similar types of hunts if conservationists feel too many big-game animals were harvested too quickly.

Legal Moose Identification

If the moose's antlers are at least 50 inches wide, you can legally bag the animal in the Anchorage area, according to the Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation. However, if the antlers are less than 50 inches wide, you might risk breaking a law if you shoot it. If the moose has at least four brow tines on one side but the antlers are less than 50 inches wide, you can legally hunt it.

References

• Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation: Moose Hunting Opportunities
• Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation: Harvest Reporting Overview
• Anchorage Daily News: Game committtee approves antlerless moose hunt
• Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation: Living with Wildlife in Anchorage
• Alaska Division of Wildlife Conservation: Moose ID