How to Qualify for a Resident Hunting and Fishing License in Alaska

Alaska requires 12 months to qualify for residency.

To qualify as a resident of Alaska to purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses, you must reside in Alaska for 12 consecutive months and maintain a permanent home in the state. While most states require only a six-month residency or less, Alaska requires a full 12 months due to the unique nature of the state. Alaska hunting and fishing is unparalleled, as are the bitter winters. State officials affirm that if you want to enjoy the benefits of these sports, you need to live in the state year-round.

Things You'll Need

• Proof of Alaska residency
• Permanent home in the state

Instructions

1. Live in Alaska for 12 consecutive months with intent to remain in the state.

2. If in the military and stationed in Alaska, an individual can qualify for residency if he or she has lived in Alaska the 12 consecutive months prior to applying for a license.

3. A residency or claim of residency in another state disqualifies a person from Alaska residency even if that person stays in Alaska for the 12 consecutive months.

4. Owning a business in Alaska, but having residency in another state, does not meet the residency requirement.

5. Absence from Alaska does not disqualify a person if they are an Alaska resident with intent to return to their home in Alaska.

Tips & Warnings

• The qualification for Alaska residency is basic; you must live in the state a full year before applying for a resident license for either hunting or fishing.

• You cannot live in Alaska part of the year, leave when the winter comes, and then return in the warm weather and claim residency. The exception to this is if you are already an established resident with a permanent address in Alaska and do not become an official resident of another state or country.

• Residents and nonresidents under age 16 do not need to purchase a sport fishing license.

• Penalties are stiff for illegal fishing and hunting without proper licenses. Do not attempt to fish or hunt in Alaska if you are a nonresident and have not purchased nonresident licenses.

• Giving false information about residency for the purpose of purchasing resident licenses will also result in fines.

References

• "Alaska Division of Fish and Game"