Alaska Draw Odds by Hunt Code 2027: Complete Guide

Does Alaska Use a Draw for Most Big Game Hunting?

No.

The original article says Alaska uses:

A Lottery-Style Draw System for Most Big-Game Species.

That's misleading.

Alaska provides multiple types of big-game hunting opportunity.

These include:

General Season Hunts

Registration Permit Hunts

Drawing Permit Hunts

and other specialized permit structures.

ADF&G uses drawing permits when:

Animal Numbers + Expected Hunter Demand

make unrestricted general or registration opportunity inappropriate.

General Season Hunts

Many Alaska big-game opportunities occur under:

General Seasons.

Depending on the species and area, hunters may need:

A Hunting License + Harvest Ticket + Applicable Locking Tag

rather than a drawing permit.

Don't assume:

Alaska Big Game = Drawing Permit.

Registration Hunts

Alaska also uses:

Registration Permit Hunts.

Hunters register for these opportunities rather than compete in the annual random drawing.

Registration hunts can have:

Harvest Goals

and can potentially:

Close Early

when management objectives are reached.

Drawing Hunts

Drawing permits are used where ADF&G needs to:

Restrict the Number of Hunters.

Applicants submit paid entries during the annual application period.

Permits are awarded through:

Random Lottery.

Alaska Doesn't Have Preference Points

This is one of the most important features of the Alaska system.

There are:

No Preference Points

and:

No Bonus Points

for Alaska's standard drawing permits.

If you've applied unsuccessfully for:

15 Years

you don't receive priority over someone applying for:

The First Time.

Previous Failure Doesn't Improve Next Year's Entry

Each annual drawing is:

Random.

Your history of unsuccessful applications doesn't create:

A Growing Point Balance.

This makes Alaska fundamentally different from states such as:

Colorado

or:

Wyoming

where preference points play a major role in applicable draws.

What Is an Alaska Hunt Code?

ADF&G more commonly refers to these as:

Hunt Numbers.

Each drawing hunt has its own unique:

Hunt Number.

That's the identifier you should use when researching:

Draw Odds.

Why Hunt Number Matters More Than GMU

A single:

Game Management Unit

can contain:

Multiple Drawing Hunts.

Those hunts can differ by:

• Species

• Sex

• Hunt area

• Season

• Residency

• Permit quota

• Guide requirement

• Weapon restrictions

• Other eligibility requirements

So:

Unit 13A Moose Odds

isn't sufficiently specific.

You need:

The Exact DM Hunt Number.

Alaska Drawing Hunt Prefixes

Common drawing hunt-number prefixes include species identifiers such as:

DB — Drawing Brown Bear

DC — Drawing Caribou

DE — Drawing Elk

DG — Drawing Mountain Goat

DM — Drawing Moose

DS — Drawing Sheep

and other applicable species codes.

Always verify the exact hunt number in the current:

ADF&G Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement.

Actual 2027 Draw Odds Don't Exist Before the Drawing

Don't publish:

"2027 Draw Odds Are 20%."

before the 2027 drawing has occurred.

Actual draw probability depends on the final:

Number of Valid Applications

and:

Number of Permits Available.

Before those numbers exist, TAGZ should label estimates as:

Historical

or:

Projected.

Historical Odds Are Still Valuable

Historical results can help answer:

How Competitive Has This Hunt Been?

Compare several completed years and look for:

Applicant Trends

Permit Changes

and:

Regulatory Changes.

But historical results aren't:

A Guarantee of Future Odds.

Don't Confuse Draw Odds With Harvest Success

The original article repeatedly mixes:

Drawing Success

and:

Harvest Success.

These are completely different metrics.

Draw Odds

Answer:

How Difficult Is It to Receive the Permit?

Harvest Success

Answers:

How Often Did Hunters Harvest After Receiving Hunting Opportunity?

A hunt could have:

1% Draw Odds

and:

70% Harvest Success.

Those aren't contradictory.

They measure:

Different Things.

Remove the Unit 13A Moose 45% Claim

The original article says:

"Unit 13A Moose: Nearly 45% Chance for Residents."

Don't publish that without an exact:

DM Hunt Number + Regulatory Year + Applicant Count + Permit Count.

Unit 13A by itself isn't enough to establish:

Drawing Probability.

Remove the Unit 23 Caribou 30% Claim

Likewise:

"Unit 23 Caribou: Around 30%."

isn't sufficiently supported.

You need:

Exact DC Hunt Number

plus:

Residency + Year + Permit Quota + Valid Applications.

Remove the Unit 19D Sheep 20% Claim

The original:

"Unit 19D Sheep: Approximately 20%."

should also be removed unless tied to:

An Exact DS Hunt Number

and completed ADF&G drawing data.

Don't publish generic percentages based only on:

GMU + Species.

Be Especially Careful With Unit 19 Sheep Information

Alaska sheep management in:

Unit 19

has undergone significant recent regulatory changes.

For example, the Alaska Board of Game changed:

Unit 19C

sheep opportunity beginning with the current regulatory structure.

For regulatory years 2026 and 2027, the Board recommended a limited drawing structure with up to:

20 Permits

including separate allocations for:

Residents

Guided Nonresidents

and:

Nonresidents Hunting With Qualifying Resident Relatives.

This illustrates why old sheep draw data can't automatically be projected into:

2027.

How Are Alaska Draw Odds Calculated?

A basic historical draw rate can be expressed as:

Permits Awarded ÷ Valid Applications × 100

but the exact application structure matters.

For example:

100 Permits

and:

2,000 Valid Entries

produces a basic:

5% Permit-to-Entry Ratio.

But don't automatically call that every individual's exact probability without checking:

Repeat Entries + Party Applications + Hunt Restrictions.

Alaska Allows Multiple Entries

This is one of the most important strategy differences in Alaska.

Under current ADF&G rules, hunters may generally submit up to:

6 Applications Per Species.

Those six entries can potentially be:

Different Hunts

or:

Multiple Applications for the Same Hunt,

subject to hunt-specific restrictions.

Multiple Entries Can Increase Your Chance

ADF&G specifically notes that an applicant's chance of winning a permit for a species increases with:

Additional Valid Hunt Applications.

That's one of the few legitimate ways to increase drawing opportunity in a:

Random System.

Six Applications Doesn't Mean Six Different Units

Suppose you're applying for:

Moose.

Depending on current hunt-specific restrictions, you could potentially:

Apply to Multiple Moose Hunts

or:

Enter the Same Moose Hunt Multiple Times.

But the total number of individual and party applications combined can't exceed:

Six for that species.

Hunt-Specific Exceptions Matter

There are exceptions.

For example, current ADF&G rules place additional application restrictions on certain:

Koyukuk Moose

Unit 21E Moose

Unit 19C Farewell Moose

and:

Kodiak Brown Bear

drawings.

That's why TAGZ should always pair draw strategy with:

Current Hunt-Specific Rules.

What Happens If You Submit Too Many Applications?

Under current rules, if you exceed the allowed:

Six Applications for a Species,

ADF&G can reject:

All Applications for That Species.

Double-check your entries before submitting.

When Is the Alaska Drawing Application Period?

Under current ADF&G rules, Alaska's annual drawing application period runs:

November 1 at 8:00 a.m. AKST

through:

December 15 at 5:00 p.m. AKST.

Always verify the exact application period for the relevant:

2027 Hunt Supplement.

Does Applying Early Improve Your Lottery Odds?

No.

The original article says:

"Apply Early to Improve Your Chances."

That needs clarification.

Submitting on:

November 1

doesn't receive greater lottery weight than a valid application submitted later within the application period.

Why ADF&G Still Says to Apply Early

ADF&G encourages early applications because it gives hunters more time to:

Verify Applications

and:

Correct Errors.

It also helps avoid:

Heavy Website Traffic Near the Deadline.

So:

Apply Early for Administrative Safety.

Not:

Lottery Priority.

Alaska Applications Are Final

ADF&G states that submitted drawing applications are:

Final.

Application fees are:

Nonrefundable.

That makes accuracy especially important.

You Need the Appropriate Hunting License

Before applying for applicable Alaska drawing permits, applicants generally need to:

Obtain or Have Applied for the Appropriate Alaska Hunting License.

Current youth exceptions apply under ADF&G rules.

Verify your eligibility before purchasing applications.

Application Fees

Under current ADF&G rules, drawing entries currently cost:

$5 Per Hunt Number

for:

• Brown bear

• Black bear

• Caribou

• Elk

• Mountain goat

• Moose

• Sheep

and:

$10 Per Hunt Number

for:

• Bison

• Muskox

Verify pricing for the applicable 2027 drawing.

Applying Six Times Has a Cost

For a species currently carrying a:

$5 Entry Fee,

six applications would cost:

$30

in drawing application fees.

That's separate from:

Hunting License + Locking Tag + Other Hunt Costs.

Strategy #1: Decide Whether You Want One Hunt or One Species

Ask:

Do I Want This Exact Hunt?

or:

Do I Primarily Want a Permit for This Species?

Those goals create different strategies.

Strategy #2: Concentrate Entries

If one particular hunt is:

Your Priority

and current rules allow repeat applications:

Multiple Entries Into That Hunt

can increase your chances relative to submitting only one entry.

But that concentrates your opportunity on:

One Hunt.

Strategy #3: Diversify Entries

Alternatively, you can spread applications across:

Multiple Hunt Numbers.

That can increase the number of:

Different Opportunities

you're pursuing.

But you're giving each individual hunt:

Fewer Entries.

Concentration vs Diversification

Suppose you have six valid sheep applications available.

You might choose:

6 Entries — One Hunt

or:

3 + 3 — Two Hunts

or:

2 + 2 + 2 — Three Hunts

or:

1 Entry Each — Six Hunts.

The best structure depends on:

Which Hunts You Would Actually Accept.

Don't Apply for a Hunt You Don't Want

A better raw draw percentage doesn't automatically make a hunt:

A Good Application.

Research:

• Access

• Terrain

• Species distribution

• Hunt dates

• Guide requirements

• Transportation

• Cost

• Physical difficulty

before submitting.

Strategy #4: Compare Historical Demand

For each hunt number, compare:

Historical Valid Applications

and:

Permits Awarded.

Look for hunts where:

Competition Has Been Lower

relative to other acceptable options.

Strategy #5: Watch Permit Quotas

A hunt can become more or less competitive when:

Permit Numbers Change.

But don't assume:

More Permits Automatically Means Better Odds.

Applicant demand can change at the same time.

Strategy #6: Monitor Regulatory Changes

Alaska's:

Board of Game

can change:

• Hunt structure

• Permit numbers

• Residency allocations

• Seasons

• Hunt boundaries

• Bag limits

Historical odds need to be interpreted in light of:

Current Regulations.

Strategy #7: Separate Resident and Nonresident Eligibility

Don't automatically say:

"Nonresidents Have Worse Alaska Draw Odds."

That's too broad.

ADF&G states that:

Most Drawing Hunts Are Available to Both Residents and Nonresidents.

But individual hunts can have:

Residency Restrictions

or:

Separate Allocations.

Some Hunts Do Have Separate Allocations

For example, recent:

Unit 19C Sheep

changes created separate allocations for:

Residents

Guided Nonresidents

and:

Nonresidents Hunting With Qualifying Alaska Resident Relatives.

So residency can absolutely matter.

But:

It Must Be Analyzed Hunt by Hunt.

Nonresident Guide Requirements Can Matter

U.S. nonresidents must be accompanied by an:

Alaska-Licensed Guide

or qualifying:

Alaska Resident Relative

when hunting:

Dall Sheep

Mountain Goat

or:

Brown/Grizzly Bear.

Those rules can affect which drawing hunts a nonresident can legally pursue.

Some Draw Hunts Require a Guide Contract

Certain nonresident drawing hunts for:

Guide-Required Species

may require:

Guide-Client Contract Information

during the application process.

Always check the:

Current Drawing Supplement

before applying.

Strategy #8: Don't Use Harvest Success as Draw Probability

A hunt with:

40% Harvest Success

doesn't mean:

40% Draw Odds.

Likewise, a hunt with:

5% Draw Odds

isn't automatically:

A 5% Harvest Hunt.

TAGZ should display these metrics separately.

Strategy #9: Don't Assume Shorter Seasons Mean Worse Draw Odds

The original article says:

Shorter Seasons Can Decrease Draw Success Rates.

Not necessarily.

Season length may affect:

Applicant Demand.

But the drawing itself is driven by:

Valid Entries + Permit Availability + Hunt Rules.

A short season could have:

Low Demand

or:

Extremely High Demand.

You need the actual data.

Strategy #10: Don't Assume "Trophy Quality" Explains Demand

Avoid statements such as:

"This Hunt Has Bad Odds Because It Produces Trophy Animals."

Demand can result from:

• Access

• Species

• Reputation

• Permit quota

• Season dates

• Location

• Guide availability

• Media attention

• Hunter preference

A hard draw doesn't guarantee:

Trophy Quality.

How TAGZ Should Display Alaska Draw Odds

For every Alaska drawing hunt, display:

Species

Hunt Number

GMU/Hunt Area

Residency Eligibility

Season

Permit Quota

Valid Applications

Historical Draw Rate

Multi-Year Trend

and:

Application Restrictions.

Then separately display:

Harvest Statistics

where available.

Don't Collapse Everything Into a GMU Percentage

Avoid:

Unit 13A Moose — 45%

or:

Unit 23 Caribou — 30%.

Instead:

DMXXX — Moose — Specific Hunt Area — Historical Draw Data

or:

DCXXX — Caribou — Specific Hunt Area — Historical Draw Data.

That's more accurate for:

SEO + AEO + Hunter Decision-Making.

How to Research an Alaska Hunt Number

Start with the:

ADF&G Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement.

Find:

Exact Hunt Number.

Then verify:

Species + Area + Season + Eligibility + Permit Conditions.

Next review:

Historical Drawing Results.

Then compare:

Applications + Permits

across multiple years.

Finally evaluate:

Access + Logistics + Hunt Quality.

Example Research Workflow

Suppose you want:

Alaska Moose.

Don't search only:

"Best Alaska Moose Draw Odds."

Instead:

Step 1 — Identify DM Hunt Numbers

Step 2 — Remove Hunts You're Ineligible For

Step 3 — Compare Historical Application Demand

Step 4 — Compare Permit Numbers

Step 5 — Review Multi-Year Trends

Step 6 — Research Access

Step 7 — Decide Whether to Concentrate or Diversify Your Six Entries

That's a much stronger:

Alaska Draw Strategy.

Alaska Draw Odds vs General Hunts

Don't forget that a drawing permit isn't always your only way to:

Hunt Alaska.

Depending on the:

Species + GMU + Residency + Hunt Structure,

you may also have:

General Season

or:

Registration Permit

opportunities.

That matters when deciding whether:

A 1% Drawing Hunt

is worth concentrating all six applications on.

Historical Draw Odds Are Planning Tools

Historical drawing data can help identify:

Competition Trends.

But it doesn't guarantee:

2027 Applicant Numbers

2027 Permit Quotas

or:

2027 Draw Probability.

Use historical odds as:

Planning Data

not:

Guaranteed Future Probability.

How TAGZ Helps With Alaska Draw Planning

TAGZ helps hunters research:

Hunt Opportunities + Draw Data + Units + Terrain + Application Planning.

Browse Alaska through the:

TAGZ Alaska Game Units.

Once you've identified the exact ADF&G:

Hunt Number,

use the corresponding unit information to evaluate:

Terrain + Access + Remoteness + Hunt Logistics.

For example, hunters researching opportunities associated with TAGZ Alaska Unit 20A can evaluate the unit's terrain and access alongside the exact ADF&G hunt-number data.

Draw Odds Aren't Enough

Suppose Hunt A historically shows:

8%

while Hunt B shows:

3%.

That doesn't automatically mean:

Hunt A Is Better.

Hunt B might better match your:

Species Goals + Terrain Preferences + Access + Guide + Hunt Dates.

Draw probability is:

One Variable.

Built by Hunters, Guides and Outfitters

TAGZ was started by hunters, guides and outfitters with firsthand Western and backcountry hunting experience.

Alaska demonstrates why hunting draw analysis needs to go beyond:

"Which Unit Has the Best Odds?"

Instead ask:

Which Hunt Number?

Am I Eligible?

How Many Permits?

How Many Historical Applications?

Can I Apply Multiple Times?

Would I Actually Hunt It?

What Does Access Cost?

Those questions create a stronger application strategy.

Learn more through About TAGZ.

Does Alaska use preference points?

No. Alaska's standard drawing permits are awarded through a random lottery.

Does Alaska use bonus points?

No. Previous unsuccessful applications don't increase your future drawing weight.

How many applications can I submit?

Under current rules, applicants can generally submit up to six applications per species, subject to hunt-specific restrictions.

Can I apply for the same hunt multiple times?

Yes, for many drawing hunts. ADF&G currently allows repeat entries into the same hunt within the six-application species limit unless hunt-specific rules say otherwise.

Does applying early improve draw odds?

No. Applying early can help avoid mistakes and deadline website traffic, but it doesn't increase lottery priority.

When does the Alaska draw open?

Under current rules, the application period begins November 1 at 8 a.m. AKST.

When does the Alaska draw close?

Under current rules, applications close December 15 at 5 p.m. AKST.

Are actual 2027 draw odds available before the draw?

No. Before the drawing occurs, hunters can analyze historical results and projections.

Are draw odds the same as harvest success?

No. Draw odds measure permit competition. Harvest success measures hunting results after opportunity is obtained.

Are nonresident odds always worse?

No. Residency effects vary by hunt. Some hunts are open to both residents and nonresidents, while others have restrictions or separate allocations.

Do I need to draw to hunt big game in Alaska?

Not always. Alaska also offers general-season and registration permit opportunities depending on species and area.

FAQ — Alaska Draw Odds by Hunt Code 2027

How does Alaska's drawing system work?

Hunters submit paid applications for specific hunt numbers. Permits are awarded through a random lottery.

Does Alaska reward applicants who have applied for many years?

No. There is no preference- or bonus-point system for the standard drawing.

What determines historical draw odds?

Historical competition is primarily driven by the number of valid applications relative to available permits, subject to hunt-specific rules, repeat entries, party applications and eligibility requirements.

Which Alaska hunt codes have the best odds in 2027?

Actual 2027 odds won't be known until the 2027 applicant pool and permit allocation are known. Compare completed historical results for exact hunt numbers rather than generic GMUs.

Does Unit 13A Moose have 45% draw odds?

That claim is too broad without identifying the exact DM hunt number, year, residency and permit/application data.

Does Unit 23 Caribou have 30% odds?

Not as a universal statement. Research the exact DC hunt number and completed drawing data.

Does Unit 19D Sheep have 20% odds?

Don't use that percentage without an exact DS hunt number and verified ADF&G drawing results.

Is applying six times better than applying once?

Additional valid applications can increase your chance of receiving a permit for that species. Whether you should concentrate or diversify those entries depends on your hunt goals.

Should I only apply for hunts with high odds?

Not necessarily. Compare draw probability with access, hunt quality, cost, logistics and how strongly you want that particular opportunity.

Can I hunt if I don't draw?

Potentially. Depending on species and location, Alaska also has general-season and registration hunts.

Where can I find official Alaska drawing information?

Use the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's current:

Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement + Drawing Results + Hunting Regulations.

Continue Planning Your 2027 Alaska Applications

Start with:

Species.

Then identify:

Exact Hunt Number.

Next verify:

Residency + Eligibility + Guide Requirements.

Then compare:

Historical Applications + Permit Quota + Multi-Year Draw Trend.

Decide whether to:

Concentrate Multiple Entries

or:

Diversify Across Hunts.

Then research:

GMU + Terrain + Access + Logistics + Cost.

And remember:

Alaska Is Random.

There are:

No Preference Points.

No Bonus Points.

No Advantage for Applying Earlier Within the Valid Application Window.

Use TAGZ to research Alaska units, historical draw information and hunt-planning data.

Browse Alaska opportunities through TAGZ Alaska Game Units.

Explore TAGZ Alaska Unit 20A.

Explore additional hunting research through TAGZ Insights.

See how TAGZ works through TAGZ Product.

Learn about the hunters, guides and outfitters behind TAGZ through About TAGZ.

For official drawing information, use ADF&G Drawing Hunt Information.

For official hunt structure and regulations, use ADF&G Hunting Regulations.

For Alaska's definitions of tags, harvest tickets and permits, use ADF&G Hunting Terminology.

Historical draw percentages are planning tools—not guarantees. Applicant numbers, permit quotas, hunt structures, residency allocations and regulations can change. Always verify the current ADF&G Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement before submitting an application.