How Does Alaska's Hunting Draw Work?

Alaska uses a computerized random drawing to distribute drawing hunt permits when demand exceeds available permits.

Each valid application receives a randomly assigned:

Draw Number

Permits are then awarded beginning with the lowest draw numbers until the available permits for that hunt have been assigned.

There isn't a preference-point queue.

There isn't a bonus-point weighting system.

There isn't an advantage simply because you've applied unsuccessfully for 10 or 20 years.

Does Alaska Have Preference Points?

No.

Alaska doesn't use preference points for its drawing permit hunts.

You don't earn a preference point when you're unsuccessful.

You don't buy a preference point.

And you don't move ahead of newer applicants because you've applied longer.

Does Alaska Have Bonus Points?

No.

Alaska doesn't use a bonus-point system for its drawing permits either.

A hunter who has applied unsuccessfully for 20 years doesn't automatically receive additional drawing weight because of those previous applications.

Each year's drawing is a new random drawing.

Can a First-Time Applicant Draw an Alaska Permit?

Yes.

Because Alaska doesn't use preference or bonus points, a first-time applicant can potentially draw a highly sought-after permit.

A hunter who has been unsuccessful for many years doesn't automatically have priority over that new applicant.

However:

Random doesn't mean easy.

Some Alaska drawing hunts receive many applications for very few permits.

When Do You Apply for Alaska's 2027 Draw?

Alaska's drawing permit application period currently runs:

November 1 at 8:00 a.m. through December 15 at 5:00 p.m. AKST

ADF&G has returned to one annual November-December application period.

For hunts applicable to the 2027 regulatory period, hunters should verify the exact year's Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement when it's released.

Don't wait until late winter or spring.

That's too late for Alaska's regular drawing permit application period.

Are Alaska Draw Applications Available on Paper?

No.

ADF&G currently requires drawing permit applications to be submitted:

Online

Paper applications are no longer accepted for drawing hunts.

Hunters should review the current Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement before applying.

When Are Alaska Draw Results Released?

ADF&G generally releases drawing results in:

February

Check the applicable year's official schedule for the exact result date.

Do You Need an Alaska Hunting License to Apply?

Yes, in general.

Applicants need the applicable valid Alaska hunting license before applying for drawing hunts.

ADF&G accepts an applicable current-year license or a license for the year in which the drawing hunt takes place.

Different requirements can apply to specific applicants and hunt types.

Always review the current Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply?

Under the current ADF&G fee structure, in addition to the hunting license, each drawing application currently costs:

$5 per hunt entry for:

• Black bear

• Brown bear

• Caribou

• Elk

• Mountain goat

• Moose

• Dall sheep

and:

$10 per hunt entry for:

• Bison

• Muskox

These fees can change, so verify the current fee schedule before applying.

Application and license fees are generally nonrefundable.

Can You Apply More Than Once in Alaska?

Yes.

This is one of the biggest corrections to the original article.

Under Alaska's general drawing rules, an applicant may submit up to:

Six applications per species

across individual and party applications combined.

And you can generally:

Apply for the same hunt more than once

or:

Apply for several different hunts

as long as you stay within the six-application limit and comply with hunt-specific restrictions.

Can You Apply Six Times for the Same Alaska Hunt?

Generally, yes.

Suppose you want one particular moose drawing hunt.

If no special restriction applies to that hunt, Alaska's system can allow you to submit multiple applications for that same hunt within your six-application species limit.

That gives you multiple valid entries in the random drawing for that species/hunt.

This is fundamentally different from a point system.

You're not accumulating chances over multiple years.

You're purchasing multiple valid applications within the current year's allowed application structure.

Do More Alaska Applications Increase Your Chances?

Yes, additional valid applications can increase your overall chance of receiving a permit for a species.

ADF&G specifically recommends applying for the maximum allowable number of hunts per species as one way to improve drawing chances.

But there's an important limitation:

You can receive only one drawing permit for a given species.

If your applications are tentatively selected for multiple hunts for the same species, Alaska uses your choice order to determine which permit you receive.

What Does Choice Order Mean?

Choice order tells ADF&G which hunt you prefer if you're selected for more than one drawing hunt for the same species.

For example:

Choice 1: Dream moose hunt
Choice 2: Second-choice moose hunt
Choice 3: Another moose opportunity

Choice order doesn't improve the odds that a particular application will be selected.

It tells ADF&G which permit you want if more than one of your applications becomes a potential winner.

Can You Put the Same Choice Order on Multiple Hunts?

Yes.

But if you're tentatively selected for multiple hunts with the same choice-order ranking, ADF&G can randomly determine which permit you're awarded.

If one hunt clearly matters more to you:

Rank it accordingly.

Don't Exceed Six Applications Per Species

This rule matters.

ADF&G currently allows up to:

Six applications per species

across your individual and party applications combined.

If you exceed the allowed number:

All of your applications for that species can be rejected.

There are also hunt-specific exceptions.

Always read the current supplement before submitting applications.

Some Alaska Hunts Have Special Application Limits

Don't assume the six-application rule applies identically to every hunt.

ADF&G lists exceptions for certain opportunities.

Examples can include specific:

• Moose hunts

• Kodiak brown bear hunts

• Guided nonresident hunts

• Controlled-use-area hunts

The applicable year's Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement is the final authority.

Do Alaska Residents and Nonresidents Have the Same Draw?

Not always.

Most Alaska drawing hunts are available to both residents and nonresidents.

But specific hunts can have:

• Resident-only eligibility

• Nonresident allocations

• Separate hunt numbers

• Guide requirements

• Guide-client contract requirements

• Different permit quotas

So don't rely on a generic statewide draw percentage.

Research the exact hunt number and residency category.

Alaska Nonresident Guide Requirements

Nonresidents need to pay particular attention to Alaska's guide laws.

Under Alaska law, nonresidents hunting certain species generally must be accompanied by an Alaska-licensed guide or qualifying resident relative.

Species subject to nonresident guide requirements include:

• Brown/grizzly bear

• Dall sheep

• Mountain goat

Nonresident aliens have additional guide requirements.

Some drawing hunts also require guide-client information when applying.

Always verify the current rules before submitting a nonresident application.

How Are Alaska Draw Odds Calculated?

Historical draw odds begin with a simple relationship:

Applications vs Permits Available

For example:

100 permits
1,000 valid applications

would indicate a very different historical level of competition from:

5 permits
2,000 applications.

But Alaska's ability to submit multiple applications means you need to understand exactly what the historical table is counting.

Research the official ADF&G draw statistics rather than treating applicant counts and application counts as interchangeable.

There Is No Single Alaska Draw Odd

Don't ask only:

"What are Alaska moose draw odds?"

Instead ask:

"What were the historical results for DM___?"

Alaska drawing hunts have specific hunt numbers.

Drawing difficulty can vary dramatically between:

• Species

• Units

• Hunt areas

• Seasons

• Residency categories

• Permit quotas

The hunt number is critical.

Actual 2027 Odds Don't Exist Yet

Before the drawing occurs, there are no actual 2027 drawing results.

Hunters can analyze:

Historical draw statistics

to understand previous demand.

But historical results don't guarantee the next drawing.

Applicant demand and permit numbers can change.

Applying Early Doesn't Give You a Better Random Number

This distinction matters.

ADF&G encourages hunters to apply early.

But that isn't because an early applicant receives better random-draw priority.

Applying early gives you more time to:

• Catch application errors

• Confirm license information

• Review hunt numbers

• Fix eligibility issues

• Avoid deadline problems

Your random number isn't improved because you applied on November 1 instead of December 10.

How Can You Improve Your Alaska Draw Chances?

There are legitimate ways to change your overall application strategy without pretending you can control a random drawing.

Use Your Allowed Applications

If you're willing to pay the application fees, use additional valid applications within the allowed species limit.

Research Less Competitive Hunts

Historical ADF&G data can identify hunts receiving fewer applications relative to available permits.

Apply for Hunts You Would Actually Hunt

Don't chase a high draw percentage for a hunt you don't want.

Understand Residency Restrictions

Make sure you're researching the applicant pool that actually applies to you.

Read the Hunt-Specific Rules

A seemingly attractive opportunity isn't useful if you aren't eligible.

Should You Apply Six Times for One Hunt or Spread Applications Around?

That depends on your goal.

Suppose you have six applications available for a species.

One strategy is:

Six applications for one highly desired hunt.

Another is:

Applications spread across several hunts.

The first strategy concentrates your entries on one opportunity.

The second can broaden the range of hunts you might draw.

Neither is universally better.

Ask:

Do I want one particular hunt, or do I primarily want an opportunity to hunt this species?

Build the application accordingly.

Party Applications

Alaska allows:

Individual applications

and:

Party applications

for applicable drawing hunts.

A party can currently consist of two hunters who want to hunt together.

Both applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

If either member is ineligible, the party application can be invalid.

Do Party Applications Improve Alaska Draw Odds?

Not inherently.

A party application receives one draw number for the applicable hunt.

Both party members share that number.

If selected and sufficient permits remain, both can receive permits.

But there's an important consideration:

If only one permit remains when the party's number comes up, the party can be skipped because two permits would be required.

Apply as a party because:

You want to hunt together.

Don't assume it's an odds advantage.

What Happens If You're Selected for Multiple Hunts?

You can receive only:

One drawing permit per species

through the applicable drawing.

If you're tentatively selected for more than one hunt for the same species, your choice-order rankings determine which permit you're awarded.

The other permit can then move to the next eligible application.

What Are Undersubscribed Alaska Drawing Hunts?

Some drawing hunts occasionally receive:

Fewer applicants than available permits.

ADF&G refers to these as:

Undersubscribed Drawing Hunts

When permits remain, the area biologist may make them available later.

These opportunities can be issued on a:

First-come, first-served basis.

Don't Call Every Remaining Permit a "Leftover Tag"

The original article said leftover permits are often released closer to the season.

That's too broad.

ADF&G has a specific process for:

Undersubscribed Drawing Hunts.

Not every drawing hunt produces remaining permits.

And highly competitive hunts obviously shouldn't be expected to show up there.

Check ADF&G's official undersubscribed-hunt page rather than planning your season around leftover permits appearing.

Alaska Drawing Permits vs Registration Hunts

Alaska has several different permit structures.

Don't confuse:

Drawing Permit Hunts

with:

Registration Permit Hunts.

Drawing permits are awarded through the lottery.

Registration hunts use different rules and can have:

• Registration periods

• Quotas

• Season closures

• Eligibility restrictions

Always identify the hunt type before building your strategy.

Alaska Drawing Permits vs Tier I and Tier II

Alaska also has subsistence permit systems.

Tier I

and:

Tier II

aren't the same as the standard drawing permit lottery.

Tier I and Tier II subsistence permit hunts are available to qualifying Alaska residents under separate rules.

Don't combine these systems when explaining Alaska draw odds.

Research by Hunt Number, Not Just Unit

One Alaska Game Management Unit can contain several different hunts.

Those hunts can have different:

• Hunt numbers

• Seasons

• Boundaries

• Legal animals

• Residency restrictions

• Guide requirements

• Permit quotas

Instead of researching:

"Unit 14 moose odds"

research:

Exact Hunt Number + Residency + Historical Applications + Permits

That's much more useful.

Alaska Moose Draw Odds

Moose is one of Alaska's most popular drawing-permit species.

But there isn't one Alaska moose draw rate.

Some hunts can be extremely competitive.

Others may receive substantially less demand.

Research:

• Hunt number

• Residency

• Permit quota

• Historical applications

• Legal animal

• Access

• Season

• Guide requirements where applicable

Alaska Dall Sheep Draw Odds

Dall sheep drawing hunts can be highly competitive.

Nonresidents also need to account for Alaska's guide requirements.

Don't evaluate a sheep drawing solely on historical odds.

Consider:

• Guide availability

• Guide-client requirements

• Hunt cost

• Access

• Physical demands

• Hunt area

• Season

Alaska Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Mountain goat drawing hunts can also have limited quotas.

Nonresident hunters generally need an Alaska-licensed guide or qualifying resident relative.

Again:

Draw odds are only one part of the hunt.

Alaska Brown Bear Draw Odds

Brown bear opportunities can have highly specific rules.

Kodiak drawing hunts are a good example.

Residency, season, hunt area and guide status can affect:

• Hunt number

• Eligibility

• Permit allocation

• Application restrictions

Read the applicable hunt instructions carefully.

Alaska Elk Draw Odds

Alaska does offer elk drawing hunts.

But elk opportunities are geographically limited compared with species such as moose or caribou.

Research the exact hunt number and island or hunt area rather than searching for one statewide Alaska elk draw percentage.

Draw Odds vs Hunt Quality

A difficult Alaska draw isn't automatically a better hunt.

Drawing difficulty can be driven by:

• Very low permit numbers

• Reputation

• Access

• Species scarcity

• Location

• Season timing

• Nonresident demand

Likewise, a hunt with less application pressure isn't automatically a poor hunt.

Understand why demand differs.

Draw Odds vs Harvest Success

These statistics answer different questions.

Draw Odds

How difficult was it to receive the permit?

Harvest Success

How frequently did permitted hunters harvest?

A permit can be:

Extremely difficult to draw

and still:

Extremely difficult to hunt.

Don't confuse scarcity with hunting success.

Alaska's Random System Rewards Research Differently

In a preference-point state, hunters may spend years building toward a point threshold.

Alaska is different.

There is no point threshold.

That shifts the research toward:

Application Count + Permit Quota + Hunt Number + Residency + Access + Hunt Quality

You can't build priority.

But you can make better decisions about where to place your allowed applications.

How TAGZ Can Help Research Alaska Draws

TAGZ helps hunters research hunting opportunities using the variables that actually matter in each state.

For Alaska, that means understanding:

• Hunt number

• Species

• Residency

• Historical draw information

• Permit availability

• Season

• Hunt area

• Access

• Terrain

There are no Alaska preference or bonus points to track.

The strategy is based around:

Random Draw + Application Allocation + Hunt Selection

rather than point accumulation.

Built by Hunters, Guides and Outfitters

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

Alaska demonstrates exactly why draw systems need to be explained state by state.

A strategy designed for Colorado preference points doesn't translate directly to Alaska.

In Alaska, understanding:

Random drawing + multiple applications + hunt-specific rules

is more important than asking:

"How many points do I need?"

Learn more through About TAGZ.

Does Alaska have preference points?

No. Alaska doesn't use preference points for its drawing permit hunts.

Does Alaska have bonus points?

No. Alaska doesn't use bonus points for its drawing permit hunts.

Is Alaska's hunting draw random?

Yes. Valid applications receive randomly assigned draw numbers, and permits are awarded according to those random numbers and available quota.

Can a first-time applicant draw in Alaska?

Yes. Previous unsuccessful applications don't give another hunter preference- or bonus-point priority.

How many Alaska draw applications can I submit?

Under the general rule, applicants can submit up to six applications per species across individual and party applications combined, subject to hunt-specific exceptions.

Can I apply for the same Alaska hunt multiple times?

Generally, yes. ADF&G allows applicants to apply for the same hunt more than once within the applicable six-application species limit, unless a specific hunt restriction says otherwise.

Do multiple Alaska applications increase your chances?

Additional valid applications can increase your overall chance of drawing a permit for a species. You can ultimately receive only one drawing permit for that species.

When is the Alaska hunting draw application period?

ADF&G currently accepts drawing hunt applications from November 1 at 8 a.m. through December 15 at 5 p.m. AKST.

Can I submit an Alaska draw application by mail?

No. Drawing applications are currently online only.

Does applying early improve my random draw odds?

No. Applying early provides time to identify and correct problems but doesn't give you a better random draw number.

Can nonresidents apply for Alaska drawing hunts?

Yes. Most drawing hunts are available to residents and nonresidents, but individual hunts can have residency allocations, restrictions and guide requirements.

Does Alaska have leftover drawing permits?

Some undersubscribed drawing hunts can have permits available later if fewer permits were issued than were available. These aren't guaranteed.

FAQ — Alaska Random Hunting Draw

Is Alaska a pure random draw?

Alaska's standard drawing permit system uses randomly assigned draw numbers and doesn't use preference or bonus points. Hunt-specific eligibility and allocations can still affect the pool you're competing in.

Do Alaska draw odds improve every year you apply?

No. Previous unsuccessful applications don't accumulate priority.

Can someone draw twice while I never draw?

Yes. Because Alaska doesn't use accumulated preference or bonus points, random results can allow one hunter to draw in multiple years while another remains unsuccessful.

Can I buy Alaska preference points?

No.

Can I buy Alaska bonus points?

No.

Can I submit six applications for moose?

Generally yes, subject to specific hunt restrictions.

Can I submit six applications for sheep?

Generally yes, subject to applicable hunt restrictions and eligibility requirements.

Can I submit six entries for the same hunt?

Generally yes, unless that hunt has a specific restriction limiting applications.

Does choice order affect my draw probability?

No. Choice order determines which permit you receive if you're tentatively selected for multiple hunts for the same species.

Can I draw two moose permits in the same drawing?

You can only ultimately receive one drawing permit for a species through the drawing.

Can two people apply together?

Yes. Applicable drawing hunts allow two-person party applications.

Does a party application improve odds?

Not inherently. The party shares a draw number, and both hunters must receive permits together if selected.

Are Alaska drawing applications refundable?

No. ADF&G states that submitted drawing applications are final and application fees aren't refunded.

When are Alaska draw results announced?

Drawing results are generally released in February. Verify the applicable year's exact result date.

Are Alaska draw odds guaranteed to stay the same?

No. Permit quotas and application numbers can change annually.

Continue Planning Your Alaska Hunt

The most important thing to understand about Alaska is:

No preference points.

No bonus points.

No waiting your turn.

Instead, Alaska uses a random drawing system where hunters can generally submit up to six applications per species.

That changes the strategy.

Research:

Species + Hunt Number + Residency + Historical Applications + Permit Quota + Season + Access + Hunt Quality

Then decide whether you want to:

Concentrate multiple applications on one hunt

or:

Spread applications across several hunts you're willing to hunt.

Use TAGZ to research Western and Alaska hunting opportunities and historical draw information.

Explore more 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 final Alaska hunt numbers, quotas, residency restrictions, application fees and eligibility requirements, always verify the applicable Alaska Department of Fish and Game Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement.

Historical draw results are planning information, not guarantees. Permit numbers, application demand and hunt regulations can change from year to year.