AK Brown Bear Hunting

Alaska Brown Bear Season Dates 2026

Brown Bear season in Alaska runs Jul 1 – Jun 30 across 27 GMUs.

113 Seasons3 Weapon Types

Rifle

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Unit 1010, Unimak IslandOct 1 — Dec 31———
Unit 1010, Unimak IslandMay 10 — May 31———
Unit 14C14C, Chugach State Park Mgmt. AreaSep 1 — May 31———
Unit 22BNonresidents OnlyAug 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 22CNonresidents OnlyAug 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 22DNonresidents OnlyAug 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 22ENonresidents OnlyAug 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 26BNonresidents OnlyAug 10 — Jun 15———
Unit 4Nonresidents Guided OnlySep 15 — Dec 31———
Unit 4Nonresidents Guided Only - 4, RemainderMar 15 — May 20———
Unit 4Nonresidents Guided Only - 4, Outside DrainagesMar 15 — May 31———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, South Olga LakesOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, Frazer LakeOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, South Arm, Uganik BayOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, Aliulik PeninsulaOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, Dog Salmon RiverOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, South Ugak BayOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, Sturgeon RiverOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, South Ugak BayOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, Uganik Island & Terror BayOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, Uganik LakeOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, Southwest Afognak & Raspberry islandsOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8Residents or NR w/ Resident Relative - 8, Frazer LakeOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, Aliulik PeninsulaOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 88, Uganik LakeOct 25 — Nov 30———

+ 64 more

Any Legal Weapon

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Unit 11GeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 12GeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 13General (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 13EGeneralAug 10 — Jun 15———
Unit 16AGeneral (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 16BGeneral (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 17General (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 18GeneralSep 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 19General (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 20GeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 20EGeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 21AGeneral (No Closed Season)Jul 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 21CGeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 21EGeneralAug 10 — Jun 30———
Unit 22GeneralAug 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 22AGeneralAug 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 25GeneralJul 1 — Nov 30———
Unit 25GeneralJul 25 — Jun 30———
Unit 25GeneralMar 1 — Jun 30———
Unit 25CGeneralSep 1 — Jun 15———
Unit 8GeneralOct 25 — Nov 30———
Unit 8GeneralApr 1 — May 15———

Archery

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Unit 14C14C, Eklutna Lake Management Area within Chugach State ParkSep 1 — May 31———
Unit 14C14C, McHugh CreekOct 1 — Oct 31———

Brown Bear in Alaska: FAQ

When is brown bear season in Alaska?

Brown Bear season in Alaska currently runs Jul 1 to Jun 30, across 113 season rows and 27 GMUs, split by weapon (Rifle, Any Legal Weapon, Archery).

Where is the best place to hunt brown bear in Alaska?

The best GMUs for brown bear in Alaska depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per GMU above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Brown Bear hunt in Alaska

View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Open Map
Download on the
App Store
GET IT ON
Google Play

Also see Alaska seasons, public land, and license.

Brown Bear in Alaska: parcels + public land

iOS AppAndroid