Cultural and Subsistence Harvest Permits

The Board of Game has authorized a number of programs under which game may be harvested for cultural and subsistence uses. Brief descriptions of some of these programs and links to regulations authorizing each program are below.

Results of the Nov–Dec 2024 Application Period

The results of the Nov–Dec 2024 Draw, Tier I/II, and Community Subsistence Harvest application period are available online.

Results for Drawing and Subsistence hunts shown on the ADF&G website or sent by email are based on the eligibility of the applicant at the time the results were processed. Winners will need to remain eligible to receive and use their permit.

Results of the 2025 Any Bull Locking-Tag Allocation

The results of the 2025 Any Bull Locking-Tag allocation (PDF 608 kB) are available online.

Community Subsistence Hunt Group Management

Group coordinators will only be able apply for the CSH permit during the application period (October 1–December 16). Once group coordinators have successfully applied online they will receive, via email, a 2025–2026 group number. Group coordinators will need to save this email and share the group number to individuals and households wanting to participate in the CSH hunt. In order for individual and household members to apply online they will need the group number.

Community Subsistence Hunt Individual/Household Management

Individual group members will only be able access/edit their information during the application period (November 1–December 16). Applicants will need the group number from their group coordinator to apply. If group members need to change their information outside of the application period they should contact their group coordinator.

Application Process During The Second Year

Individuals and household members can access their application information and update any contact information and/or hunting license number that may have changed from the previous application period online at http://hunt.alaska.gov/. The group coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that the contact information and hunting license number for every individual and household is up to date prior to the December 16 deadline.

In addition, Copper Basin Moose applicants will need to re-apply during the November 1 – December 16 application period in order to be eligible for an "any-bull" locking tag. Individuals and households will have to apply each year to provide updated information on the scoring criteria to determine the customary and direct dependence on the game population by the subsistence user for human consumption as a mainstay of livelihood to properly allocate the "any-bull" locking-tags among all applicants. Those who do not submit information for the scoring criteria will receive zero points toward the allocation of the "any-bull" locking-tag.

Community Subsistence Harvest Hunt Area and Permit Conditions

Community Subsistence Harvest Reports

2024–2025 Permit Conditions

Cultural Education Permit

These permits authorize take of some game species for the purposes of passing on cultural knowledge and tradition in a structured educational setting such as an Alaska Native Culture Camp. Permits will not be issued when the proposed harvest can be reasonably accommodated under existing regulations. Links to the policy on issuing these permits and an application form are below. For more information please contact ADF&G Permits Section at (907) 465-4148 or dfg.dwc.permits@alaska.gov.

Taking of Big Game for Religious Ceremonies

Game for use as food in customary and traditional Alaska Native funerary or mortuary religious ceremonies may be harvested outside of existing seasons and bag limits. However, procedures and requirements for harvesting game differ by species and area. Please review links to the regulation authorizing this activity and list of populations where this practice is not allowed. For more information, please contact your local Fish and Game office.

Koyukon Potlatch Ceremonies

Nuchalawoyya Potlatch

Stickdance Permit