Drawing Hunt Permits Information
Frequently Asked Questions

Drawing Application FAQ

  1. How to apply
  2. How to apply for youth hunts
  3. Cost to apply
  4. I never seem to win, how does the draw work
  5. Does forgetting to turn in a hunt report affect my chances of drawing
  6. Can I apply for a species I drew previously
  7. Can I apply using my current hunting license
  8. How do I look up hunt information
  9. ADF&G contact hours
  10. ADF&G contact information
  11. Can I apply for a hunting license and draw permits at the same time
  12. What if my residency status is changing soon
  13. How does the random drawing work?
  14. How do party applications work?

Questions or Issues During Application Process

  1. Step by step instructions for adding a hunt to the cart
  2. How do I apply as a party?
  3. How do I see what hunts I have selected so far?
  4. What is choice order and how does it work?
  5. How do I change the order of the hunts I have added?
  6. Having trouble applying due to application software problems?

Changes to Application, Refunds or Cancelations

  1. I have a new address
  2. Can I go next year instead
  3. Can I have someone proxy for me
  4. I wish to withdraw my application
  5. I bought the wrong hunting license
  6. Can I get a refund on my hunting license if not drawn
  7. Can I change my application

Notification of Results

  1. How and when will I be notified of the results
  2. Will I receive a permit in the mail
  3. What if I haven't received my permit in the mail yet
  4. I won, what do I do now

  1. How do I apply for drawings? Can I apply by mail? How can I get an application? I believe some drawings are internet only, but not sure which?

    Drawing applications must be done online. Supplements and applications are available online beginning November 1. Be sure to review the Drawing Permit Hunt Supplement before applying for hunts. More information is available on the front page of the drawing supplement.

  2. How to apply for youth drawing hunts

    Youth who will be 10-17 years old by the starting date of the hunt are eligible to apply, and can only hunt a youth permit while they are 10-17 years old. If the youth is a nonresident, the accompanying adult must be a licensed resident hunter 21 years of age or older who is a parent, stepparent, or legal guardians of the child. The bag limit counts against the bag limit of BOTH the youth and the accompanying adult. Basic Hunter Education is required for all youth hunters participating in Youth Drawing hunts, regardless of their age or if their accompanying adult has Basic Hunter Education. To apply, enter the demographic information for the youth. Youth Drawing hunts are designated with the letter "Y". Resident youth 17 years of age and younger are not required to purchase a license.

  3. How much does it cost to apply for a Drawing permit? How many permits can I apply for?

    In addition to the cost of your hunting license, it is $5 for each hunt number entry you apply for in brown bear, black bear, caribou, elk, mountain goat, moose, sheep, or emperor goose hunts. It is $10 for each hunt number in bison and muskox hunts. Applicants may submit up to six applications (individual or party) per species, regardless of how many separate orders are placed. Applicants may apply for the same hunt more than once, or multiple hunts, as long as they do not exceed six applications per species; if you exceed six, all applications for that species will be rejected. Exceptions listed below:

    • For Koyukuk Controlled Use Area (KCUA):
      • Guided nonresident moose hunters may not submit more than one application for a KCUA moose hunt.
      • All hunters that were issued any KCUA moose Drawing permit last year are ineligible to receive a Drawing permit for any KCUA moose hunt this year.
    • Applicants for 21E moose draw hunts may only apply for DM837 OR DM839, but not both. However, they may apply up to six times for either hunt.
    • For Kodiak brown bear:
      • Nonresidents hunting with a registered guide may not submit more than one application for one Kodiak brown bear hunt for the spring of 2024, and may not submit more than one application for one hunt for the fall of 2024.
  4. I have been applying for the drawing for 25 years and have never been selected - but I know someone who has been drawn multiple times. Why have I not been drawn? Isn't there a point system?

    Alaska uses a random drawing process to distribute hunting permits in cases where there are fewer permits than the number of hunters applying for that hunt. Each person that applies for a hunt is entered into the pool and names are selected randomly (like pulling names out of a hat). Because this year's drawing does not use information about those that were drawn in previous years, it is possible that some people will be drawn more than others, by random luck.

  5. If I forgot to turn in my hunt report last year will that affect my chances of drawing?

    If you fail to report, you will not be eligible to receive any permits (Draw, Targeted, Tier II, or Registration, including Tier I Nelchina caribou) during the next regulatory year, and you may receive a citation.

  6. If I was selected in the drawing for bear last year (and hunted successfully) can I apply again this year? Or for bear in a different GMU?

    You may not be awarded a permit for the exact same drawing hunt (Ex: DB089) two years in a row. If you were successful in a drawing hunt for bear last year in a 1 bear/year area and harvested a bear, you may apply for any other bear hunt in the state. If you successfully harvested a bear last year in a 1 bear every 4 years hunt, you may only apply for hunts that are 1 bear/year.

  7. Is the hunting license I purchased this year valid to use on my application for hunts that occur next year?

    As long as you have a valid Alaska hunting license, you may use it to apply for hunts that occur in subsequent years; i. e. you may list this year's license number on your application in November for hunts that occur next year, or even the year after.

  8. What drawing hunt number is for hunting caribou in GMU 20?

    Drawing numbers for each hunt may be found in the current drawing supplement. Hunts are organized by species, then by area. Review season dates and any additional restrictions before applying. Supplements are available online or contact the regional information center closest to you for a printed copy.

  9. What hours are regional information centers open?

    State offices are open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm, except for state holidays. Some offices may have different hours based on staffing levels. Contact your local office for hours. ADF&G office numbers are also printed in the front of the Alaska Hunting Regulations.

  10. How do I contact my regional information center?

    Regional office numbers are listed in the front of the Alaska Hunting Regulations and on our website.

    Region of Alaska Office Location Address Game
    Management
    Units
    Phone Number
    Region 1 -
    Southeast
    Douglas P.O. Box 110024
    Juneau AK
    99811
    1–5 (907) 465-4265
    Region 2 -
    Southcentral
    Anchorage 333 Raspberry Road
    Anchorage, AK
    99518-1599
    6–8, 14C, & 15 (907) 267-2257
    Region 3 -
    Interior
    Fairbanks 1300 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    99701-1551
    12, 19–21, 24, 25, 26B, & 26C (907) 459-7206
    Region 4 -
    Central/Southwestern
    Palmer 1801 S Margaret Drive, Suite 2
    Palmer, AK
    99645
    9–11, 13, 14A, 14B, 16, & 17 (907) 746-6300
    Region 5 -
    Northwest
    Nome PO Box 1148
    Nome, AK
    99762
    18, 22, 23, & 26A (907) 443-2271

    Information centers can also be contacted by emailing dfg.dwc.infocenter@alaska.gov .

    View Map of Regions and Game Management Units (PDF 783 kB).
  11. Can I apply for my hunting license and drawing permit at the same time?

    Yes! You can apply for your license and draw permit at the same time through the online store.

  12. I am trying to apply for a resident draw permit because I will have reached residency status by the time the permit is valid. What license do I need to purchase?

    You will need to purchase a nonresident license since at the time of purchase, you are a nonresident. After you have selected the resident drawing hunts you wish to apply for you will need to check the box "This person's residency status will be changing in the next 18 months" and select the date your residency will become effective.

  13. How does the random drawing work?

    Permit applications are entered into a database and checked for potential problems such as incorrect hunt numbers, date of birth, hunting license information, etc. A computer then randomly assigns a "draw number" to each hunt on each valid application. Party hunt applications receive one draw number for each hunt, meaning both applicants share a single random draw number for each hunt in the party application.

    Permits are assigned to applicants with the lowest draw numbers, up to the number of permits allocated for that particular hunt. If five permits are to be awarded for a particular hunt, the five permits will be assigned to the five lowest draw numbers. Note: this may differ slightly when it comes to party applications, where two party members share the same draw number. In hunts where 10 or more drawing permits are available, and in a situation where the final drawing permit is to be awarded and the final draw number belongs to two applicants that applied as a party, both applicants will receive a permit, resulting in one additional permit being issued above what was listed in this supplement.

    After all permits have been tentatively assigned for a species, the list is checked to identify any individuals assigned two permits for the same species. In those situations, the individual is awarded one permit for the species, based upon how they ranked their choices on their permit application. The other permit is then awarded to the individual applicant with the next-lowest draw number. This process is repeated for all hunts for that species, until all possible permits are awarded.

    In a few specific hunts alternate lists are required in order to maximize hunting opportunity. The alternate list is generated from all remaining applicants using the original randomly-assigned draw numbers. If the original applicant drawn does not notify the department of their intent to hunt by the date required, the next applicant(s) on the alternate list will be offered a permit until all permits have been awarded.

  14. How do party applications work?

    Party applications mean that if the party application is selected as a winner, both hunters listed on the application will receive a permit. It is not mandatory that they hunt together, though it is common.

    If it is important that both hunters get a permit, then they could apply as a party (up to 6 chances total per species). If it is important that at least one of the hunters gets a permit, then the hunters would have better chances if they applied as individuals (up to 6 chances each per species, for up to 12 chances total). Party applications do not increase your odds of winning.

    Party applications count against the total applications for that species for both party members. Each hunter should be careful to not exceed more than 6 applications per species when counting all individual and party applications they are associated with (see pg. 1 for exceptions). If either hunter is ineligible, the entire application for both hunters will be invalid.

  15. Step by step instructions for adding a hunt to the cart

    At the "Drawing Hunt Permits" page in the ADF&G Online Store, follow these steps:

    1. Choose whether you wish to apply as an individual or as a party from the dropdown menu (defaults to Individual Application).
    2. Choose a species from the "Species" dropdown menu (this will populate the "Hunt" dropdown menu below).
    3. Choose a hunt number that you wish to apply for from the "Hunt" dropdown menu.
    4. Use the "Quantity" dropdown menu to indicate how many times you would like to apply for this hunt.
    5. The Choice Order radio buttons are for prioritizing which hunts you are most interested in for that species. If you happen to be selected for multiple hunts for a given species, you are only allowed to receive one draw permit for that species. Your choice order determines which permit you would receive (a choice order of 1 indicates the highest priority).
    6. If applying as a nonresident, indicate whether you will be guided using the "Guide Type" dropdown. If you are applying for a hunt that requires a Guide-Client Contract, your guide can apply for you or provide you with the necessary information (Guide Name, Guide's Unique Verification Code).
    7. Fill in the remaining applicant information at the bottom of the page
      1. Hunting License Number — You must enter either a current or future hunting license number that you have already purchased, or add a hunting license to your cart to fulfill this requirement.
      2. IBEP Number (Bowhunters) — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires a bowhunter certification.
      3. Muzzleloader Number — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires a muzzleloader certification.
      4. Crossbow Number — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires crossbow certification.
    8. Once you have selected your hunt and completed the applicant information, select the box "Add Hunt to Cart". If you wish to continue adding hunts, repeat steps 1 - 8. If you do not wish to apply for any more hunts, click "checkout" to complete the transaction.
  16. How do I apply as a party?

    At the "Drawing Hunt Permits" page in the ADF&G Online Store, follow these steps:

    1. To apply as a party, select "Party Application" from the dropdown menu (defaults to Individual Application).
    2. Choose a species from the "Species" dropdown menu (this will populate the "Hunt" dropdown menu below).
    3. Choose a hunt number that you wish to apply for from the "Hunt" dropdown menu.
    4. Use the "Quantity" dropdown menu to indicate how many times your party would like to apply for this hunt.
    5. The Choice Order radio buttons are for prioritizing which hunts you are most interested in for that species. If you happen to be selected for multiple hunts for a given species, you are only allowed to receive one draw permit for that species. Your choice order determines which permit you would receive (a choice order of 1 indicates the highest priority).
    6. If applying as a resident, skip this step. If applying as a nonresident, indicate whether you will be guided using the "Guide Type" dropdown. If you are applying for a hunt that requires a Guide-Client Contract, your guide can apply for you or provide the necessary information (Guide Name, Guide's Unique Verification Code).
    7. Fill in the remaining applicant information at the bottom of the page
      1. Hunting License Number — You must either enter a current hunting license number that you have already purchased, or add a hunting license to your cart to fulfill this requirement.
      2. IBEP Number (Bowhunters) — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires a bowhunter certification.
      3. Muzzleloader Number — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires a muzzleloader certification.
      4. Crossbow Number — You only need to fill this out if you are applying for a hunt that requires crossbow certification.
    8. If you have not already added your other party member as a customer, select Add Another Customer under Party Member #2. Fill out demographic information and click Save and Continue. Fill in remaining applicant information at the bottom of the page. If you have already added your other party member as a customer, select them from the drop-down menu under Party Member #2 at the bottom of the page.
    9. Once you have selected your hunt and completed the applicant information, select the box "Add Hunt to Cart." If you wish to continue adding hunts, repeat steps 1 - 9. If you do not wish to apply for any more hunts, click "checkout" to complete the transaction.
  17. How do I see what hunts I have selected so far?

    On the page where you add draw hunts, click the button "Review selections for your name".

  18. What is choice order and how does it work?

    Choice order is a way for applicants to indicate which hunt they want the most if they are drawn for multiple hunts for a species. If a person is a potential winner for multiple hunts within a species, choice order is used to determine which hunt will be awarded. Choice order does NOT affect your chances of being awarded a permit.

    For example, let's say you put in 6 applications for a particular species, and 2 of your applications are initially selected as potential winners. For the two hunts that are selected as potential winners, whichever of those 2 hunts you assigned the highest choice order ranking to is the permit you will be awarded. If you assigned both of those hunts to the same choice order value, the system will pick which of the two hunts to award you at random.

  19. How do I change the choice order for the hunts I have added?

    You will have to remove the hunts from your cart or from the "Review Selection" window and add them back with the new choice order.

  20. I am running into issues or have questions regarding the Drawing application process and I need help. Who can I contact?

    Please contact the regional information center in the area for which you are wanting to apply. Use the supplements to determine which Game Management Unit your hunt is in, and use the table above to determine which Regional information center manages that Game Management Unit.

  21. I have a new address or the computer picked up my old address — how can I get this corrected?

    If you have already submitted your order, you can call your local ADF&G office to edit your information. If you have not yet submitted your order, simply navigate to the Customer Information page (after clicking Checkout) and correct your address.

  22. I won a permit in the drawing and now I cannot go. Can I go next year instead?

    Unfortunately, permits cannot be transferred to a later year. The only exception to this is for active duty military personnel deployed for official business who are unable to use their drawing permit may be re-issued a permit for the same hunt the following regulatory year. Information is available online at the Military Permit Reissue and Transfer page or by contacting the Permit Hunt Administrator, ADF&G, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 1801 S Margaret Dr, Ste 4, Palmer, AK 99645, dfg.dwc.huntpermit.reissue@alaska.gov.

  23. I was drawn in the drawing (resident) but just had surgery. Can I have someone proxy for me?

    An Alaska resident (the beneficiary) may obtain an authorization allowing another Alaska resident (the proxy) to hunt in certain deer, moose, muskox and caribou hunts IF the beneficiary is blind, 70-percent physically or developmentally disabled (a physician's affidavit may be required), or 65 years of age or older. Proxy hunting is allowed in caribou drawing hunts. You may proxy hunt for moose in Drawing hunts that are bull hunts with no antler restrictions or antlerless moose hunts. Antler destruction is required for both the hunter's and the beneficiary's animal. Contact your regional office for proxy forms and additional regulations regarding proxy hunting.

  24. I want to withdraw my application and get a refund.

    Unfortunately, application fees will not be refunded.

  25. I bought the wrong year's hunting license online and used it when applying for Drawing hunts. Will I be kicked out of the drawing? Can you change my hunting license to the correct year?

    You will not be kicked out of the drawing. A current year hunting license or any license issued for a later year will be valid for application purposes. Be aware that if you are drawn you must also meet all requirements at the time of the hunt (current license, big game tags, residency, etc.).

  26. If I am not drawn, can I get a refund on the hunting license?

    A refund is not permitted. It is part of the draw permit process.

  27. I made a mistake and applied for the wrong hunt/applied for too many hunts. Can I change my application?

    Changes can be made to your application prior to the end of the application period only. The online Drawing Permit Hunt Application Change Tool will ask for your name, date of birth, driver's license/ID number that you used to apply, as well as the order number to make changes. The tool can be accessed here.

  28. When will I know the drawing results? Will I be notified by mail? Will I only be notified if I am selected? How will I know for sure if I am not selected? Will my guide be notified?

    Results from the drawing hunt supplement will be announced the third Friday in February each year. A list of winners (who applied during the November-December application period) will be posted on this website. Successful applicants will receive either their permit or a letter from the area biologist. Only successful applicants will be notified. It is the responsibility of the hunter to contact their guide if they are a permit winner.

  29. I received an email from ADF&G informing me that I had been drawn for a hunt, but I have received nothing in the mail regarding a hardcopy permit. Will a hard-copy permit be mailed to me and, if so, when?

    Most successful drawing hunt applicants will receive their hard copy permits in the mail in early July. A few exceptions exist and if you were drawn for one of those, ADF&G will contact you with additional information. Successful drawing-hunt applicants who do not receive permits by the end of July should contact the nearest Fish and Game office to request a duplicate copy of their permit.

    Successful applicants who have moved since applying should contact the nearest Fish and Game office after March 15 and before June 15 to request an address update. After June 15, successful applicants will need to wait for the USPS to forward mail or request a reprint at the nearest ADF&G office at the end of July.

  30. I saw online (or my guide told me) I was selected in the drawing, but have not received anything in the mail yet.

    Not all drawing winners receive their permits in the mail. Some permits must be picked up in person from the regional office or administrative office for that hunt. Other permits require that you attend an orientation or pass a shooting proficiency test. Once these objectives are met, you will be given your permit.

    Also, be aware that individuals who have been placed on the FTR (failure to report) list are not eligible for drawing hunts. If you were placed on the list between the release of the winners list and the hunt, you are no longer eligible to use that permit.

  31. I was successful in the drawing and received my permit in the mail what do I do now?

    For residents, read over the permitting conditions at the top of your drawing permit. Each hunt has a set of conditions specific to that hunt set by the area biologist. Be sure you have a valid hunting license at the time of your hunt, along with a big game tag if required. For nonresidents, in addition to having a valid hunting license and reading the hunt conditions, you will also need a big game tag (a metal locking tag to attach to your animal at the time of harvest). These may be purchased online or at most license vendors. If you are purchasing your big game tag online, be sure to allow enough time for it to arrive by mail.