Military Licenses

Alaska appreciates the sacrifices made by our military service members and veterans, as well as their families. Because of their efforts, we are given the freedom to revel in the beauty of this great state and enjoy its natural resources which are some of the most impressive in the world. Below are the fishing and hunting licenses we offer to honor those who have given so much to us all. We are indebted for your vigilance and thank you for your service.

Alaska Resident National Guard & Military Reserves License

Alaska offers a complimentary annual hunting, trapping and sport fishing license for residents actively serving in:

  • Alaska’s National Guard
  • U.S. Army Reserves
  • U.S. Air Force Reserves
  • U.S. Navy Reserves
  • U.S. Marine Corps Reserves
  • U.S. Coast Guard Reserves

Please see the Department of Fish and Game’s residency definition to determine eligibility. This privilege provided under AS 16.05.341(3).


Non-Resident Military License

Non-residents of the military service or US Coast Guard on active duty and permanently stationed in Alaska have the privilege of fishing and hunting in our great state at discounted rates.

  • U.S. military and U.S. Coast Guard, and their dependents, on active duty and permanently stationed in Alaska less than 12 months can purchase a special military license at the same price as resident rates.

    Please note: Non-residents must be accompanied by an Alaskan Licensed Guide or a relative within the second degree of kindred when hunting brown/grizzly bear, mountain goat, and Dall sheep. Also, they are required to obtain big game locking tags for brown/grizzly bear and muskox at reduced rates. Sheep and goat tags are free of charge.

  • U.S. military and Coast Guard, and their dependents, on active duty and permanently stationed in Alaska greater than 12 months can purchase a resident license. They do not need to give up their residency privileges in another state. (No guides are required)

Please see the Department of Fish and Game’s residency definition to determine eligibility. This privilege provided under AS 16.05.340(d).


Alaska Resident Disabled Veteran License

The State of Alaska honors our resident disabled veterans (DV) by providing a complimentary permanent identification card in order to hunt, sport fish, or trap to those who meet the Department of Fish and Game’s residency definition and who are certified 50% disabled or greater. Applicants must be physically present in the State of Alaska to apply.

If at any time a DV resident card holder is no longer a resident of the State of Alaska, their card is immediately void.

The following are common situations that disqualify applicants from receiving the DV License:

  • Having a resident hunting/fishing license in another state.
  • Being registered to vote in another state.
  • Receiving a tax break on property tax in another state (homestead exemption).
  • Receiving benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country.

Instructions: Apply online. You also need to provide your letter of disability certification by email to adfg.license@alaska.gov , fax (907) 465-2440, or mail to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Licensing Section, P.O. Box 115525, Juneau, Alaska, 99811-5525.

Please note that Alaska resident disabled veterans planning to participate in sport fisheries that have annual harvest limits must obtain and carry on them a free Sport Fishing Harvest Record Card available online, at license vendors, and at Fish and Game offices, in order to record their harvest of those fish.

Please see the Department of Fish and Game’s residency definition to determine eligibility. This privilege provided under AS 16.05.341.


Other Residency Information for Military Licenses

Military personnel who are transferred to Alaska can obtain "resident" hunting and fishing licenses two ways:

  1. Per AS 16.05.940(28), a person can qualify by maintaining their domicile in the state for the preceding 12 consecutive months, and not claiming residency or obtaining benefits of residency in another state, territory or country. This type of residency is indefinite and may be permanent if the qualifications continue to be met.
  2. Per AS 16.05.940(28), a member of the military service or United States Coast Guard and their dependents may purchase a "resident" license after being stationed in Alaska for 12 consecutive months without any intent to make Alaska their domicile, and in spite of their claiming domicile in another state. This type of residency is temporary and expires immediately upon a transfer to another state

Once residency is established, it can be maintained even if the person is absent from the state, as long as certain conditions are met. Per AS 16.05.415:

  1. (a) In AS 16.05.330 - 16.05.430, a person is a resident if the person
    1. (1) is physically present in the state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to make a home in the state;
    2. (2) has maintained the person's domicile in the state for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the application for a license;
    3. (3) is not claiming residency in another state, territory, or country; and
    4. (4) is not obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another state, territory, or country.
  2. (b) A person who establishes residency in the state under (a) of this section remains a resident during an absence from the state unless during the absence the person
    1. (1) establishes or claims residency in another state, territory, or country; or
    2. (2) performs an act, or is absent under circumstances, that is inconsistent with the intent required under (a) of this section.

Question: Can military personnel who have established Alaska residency and are then involuntarily transferred to a military assignment in another state lose their Fish and Game residency privileges?

Answer: Military personnel who have attained residency while stationed in Alaska and are then subsequently involuntarily transferred to another state, may continue to purchase an Alaskan resident sport license. However while stationed elsewhere, they cannot do anything to negate their residency in Alaska while stationed in another state. For example they need to: retain Alaska as Home of Residence with the military, keep their Alaska driver's license (if legally possible), Alaska voter’s registration card, Alaska vehicle registration, etc.

Question : Can military members obtain a "resident" hunting or fishing license in the other state that is specially provided to members of the military without negating their Alaska resident fishing and hunting privileges?

Answer : It depends on the state and the type of license they offer to members of the military. Please contact our Alaska Wildlife Troopers to discuss your situation.