Alaska Fish & Wildlife News
April 2026

Mountain Lion Hunting in Alaska
Part 1 – Are they here? Where do they come from?

Mountain lion hunting is now legal in Alaska. Which might seem weird since Alaska is not known to have mountain lions.

In January, the Alaska Board of Game carried a proposal to establish a hunting and trapping season for mountain lions in Southeast Alaska, where all five of the only documented reports of the animals have occurred. The documentation is a mix: one photograph with scat and tracks, and four dead animals – two trapped and two shot – all since 1989 in the general ...   Mountain lions Article Continued

2026 Bird and Wildlife Festivals

There are many festivals planned in the coming months which include bird and wildlife festivals. In some cases, planning is still underway and specific presenters are being finalized, but most festivals will feature guest presentations, birding outings, youth activities, and guided walks and tours. Check with specific festivals regarding advance registration, travel and lodging details, and ancillary outings through local guides and marine transporters which include additional charges.

Alaska ...   2026 Bird Festivals Article Continued

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Monitoring Emperor Geese on Kodiak Island
ADF&G Expands Long Term Banding Effort

Each winter, Kodiak Island serves as an important refuge for Emperor Geese; one of Alaska’s most iconic and culturally significant waterfowl species. Arriving in late August and remaining through April, these striking birds rely on the island’s rich coastal habitats, foraging on blue mussels, barnacles, marine invertebrates, algae, and newly emerging shoreline vegetation.

This winter, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game continued its long-term effort to better understand ...   Emperor Geese Article Continued