Alaska Subsistence Rules Set Seasons and Limits for Two Years
Published Date: 10/27/2026
Rule
Summary
This new rule updates hunting and trapping rules for Alaska’s public lands for 2026-27 and 2027-28. It affects subsistence hunters and trappers by changing seasons, limits, and methods, plus fixes some past errors. The rule kicks in on October 27, 2026, helping communities keep their traditional wildlife practices fair and clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Hunting and Trapping Rules Updated
The Federal Subsistence Board revised hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, and methods for subsistence use for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 regulatory years. These regulatory changes and administrative corrections take effect October 27, 2026.
Who Has Subsistence Priority Updated
The rule revises customary and traditional use determinations (Table 1 to Sec. __.24) that list, by hunting unit and species, which residents have a Federal subsistence priority. The revised table identifies which residents of specific Units have priority for particular species.
Estimated Subsistence Food Value Quantified
The Departments estimate that subsistence users harvest about 2,000,000 pounds of meat annually, and at an estimated value of $3.00 per pound this equates to about $6,000,000 in food value statewide. The Departments used this estimate in their Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis.
Board Actions: Many Proposals Adopted or Reviewed
During the 2026-28 wildlife regulatory cycle the Board considered 83 wildlife proposals and 18 wildlife closure reviews, adopting 51 proposals, deferring 5, approving the withdrawal of 3, rejecting 12, and taking no action on 12; of 18 closure reviews the Board retained status quo on 13, rescinded 3, and took no action on 2.
Unit 3 Moose Season Date Corrected
The rule corrects an error and restores the Unit 3 moose season start date to September 15 (it had been mistakenly published as September 1 in 2022). The correction is effective October 27, 2026.
Unit 23 Muskrat Season Clarified
The season description for muskrat hunting in Unit 23 was changed from the phrase "No Closed Season" to an explicit date range: July 1–June 30. The change is intended to be consistent with year-round season descriptions.
Eulachon Harvest Rule Adopted for District 1
The Board adopted deferred fisheries proposal FP25-02, as modified by the Southeast Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council, affecting eulachon harvest in District 1.
Deferred Brown Bear Hide Sales Proposal Addressed
The final rule states it addresses a deferred proposal from the previous wildlife cycle regarding brown bear hide sales; the preamble notes the Board considered this matter during the regulatory process.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-00434, Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2026-27 and 2027-28 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations
This proposed rule updates the hunting and trapping rules for subsistence wildlife in Alaska for 2026-27 and 2027-28. It affects people who rely on public lands for subsistence hunting, setting new seasons, limits, and methods. Public meetings and comment periods in 2025 give everyone a chance to weigh in before final decisions in 2026.
2026-02975, Program Review-Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska
The government is giving folks more time to share their thoughts on how subsistence hunting and fishing are managed on Alaska’s public lands. This affects Alaska residents who rely on these resources for their way of life. You now have until March 30, 2026, to send in your comments—no extra costs, just extra time to speak up!
2026-02853, Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2027-28 and 2028-29 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations
This proposed rule updates the rules for fishing and shellfish gathering on Alaska’s public lands for 2027-28 and 2028-29. It affects subsistence users by setting new seasons, limits, and methods to keep things fair and sustainable. Public meetings and comment periods are open in 2026, so folks have a chance to weigh in before final decisions are made in early 2027.
2026-01810, Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Council Meetings for 2026
The Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils will hold public meetings twice in 2026—once in winter and once in fall—to discuss hunting and fishing on federal lands. These meetings affect Alaskans who rely on subsistence resources and may switch to teleconference if needed. Everyone’s invited to join, learn, and share their voice without any cost involved.
2025-22837, Program Review-Subsistence Management for Public Lands in Alaska
The government is reviewing how it manages subsistence hunting and fishing on public lands in Alaska to make sure rural residents keep getting priority access. This review looks at recent changes and will suggest improvements, with public input welcomed until February 13, 2026. If changes happen, they’ll aim to keep things fair and efficient without extra costs for locals.
2025-13497, Federal Subsistence Management Program; Transfer of Regulations
The rules for managing subsistence hunting and fishing on federal lands are moving from one government department to another to keep things neat and organized. This change affects folks who rely on these programs, like hunters and fishers, and updates the rules to match the new setup. No big money changes, just smoother management starting now!
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