Hunting in Alaska: 3 Things to Know About Urban Deer Hunting in Cities and Suburbs

Hunting in Alaska brings to mind cool, white tundra, reminiscent of ice-age apocalypse movies, a blank sheet of paper, or Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild.” All sorts of thick-coated animals thrive in this environment, and hunting in Alaska can be quite the thrill-and-chill environment, but there are still regulations, especially in the more civilized parts of the state.

Here are the top three things to know about urban deer hunting in Alaska’s cities and suburbs:

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1. The Species

A native deer species in Alaska, the Sitka black-tailed deer are a small and stocky breed, weighing an average of 80-120 pounds in adulthood. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) lists the species as a popular target, with over 12,000 deer being harvested in the past 20 years. Like all deer, the Sitka black-tailed deer are herbivores, and they occasionally have difficulty finding food in the snowy winters, causing them to run out of energy quickly.

2. The Location

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According to “Alaska Guide Services: The Ultimate Directory of Alaska Fishing & Hunting Guide Services,” Southeast Alaska is the ideal place to hunt in the state. There are diverse animal populations, including “excellent Sitka black-tailed deer hunting opportunities.” The ADFG allows hunting of Sitka black-tailed deer in Game Management Units 1-6 and 8, along the southern coast and islands of Alaska. Deer are known to flock near forest edges, so they can often be found in city-edge or suburban areas. As with any hunting in populated areas, hunters must take extreme caution, wear proper alert attire, carry a license, and constantly be aware of their surroundings.

3. The Season

Seasonal restrictions vary by which game unit the hunting occurs in, so it is wise to check ADFG regulation guide for the area. Generally, residents may hunt a total of five during Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or any five deer Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Non-residents are restricted to four bucks during Aug. 1-Sept. 30, or any four deer Oct. 1-Dec. 31. More importantly, the hunter must carry a harvest ticket, and hunts are restricted to all deer being one sex.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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