How to Get Your 2026 Alaska Hunter Education in 3 Easy Steps
Ready to hunt in Alaska this season? If you were born after January 1, 1986, and if you will be hunting in certain areas, you must show proof of a hunter education certification before buying your license.
A hunter safety course helps you stay safe in the field. Through a state-approved hunter safety course, you'll learn basic shooting and hunting skills, tree stand safety, why hunters wear blaze orange for hunts, proper firearm and bow handling, outdoor safety, the hunting laws for your state, and more.
So, if you're planning a hunt in Alaska in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take the Alaska hunter education course and get a hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Alaska?
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) offers a two-part process to meet hunter safety certification requirements.
1. Take an Online Course
Hunters of any age can opt to complete part of their hunter safety training online. An in-person field skills evaluation is still required.
Hunter-Ed is proud to be an approved online hunter education course for Alaska! It's the most convenient way to get your hunter education training before attending a field skills evaluation.
After completing the coursework and passing the final exam online, hunters will receive a Field Day Qualifier Certificate by email. After 1–3 days, you'll be able to sign up for an in-person field day. The Field Day Qualifier Certificate is good for 365 days.
2. Attend an In-Person Field Day
Schedule a day and time to complete your certification through one of the state's field skills evaluation sessions. Sessions generally last 4–6 hours.
Bring your Field Day Qualifier Certificate to the field day. After completing both the online course and the field day, you'll receive a certification card in the mail.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 Alaska Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Alaska hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course) Remember: all hunters in Alaska born after January 1, 1986, must show proof of completing a hunter safety course before buying a hunting license.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that through our course, approved by the ADFG! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine the hunting license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, resident senior (60+), and other licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website, in person at an Alaska Department of Fish and Game office or a license vendor, or by mail. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Bring your valid hunting license and any necessary tags, stamps, or permits for every hunt.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the Alaska Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in Alaska is to take the Hunter-Ed online course! However, remember that all hunters need to complete an in-person field skills evaluation session as well. Passing the online course does not guarantee you a place at a field day, so be sure to register for a spot.
Hunter-Ed:
- Is available anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer or mobile device.
- Includes animations, games, videos, illustrations, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. Score at least 80% on the quizzes and the final exam to pass.
Can be completed in about 3 hours, while allowing you to work at your own pace and start and stop as needed. - Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certificate
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the final exam, you'll be one step closer to meeting the hunter education requirements for Alaska!
After completing the coursework and passing the final exam online, you'll receive a Field Day Qualifier Certificate by email. About 1–3 days after that, you'll be able to register for your in-person field skills evaluation course; you'll need to bring the certificate to the in-person component.
Once you pass the field skills evaluation, you'll receive your Alaska certification card in the mail.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is important for every hunting season. Store it safely between hunts and protect it in the field, and always carry it when you hunt (along with your hunting license).
If you lose your card, visit the ADFG website to request a replacement card before hunting season begins.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Alaska Hunting License in 2026
Your Alaska hunter education course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and go hunting!
Buy a Hunting License Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be particularly convenient if you don't live close to an in-person hunting license purchase location, or you plan to hunt in Alaska while you're a resident of another state.
Buy In Person
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, Alaska has plenty of locations where you can purchase one. Pick up a license at one of more than 800 license dealers throughout the state.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Before setting out on a hunt in Alaska's vast backcountry, it's wise to complete a hunter education course. Whether you're gearing up for your first hunting season or you've spent years pursuing moose, caribou, or waterfowl, the training offers a strong foundation (and a useful refresher) on safe, responsible hunting practices.
Alaska hunter education focuses on real-world skills hunters depend on in remote and often unforgiving environments, including:
- Safe and responsible firearm use
- Sound ethical judgment
- Making smart choices in real hunting situations
The course focuses on practical application, with an emphasis on keeping hunters, their partners, and others in the field safe. At its core, the goal is simple: ensuring every hunter returns home safely after each trip.
Beyond safety fundamentals, the training prepares hunters for Alaska's unique challenges. Participants learn how to navigate remote wilderness, plan for extreme and rapidly changing weather, and handle emergencies when assistance may be hours—or even days—away. The course also highlights backcountry survival basics and the importance of clear communication and cooperation in remote settings.
Hunter education in Alaska ultimately reinforces the responsibility that comes with hunting in one of the wildest places in the country. It encourages ethical behavior, conservation-minded decisions, and respect for both wildlife and the land—helping ensure Alaska's hunting traditions remain strong for generations to come.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Most states accept hunter education certificates from elsewhere, and Alaska generally does the same. If you've already passed an approved course in another state, your certification will often be valid when you're planning a hunt in Alaska.
That's good news for hunters traveling north, especially those who don't want to repeat the same foundational training every time they cross state lines.
For instance, an out-of-state class may not cover Alaska's specific season structures, harvest ticket and locking-tag requirements, meat salvage laws, or rules tied to remote areas and subsistence use. These details are critical whether you're hunting moose, glassing for sheep, or traveling by boat along the coast.
Before relying solely on a certification earned elsewhere, think about completing an Alaska-based hunter education course. It's a practical way to understand local regulations, stay safe in challenging conditions, and hunt responsibly in one of the most demanding and rewarding environments in North America.
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
Hunters get more with Hunter-Ed!
You get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers the essentials of hunting safely (while meeting the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's requirements). Plus, you also get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive offering from Hunter-Ed. It's entirely free for students!
When you purchase your course, you unlock complete access to:
- Curated Blog and Video Content: More free resources (like blogs and videos) to help you keep learning about how to be a better hunter.
- Discounted Digital Hunting Tools: Hunter-proven resources (i.e., app subscriptions) to help you keep learning and hunt better.
- Hunting Regulations: Links to stay updated on the hunting regulations for Alaska each year.
- More Learning Opportunities: Additional courses offered at a discount to help you learn about more aspects of hunting.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include discounts on gear and contests for free stuff! This free program from Hunter-Ed gives you everything you need for great hunts (and helps you save money while gearing up).
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Alaska with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Alaska hunter education course. Hunt safely with your hunter safety certification!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the Alaska hunter education certification!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Alaska?
Yes, all hunters born after January 1, 1986, and those who wish to hunt on certain federal lands in Alaska must show proof of completing a hunter education course to hunt legally.
Q: Can you take the Alaska Hunter Safety course online?
You can complete part of the Alaska hunter safety course online to meet the state's requirements. Hunter-Ed is an approved online course! All hunters must also complete an in-person field skills evaluation to be certified.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for and complete your hunter education course at least a few weeks before your hunting season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify for hunter safety every season. Your Alaska hunter education course is the only certification you'll need to hunt in the state after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is valid for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Alaska Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $19.95. This includes the course and study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks. After taking the course, you will need to complete an in-person field skills evaluation to be fully certified.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required hunter education certification can result in penalties, including fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
