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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB321

Alaska Wildlife Refuges and Brown Bear Hunting Rules

Last scannedSep 20, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This bill directs the state to manage game refuges uniformly, allows special hunting permits for certain animals through auctions or raffles, bans brown bear hunting in specific areas near Kamishak Bay, clarifies firearm rules in refuges, and designates federal lands as state wildlife refuges.

What it does

  • States the legislative intent that existing game refuges, sanctuaries, and critical habitat areas be uniformly managed as wildlife refuges and sanctuaries.
  • Allows the Department of Fish and Game to issue up to four harvest permits per year for specific species through competitive auctions or raffles.
  • Prohibits hunting brown bears on state-owned land between McNeil River Wildlife Sanctuary and Katmai National Park, and in areas near Kamishak Bay.
  • Clarifies that firearms may be discharged during lawful activities like hunting within wildlife refuges unless closed for public safety reasons by the department.
  • Designates specific federal lands previously known as National Bird and Wildlife Refuges or Ranges as state wildlife refuges.

Who it affects

  • Hunters seeking permits for species such as emperor goose, Dall sheep, bison, musk ox, brown bear, black bear, moose, caribou, goat, elk, and wolf.
  • The Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Boards of Fisheries and Game responsible for managing wildlife areas.
  • People who operate aircraft on navigable waters or public lands in the state.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill does not specify an effective date in the provided text.
  • Specific rules for how auctions, raffles, and permit distributions are conducted must be created later by department regulations.

Plain language

Terms to know

Harvest permit
A special authorization allowing a person to hunt specific animals, which may be sold through an auction or raffle instead of regular methods.
Wildlife refuge
An area managed by the state to protect natural habitats and wildlife populations while allowing compatible public uses like hunting or viewing.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

FISH & GAME WILDLIFE REFUGES An Act relating to state refuges, sanctuaries, and fish and game critical habitat areas; relating to the hunting of brown bear; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE2240
  2. (H) FN1: (DFG)2240
  3. (H) DNP: COULOMBE, SADDLER, PRAX2240
  4. (H) DP: FIELDS, HALL, MEARS, FRIER, DIBERT2240
  5. (H) RES RPT CS(RES) 5DP 3DNP2240
  6. (H) Minutes (HRES)Min
  7. (H) Moved CSHB 321(RES) Out of CommitteeText
  8. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  9. (H) Heard & HeldText
  10. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  11. (H) Heard & Held -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair --Text
  12. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  13. (H) Heard & HeldText
  14. (H) RESOURCES at 01:00 PM BARNES 124Text
  15. (H) RES, FIN1682
  16. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1682