Alaska legislature lowers hunting, fishing costs for military personnel

Published April 27, 2009
By 1st Lt. John Callahan
ALCOM Public Affairs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Do you like hunting or fishing? Alaska's military members now enjoy cheaper access to the state's fish and game resources thanks to a recent change in state law.

The two biggest changes are:

· Active-duty military members and their dependents - even non-residents - can now obtain hunting licenses, fishing licenses and big-game tags for the same prices that residents pay. The new law eliminates the old 12-month residency requirement for military members.

· Members of the Alaska National Guard and resident reservists are now eligible for free hunting and fishing licenses.

"Alaskans value and respect our military members' service, and we are proud to be able to be more accommodating to our hunting and fishing service members and their families," State Senator Charlie Huggins and Representative Bill Thomas, co-chairs of the legislature's veterans' caucus, said in a joint release. "We thank you for your service and the sacrifices made for our families."

Licenses and tags are available for sale through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's web page.

To purchase special non-resident military hunting licenses, fishing licenses and game tags, go to https://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/buyonline (note the "s" after the "http"). Guard members and reservists can receive free licenses at http://www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/permit.html