New Alaska hunting regulations in effect for military members Published Jan. 14, 2009 By compiled staff reports EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Significant changes for purchasing Alaska hunting licenses and tags went into effect Jan. 1. Prior to the change immediately preceding the application for a license, military personnel and their family members living in Alaska less than 12 consecutive months had to purchase a nonresident hunting license at full price and appropriate game tags at half the nonresident rate to hunt big game off military training lands. Those who wanted to hunt small game had to purchase a nonresident small game hunting license. The change in the hunting regulations allows active-duty service members permanently stationed in Alaska, who don't qualify as residents, to obtain a nonresident military hunting license at the resident rate of $25. A hunting and sport fishing license is now $48, the same as the resident rate. Active-duty nonresident military personnel and their family members who qualify to purchase nonresident military hunting licenses are required to purchase tags for musk ox and brown bear at resident rates. Nonresident military hunters are required to obtain tags for sheep and goat, but at no cost. Nonresident military personnel and their family members with nonresident military hunting licenses can hunt on all military and public lands open to hunting. Nonresident military hunters who hunt brown or grizzly bear, Dall sheep and mountain goat are still required to be accompanied in the field by a licensed guide or a resident Alaskan relative who meets specific qualifications set by state regulation. Active members of the Alaska National Guard or Reserve may qualify for a free hunting and fishing license. To obtain a free hunting or fishing license, people must apply online with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game at www.admin.adfg.state.ak.us/license/permit.html. Completed applications must be mailed to: Alaska Department of Fish and Game Licensing Division P.O. Box 11525 Juneau, AK 99811-5525 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game will review and process applications, which usually takes two to four weeks. Free hunting and fishing licenses for active members of the reserves can only be obtained through the licensing division in Juneau. It is important to review the current hunting regulations for changes to hunting seasons, bag limits, hunter education requirements and other harvest restrictions. Additional hunting information is available in the current 2008-2009 Alaska Hunting Regulations and by visiting www.usarak.army.mil/conservation. For more information about hunting or other outdoor activities on military lands, call the Eielson Natural Resources Office at 377-4182. Editor's Note: Information in this article was supplied from an article written by Ken Steinnerd, Fort Wainwright Natural Resources Office.