Upcoming big game hunt raffles and registration hunts

For most of us, hunting season is basically over. There’s still some small game hunting, but almost all the big game stuff is done for the year. ADF&G announced the drawing permit hunt winners about a week ago for this upcoming season’s hunts and now would be a suitable time to start planning for your hunt if you were a lucky winner. I didn’t apply this year because of upcoming surgeries, so I haven’t checked to see who drew what permit among my friends.

If you are still looking for a chance to hunt big game, there are a few raffles and drawings yet to happen. The Alaska Outdoor Council is currently holding a raffle for a Killey River Caribou hunt (SC680). The raffle includes an Alaska hunting license, the permit, choice of either a KUIU or Stone Glacier Layering package, bush plane flights to the hunt location, 7 days of Peak Refuel, KUIU pro pack, Cabela's Alaskan Guide Tent, and a Tikka T3 in 300 WSM with a Leupold VX6 scope and rings. The drawing will be held on March 29, 2025, at the Fairbanks Outdoors Banquet. The winner does not need to be present.

Another opportunity to hunt will result from The Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers raffling a Chugach State Park management area brown bear (SB470) hunt package. The prize package includes the permit, locking tag, Vortex binoculars, Zoleo device (with a year service), $500 to Stone Glacier, and Aziak Equipment backcountry lite tripod and ball head. This permit offers a wide season from Fall to Spring. The raffle closes on March 31, 2025.

The Alaska Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is raffling the sole Governor's Copper River Bison permit (SI454) this year! The season offers great flexibility with hunt dates from September 1, 2025- March 31, 2026. The raffle prize package also includes a Seek Outside 6-man Tipi, Zoleo Device with 1 year of service, $500 Sitka Gear, $200 Benchmade, and $250 Worksharp. The raffle closes on March 31, 2025.

The Fallen Outdoors Team Alaska is offering the Governor's Talkeetna Mountain Caribou permit (SC590) for raffle. This permit includes 14A and 14B hunt units and offers the opportunity at a monster bull caribou. The raffle prize package includes the permit, Ruger American rifle with Vortex scope, KUIU caribou kit, and cash prize. The drawing will be held April 13, 2025, during the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Arena in Wasilla. The winner does not need to be present.

The Safari Club International Kenai Peninsula Chapter is raffling an all-inclusive DIY Roosevelt Elk (SE377) Hunt on Raspberry Island in the Kodiak Archipelago. The hunt is for 2 hunters but awards 1 permit. Hunters will stay at the beautiful Raspberry Lodge on the island, from September 16-22, 2025. This is not a guided hunt; however, the lodge offers transport. The permit season is open from September 17 through October 22, 2025. The permit winner will receive a complimentary hunting license, lock tag, and deer permit. The winner will also receive $2,500 in cash for travel, tips, and extras. Limit of 2,500 tickets. The drawing will be held May 31, 2025, at the Kenai Peninsula Chapter Banquet.

SCI Alaska Chapter and Kenai Peninsula Chapter are teaming up to offer 2 Alaska Range Caribou Permits (SC827) for raffle. The drawing will be held May 31, 2025, at the Safari Club International Kenai Peninsula Chapter’s fundraiser and banquet at the Soldotna Sports Center.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announces an any-moose registration hunt (RM831) that will open on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The hunt will occur in the part of Unit 21D south of the south bank of the Yukon River, downstream of the up-river entrance of Kala Slough and west of Kala Creek. This area includes the Kaiyuh Flats, where the moose population was estimated to be 1,900–2,500 in 2011 but increased to 4,000–4,500 moose by 2018. Trend count surveys conducted in November, from 2019 through 2024, indicate the population continued to grow since the 2018 population estimate.

The season for the RM831 hunt is scheduled to run from March 1 through March 15; however, the Department has established a quota of 25 moose with no more than 20 cows. If either quota is met before March 15, then the season will be closed by Emergency Order. Hunters are prohibited from shooting a cow accompanied by a calf.

Information from ADF&G. Check their website. If you go this route, good luck!