Alaska Opens First Mountain Lion Hunting Season in Southeast

Alaska will allow mountain lion hunting for the first time starting Aug. 1 under new state regulations.

Mountain lions are now legal to hunt in Southeast Alaska. The hunting season runs from Aug. 1 through June 15 with a bag limit of one animal. Trapping is allowed from Nov. 15 through March 31 with no bag limit.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game published a two-part series in Alaska Fish and Wildlife News explaining the new regulations. Riley Woodford, public information officer for the department, wrote the articles examining how regulations work with mule deer and how they may work with mountain lions. The second article follows up on the previous month's Part 1.

Under the new regulations, hunters may keep mountain lions after sealing. Before the 2026 regulations, harvested mountain lions had to be turned over to the state. Nonresident hunters targeting mountain lions do not require a guide, as the species is not classified with brown bear, Dall sheep, or mountain goat.

Hunters must seal their harvest with Fish and Game. Full regulations are available on the department's website at adfg.alaska.gov.