Alaska Bowhunter Laws and Regulations

Do you need Alaska Bowhunter education?

Alaska

Beginning July 1, 2016, if you were born on or after January 1, 1986 you must complete and pass an approved bowhunter course to hunt big game with archery equipment. The certification card must be carried when hunting.

All hunters participating in archery-only hunts must obtain bowhunter education certification.

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

You do not have to be a resident of Alaska to take this online course.

Elsewhere

Hunter education is currently required in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, three Northwest Territories, and Mexico. A separate bowhunter education course is required in many of the states, provinces, and other countries to comply with the bowhunting laws and regulations in those jurisdictions.

The states and provinces requiring an IBEP course are:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Idaho
• Maine
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Brunswick
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Nova Scotia
• Quebec
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

Why Bowhunter Safety Education Is Important

Bowhunting is a challenging sport! This type of hunting is done at a much closer range and requires a high degree of stealth, perseverance, patience, and effort. Bowhunters must become adept at scouting, tracking, and recovering game. Bowhunters must master new archery techniques and learn the anatomy and behavior of the game. Before attempting to use archery equipment as a hunting tool, each bowhunter should become a proficient archer. This requires dedication, practice, and good distance-judging ability.

Reciprocity

All U.S. states, provinces, and other countries that have mandatory bowhunter education requirements will accept the Alaska Bowhunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Alaska will accept Bowhunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)