Caribou populations in Alaska are among the most unpredictable of any big game species. Despite close monitoring by Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists, their cycles of rise and decline remain difficult to forecast. The state is home to 32 distinct herds of barren-ground caribou, ranging from massive migratory herds numbering in the hundreds of thousands to small, localized groups in protected regions.

Each year, sport hunters harvest an average of about 20,000 caribou, while most additional subsistence harvest takes place during the winter months. When caribou numbers drop, non-resident hunting opportunities are often the first to be reduced in line with restrictions on subsistence harvests. Hunters planning future caribou trips should keep this in mind, as delaying a hunt could mean missing out completely if conditions tighten.

For the 2026 fall season, Alaska will offer several draw-only permit hunts available to non-residents across units 7, 14, 15, 20, and 23. Hunters who secure these permits should be prepared to hire a licensed transporter to access Alaska’s vast, remote terrain. Those applying for the guided hunt in unit 20A must have a signed guide-client agreement in place before submitting their draw application and must apply under the correct hunt code.

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