Alaska, 2027 shed season

Alaska Shed Antler Season 2027

Alaska Department of Fish and Game says naturally shed antlers, and the bones and skulls of land animals, may be kept, except in national parks.

“In Alaska it's legal to keep naturally shed antlers, and the bones and skulls of terrestrial animals.” Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Agency statement

Rule type

from Alaska Department of Fish and Game

4

Rules quoted

each linked to the agency page

For some

Course or permit

in the agency rules quoted below

September 21, 2026

Rules read

from the agency page

The rule

Shed antler rules in Alaska

Agency statement

Antlers not attached to any part of a skull can usually be sold without a permit, while a skull with antlers attached needs an ADF&G permit to sell. Caribou keep their own calendar: the largest bulls drop in late October, and small bulls and cows that are not pregnant hold antlers until April.

Statewide

ADF&G says naturally shed antlers may be kept.

In Alaska it's legal to keep naturally shed antlers, and the bones and skulls of terrestrial animals.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read September 21, 2026. Read it at the source

Statewide

An ADF&G permit biologist says deer, elk, moose and caribou antlers found in the woods can be picked up and taken home.

"As far as deer, elk, moose and caribou antlers go, you can pick them up and take them home," she said.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read September 21, 2026. Read it at the source

National parks

ADF&G notes that nothing may be taken out of a national park, so sheds found there must stay.

It's illegal to take anything out of a national park.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read September 21, 2026. Read it at the source

Courses, sale and state land

More Alaska shed rules

Buying and selling sheds

Antlers not attached to any part of a skull can usually be sold without a permit; selling a skull with antlers attached (a European mount) needs an ADF&G permit.

In most cases horns or antlers that are not attached to any portion of a skull may be sold without a permit.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read September 21, 2026. Read it at the source

When antlers drop

When deer shed antlers in Alaska

The largest bull caribou drop antlers in late October, while small bulls and cows that are not pregnant hold them until April.

The largest bulls shed their antlers in late October, but small bulls and non-pregnant cows do not shed their antlers until April.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, read September 21, 2026. Read it at the source

A large elk antler lying in green grass with snow covered mountains in the distance — An elk shed on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming, with the Tetons behind. Elk winter range in the West is where most dated shed closures fall, because the closures exist for the animals wintering there. “Shed Antler on the National Elk Refuge (53662858076)”, USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Alaska shed antler questions

Is it legal to pick up shed antlers in Alaska?

When is shed hunting season in Alaska?

Do I need a permit to collect sheds in Alaska?

Can you sell shed antlers in Alaska?

When do deer shed antlers in Alaska?

Who sets the shed antler rules in Alaska?

Shed antler rules in other states

Alaska deer seasonArchery and firearms dates for Alaska, read from Alaska Department of Fish and Game.Alaska deer rutWhen bucks breed in the fall, months before those antlers drop.Shed antler rules by stateEvery state's shed rule, the dated western closures and when each species drops.

A young bull elk carrying a single antler standing among elk bedded in snow — A young bull that has already dropped one antler, among elk bedded in snow. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says elk may start shedding in February and run through April. “Bull Elk and Herd (6258537907)”, USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Compiled September 21, 2026. Every rule above is republished from Finding and Keeping Antlers, Sounds Wild, ADF&G and the other Alaska Department of Fish and Game pages linked beside each quote, read on September 21, 2026. Rules change between winters, so the agency page is the one to check before a trip. Every state is in the national shed antler guide.