Alaska - ATV Restrictions

[PredatorSlayer]

Can you drive an ATV off road/trail through the tundra?

 

[22lr]

Varies alot by unit/location/type of land. Its far from straight forward. Some will be ok with anything, some have total weight or axle weight restriction, some is off limits completely.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Varies alot by unit/location/type of land. Its far from straight forward. Some will be ok with anything, some have total weight or axle weight restriction, some is off limits completely.

How do I find the regulations/laws for each unit?

 

[Larry Bartlett]

First determine who owns the land (state vs fed) as they have different public use access rules of engagement.

State land is usually DNR and State parks, fed lands are mostly non-ATV friendly.

 

[AKDoc]

Alaska is truly huge. A lot of people use ATV's.

If you have certain areas in mind, then first figure out the land ownership of each location of interest as LB mentions above because ownership does vary and the ATV restrictions (if any) can vary as well. Federal, state and Alaska Native Corporations are the primary land owners.

Second, if you're thinking of hunting via an ATV, there are a number of designated "non-motorized" hunting areas in the state. The fed's have various restrictions as does the state. The ADFG specifies the non-motorized hunting areas in the various GMU hunting regulations, which can be found here:

Alaska Hunting Regulations, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Hunting and Trapping bag limits and seasons in Alaska.

www.adfg.alaska.gov

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Alaska is truly huge. A lot of people use ATV's.

If you have certain areas in mind, then first figure out the land ownership of each location of interest as LB mentions above because ownership does vary and the ATV restrictions (if any) can vary as well. Federal, state and Alaska Native Corporations are the primary land owners.

Second, if you're thinking of hunting via an ATV, there are a number of designated "non-motorized" hunting areas in the state. The fed's have various restrictions as does the state. The ADFG specifies the non-motorized hunting areas in the various GMU hunting regulations, which can be found here:

Alaska Hunting Regulations, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Hunting and Trapping bag limits and seasons in Alaska.

www.adfg.alaska.gov

So for example, let’s just say unit 18 because that is a popular one. When I go to unit 18, I don’t see anything about non motorized restrictions. Assume public land (I know natives have their own rules), does that mean ATVs are allowed to retrieve game, even if there is no road or trail?

 

[gbflyer]

Unit by unit, there is no single answer. Where I live you cannot use one to access hunting or transport game unless it’s on the public road. You can however ride just about anywhere on state property the rest of the time unless it’s under a management agreement with a municipality. One of the frustrating things about this state is the inconsistent game laws.

 

[peaceman]

If in doubt call the local ADFG office. They will be able to tell you based on where you want to hunt.

 

[william schmaltz]

Any controlled use area, closed area, or management area with special access requirements is highlighted on the GMU map in the regs and there is a script in the map explaining what those restrictions are. Those are method of take restrictions and not land restrictions and are in place no matter the underlying land owner. For example, GMU 13 has non-motorized controlled use areas where there are trails you can drive an ATV to pick berries, but not use to drive an ATV to haul a moose or moose camp.

Using GMU 18 as an example, there is one controlled use area that restricts the use of air craft for the transport of big game. Outside of that, there are no state hunting restrictions on what type of vehicle can be used and where. But 90% of the GMU is National Wildlife Refuge and 9.9% is native land. Each have their own rules on motorized access and it’s up to you to track down that info. Just guessing, I’d say it’s a big hard no for refuge lands and there’s always a number for the other if you’re willing to pay……

 

[kwackkillncrew]

also typically the natives got most of the land around the village locked up. so if you are going to try to fly a wheeler out to a village and go out from there, you might catch some flak from them.

 

[ColeyG]

Regarding State land

https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/cdn/pdf/factsheets/generally-allowed-uses.pdf

As highlighted above, what is allowed and where all depends on who owns and administers the land. You need to know the general DNR regulations, the hunting regulations re: motorized restrictions. and the rules imposed b the land manager/owner.

60% of AK is managed by the feds. The state owns about 25%. The rest is private, native village, native corp, etc.

OnX is your friend.