Top 5 DIY Hunt Spots You Can Drive to from Anchorage (With Season Timing, Permits & Boat Access Tips)

Top 5 DIY Hunt Spots You Can Drive to from Anchorage (With Season Timing, Permits & Boat Access Tips)

Alaska is a hunter’s paradise, and while many prime hunting locations require a plane or boat to access, there are still plenty of DIY-friendly hunting spots that you can drive to from Anchorage. Whether you’re after moose, caribou, bear, or small game, these spots offer great opportunities without the need for expensive fly-outs.

1. Kenai Peninsula (GMU 7 & 15) – Moose, Black Bear, and Small Game

  • Drive Time: 2-3 hours south of Anchorage
  • Species: Moose, black bear, snowshoe hare, ptarmigan
  • Season Timing:
    • Moose: Aug 20 - Sept 25 (varies by area)
    • Black Bear: Year-round, but best in spring and fall
    • Small Game: Sept 1 - March 31
  • Permit Requirements:
    • Moose: General harvest ticket or draw permit (some areas require permits)
    • Black Bear: Harvest ticket (over-the-counter)
  • Why Go? The Kenai Peninsula offers diverse terrain, from thick forests to open wetlands, making it a prime moose habitat. Black bears are common in the mountains and along salmon streams.
  • Boat Access Tip: Using an inflatable boat on the Kenai River, Skilak Lake, or Tustumena Lake can get you deeper into prime hunting areas, away from road-hunting pressure.

More Info:

GMU 7

GMU 15

2. Glenn Highway Corridor (GMU 13) – Caribou and Moose

  • Drive Time: 3-4 hours northeast of Anchorage
  • Species: Caribou (Nelchina herd), moose
  • Season Timing:
    • Caribou: Aug 10 - Sept 20, plus winter hunt (depending on quota)
    • Moose: Aug 20 - Sept 20
  • Permit Requirements:
    • Caribou: Draw permit (RC566), Tier I or general season, depending on quota
    • Moose: General season harvest ticket or draw permit
  • Why Go? GMU 13 is a hotspot for DIY caribou hunting, with one of Alaska’s most accessible herds. Moose populations are solid along river corridors.
  • Boat Access Tip: Consider using an inflatable boat on the Tazlina River, Lake Louise, or the Copper River tributaries for less crowded areas.

More Info:

GMU 13

3. Talkeetna Mountains (GMU 14 & 13) – Moose and Black Bear

  • Drive Time: 2-3 hours north of Anchorage
  • Species: Moose, black bear, small game
  • Season Timing:
    • Moose: Aug 20 - Sept 25 (varies by unit)
    • Black Bear: Year-round
    • Ptarmigan & Snowshoe Hare: Aug 10 - March 31
  • Permit Requirements:
    • Moose: General season or draw permit
    • Black Bear: Harvest ticket (over-the-counter)
  • Why Go? The rolling tundra and alpine meadows of the Talkeetna Mountains make for excellent spot-and-stalk hunting for both moose and black bear.
  • Boat Access Tip: The Susitna and Little Susitna Rivers offer great access to remote hunting spots, especially in early season when moose are higher up.

More Info:

GMU 14

GMU 13

4. Denali Highway (GMU 13 & 20) – Caribou and Moose

  • Drive Time: 4-5 hours northeast of Anchorage
  • Species: Caribou (Denali herd), moose
  • Season Timing:
    • Caribou: Aug 10 - Sept 20 (general season), Oct-Mar (winter hunt if available)
    • Moose: Aug 20 - Sept 20
  • Permit Requirements:
    • Caribou: General harvest ticket, registration hunt (RC860)
    • Moose: General harvest ticket or draw permit
  • Why Go? The Denali Highway is a top destination for DIY caribou hunters, with vast tundra terrain and public land access.
  • Boat Access Tip: Inflatable boats can help cross rivers or reach remote areas beyond the road. Look into Clearwater Creek, Brushkana Creek, or the Susitna River headwaters for better access.

More Info:

GMU 13 

GMU 20

5. Turnagain Arm & Chugach Mountains (GMU 14C) – Black Bear and Goat

  • Drive Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours from Anchorage
  • Species: Black bear, mountain goat, ptarmigan
  • Season Timing:
    • Black Bear: Year-round (best in spring/fall)
    • Mountain Goat: Aug 10 - Jan 31 (draw permit only)
    • Ptarmigan: Aug 10 - March 31
  • Permit Requirements:
    • Black Bear: General season (harvest ticket)
    • Goat: Draw permit only (application due Dec of previous year)
  • Why Go? If you’re looking for a quick hunt near Anchorage, the steep mountains of the Chugach offer great black bear and goat hunting.
  • Boat Access Tip: Inflatable boats on Turnagain Arm or Resurrection Bay can help access otherwise unreachable hunting zones.

More info:

GMU 14 

Final Thoughts: Why an Inflatable Boat Can Improve Your DIY Hunt

Many of these drive-to hunting spots offer easy access from the road system, but the real game-changer is using an inflatable boat to:
✔ Reach less pressured hunting areas away from crowded road corridors
✔ Access remote river valleys and lake shores where game is more abundant
✔ Transport harvested animals more efficiently, especially in difficult terrain

For hunters looking to go deeper into the Alaskan wilderness without a plane or guide, an inflatable boat rental is one of the best investments you can make.

Planning Your Next DIY Hunt?

If you're heading out this season, consider renting an inflatable boat from Alaska Wild Rentals to maximize your range and improve your hunting success!

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