Small Game Hunting in Alaska

Getting Involved

Are you interested in getting involved and helping small game biologists? Here are some ways you can help:

  1. Wing Collections from hunter harvested grouse and ptarmigan: We are looking for volunteers statewide to provide one wing and tail from each harvested grouse or ptarmigan. Biologists use these samples to determine the age and sex of the bird. Read more about age and sex determination for grouse and ptarmigan (PDF 1,520 kB). These data are critical in understanding the population productivity of game birds throughout the state. Please consider donating your harvested grouse and ptarmigan wings — it is often the only way the Small Game Program can gather this important biological information across our large state. Wing envelopes are available at the Anchorage, Palmer, Fairbanks, and Juneau offices. You can also record date and location of harvest, place the wing in an individual bag, and drop it off at your local ADF&G office or mail it to either Palmer or Fairbanks. Postage paid envelopes are available in both Palmer and Fairbanks. See below for contact information.

    Read More About Donating Wings and Tails
    Fairbanks Anchorage
    ADF&G Wing Collections
    Cameron Carroll
    1300 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK. 99701

    cameron.carroll@alaska.gov
    (907) 459-7237     		ADF&G Wing Collections
    Tim Spivey
    333 Raspberry Road
    Anchorage, AK 99518

    timothy.spivey@alaska.gov
    (907)-267-2897
    After biologists examine each wing, you’ll receive the results of your samples and a summary report of the statewide results.
  2. Summer Brood Surveys: Every summer the Small Game Program works with volunteers and their highly trained pointing dogs to complete grouse and ptarmigan brood surveys. Our program is always looking for new volunteers and their trained pointing dogs to complete surveys and identify and count broods or simply volunteers to record the data during a survey. Survey locations include Eagle Summit, Delta Junction, Denali Highway, Sheep Mountain, Hatcher Pass, Chugach State Park, and Kenai Mountains. Surveys occur in July every summer with dog evaluations occurring in late May and June prior to the completion of field work. If you are interested in learning more and possibly participating please contact Cameron Carroll (above) to learn more and how you can get involved.
  3. Small Game Hunter Survey: Periodically the Small Game Program conducts small game hunter surveys. These surveys request hunters to report their household hunting effort, harvest, and general observations. The latest survey was completed in the spring/summer 2014 reporting on the previous hunting season. All small game hunter survey reports are available on the Research and Reports tab. These surveys allow ADF&G to better tailor future research and habitat enhancement projects. In the future, if you are asked to participate in this survey your participation is greatly appreciated and you will receive a copy of the summary report upon its completion.
  4. Suggestions: Please e-mail your suggestions, field observations, delicious recipes, or great hunting tales to dfg.dwc.smallgame@alaska.gov. Biologists will read these e-mails and respond if requested.