The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Division of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) is pleased to announce that 2026 proposal applications are now being accepted for the Hunter Access Grant Program. Program funds utilize Federal Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson Act) funds, which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a pass-through grant to ADF&G DWC.

Program funds support the development or enhancement of opportunities and access to Alaska’s public lands and facilities for hunting, trapping, target shooting, archery, and other wildlife-related recreation. Eligible applicants include public and non-profit organizations who are eligible to do business with the Federal government, are proposing a project on public land or at a public facility, have previously received federal funds, can commit to long-term maintenance of the proposed federally funded improvements, and must be able to provide the required 25% non-federal match. If selected for award, the Hunter Access Grant Program will reimburse 75% of total eligible costs. Entities submitting public target or archery range proposals must be capable of providing 25% match, however there is potential that less match (10%) would be required if selected for award.

In 2026, ADF&G DWC anticipates that approximately $1.0 million in federal funds will be available. Proposals with a federal budget exceeding $30,000 are preferred, though those with smaller budgets may still be considered for funding on a case-by-case basis.

Proposals must develop or enhance public access to public lands, facilities, and wildlife resources for hunters, trappers, target and archery range shooters, and other wildlife related users to be considered for funding. All proposals will be evaluated, ranked, and scored using established criteria that can be found on the Hunter Access Grant Program website along with the application package, FAQ’s, and more at:

https://adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunteraccess.grantapplication.

The deadline for proposal submission is 4:30 PM Alaska Daylight Time on Friday, April 10, 2026.

An overview of the Hunter Access Program can be found online at hunteraccess.adfg.alaska.gov. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit our website and subscribe to updates to learn more about the program, projects for funding consideration, and public comment opportunities.

To date DWC has awarded approximately $18 million in federal funds and partnered with state and federal land managers, local governments, and nonprofit entities to meet match requirements and facilitate design and construction of more than 25 hunter access projects. These projects are diverse and include building, improving, and repairing public use trails, roads, parking lots, campgrounds, boat launches, bridges, target shooting ranges, and more.

If you have any questions, please contact ADF&G Hunter Access Program Coordinator:

Katie Sechrist-Gaynos: 907-267-2541, katie.sechrist-gaynos@alaska.gov
Or: DFG.DWC.HunterAccess@alaska.gov