Bear Wrestling and Other Prohibited Activities in Alaska You Didn’t Know Were Illegal

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Bear Wrestling and Other Prohibited Activities in Alaska You Didn't Know Were Illegal

Bear wrestling is not explicitly listed among Alaska’s statutes, unlike in Alabama where promoting or participating in bear wrestling matches is a felony. Alaska’s wildlife laws focus on regulated hunting rather than wrestling or baiting bears for sport, with bear-baiting allowed under certain state hunting reforms.​

Other Unusual Prohibited Activities

Alaska enforces quirky local ordinances alongside wildlife protections.

Whispering in someone’s ear while moose hunting is illegal to ensure hunter safety and focus.​

Pushing a live moose out of a moving airplane or viewing moose from an airplane on the same day as hunting is banned to protect wildlife and prevent unfair advantages.​

Waking a sleeping bear to take a photo is prohibited, emphasizing respect for wildlife.​

City-Specific Oddities

Local rules add unique restrictions.

In Fairbanks, riding a motorcycle at night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is illegal if it disturbs others, and moose cannot reproduce on city streets.​

Anchorage bans living in a trailer while it’s being hauled or tying a dog to a car roof.​

Children cannot build snowmen taller than themselves on school property to aid rescue efforts in heavy snow.​

These laws often stem from safety, wildlife conservation, or noise concerns, though some remain unenforced relics.

SOURCES

[1](https://www.beardefenders.org/alaska)
[2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear-baiting)
[3](https://thealaskafrontier.com/weird-laws-in-alaska/)
[4](https://www.thealaskalife.com/blogs/news/10-of-the-strangest-most-ridiculous-laws-in-alaska)
[5](https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/lawsuit-challenges-alaska-board-of-game-plan-to-gun-down-bears-2025-11-10/)

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