What are the largest animals hunted in Alaska?

Based on popular demand, here’s a list of the top 10 record-size animals hunted in Alaska, based on available data from sources like the Boone and Crockett Club, which tracks trophy records for North American big game.  List is subject to change, there are larger trophies out there, year of record included as well.  Most recent being a Roosevelt Elk in 2019.

1. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
   • Record: Skull size 30 12/16 inches
   • Details: Taken near Cold Bay in 1952 by Roy R. Lindsley. Alaska’s coastal brown bears are the largest in the world, often exceeding 10 feet in squared hide and 1,500 pounds in weight. This record reflects the Boone and Crockett skull measurement, the standard for bear trophies.
2. Alaska-Yukon Moose (Alces alces gigas)
   • Record: 261 5/8 points (antler score)
   • Details: Harvested in 1994 along the Yukon River by John L. Crouse. This subspecies is the largest moose in North America, with bulls reaching up to 7 feet at the shoulder and 1,800 pounds. The antlers spanned over 75 inches.
3. Barren Ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti)
   • Record: 477 points
   • Details: Taken in 1961 near Buckland River by A.M. Browning. Alaska’s caribou are known for massive antlers, and this bull’s rack is among the largest ever recorded, showcasing the species’ unique double-shovel and top-point development.
4. Bison (Bison bison athabascae)
   • Record: 136 4/8 points (horn score)
   • Details: Harvested in 1959 near Delta Junction by C.H. Henderson. Wood bison, reintroduced to Alaska, are the largest land mammals in North America, with bulls weighing up to 2,000 pounds. This record reflects horn length and spread.
5. Dall Sheep (Ovis dalli dalli)
   • Record: 49 4/8 inches (horn length)
   • Details: Taken in 1961 near Tok by Harry L. Swank Jr. These white sheep inhabit Alaska’s rugged mountains, and this ram’s horns curled over 49 inches, one of the longest on record.
6. Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus)
   • Record: 56 4/8 points
   • Details: Harvested in 1972 near Cordova by D.L. Osmanson. Alaska’s mountain goats are prized for their long horns, and this billy scored high due to horn length and base circumference, thriving in the state’s coastal cliffs.
7. Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
   • Record: Skull size 23 10/16 inches
   • Details: Taken in 1987 near Ketchikan by Lester W. Miller. While smaller than brown bears, Alaska’s black bears can still reach impressive sizes, with this specimen’s skull setting the Boone and Crockett record.
8. Muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
   • Record: 128 4/8 points
   • Details: Harvested in 1976 near Nome by John J. Wiles. Reintroduced to Alaska after extinction in the 19th century, muskoxen have thick horns, and this bull’s score reflects the largest recorded trophy.
9. Roosevelt Elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti)
   • Record: 291 6/8 points (Alaska-specific record)
   • Details: Taken in 2019 near Malina Bay by Aaron P. Larson. Introduced to Alaska, Roosevelt elk are smaller than their Lower 48 counterparts, but this bull ranks as the state’s largest, with antlers scoring high for symmetry and mass.
10. Sitka Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis)
    • Record: 133 6/8 points
    • Details: Harvested in 1975 near Klawock by J.E. Dalrymple. Native to Southeast Alaska, this deer’s antlers are modest compared to mainland species, but this buck’s score is the state’s top trophy.
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• These records are primarily from Boone and Crockett’s all-time records, widely recognized in the hunting community. Alaska dominates many categories due to its nutrient-rich environment, supporting larger body and trophy sizes.
• As of March 5, 2025, these reflect historical highs; newer records may exist but aren’t yet widely documented.
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This list highlights Alaska’s reputation for producing some of the world’s largest game animals, driven by its vast wilderness and abundant resources. Let me know if you’d like deeper details on any species!  Contact us anytime with your Alaska Land questions.