Beautiful landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the friendliest people — Alaska truly has it all. That includes some strange laws that you might not have heard of or know about.
You might have heard of some of the other strange laws in the United States, like women not being able to get false teeth in Vermont without their husbands permission, or how it is illegal to hold a meeting in North Carolina if guests are in costume.
Alaska’s weird laws may seem silly at first, but a lot of them have very sensible reasons behind them being passed.
Although some of the other laws make us scratch our head and wonder, “what in the world happened to make these laws necessary?“
Here are some of our favorite weird laws in out of the state of Alaska
1.) It Is Illegal To Whisper In Someone’s Ear While Moose Hunting
Though it may seem weirdly specific, this law is for the safety of the hunters. Moose are big game and when guns are involved, you can never be too careful.
Moose can be dangerous, especially if you are up close to one.
Wait until after hunting to catch up to avoid breaking the law. And then you won’t have to whisper, anyway!
2.) A Person May Only Carry A Slingshot If They Have the Appropriate License
Speaking of weapons safety, another Alaskan law states: “It is unlawful for any person other than a law enforcement officer to carry concealed about his person, in any manner, a revolver, pistol or other firearm or knife (other than an ordinary pocket knife), or a dirk or dagger, slingshot, metal knuckles or an instrument by the use of which injury could be inflicted upon the person or property of another, except that any person in possession of a valid State of Alaska concealed weapon permit may carry a weapon as allowed by that permit.”
Reading through this list of weapons, you will see the expected: revolvers, firearms, knives… but slingshots?
We often think of a slingshot as a classic childhood toy, but slingshots can be dangerous, especially if what is being launched is hard and solid.
3.) It Is Illegal To Push A Moose Out Of A Moving Airplane
While nobody probably would try to push a moose out of a moving airplane, it is still illegal nonetheless.
This is one of those laws where you wonder what exactly happened to prompt such an oddly specific law.
The jury’s still out on whether it is legal to give the moose a shove if the airplane is not moving, though!
4.) Moose May Not Be Viewed From An Airplane
Ok, you may have learned that pushing a moose out of a moving airplane is against the law. You are also not in the clear when it comes to flying and looking for moose, though.
Viewing a moose from an airplane is also illegal in the Last Frontier. If you hear moose-like noises coming from outside, try not to look so you will be fully compliant with the law.
All jokes aside, what is the reason for this law?
It is actually for the protection of the moose! Hunters cannot scout moose by air on the same day they plan to hunt.
They can, however, scout the day before, giving the moose the opportunity to move.
5.) Tooting Your Horn Loudly Is An Offense In Fairbanks, Alaska
According to the City of Fairbanks code of ordinances, disturbing the peace in a public place by excessively shouting, playing a musical instrument, or blowing a horn is prohibited.
This means that you should leave your trumpet at home!
We can only imagine the origin of this law, but we are happy that Fairbanks citizens get a little peace and quiet during their days.
6.) Don’t Speak So Loud That You Force A Sensitive Person To Leave In Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a very unique town, so it makes sense that there are multiple unique laws!
According to another ordinance stating: “loud sound or loud noise is sound or noise which would awaken, or cause difficulty in sleeping for, the average, not unduly sensitive individual attempting to sleep in any house, apartment, hotel, motel or other residence in the vicinity of the sound or noise-producing activity.”
So keep your voice down in Fairbanks. It is illegal to cause such a racket that a sensitive person can’t sleep, and must leave Fairbanks to escape the noise.
7.) No Riding Your Motorcycle In Fairbanks At Night
More weird laws in Fairbanks? Not surprising!
According to this ordinance: “Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., operates or uses a pile driver, pneumatic hammer, bulldozer, road grader, loader, power shovel, derrick, backhoe, power saw, manual hammer, motorcycle, snow machine or other instrument, appliance or vehicle which generates loud sounds or noise, after having been informed by another that such operation or use is disturbing the peace and privacy of others”.
You cannot ride your motorcycle if someone has already told you it’s making too much noise. Keep your noisy activities scheduled during the day!
8.) Selling Stun Guns To Children Is Illegal
This seems like a no-brainer, but the explicit act of selling stun guns for children is illegal. Stun guns themselves are not legal in every state, so in a state like Alaska where they are, safety is of the utmost importance.
This is definitely a law we can get behind.
9.) Hey Kids – No Snowmen Taller Than You!
In Alaska, building Frosty is not only a fun activity, but a regulated one.
Children are prohibited from creating snowmen that are taller than them when they are on school property.
This law was put into place due to some of the excessive snowfall this state sees, so rescue workers and school administrators can differentiate between snowmen and actual children.
This makes sense, and is an interesting and uniquely Alaskan law.
10.) Attractive Nuisances Are Prohibited
In Soldotna, Alaska “attractive nuisances” are prohibited.
What is an “attractive nuisance”? Essentially, anything that would attract a bear. Unattended meat stores and other tasty-looking things would qualify as “attractive nuisances.”
This protects residential areas from bears wandering on property and learning that there are food resources in the area.
Always important, especially as we want to keep our wild bears wild.
11.) Waking A Sleeping Bear To Take A Photo Is Illegal
Even if your home is free of attractive nuisances, waking a sleeping bear that might have wandered onto your property to take a photo is illegal.
Waking a sleeping bear for any reason seems risky; in Alaska, we always respect the wildlife!
If you are looking for a little bit of fuzzy bear viewing, we would recommend visiting a well known bear viewing spot to catch a glimpse of these cute guys safely.
Our favorite is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, just outside of Girdwood.
12.) You May Not Live In A Trailer As It Is Being Moved Across Anchorage
It may seem like a time saver to simply stay in your trailer as it is being moved across the city, but it is actually illegal.
If you are planning to move with your dog, be careful of dog moving laws as well. It is illegal to strap your furry friend to the roof of your car or let him loose in the back of your truck.
Once everyone is safely strapped in a non-trailer vehicle, you are free to move around the city.
Know Of Any Other Dumb Or Weird Laws In Alaska?
Though some of these Alaska laws may be wacky, Alaska is still an absolutely amazing place to live.
If you know of any newer weird Alaska laws, please let us know!
If you are thinking about relocating to this big, beautiful state, you can learn more about all that Alaska has to offer!
After living over 14 years in Alaska, Megan McDonald can confidently state that there’s not much of the state on the road system that she hasn’t visited. From the Brooks Range to McCarthy, Homer, and everywhere in between, every nook and cranny of Alaska is always her new favorite place.
As President and co-founder of Alaska-based boutique media agency HuMu Media, she spends her work time writing, photographing, and traveling, and her off time writing, photographing, and traveling. They say do what you love, and she is lucky enough to do so!
You can follow her travels on Instagram at @theitinerantginger