A fish and game citation in Alaska is not a parking ticket. Depending on the charge, you can be looking at a criminal misdemeanor, thousands of dollars in fines, the loss of your hunting or fishing privileges for years, and forfeiture of the game, the gear, and sometimes the boat or truck that was involved.
Kaden Vanwey hunts and fishes in Alaska himself. He knows the regulations, he knows how Wildlife Troopers build a case, and he represents hunters, anglers, trappers, and guides who have been cited anywhere in the state.
What Kaden handles
- Hunting violations (season, bag limit, tag, unit, method, wanton waste)
- Sport and personal-use fishing violations
- Commercial fishing citations
- Trapping violations
- Unlawful possession or transport of game
- Guide, transporter, and outfitter licensing matters
- License suspensions and revocations
- Forfeiture of game, gear, boats, and vehicles
- Federal charges on refuge, park, or preserve land
Why a citation deserves a lawyer
Many Alaska fish and game offenses are class A misdemeanors. A conviction goes on your criminal record, can carry jail time, and gives the court the power to suspend your hunting or fishing license and order forfeiture of anything used in the offense. Even a lesser violation, the kind you can pay by mail, can add points toward a license suspension and show up in a background check for a job or a professional license.
People often pay the ticket because it seems easier. Then they discover a year later that they cannot draw a tag, cannot get a guide license, or cannot carry a firearm because of the conviction. A short conversation with a lawyer before you pay is worth it.
How these cases work
Most citations are issued in the field by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, sometimes weeks after the fact once a report is investigated. The citation lists the statute or regulation and a court date, usually in the district court closest to where it happened, which may be a long way from home. Kaden can appear on your behalf for many charges, so you are not driving to a courthouse across the state for a five-minute hearing.
The defenses are specific. Regulations change by game management unit, season, and species. Emergency orders can open or close an area overnight. The state has to prove where you were, what you took, and that you knew or should have known the rule. Kaden reviews the regulation that applied on the day, the trooper's report, your license and tags, GPS data, and photos, and looks for the gaps.
What is at stake
- Fines that run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand for serious or repeat offenses
- Suspension or revocation of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses, often for one to several years
- Forfeiture of meat, hides, antlers, firearms, rods, nets, ATVs, boats, and vehicles
- A misdemeanor conviction on your record
- For guides and transporters, action by the Big Game Commercial Services Board against your license
- For commercial fishermen, strict-liability fines and points against the permit
Guides, transporters, and commercial fishermen
If your livelihood depends on a license, a citation threatens more than a fine. Kaden represents licensed guides, transporters, and commercial fishermen in both the criminal case and the licensing consequences that follow it. Because commercial fishing violations in Alaska can be strict liability, meaning the state does not have to prove you intended to break the rule, the strategy is different from a sport fishing case, and the stakes are usually higher.
What to do if you have been cited
- Do not argue with the trooper in the field. Be polite, provide your license and identification, and say as little as possible about what happened.
- Do not sign anything that admits guilt. Signing the citation itself is only a promise to appear.
- Write down everything you remember, including who was present, what was said, and where you were, while it is fresh.
- Keep your license, tags, harvest tickets, photos, and GPS tracks.
- Do not pay the fine until you have talked to a lawyer. Paying is a conviction.
- Call the office. Court dates on these citations come up quickly.
“Incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, and detail-oriented. What really stands out is his honesty and integrity.”
“They broke down the realities of my situation and offered practical, strategic options. Absolute honesty, integrity, and respect for my budget.”
Fish & Game Violations questions
Can I just pay the fine on a fish and game ticket in Alaska?
For some violations, yes, and paying is treated as a conviction. For misdemeanors you must appear. Either way, paying without advice can cost you your license and leave a record. Talk to a lawyer first.
Will I lose my hunting license?
The court can suspend or revoke hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges for many offenses, and repeat offenses carry longer suspensions. Whether that happens depends on the charge, your history, and how the case is resolved.
Can they really take my boat or truck?
Alaska law allows forfeiture of equipment used in the commission of a fish and game offense, including vehicles and vessels. Forfeiture is not automatic, and it is one of the things a lawyer fights hardest on.
The citation is in a town hours away. Do I have to go?
For many charges Kaden can appear for you, or arrange a telephonic appearance, so you do not have to make the trip. Do not simply skip the date; a failure to appear creates its own problems.
I was cited on federal land. Is that different?
Yes. Violations on national park, refuge, or preserve land may be charged under federal regulations in federal court, with different procedures and penalties. Kaden can review the citation and tell you which it is.
Serving the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage
Arctic Law Alaska handles fish & game violations matters for clients in Wasilla, Palmer, Anchorage, and the Mat-Su Valley. Consultations are available in person at the Wasilla office or by phone.