Mysterious Brown Bear Appearance and Southeast Bear Research

By Riley Woodford

When a brown bear appeared on Douglas Island in the spring of 2017, bear biologist Anthony Crupi was well prepared to investigate its origin. Douglas is home to black bears, but brown bears are almost unheard of. In 1974 a hunter took a brown bear on Fish Creek, the only other documentation of a brown bear on the island.

Douglas Island is adjacent to mainland Juneau in northern Southeast Alaska, barely separated at the narrowest region by a tidal wetland. Crupi lives on the island and works there in the town of Douglas at the Southeast regional office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The 2017 bear was shot in the early morning hours by a concerned homeowner in a defense of life and property (DLP) incident in the spring. Fish and Game biologists noted on the scene that the bear’s hide was particularly dark. By law, the skull and hide were turned in to Fish and Game. Tom Schumacher and Paul Converse and conducted the sealing. The skull was large, measuring 25 ¼ inches, and the bear weighed about 700 pounds.

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Legislature narrowly rejects Ruffner for Board of Fisheries

View across Cook Inlet from downtown Anchorage,

Another Board of Fisheries nominee has fallen victim to the aggressive politics of the Cook Inlet fish wars.

The Legislature voted 30-29 against confirming Gov. Bill Walker’s Board of Fisheries nominee Robert Ruffner during the end of session confirmation hearing on April 19.

Walker nominated Ruffner to the position following the resignation of Karl Johnstone as the board chair and subsequent withdrawal by Roland Maw after criminal charges were filed against him in Montana over receiving resident hunting and fishing licenses.

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Alaska Board of Fish nominee Robert Ruffner makes his case

OK, we’re all Alaskans and we seem to love a good political fight. We really like to fight about fish. So grab the popcorn for the next round. If you’re following this, then you’ve seen half a dozen editorials, letters to the editor and stories over my nomination to the Alaska Board of Fisheries, all written by someone else. Most recently from an out-of-state individual paid to advance one group’s vision. With a couple days to go before the Legislature makes a decision, you need to hear from the applicant himself.

My name is Robert Ruffner. I’m a married, dedicated father of two young daughters and a proud dipnetter from the Kenai who can’t think of any better way to get fish onto the average Alaskans’ table. Every sockeye in my freezer and in jars on our shelf came from a dipnet. I harvest near my family’s limit and we eat every one. I will support and defend access to these fish and work very hard to improve the access of this fishery to ensure its continued success. What is needed moving forward is a better understanding and appreciation of these fisheries importance to the average Alaskan and recognition that each has unique challenges.

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House OKs higher hunting, fishing fees

Bagging brown bears, moose will get costly for non-residents

The Alaska House voted 33-7 Wednesday on a bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees as a way to raise revenue for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

House Bill 137 is the first significant change to resident hunting and fishing fees in 24 years and the first significant change to nonresident fees in 17 years, lead sponsor Rep. Dave Talerico, R-Healy, said Wednesday.

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Politics at the Anchorage game and fish committee

. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One-third of the committee that represents the people of Anchorage at the boards that regulate hunting and fishing in Alaska resigned this week, saying their advice is consistently ignored.

Six of the Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee’s 17 members resigned Tuesday at an annual meeting. Two members serve as alternates.

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Mercury in Fishes Study Released - Measurable Levels Detected in Alaska National Parks

Fish sampled in four Alaskan national parks have tested positive for mercury and in some cases exceeded State of Alaska unlimited human consumption thresholds for women and children.

The testing was part of a multi-year U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service study of fish in remote, high elevation lakes and streams in 21 national parks across 10 western states and Alaska. Mercury was found in all fish sampled though levels of the chemical harmful to fish, other wildlife and humans, varied. 

"Although fish mercury concentrations were elevated in some sites, the majority of fish across the region had concentrations that were below most benchmarks associated with impaired health of fish, wildlife, and humans. However, the range of concentrations measured suggest that complex processes are involved in driving mercury accumulation in these environments and further research is needed to better understand these processes, and assess risk," said USGS ecologist Collin Eagles-Smith, the lead author of the publication. 

The Alaska surveys took place at Denali National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Mercury concentrations were measured in lake trout, arctic grayling, kokanee, Dolly Varden and northern pike.

Some fish in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve exceeded thresholds recommended by both the State of Alaska and the Environmental Protection Agency for unlimited human consumption by women and children.

State of Alaska human consumption thresholds start at 150 parts per billion. Lake trout, with average concentrations as high as 417 parts per billion were found in one lake in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The average concentration in lake trout in Lake Clark was 365 parts per billion. Mercury levels were low in Denali National Park and Preserve and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Lake trout are a relatively long-lived fish species at the top of the food web, and as such are more likely to accumulate mercury and other toxins over their lives than other species of fish. They are not consumed in great quantities by either sport or subsistence fishermen so the risk to people is likely low, but variable given location and frequency of fish consumption. The extent of the effects on fish-eating birds and mammals that depend on lake trout for survival is unknown.

Fish continue to be a nutritious food source. Many fish species, including salmon, are low in mercury. Women who may become pregnant and parents should reference fish consumption guidance developed by the State of Alaska at http://www.epi.alaska.gov/eh/fish/default.htm.

The study, "Mercury in fishes from 21 national parks in the Western United States – Inter and intra-park variation in concentrations and ecological risk," is available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2014/1051/pdf/ofr2014-1051.pdf. For more information visithttp://www.nature.nps.gov/air/studies/ToxicEffects.cfm.

Related articles

• Unlikely Pesticides Found in Alaskan Fish
• Alaska News Nightly: April 17, 2014

Spring Bear Safety in Alaska

 (Photo credit: ucumari)

Bears that wake up hungry after a long winter’s nap aren’t as big a problem in Fairbanks as they are in other bear-infested cities like Anchorage and Juneau but state wildlife officials say it’s still a good idea for Interior residents to do some spring cleaning around their homes to dissuade any ursine intruders.

“We haven’t had as many problems in Fairbanks as Anchorage,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game spokeswoman Cathie Harms said of Alaska’s largest city 360 miles to the south, where it’s not uncommon for bears to be shot each spring for getting into garbage, tearing down bird feeders or ravaging neighborhood chicken coops.

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SE Alaska Wolves to possibly receive federal protection

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will consider the possible protection Southeast Alaska wolves

under the Endangered Species Act.

The decision to review the wolves' status comes two years after the Center for Biological Diversity and Greenpeace submitted a petition to protect the species known as the Alexander Archipelago wolf.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2014/03/31/US-Fish-and-Wildlife-officials-to-consider-federal-protection-of-Southeast-Alaska-wolves/5871396280175/#ixzz2xail1JIq

Denali Winter Artists-in-Residence Arrive

Denali Landscape (Photo credit: blmiers2)

DENALI PARK, Alaska: The National Park Service has expanded the Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program to include winter residencies on an ongoing basis, and the first two participants in this winter's program will begin their residencies this week.

Beau Carey, a landscape painter currently living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, arrives on Tuesday, March 18.He will spend four nights in the Savage River Cabin, located at Mile 13 on the Denali Park Road, and afterwards will lead an outdoor painting workshop (already full by pre-registration). Carey recently returned from an international residency above Norway's Arctic Circle.

Nicole Stellon O'Donnell, a poet and essayist from Fairbanks, Alaska, arrives on Friday, March 21. She will be housed at park headquarters until heading out to the Savage Cabin the following week.Writers and poets (and those interested in writing and poetry) are invited to a free workshop and reading with Nicole taking place on Saturday, March 29 at the Murie Science and Learning Center, beginning at 6:00 pm. No prior registration is required to take part.Her winter residency at Denali follows scheduled readings in New York City and Los Angeles.

The winter residencies will help raise public awareness of the winter experience in Denali and increase the number of winter pieces represented in the park's permanent collection. The first winter residency was done in 2010 by University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Emeritus Kesler Woodward. With some support provided by the park's sled dog teams, he and Frank Soos skied to the East Fork Cabin at Mile 43 on the park road, and back. You can read more about the trip, and view an image of the painting he donated to park, in his blog at: http://keslerwoodward.typepad.com/painting_in_the_north/2010/11/denali-park-in-winter.html.Woodward was instrumental in the development of the park's AIR program, and continues to serve on the AIR selection committee.

Each artist-in-residence will each donate a work inspired by their time in Denali to the park's collection.Pieces created by artists-in-residence from previous years will be on display in the Denali Visitor Center, Eielson Visitor Center, and the Murie Science and Learning Center during the 2014 visitor season. As of this week, some of the pieces will be on public display in a gallery at the Anchorage Public Lands Information Center on Fourth Street. In September other pieces will be on display at the Fairbanks Public Lands Information Center located in the Morris Thompson Visitors Center. An online gallery of artist-in-residence artwork is available at http://www.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm.

Since 2002 the Artist-in-Residence program at Denali National Park and Preserve has hosted more than 45 artists and writers, and two invited composers.Four visual artists and two writers will participate in this summer's program.

Artists interested in applying for the 2015 season are encouraged to visit www.nps.gov/dena/historyculture/arts-program.htm for information and to apply. The call for applications will be open from May 1 - September 30, 2014.

Related articles

• Application Period for Denali National Park 2014 Artists-in-Residence Program Open (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Celebrate National Trails Day in Denali National Park (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Wildlife Interests Worth $4.1 Billion to Alaska's Economy, New Study Finds

Wildlife - Animal - Dall Sheep in Denali National Park (Photo credit: blmiers2)

 Almost a million resident and visitor households embarked on at least one trip in Alaska to hunt or view wildlife in 2011, according to research presented in the recently published report, “The Economic Importance of Alaska’s Wildlife in 2011.” Along the way, the $3.4 billion spent by those hunters and viewers accounted for $4.1 billion in economic activity statewide.

“Visitors reported that wildlife is one of the main reasons they visited Alaska,” said Doug Vincent-Lang, director of the state’s Division of Wildlife Conservation, “and residents said wildlife contributes to their quality of life and reasons for living here.”

Of the $3.4 billion spent by hunters and wildlife viewers in Alaska in 2011, resident hunters and wildlife viewers each spent more than $1 billion. Visiting wildlife viewers spent $1.2 billion, while visiting hunters added some $150 million. That spending generated more than 27,000 jobs and $1.4 billion in labor income.

“This study demonstrates what many instinctively know: Alaska’s wildlife is important to Alaskans and visitors. Because people value it, they’re willing to spend a lot of money here to hunt, view, and experience wildlife,” Vincent-Lang said.

The report will be featured in a presentation at the Alaska Board of Game meeting on Friday, March 14, at the Dena’ina Civic Center in Anchorage, and the public is invited to attend.

The research was conducted by economic consulting firm ECONorthwest, which gathered core data for its analyses through six interlocking surveys in 2012. The surveys were conducted by phone, Internet, and mail and information was provided by about 7,000 residents and 2,000 visitors.

To see the report summary, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website atwww.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/news/ongoingissues/pdfs/the-economic-importance-of-alaskas-wildlife-in-2011-summary-report.pdf (PDF 1,204 kB)

Voices of the Wilderness traveling art exhibit debuts in Sitka

An exhibit of wilderness-inspired Alaskan art opens this week at the Sitka National Historical Park, kicking off a year-long celebration of wilderness in recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act

Voices of the Wilderness is a traveling art exhibit that features a wide range of artwork, including photography, music, poetry, and paintings created by participants in artist-in-residence programs hosted by agencies that manage federally designated wilderness. The exhibit is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Voices of the Wilderness exhibit is one of many events and activities the U.S. Forest Service will sponsor in Alaska this year to celebrate the Wilderness Act, which endorsed the idea of “untrammeled” public wildlands in 1964 and secured the wilderness heritage that Americans now enjoy.

In Alaska, Congressionally designated wilderness makes up one-third of the lands on the Tongass National Forest, where 19 separate wilderness areas cover 5.8 million acres in Southeast. The Chugach National Forest manages the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area, which encompasses more than one-third of that forest in South-central Alaska.

To foster understanding and enjoyment of wilderness areas on the Tongass and Chugach, the Forest Service will sponsor numerous events and products this year:

• The Voices of the Wilderness art exhibit will continue its run at venues in Ketchikan, Juneau, Fairbanks, Homer, Kenai, and Anchorage throughout the year.
• The Meaning of Wild, a 30-minute film that features stunning footage from four wilderness areas on the Tongass, will screen in numerous communities in Alaska during the coming year, including Juneau, Anchorage, and Ketchikan.
• The annual Chugach and Tongass poster series will highlight Forest Service wilderness in Alaska. Watch for the release of these commemorative posters in late March.
• A wilderness boat excursion will explore the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area in late May.
• Chugach Children’s Forest youth expeditions and teacher trainings in the Nellie Juan-College Fiord Wilderness Study Area are slated for this summer.
• In partnership with Alaska Geographic and the National Park Service, the Forest Service will develop a series of wilderness stories to debut this fall.

Watch for more information on these and additional events atwww.myalaskaforests.com; www.fs.usda.gov/r10;www.fs.usda.gov/chugach/; and www.fs.usda.gov/tongass/.

TOUGH TIMES FOR KENAI RIVER GUIDES

Kenai River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From the Peninsula Clarion...

Bruce Ewitt guided on the Kenai River for 11 years before he quit after the 2012 fishing season and shifted his efforts toward king salmon returning to the Columbia River.

He joined the ranks of sportfishing guides, nearly 100 since 2007, who have stopped guiding on the Kenai River a trend that other guides say could be indicative of future river use.

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Questions remain over counts after shift to high-tech sonar

In the continuing saga of Kenai River king salmon management during the current period of low abundance, counting the number of fish coming into the river with enough accuracy to satisfy competing users has been a difficult task for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Researchers are dealing with new, high-tech sonar counters they hope will meet the inherent challenge of finding and counting a few king salmon swimming along with thousands of sockeye salmon.

They are also faced with the task of communicating the subtleties of an increasingly complex system to a public upset by departmental missteps such as the 2012 closure of king salmon anglers and Cook Inlet setnetters due to what managers believed were dangerously low numbers of fish.

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Alaska State Trooper and veteran trapper center a suburban snare uproar

Were it not for the fact Rick Ellis's trapping buddy is a TV star, albeit a minor one, and an Alaska State Trooper to boot, the Wasilla outdoorsman believes he would not find himself and his trapping debated in the news.

In his heart of hearts, Ellis believes he and Alaska Wildlife Trooper John Cyr were performing a public service by trapping coyotes and foxes on some undeveloped property in a rural area going suburban near Colony High School in the Matanuska Valley north of Anchorage.

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Avalanche Awareness Education Month Is The Time To Prepare

Local Forecast Center Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center and Alaska Avalanche School Gearing Up This Weekend

November is Avalanche Awareness Education month in Alaska, and with a large weather system reaching Southcentral Alaska today, both the region's forecast center, Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center (CNFAIC), and the Alaska Avalanche school are finalizing preparations for the year ahead.

Peak Three, near Anchorage, Alaska (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"We've seen a major increase in backcountry users in the Chugach National Forest during recent years," said Wendy Wagner, avalanche forecaster with the CNFAIC. "Starting today, we will be issuing daily avalanche advisories which will continue through April."

This resource is available to the public online at www.cnfaic.org, providing information for backcountry travelers in two heavily traveled areas on the Kenai Peninsula, chiefly Turnagain Pass.

Reviewing an avalanche advisory before venturing into avalanche terrain is the smart thing to do, and it is a practice taught to each student who takes courses at the Alaska Avalanche School.

"We want our students to be prepared to make the best possible decisions in the field," said Aleph Johnston-Bloom, Executive Director of the Alaska Avalanche School. "Fortunately we've got some great resources in our area, like the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center."

Despite the late arrival of snow, interest in avalanche education has been high this fall. December courses offered by the Alaska Avalanche School are nearly full, with new students registering daily. Courses begin in two weeks.

Weekend Media Opportunities:

CNFAIC forecasters will be at the Glacier Ranger District in Girdwood and out in the field in the Turnagain Pass area this weekend assessing snow and avalanche conditions. To set up an interview, call Wendy Wagner at 435-640-6508.

The Alaska Avalanche School is conducting it's instructor training this weekend. Interviews/filming opportunities are available throughout the day on Saturday in Anchorage, when course curriculum will be reviewed in a classroom setting.

On Sunday, media is invited during select times when the school's field training session takes place at Hatchers Pass. For more information, or to set up a time, contact AAS Executive Director Aleph Johnston-Bloom at 907-345-0878.

About The Center/School:

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center is a public safety service housed under the U.S. Forest Service whose mission is to increase avalanche awareness in the Turnagain area though advisories and public education.

Alaska Avalanche School is a 501c3 organization with a mission to provide exceptional experienced-based snow and avalanche education to all users of the mountain environment. The school has been around over 35 years, recently teaching 1200 students per season.

For more Information:

Wendy Wagner, Avalanche Forecaster, Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center 435-640-6508 or wendy@chugachavalanch.org

Aleph Johnston-Bloom, Executive Director, Alaska Avalanche School 907-345-0878 or alaskaavalanche@mac.com

Wendy Wagner
Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center
www.cnfaic.org

wendy@chugachavalanche.org
(435) 640-6508

PO Box 129
Girdwood, AK 99587 

2014 Denali Bus and Campground Reservations Available on December 1

Grizzly bear in Denali National Park (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

DENALI PARK, Alaska: Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, the transportation concessioner for Denali National Park and Preserve, will begin accepting advance reservations for the 2014 visitor season for shuttle buses and the park's four largest campgrounds on Sunday, December 1.Reservations are available by phone, on-line or mail. Reservations are no longer being taken via fax.

Approximately 65% of the shuttle bus seats and 100% of the campsites in the Riley Creek, Savage River, Teklanika River, and Wonder Lake campgrounds can be reserved in advance. The remaining tickets are made available for advance or walk-in reservations two days before the travel date. The Riley Creek, Savage River, and Teklanika River Campgrounds are open for tents and RVs, but the Wonder Lake Campground is tents only. Hookups are not available in any of the park's campgrounds.

The shuttle bus system is designed to provide transportation into the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve for visitors who wish to view the park's scenery and wildlife, access campgrounds, go hiking for the day, or take an overnight trip into the park's backcountry. Drivers will answer questions and help visitors spot wildlife. The shuttle bus system will operate from Tuesday, May 20 through Thursday, September 11, 2014, weather permitting.

2014 SHUTTLE BUS PRICES FOR AN ADULT SINGLE TRIP FARE:

ToklatEielson Visitor Center Wonder Lake Kantishna

$27.00$34.50$47.25$51.50

The camper bus fare (for campers in park campgrounds or with backcountry permits) is $34.50.Children age 15 and under ride free on shuttle buses and half price on tour buses.

A maximum of eight shuttle bus seats may be requested with each reservation, and ages are required as age discounts may apply. Please provide alternate dates and times when possible.

Additionally, there are two multi-trip bus pass options available for visitors who plan to do multiple trips during the same summer. The 3-for-2 pass allows one individual to travel into the park on three separate trips during the same summer season for the price of two trips, provided the third trip is equal to or of lesser value than the first two. A reservation is required for each trip, which do not have to be taken on consecutive days. Reservations can be made in person at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile in the park, or by telephone at (800) 622-7275.

The 6-Pack allows a visitor to travel into the park on six separate trips during the same summer season for a discounted rate, i.e. $41.25 for destinations as far as the Toklat River (Mile 53), and $61.50 for destinations as far as Kantishna (Mile 92). The 6-Pack is good for only one individual, i.e. is not transferable, and the first bus trip must be reserved when purchasing the 6-Pack. There is a minimum of five days between trips. All reservations must be done in person (valid ID required) at the Wilderness Access Center or Riley Creek Mercantile.

Phone reservations can be made by calling (800) 622-7275 nationwide or (907) 272-7275 for international callers between 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Arizona time). The web address for on-line reservations iswww.reservedenali.com. Mail-in reservation requests should be sent to:

ARAMARK /Joint Venture Reservations

2805 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 240

Phoenix, AZ 85106

Additional park information is available at www.nps.gov/dena or by calling (907) 683-9532 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. Stay connected with "DenaliNPS" on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and iTunes – links to these social media sites are available at www.nps.gov/dena.

Wolf Viewing Declining in Denali

For a third consecutive year, National Park Service (NPS) researchers have found that visitors traveling in buses on the Denali Park Road have had significantly declining opportunities to see wolves. In a random sample of 80 bus trips this summer, wolves were seen on three occasions, or about 4 percent of the trips. By contrast, in the three previous years the percentages were 12 percent (2012), 21 percent (2011) and 44 percent (2010). 

NPS biologists gather data on the wolf packs that range on the north side of the Alaska Range by radio tracking, and have documented the decrease in the number of wolves that den and roam in closer proximity to the road in the eastern half of the park, as well as a decline in the overall number of wolves in Denali north of the Alaska Range.

The relationship between the decline in wolf populations and the decline in viewing opportunities is complex. “We are just beginning to learn about the factors, such as pack disruption, that play a role in magnifying the impacts of individual wolf losses on viewability,” said Dr. Philip Hooge, Assistant Superintendent for Resources, Science, and Learning. The decline of wolf numbers has not translated to larger numbers of viewed prey species, the research data shows. The proportion of bus trips where bears, moose, caribou and sheep were seen varies by year, but none show the steady decline found with wolves.

The overall number of wolves in the packs north of the Alaska Range in the national park and preserve is also down. Spring counts went from 66 in 2012 to 55 in 2013, which is in the lowest level documented since counts began in 1986. Hooge said that while this low number has impacts on the visitor experience and may have ecosystem effects, the population remains viable.

Sport hunting and trapping are legal in Denali National Preserve, located on the far western edges of the park. Subsistence harvests are legal in the preserve and the 1980 additions to the national park. Most of the combined hunting and trapping efforts take place in the western areas of the new park lands, but documented wolf harvest is quite small. “We generally don’t see the wolves in the western portions of Denali moving to den near the park road,” Hooge said.

“The wolves commonly seen by visitors often leave the park to follow migrating prey species such as caribou,” Hooge said. “Prior to 2010, one of the areas at the boundary of the park most frequented by wolves was closed to hunting by the State of Alaska”. In 2010, the National Park Service asked the Alaska Board of Game to expand the buffer zone, which would have prohibited hunting and trapping in additional areas where many of the most-viewed wolves winter. The board declined this request, and voted to also eliminate the existing buffer zone along the park’s northeast boundary. 

The wolf viewing data is available on-line. Researchers will be explaining the data more thoroughly in a peer-reviewed paper expected to be available in the spring of 2014. The NPS will continue to gather wolf viewing data.

Alaska Outdoor News

• A 79-year-old man who splits his time between Alaska and Pennsylvania is facing a litany of illegal hunting charges dating back five years after shooting a bull moose last month near his summer home in the mining enclave of Eureka, about 150 miles northwest of Fairbanks.

Alaska Board of Fisheries to Meet in Anchorage, October 18 - 22, 2013

The Alaska Board of Fisheries (board) will meet October 18 - 22, 2013, at the Hilton Hotel, 500 W. Third Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. During this five-day public meeting, the board will meet to consider 36 proposals regarding Alaska Statewide Pacific cod submitted by the general public, fishing organizations, local Fish and Game Advisory Committees, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

In addition to submitting written public comments, the board also invites members of the public to give oral public testimony during the meeting beginning October 18. Any person intending to testify must sign up at the meeting site at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage by 2:00 p.m., Friday October 18. Public testimony will continue until members of the public who have signed up before the deadline and who are present have been given an opportunity to testify.

All portions of the meeting are open to the public and a live audio stream is intended to be available on the Board of Fisheries’ website at www.boardoffisheries.adfg.alaska.gov. Documents submitted to the board are intended to be posted online throughout the meeting. Copies of advanced meeting materials including the agenda and roadmap can be obtained by contacting Boards Support Section at 907-465- 4110 or viewed online at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.meetinginfo.

The board encourages the public to submit written comments on specific proposals. Written public comments limited to 10 single-sided or 5 double-sided pages in length from any one individual or group will be accepted as a record copy (RC), but will not be inserted in board member workbooks until the beginning of the meeting, and will only be accepted until the board begins deliberation of proposals.

NEW PUBLIC COMMENT STANDARD: Once deliberation of proposals begin at a board meeting, the board will ONLY accept written public comments that are not more than five single-sided pages, or the equivalent double-sided pages, unless specific information is requested by the board that requires more pages than allowed under this standard.

During the meeting, written public comments from any one individual or group may be submitted by hand delivery at any time if 27 copies are provided; as a practical matter, comments submitted after the board begins deliberations on relevant proposals are likely to receive less consideration than comments submitted earlier. Individuals not attending the meeting can submit written comments by fax to (907) 465-6094.

Related articles

• Alaska Outdoor News - October 5 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

Alaska Hunting and Fishing News

Alaska mountain landscape (Photo credit: blmiers2)

•  Alaska Wildlife Troopers say three bow hunters have been charged with using unlawful methods to take big game.
• If you ask people why they enjoy visiting Alaska, hunting trip is often at the top of their list. There’s a lot involved in planning such a hunting trip, which is why the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is proud to offer these tips.
• Any of these trophies - a big-horned ram, a black bear or an 8-pound salmon - would make a satisfying trip for a hunter or angler, but Kaleb Yahner of Sugarloaf took all three on a trip to Alaska.
• Dave Workman, who’s a regular contributing columnist to our magazines, weighs in on how the federal government shutdown could affect hunters in several states, including Alaska.
• A fisherman aboard fishing vessel near Cold Bay was medevaced by a Coast Guard helicopter on Oct. 14 after suffering a hernia and was transferred to Cold Bay for emergency medical services, Coast Guard officials said.

Related articles

• Alaska Outdoor News - October 5 (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Wild Alaska (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)
• Alaska Outdoor News (alaska-outdoors.blogspot.com)

2013 Salmon Harvest Sets New Records

(Juneau) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has completed compilation of preliminary values for the 2013 commercial salmon fishery. Powered by a record pink salmon harvest of 219 million fish, this year’s harvest ranks as the second most valuable on record. At $691.1 million, 2013 is only exceeded by the 1988 harvest value of $724 million. In addition to setting a record for pink salmon, the total number of salmon harvested also set a new record at 272 million fish.

“Our salmon managers across the state have done an excellent job of ensuring sustainability of our salmon stocks while optimizing fishing opportunity. We had an outstanding year over-all, though some areas returns did not allow for desired harvest levels,” said Director Jeff Regnart, ADF&G Commercial Fisheries Division. “We are pleased that so many Alaskans are able to enjoy the economic benefits of our salmon resources.”

Sockeye salmon narrowly held onto its position as the most valuable salmon species harvested in Alaska’s commercial salmon fisheries, with a statewide value of $284 million. Almost half of this came from Bristol Bay, where the price was up even though the harvest was modest. Pink salmon, riding a huge wave of production across multiple fishing areas, brought in $277 million. Chum, coho, and Chinook salmon, respectively, filled the remainder of the ranks.

Bristol Bay, usually the most valuable salmon fishery in the state, fell to third place this year behind Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound. Southeast and Prince William sound realized the largest pink salmon harvests ever recorded in their management areas; just over 91 million pink salmon from Prince William Sound, and 89.2 million pink salmon from Southeast Alaska.

This year’s title of most valuable salmon fishing area in the state belongs to Southeast Alaska, with an all- species harvest value of $219 million. In addition to the $124 million in pink salmon, Southeast chum and coho salmon yielded values of $43.6 million and $23.4 million, respectively. In addition, the Chinook salmon harvest in Southeast Alaska was worth $17 million.

Kodiak and Chignik also had very good years with all-species harvests worth $61 and $23 million, respectively. For the first time in several years, the Alaska Peninsula also enjoyed a decent pink salmon harvest.

The Yukon and Kotzebue management areas had good chum salmon returns, but Chinook salmon returns throughout the Arctic/Yukon/Kuskokwim region were again low and provided no commercial fishing opportunities.

The Upper Cook Inlet sockeye salmon harvest was just over half the forecast. Management restrictions on the sockeye fishery were required to conserve a small Chinook salmon return to the Kenai River.

Values provided by ADF&G are based on estimated ex-vessel prices and do not include post season bonuses or price adjustments. The final value for the 2013 salmon fishery will be determined in 2014 after seafood processors, buyers, and direct marketers report the average prices paid to fishermen in 2013. It is entirely possible that after final prices are determined, the 2013 season, without accounting for inflation, could surpass 1988 as the most valuable salmon harvest in history.