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.

Read More

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)

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 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)

Wild Alaska

Moose (1998) Alaska Office of Economic Development (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It seems whenever I am asked about my time in Alaska, the questions turn to two species out of all that inhabit the nation's greatest state.  Those two animals are the two largest and probably potentially the most dangerous - moose and bear.

Alaskans are aware that with some simple precautions and common sense, the peril from these magnificent creatures is relatively low.  However, the peril does exist.

Recently a hunter paid quite a price for his hunting trip.  The son of a congressional candidate was mauled by a grizzly he had wounded as he hunted somewhat near McGrath.  Due to poor weather, his rescue was delayed, but it sounds like he will pull through.  You can read more about it HERE.

More people get hurt and are killed by moose in Alaska than bears, but that is mostly due to traffic accidents.  Most moose are in the interior of Alaska.  Certainly, moose are not thought of as being prominentHERE.

residents of southeast Alaska, but that seems to be changing a bit.  Juneau residents are seeing more of them around town.  You can read more about that

Much of Alaska's beauty is subtle, but those who don't know it think of the big and dangerous animals, as well as the more audacious landforms, glaciers, rivers, and ocean features.  That's okay.  Once visitors get there they are drawn into the real Alaska and are transformed for all their life. Those who are blessed to live in Alaska can absorb it at a natural pace.

Introduction to Alaska Big Game Hunting

FROM ADF&G

Alaska's hunting reputation is justly deserved. One-fifth the size of the entire United States, Alaska offers wilderness hunting opportunities found in few other locations in the world. It is true that huge moose occur here and that vast caribou herds dominate the landscape in some areas and seasons. Numerous mountain ranges support populations of Dall sheep and mountain goats, and Sitka black-tailed deer thrive in the coastal forests. Once extirpated from the state, muskox now range over the western and arctic coastal wilderness. Large numbers of black and brown bear also exist here. And wolves, which are found across most of the state, are also abundant in some areas. See the summary table Alaska Big Game Distribution, which briefly describes Alaska’s game and where it is located, or refer to individual species descriptions.

If marine mammals, wolf, and wolverine are considered, Alaska has over a dozen species of big game animals. However, big game densities are generally much lower than you may be used to in more southerly states and provinces. The state’s relatively cooler soil temperatures and short growing seasons can limit terrestrial productivity, with many game species in Alaska making long movements between seasonal ranges. Some species such as caribou and moose are widely distributed. However, depending on the month, they may be scarce in some areas—even where good habitat exists—and abundant elsewhere.

Alaska doesn't lend itself well to day hunts or short weekend hunts for most big game species. Many hunters find it best to plan and save up money and vacation time for one or two good 5-day or week long hunts a year. Given the uncertainty of weather and animal movement patterns, any additional days you are able to spend in a particular hunting area can really increase your odds of success.

Moose meat, ready for the freezer

Planning and preparation are the keys to a successful hunt, no matter how you define it. Do your homework to determine the best areas and times to hunt the species you seek. Purchase reliable equipment, and practice with it ahead of time. Be prepared physically and mentally for tough weather, difficult terrain conditions, isolation, and weather delays. All are normal features of many Alaska hunts.

This website has been designed to provide the novice and expert hunter alike with useful information on hunting in Alaska. The website covers a wide range of topics, from animal life history and tips on optics, to meeting legal requirements related to hunt reporting, meat care and transport of firearms through Canada. It does not take the place of the Alaska Hunting Regulations. Familiarize yourself with the regulations and carry a copy with you into the field. You may be glad you did, especially if you get weathered in for a day or two with nothing else to read.

We suggest you also obtain local information from private sources and government agencies before making firm plans. Consider taking the Alaska Hunter Education course, it's a good one. You may also want to take advantage ofAlaska Hunting Clinics offered for various species. Finally, feel free to seek more information about regulations or wildlife populations by checking with biologists at our regional offices, and with providers of transportation services. Taking advantage of these resources can help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable hunting trip, and increase your chances of harvesting an animal.

Alaska Big Game Distribution

Species	Distribution
Black bear	Found throughout forested regions of Alaska. Greatest densities occur in parts of Southeast Alaska, but good populations can be found in many regions of the state.
Brown/grizzly bear	Brown/grizzly bears are distributed statewide. Brown bears occur along the coast. Grizzly bears are located inland. Highest population densities are on Kodiak Island, Admiralty Island and the Alaska Peninsula.
Caribou	Distributed throughout Alaska except Southeast. Caribou are found in herds ranging from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of animals. The largest herds in the state today are the Western Arctic (NW Alaska), Porcupine (NE Alaska) and Mulchatna herds (SW Alaska).
Dall sheep	Found in major and some minor mountain ranges except in coastal regions. Highest densities are found in the Southcentral region.
Deer	Sitka black-tailed deer were originally found only in Southeast Alaska. Transplants in the early 1900s added huntable populations in Prince William Sound and the Kodiak Archipelago. Highest densities are found at Kodiak and in northern Southeast Alaska.
Marine mammals	While huntable populations of polar bears, walrus, and other marine mammals exist, federal law restricts hunting to Alaska Natives only.
Moose	Widely distributed in Alaska. Greatest population densities occur in Southcentral Alaska, but good populations are found in the Interior, Western, and Arctic Alaska as well. Limited moose hunting opportunities are found in Southeast Alaska.
Mountain goat	Found in the coastal mountains of Southeast Alaska and Southcentral Alaska. Greatest population densities occur in Southeast Alaska.
Muskox	Alaska's present day muskox populations are found on the wind-swept western and arctic coasts of Alaska from Nunivak Island to the Canadian border.
Wolf	Widely distributed in Alaska. Trapped and hunted under general hunting regulations. In some areas, also taken by permit via predator control programs.
Wolverine	Wolverine are uncommonly seen and infrequently taken by hunters. They are distributed throughout much of the state.