Wrangell's advisory committee to Alaska Department of Fish and Game held the first of several public meetings at the Fire Hall Monday, to discuss Board of Game proposals for the 2014-15 meeting cycle. The committee provides a forum for fishing and wildlife issues, allowing the public to review and discuss new proposals and to provide recommendations to Alaska's boards of Fisheries and Game.
A variety of local fishermen, hunters, trappers and subsistence users stopped in to review 38 new policies and changes to management practices being proposed, which will be taken up by Game at its Jan. 9th meeting in Juneau.
Among the proposals the eleven members on the committee agreed upon was Proposal 6, redefining “broken antler” for Units 1 and 3. Under the change, an antler that was broken while growing and is visibly grown around or over would not be considered illegal by the broken antler regulation.
“I think it's a good middle ground,” opined Brennon Eagle. He argued the broken antler rule didn't really address the problem of abuse, and in some ways has enabled nitpicking on the part of enforcement with little room left for discretion.
“The problem is it's not a gray area, it's a black and white area,” agreed Chris Guggenbickler, chairing the committee.
Similarly, the committee was expressed some favor for Proposal 7, defining “points” for forked moose antlers for the RM038 registration hunt in Unit 1C. They supported an amendment version of the proposal, dropping references to forked antlers and Unit 1C.
The advisory committee also favored Proposals 1 and 3, related to opening a fall brown bear season for residents in Unit 3; Proposal 5, clarifying the boundaries of the Wrangell Road System Closed Area; and Proposal 36, removing the requirement to clean up contaminated soil from bear baiting stations for Southeast Region units.
With one member dissenting, the committee also expressed favor for Proposal 35, requiring archery certification for big game hunters using crossbows. The group reasoned that the principles to be learned in the course would be in keeping with good hunting ethics.
The committee will begin reviewing Board of Fisheries proposals at its next meeting, set for Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Fire Hall. The meeting is open to the public. Those needing a special accommodation in order to participate are asked to contact Robert Pearson at 465-6097 by Dec. 3, so necessary arrangements can be made.
The full proposal book and related materials can be accessed online at the ADFG website, http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=game
board.main, or bound copies are available at the local ADFG office.
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