Wrapping up the last of this year’s game proposals, Wrangell’s Advisory Committee (AC) for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s regulatory boards held its last meeting of the year on Jan. 28.
Comments gathered by the committee – made up of area sportsmen, fishermen, and subsistence users – go to the boards of Fish and Game when they meet later this month and in March. Digital copies of the regulations proposal books are available for review online at the Board page on http://www.adfg.alaska.gov.
Flipping through the booklet, Wrangell’s AC unanimously supported Proposal 68, which would ban the use of forward looking infrared (FLIR) devices during hunts, in the same vein as current bans on other lights and similar devices.
“This seems like it’s against fair chase,” said Brennon Eagle, echoing the mood of the committee.
The proposal was put forward by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, since current regulations only prohibit electronically enhanced night vision scopes.
“The use of FLIR scopes, hand held devices, and electronically enhanced night vision devices give an individual an unfair advantage when taking game,” AWT reasoned in its proposal. “Technologies are evolving faster than the regulation can be amended and with the Board of Game on a three year cycle we feel it is imperative the board discuss adding this prohibition to regulation.”
A majority of the AC expressed its support for Proposal 66, which would allow the use of felt soles while hunting, which is currently banned by the Board of Game due to concerns about spreading invasive species.
The proposal points out the apparel is for safety, giving hunters better traction when wading streams and traveling slick surfaces.
“I think they do work,” Eagle commented.
The committee voted unanimously against Proposal 69, which would prohibit hunting with dogs except when needed as a service animal. The rationale given in the proposal was to prevent transmission of disease to Alaska’s wildlife populations.
AC members expressed concern that the prohibition would extend to waterfowl hunting, but also to those who bring dogs on hunting trips as a bear deterrent.
The committee voted nine-to-two against proposals 72, 73 and 74, establishing a minimum caliber ammunition for hunting moose, caribou and bear. The three proposals would set .243 caliber ammunition as a minimum for such hunts, in order to reduce the wounding and unnecessary loss of game.
“This would be a step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned,” commented Brian Merritt, who voted in favor of the measures.
The AC voted unanimously in favor of Proposal 71, another put forward by AWT. The measure would clarify same-day airborne prohibitions for hunting big game. Under the proposal, a person who has been airborne may not take or assist in taking a big game animal until 3 a.m. the following day. The prohibition would extend to others said person has come in contact with.
“We’ve had issues with this,” explained Wrangell Trooper Fred Burke explained. “This is just to clarify the language a little bit.”
Currently regulations prohibit an individual from taking a big game animal the same day they are airborne, but does not prohibit a hunter from taking a big game animal using information given to them by an individual who was airborne. At the moment it is difficult for a Trooper to prove whether an airborne guide has spotted for a customer when landing and regrouping.
By simplifying the language and adding the wait period, Burke explained the Troopers would no longer have to split hairs over the issue. Additionally, under the proposal the ban would not apply to those flying on a commercial airline, during the taking of deer, and certain other scenarios.
In a rare split vote, the committee voted seven-to-four against Proposal 78, lifting all requirements for maintaining identification tags on traps and snares. The Alaska Trappers Association made the proposal because “trap identification tags are cumbersome, ineffective and can lead to interference with lawful trapping.”
Among other things, the proposal contends that enforcement officers may render sets ineffective during inspection by disturbing the immediate area and contaminating the gear with human scent.
Committee president Chris Guggenbickler disagreed. “I think there should be some accountability,” he said. In the event of a miss-set or even a successful trap, he figured people would know who its owner was and could let them know.
On the law enforcement side, Burke pointed out having at least an identification number on trap sets made his job more efficient.
The AC was in full agreement, however, in its opposition to Proposal 79, which would require a trap or snare setup to be checked every 24 hours from the time it was initially set or last checked. Documentation would be required and must include the time and date of the set, the time and date of each check, and the date and type of severe weather if a check delay is necessary.
“It’s very unrealistic for the trappers around here,” said Merritt. Weather could play a big factor, as well as tides and other obstructions to transportation.
“I think it would be dangerous to require guys to check their traps so regularly,” Burke weighed in.
One of its final acts for the year was to hold committee elections. Ten of 12 seats were up for reelection, and in a ballot vote members were nominated and elected to sit for either three- or two-year terms. The term lengths were staggered in an effort to normalize board elections in future.
Eagle, Tom Sims, Jason Rooney, Otto Florschutz and Scott McAuliffe were picked to serve three-year terms. David Rak, Rob Rooney, John Yeager, Winston Davies and Mike Bauer will serve two-year terms. Brett Stillwaugh and Janice Churchill will be voting alternates.
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