Alaska’s Board of Game adopted a number of changes for the upcoming regulatory year, which take effect July 1.
Of local interest, the
definition of spike-fork antlers was updated to read as “antlers of a bull moose with only one or two tines on at least one antler, a point or tine
originating within two inches of the base of the antler and less than three inches in length will not be counted as a tine; male calves are not considered spike bulls.”
The change was proposed this year by Wrangell’s Game Advisory Committee (AC) as Proposal 6. In its proposal,
the AC expressed its view that burl points in excess of an inch but less than three inches are beyond what should be required of a hunter to see from a
reasonable distance, as these points are easily blocked from view by the hair or ear.
Last year’s moose
season saw an abnormally high number of moose killed that did not meet the state’s brow tine criteria. The ratio early
on in the season – as high as 20 percent after the first week – was such that the
Alaska Department of Fish and Game at one point considered an early closure of some
portions of the district to hunters.
A similar proposal has
been put forward by Wrangell’s AC in past years, but was
consistently rejected. This year the language of the
proposal was carefully revised, and Wrangell’s committee worked more closely
with Petersburg’s to find
support.
Another area of possible interest for Wrangell sportsmen this year is for trapping
requirements. In game
management units (GMUs) 1-5, 12 and 20E, the BoG has removed the trap identification and sign requirement for all traps. The term “underwater” was also redefined to mean
“the trap or snare must be placed below the waterline and the restraining portion of the trap or snare must be in the water.”
Beginning this fall, in units 1-5, the BoG removed the requirement for global
positioning system locations to be provided at the time a bait site is registered. All GMUs have been open to bear baiting, and the use of furbearer
carcasses have been allowed as bear bait. The requirement for signs posted at bait sites
have been updated to read “Bear Bait Station” instead of “Black Bear Bait Station” or “Black and Brown Bear Bait Station.”
The specific locations of the bait sites are required to be given at the time of registration. The board removed the requirement to salvage the meat of brown bears taken over bait.
For other changes a full summary can be found on the BoG website, at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=gameboard.main
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