National Park Service Proposing Hunting Restrictions In Alaskan Units

[bigtex]

National Park Service Proposing Hunting Restrictions In Alaskan Units
Submitted by NPT Staff on March 9, 2014 - 2:44am

The National Park Service, responding to the state of Alaska's liberalized hunting seasons for predators, is proposing to shorten the hunting seasons in some of its units in the state.

The Park Service is now taking public comments on temporary restrictions for certain sport hunting practices in several national preserves in Alaska through March 22.

"The restrictions generally mirror those in place last year. These restrictions are in response to decisions by the Alaska Board of Game to liberalize hunting seasons and methods for wolves, coyotes, and bears," a Park Service release said. "The board has also rejected proposals by the National Park Service to exclude preserves from these practices, an action that would have made federal restrictions unnecessary."

Units affected by this proposal are Alagnak Wild River, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve.

The restrictions include:

* Shortening the open season for wolves and coyotes. Under the proposed rule, wolf and coyote hunting would be open from August 10 through April 30. This would prevent the taking of wolves and pups at den sites during the early summer when the animals are vulnerable and their pelts are in poor condition.

* Prohibiting the use of bait for the taking of brown bears. Until recently, the practice had been prohibited since Statehood and is the only such allowance in North America. The NPS is proposing to prohibit the practice to avoid public safety issues that can arise with bears conditioned to finding human food.

* Prohibiting the use of artificial light when taking black bear sows or cubs at den sites. This practice was opened to all resident hunting license holders in 2010.

The full text of the restrictions for each affected national preserve can be found at this web page.

Public hearings will be held in a community in or near each of the affected national preserves during the weeks of March 10 and March 17. In addition, hearings will be held in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and written comments may be mailed. The NPS will also open a Facebook chat on the topic on March 20 from 10 a.m. to noon and postings will be retained for the record.

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2014/03/national-park-service-proposing-hunting-restrictions-alaskan-units24756

[Elkaholic daWg]

 So is it the lower 48 trying to tell them what to do while hoping the Anchorage/ Fairbanks folks will get them their desired result, only to ignore them if they don't??

[bigtex]

So is it the lower 48 trying to tell them what to do while hoping the Anchorage/ Fairbanks folks will get them their desired result, only to ignore them if they don't??

The National Park Service is split into separate different administrative regions, however Alaska is their own region. So if anything this came down from the NPS unit superintendents who then requested it from their Regional Director in Anchorage.

[Elkaholic daWg]

so the scenario is possible??

[Pinetar]

Regional Director in Anchorage as in Geoff Haskett?

[bigtex]

Regional Director in Anchorage as in Geoff Haskett?

Haskett is the US Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director. This regulation is National Park Service. Different agency...

[Pinetar]

Gotcha, didn't read that close enough. Thanks!