The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:
It’s in Alaskans’ best interest to manage the state’s wildlife.
That said, the state is suing two federal agencies over regulations imposed on Alaska. The National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created the regs.
Gov. Bill Walker argues that the regulations interfere with some Alaskans’ basic means of survival.
The National Park Service imposed regulations that restrict certain sport hunting practices in national preserves in 2015, according to The Associated Press. NPS prohibited killing wolves and coyotes, including pups, during denning season, killing any black bear while using artificial light at den sites and killing of black and brown bears over bait.
The agency says the rules didn’t affect subsistence hunting by eligible Alaskans.
The main rub between the state and the feds is predator control on federal conservation land.
The state Game Board would like to expand human consumption of moose and caribou through the killing of bears and wolves. Its members also have supported longer hunting seasons for predators, and management toward the goal of control.
But, state law officials say the lawsuit is about federal control, not predator control or protecting Alaska’s wildlife. The agencies are interfering with what should be Alaskans’ management.
Management at the local or state level is most often more responsive to the people than that from afar. Alaskans, who in some cases depend upon, and who enjoy Alaska’s wildlife year-round should be making the rules.
It’s in Alaska’s best interest to manage wildlife well.
