Alaska could expand 'predator control' in wildlife refuges

Alaska's national wildlife refuges could soon see more hunting of wolves and bears, some of which could be done using airplanes, traps or even bait to lure bears.

The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to cancel a federal bill enacted by the Obamaadministration in2016 that restricts non-subsistence hunting in the state's federally-managed wildlife refuges.

The Senate approved the repeal measure, 52-47, sending it to the president. The House approved the measure last month.

The repeal was proposed by Alaska representative Don Young who arguestheissue is about states' rights.

"My resolution overturns an illegal rule by theObamaadministration," he told the House last month.

"Some of you will say, 'oh, we have to protect the wolf puppies.' That's not what this is about. This is about the law. The right of Alaskans to manage all fish and game," he said.

Predator Control programs

Opponents fear Alaska will now expand its Predator Controlprograms, already in effect across about 10 per centof the state. The aim of such programs is to increase moose, caribou or deer populations by reducing predation by wolves and bears.

Michael Haukedalen, Alaska state director for the U.S. Humane Society, calls that policy flawed.

"It's a practice that is not considered scientific by many people, in terms of the goal of increasing the number of desired species, in this case, moose and caribou," he says. "There are many credible scientists who point out this is not effective."

The federal bill restricting non-subsistencehunting on Alaska's wildlife refuges was passed in 2016 and specifically forbade:

• Taking black of brown bear cubs or sows with cubs
• Taking brown bears over bait
• Taking bears using traps or snares
• Taking wolves and coyotes during the denning season
• Taking bears from an aircraft or on the same day as air travel has occurred

The Republican motion called House Joint Resolution 69 merely states this previous federal rule will "have no force or effect."

Opponents say a repeal essentially means an approval of these techniques.Young disagrees.

"They talk about killing puppies and (cubs) grizzly bears. That does not happen. Nor is it legal in the state of Alaska," he said."There's been a lot of interest groups that state falsehoods and flat-out dishonesty."

Alaska's hunting rules already forbid private hunters from killing wolfor bear cubsbut the Humane Society says this has been approved by the state's Predator Control program in the past.

Alaska's policy 'against science' says opponent

In a Feb. 15 meeting of the House Rules Committee, Democratic representative Jared Polis from Colorado railed against the repeal.

"Why should Alaska be allowed to kill wildlife on a federal wildlife refuge without at least proving a scientific basis that this kind of slaughter is actually productive?" he said.

Why should Alaska be allowed to killwildlife on a federalwildlife refuge withoutat least proving ascientific basis that this kind of slaughteris actuallyproductive?-Jared Polis, US Representative, 2nd District of Colorado

Polis cited the U.S. National Academy of Sciences which has questioned the Predator Control program and said more research is needed. A 1997 study from the academy said predator-prey interactions are "not that simple".

Young, however, dismissed thestudy and saidthe Academy is biased and against all hunting.

"That science report is made by those that do not like the taking of any game, at any hour," he said.

Youngsaid he's personally seen moose killed by wolves on his trapline.

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