USFWS Predator Management - Alaska

[OutdoorAddict14]

I've been digging around on here and haven't seen any talk of this, if I missed it somewhere please let me know. I stumbled on to this a couple days ago; apparently this has been an ongoing battle but it appears that Mr. Obama has taken some serious action - for the worse.

http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/n...louts-law-again-to-benefit-anti-hunting-pals/

http://sportsmenslink.org/the-media...rvice-issues-alaska-predator-management-rule/

 

[shoots-straight]

I think it's being used by the far right to promote states rights to the feds lands. Go ahead and read the ruling for yourself. Don't take anyone's word for what is going on. https://www.fws.gov/alaska/nwr/ak_nwr_pr.htm

 

[Hunting Wife]

People are sure trying hard to turn this into some kind of partisan issue. All the spin is making me dizzy.

First, the USFWS has been directed over the past few years to expand access and opportunity for hunting on refuges, where it does not conflict with the refuge's establishing purpose. There is now more hunting opportunity on USFWS land than under previous administrations.
http://refugeassociation.org/2015/06/hunting-and-fishing-at-wildlife-refuges-expanded/

The issue in this particular case is less about limiting hunting and more about removing predators, some of which were explicitly described as species to be conserved by the refuges at their establishment. According to US Code, Refuges have to be managed according to their founding purpose. In most cases, their founding purpose included protection of bears and wolves among other species. Thus, beyond a certain point, reduction in numbers of those species may conflict with their purpose and puts the agency in violation of US Code. This rule is the agency's effort to clarify what they can and can't allow on Refuge lands to remain in compliance with federal laws.

 

[OutdoorAddict14]

Thank you both for the information. I was indeed a little quick to form an opinion without doing the proper research. I am all for sound, scientific wildlife management; I do however have great concerns about political motivations getting in the way. On the surface, this appeared to be more about politics than science and management.

Thanks again.