Middle Nenana Fish & Game Advisory Committee Opposes Motorized Hunting in Yanert, Intensive Management in 20-C

The Middle Nenana Fish and Game Advisory Committee had a meeting on Jan. 9th, in Anderson, to continue the discussion on the Proposals in the Alaska Board of Game Proposed Regulations for 2011/2012.  The committee discussed and voted on many proposals (there are 255 of them!) but several of primary concern for DCC were Proposal 213, regarding motorized access for hunting in the Yanert Controlled Use Area – proposed by the Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee – and Proposals 227, 229 to manage Unit 20 C as an Intensive Management area for high harvest of moose, Proposal 230, to adopt a bear control program in Unit 20-C, Proposal 231, to liberalize trapping of black bears in Unit 20-C, and Proposal 232, to allow the taking of grizzly bears over black bear bait in Unit 20-C.

All of these  proposals were unanimously opposed, (with some  members abstaining from the vote) by the committee.  Unit 20-C abuts the north side of Denali National Park and DCC maintains is that it is inappropriate to establish Unit 20-C as an intensive management area before significant and current data on wildlife populations is secured through population surveys, and habitat analysis and carrying capacity is determined.  The Middle Nenana Advisory Committee voted in concurrence with these positions. Greater consideration of these issues was given thanks to the many concerned local citizens who wrote letters and/or showed up at these meetings .   There is significant pressure from Fairbanks to support these proposals (many of which the Advisory Committee there proposed), so, the support to oppose the proposals will most certainly be needed to carry over to the spring Board of Game meetings in Fairbanks in early March.

The proposal booklet is available for review online at the Board’s website: www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us.  Send written comments to:
Board of Game Comments, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Boards Support Section
PO Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
Fax: 907-456-6094

Written comments are due by February 17, 2012. You can also testify at the Interior Region meetings in Fairbanks, March 2-12, 2012.  Watch DCC member alerts, newsletters, and this website  for more information soon.