The Alaska Board of Game recently approved a proposal to institute a black bear predation control plan in Unit 16B in order to boost moose calf survival rates. The plan calls for the killing of 900-1400 black bears over a 3-5 year period. Any licensed resident hunter over the age of 16 can participate after obtaining a free control area permit. There is no limit on the amount of bears a hunter can take, and hunters can take any black bear, including a sow with cubs, or cubs. Up to four bait stations will be allowed, as well as same-day airborne land-and-shoot "hunting." It will also be legal to sell the tanned hide of a black bear taken in this control area.
According to the population data provided by ADFG to justify this program, "the spring 2003 population estimate for black bears in Unit 16B was 1183-2402."
To put that in terms we can better understand, ADFG is saying that there are 1792 black bears in the unit +/- 610 bears. What that means if we look at percentages is that ADFG estimates there are 1792 bears +/- 34%.
A margin of error of +/- 34% is not acceptable for a program of this magnitude, especially when we have the technology and tools to accurately assess bear densities with hair-snag DNA sampling. The data says that there could be a minimum of 1183 bears in Unit 16B. Yet the control plan seeks to kill more than that number. That makes absolutely no biological sense; without accurate population data we should err on the side of caution instead of going to extremes.
Furthermore, many hunters feel that this kind of controversial plan simply won't effectively increase bear harvests in an area where we've had liberalized seaons and bag limits for years. Programs like this only serve to degrade the public perception of hunting and hunters.
Alaska Backcountry Hunters and Anglers strongly opposes this bear predation control program.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
